Standard Matrix vs US Spec HD Matrix Headlight Range

[ColdCase]

Are the US spec HD matrix headlights noticeably brighter at distance than the standard LED matrix lights? I just need flame throwers that throw light far and wide on winding roads without traffic (basically to identify road hazards like deer ASAP) .

Its not clear that the current HD lights will be upgradable to US spec without a hardware change, but that may just be the engineer in me. ..

 

[SergeyIndy]

There is no way to tell until someone can actually get a spec for each or measure brightness.

However, for the US, there are strict brightness regulations, as far as I know, so however bright one might be over the other, they must meet the brightness regulations, so I suspect that both are the same brightness, but differ in features given different setup and hardware.

Specifically, from my Porsche source (US only):

LED Headlights:
High Beam Assistant Standard (typically additional PDLS+ feature on other models)
Speed Based Driving Light Control (no detail given, typically means longer throw at higher speeds)
Dynamic Headlight Leveling

LED Matrix Design
High-power auxiliary high beam (hardware is better but no detail on actual brightness)
Static Cornering Lighting
Coming/Leaving Home Animation
Optional in Glacier Blue or Black
Spec does not list Speed Based Driving Light Control or Dynamic Headlight Leveling

I am not sure what you mean by upgrade to US spec. US spec does not allow for full dynamic matrix functionality, so the HD Matrix lights are programmed to work as a single light source.

 

[Dragon Tourniquet]

US spec does not allow for full dynamic matrix functionality, so the HD Matrix support this functionality but are programmed to work as a single light source.

US DOT does allowed full matrix headlights for the last year or 2, but so far no manufacturer has decided to go through the hassle of modifying and getting their Euro spec system certified for the US (DOT, in their infinite wisdom, decided to have much more stringent timing constraints than what has worked for a decade in Europe, insisting that the system react substantially faster than a human would be able to turn off their brights).

 

[SergeyIndy]

US DOT does allowed full matrix headlights for the last year or 2, but so far no manufacturer has decided to go through the hassle of modifying and getting their Euro spec system certified for the US (DOT, in their infinite wisdom, decided to have much more stringent timing constraints than what has worked for a decade in Europe, insisting that the system react substantially faster than a human would be able to turn off their brights).

You are absolutely correct, so this is why I was careful to say that it is the "US spec of the Macan EV" that does not allow for full matrix functionality and not the US regulations, since we know others have them. My sources tell me that this will not be retroactive, meaning that whenever Porsche decides to certify them, only models produced from that point forward will have full matrix features enabled.

 

[ColdCase]

Edi:, II didn't see the subsequent postings before hitting save, so this may be redundant:

There is a US standard, or one in the works, for full dynamic matrix. They do not intend to use the Europe std as the base.

I found this post somewhere.... on a another model forum I think. I'll have to find the reference..

"The standard is different enough in the US that Porsche can’t use the hardware or software for Europe or RoW cars and have to independently develop matrix LEDs that are compliant with the US standard. I believe it has something to do with the brightness of individual LEDs which is out of compliance.

.... You can have people code in the (Europe) function on cars that have it (HD Matrix), but it wouldn’t technically be legal. ....

The standard LED headlights in the Macan, Macan 4 and Macan 4S are divided into two light modules arranged one above the other. The upper modules contain the characteristic Porsche four-point daytime running lights. The daytime running light and indicator LED are arranged in alternating order in each of the four strip modules. The lower modules integrate the functional units for the low beam and high beam, including the associated assistance functions. In addition to the high beam assist, the standard LED main headlights also have speed-sensitive headlight control and dynamic range control.

The Macan Turbo is equipped with Matrix LED headlights as standard. This lighting system utilises speed, camera and navigation data to provide ideal illumination. A total of 84 LEDs per headlight generate the high beam together with upstream lenses and reflectors. The system can illuminate the road to a distance of more than 600 m."


I'm guessing part of the current US limit is the range, but dunno. The standard lights seem to adjust range based on speed, however..

 

[ColdCase]

Thanks, I had the feeling that updates to the HD matrix would not be retroactive and that the base lights may be adequate for my use case. Spending the extra money for HD Matrix lights may not be prudent for me, although there may be advantages to others.

 

[SergeyIndy]

Thanks, I had the feeling that updates to the HD matrix would not be retroactive and that the base lights may be adequate for my use case. Spending the extra money for HD Matrix lights may not be prudent for me, although there may be advantages to others.

The only feature that I see of benefit in the HD Matrix would be the static cornering lights that illuminate into a turn. This function was supported by very cheap halogen bulbs in our 2016 Macan, so why they could not add that feature to the standard LED lights is not clear. Therefore, I would agree with you that the cost to go from LED to Matrix LED is not easily justified for the US.

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