- Joined
- Jul 28, 2024
- Messages
- 1,477
Without watching the video I can tell you the problems:
The future is bright, for the parts department's bottom line!
- Many new headlights are serialized to the VIN (so you have to go to the dealer or an expensive mobile tech to reprogram).
- Reinitialization might require synchronization with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) i.e. radar, camera, lidar, and a 4 wheel alignment. Targets are used for lidar and radar so this isn't just replace and program.
- Dynamic calibration is occasionally needed for some ADAS which means tech might have to drive the vehicle for up to an hour.
- The cost of replacing an entire headlight can be in the thousands. This isn't your normal plastic headlight assembly that just needs halogens. These lights have drivers, motors, computers, and cooling systems. These parts are usually sold individually and can require their own programming when replaced separately..
Integrated smart systems get expensive. Just buy a new car.Without watching the video I can tell you the problems:
The future is bright, for the parts department's bottom line!
- Many new headlights are serialized to the VIN (so you have to go to the dealer or an expensive mobile tech to reprogram).
- Reinitialization might require synchronization with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) i.e. radar, camera, lidar, and a 4 wheel alignment. Targets are used for lidar and radar so this isn't just replace and program.
- Dynamic calibration is occasionally needed for some ADAS which means tech might have to drive the vehicle for up to an hour.
- The cost of replacing an entire headlight can be in the thousands. This isn't your normal plastic headlight assembly that just needs halogens. These lights have drivers, motors, computers, and cooling systems. These parts are usually sold individually and can require their own programming when replaced separately..
Crazy expensive for several years for some brands...I know my 7 year old BMW with LED headlights with adaptive headlights that actively adapt to oncoming traffic by dipping the LEDs...they are over $2600 for each headlight assembly...plus labor for installation. I wonder what the newer laser BMW headlights cost when replacement time comes?Without watching the video I can tell you the problems:
The future is bright, for the parts department's bottom line!
- Many new headlights are serialized to the VIN (so you have to go to the dealer or an expensive mobile tech to reprogram).
- Reinitialization might require synchronization with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) i.e. radar, camera, lidar, and a 4 wheel alignment. Targets are used for lidar and radar so this isn't just replace and program.
- Dynamic calibration is occasionally needed for some ADAS which means tech might have to drive the vehicle for up to an hour.
- The cost of replacing an entire headlight can be in the thousands. This isn't your normal plastic headlight assembly that just needs halogens. These lights have drivers, motors, computers, and cooling systems. These parts are usually sold individually and can require their own programming when replaced separately..
I'm with everyone else - technology is sure impressive, but a subtitle for this video could have been, "How changing a bulb went from one thin dime (calcium carbide chunks and water) to $2600+ (an entirely precision-made unit that is pretty much useless once any part of it is broken). Some taillights seem to be just as bad.
Pricing aside, though, laser headlights look exciting!
Yes, it started this way, the high end cars are only getting worse, with multi thousand dollar re-calibration bills. This tech is trickling down to more common vehicles though. I think the future of used cars and DIY repair is going to be left to those that can afford to use the tools or will live without the fancy features and warning lights on the dashboard.Thinking that might be more of a higher end item, like adaptive headlights.
I didn't know that:BMW ditched the laser headlights.
I'm with everyone else - technology is sure impressive, but a subtitle for this video could have been, "How changing a bulb went from one thin dime (calcium carbide chunks and water) to $2600+ (an entirely precision-made unit that is pretty much useless once any part of it is broken). Some taillights seem to be just as bad.
Pricing aside, though, laser headlights look exciting!