European Matrix Lights: some thoughts

[AlanH]

Coming from my previous car, an Audi A7 with matrix lights, I am so far disappointed in the matrix lights in the Macan 4. They only become active at 60km, and I’ve found myself on small country roads needing them at speeds well below this. They also seem less sophisticated than the Audi version (from MY 2020!), not dimming for approaching motorcycles and generally working less well. I’m curious if any others have a similar view (or think I’m crazy). I would think that improving them is just a software update. Would greatly appreciate any views.

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[W1NGE]

Coming from my previous car, an Audi A7 with matrix lights, I am so far disappointed in the matrix lights in the Macan 4. They only become active at 60km, and I’ve found myself on small country roads needing them at speeds well below this. They also seem less sophisticated than the Audi version (from MY 2020!), not dimming for approaching motorcycles and generally working less well. I’m curious if any others have a similar view (or think I’m crazy). I would think that improving them is just a software update. Would greatly appreciate any views.

They are low resolution compared to the HD Matrix lights available on other Porsche models. HD have 16,384 leds per headlight compared to 42 on standard matrix.

HD in comparison are spectacular and offer many functions.

All are speed dependent (40 mph) in operation and if street lights are present they will be in dipped beam only.

 

[pm4s]

HD have 16,384 leds per headlight compared to 42 on standard matrix.

HD on Taycan is 32000+ pixels per headlight, Macan is 84 pixels per headlight.
Yes matrix on Macan is crap but better than nothing.
HD on the Taycan is 2x the price of the Macan Matrix so we are not short changed, Taycan is a class above so the higher price point comes with more goodies.

 

[Yves]

It's as bad as my Volvo XC60 with automatic high beam and corner follow ... that car was from 2010 if I remember correctly ...

 

[W1NGE]

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/202...th-hd-matrix-beam-light-technology-30770.html

 

[verdee]

Just wish we could get them activated here in the US

 

[PrudentOcean]

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/202...th-hd-matrix-beam-light-technology-30770.html

Those are not on the Macan EV. As pm4s noted, the LED Matrix headlights in the Macan EV have 84 elements.

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/press-kits/the-new-porsche-macan/Licht--und-Assistenzsysteme.html

 

[W1NGE]

Those are not on the Macan EV. As pm4s noted, the LED Matrix headlights in the Macan EV have 84 elements.

https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/press-kits/the-new-porsche-macan/Licht--und-Assistenzsysteme.html

Yes we know that - I posted the URL for HD Matrix as the conversation had moved on.

Each matrix headlight type has dual modules and I had incorrectly listed the resolution of single module rather than both.

HD will come to the Macan eventually.

I have them on my 911 and standard matrix on my Taycans - night and day but at a hefty price premium and worth it if you do a lot of night driving outside of urban areas.

Pointless in US as the feature set of any matrix setup is legally not allowed (still).

 

[jwatte]

Except we don't get them in the US. And now we also don't get the laser lights. Because regulation requires faster response times than current technology can deliver. Despite most drivers I meet not even dimming their manual lights at all -- except for that one guy who doesn't even turn them on. Letting the perfect be the enemy of the good, there...

 

[PrudentOcean]

Pointless in US as the feature set of any matrix setup is legally not allowed (still).

That’s incorrect. Adaptive Driving Beam headlights have been legal for several years and available from other brands including Tesla and Rivian.

 

[W1NGE]

That’s incorrect. Adaptive Driving Beam headlights have been legal for several years and available from other brands including Tesla and Rivian.

To be clear I'm not referring to auto high beam but the matrix functionality of Euro car headlights - Porsche, VW, etc.

 

[Dragon Tourniquet]

To be clear I'm not referring to auto high beam but the matrix functionality of Euro car headlights - Porsche, VW, etc.

Yep, those became legal in the US a couple of years ago, but the standard is different from the Euro requirements. Tesla and Rivian have implemented the US standard here, but none of the Europeans have because it's a big change.

 

[pm4s]

Tesla and Rivian have implemented the US standard here, but none of the Europeans have because it's a big change.

It’s a big change for a traditional/legacy manufacturer relying on suppliers for firmware. For a manufacturer not stuck in 1948 i.e. tesla/rivian when adaptive headlights became legal in the USA in 2022 (under their own rules) this was just an OTA update for them as they control the camera/headlights/etc. it’s a software defined vehicle.
Meanwhile in Porsche land: Hans was ist das OTA

 

[ColdCase]

Somewhere I read that there are many compliants in EU of these matrix headlights blinding oncoming drivers, can't find the report at the moment. It seems matrix technology looks good on paper and the lab and work well on quiet roads but fail otherwise. They are a still a nuisance around town, especially to those of us with cataracts.

Drivers seem to like them however. But personally I need high lighting down to 5 mph and even more to the left/right. Although some of the newer animal detection systems work well, I still need a deer spotter. Lighting that shine off to the right and left of the roadway to detect approaching deer via reflection from their eyes. I haven't found matrix lighting to be effective as my 85 Vette's sealed beams... but thats just me.

 

[W1NGE]

Somewhere I read that there are many compliants in EU of these matrix headlights blinding oncoming drivers, can't find the report at the moment. It seems matrix technology looks good on paper and the lab and work well on quiet roads but fail otherwise. They are a still a nuisance around town, especially to those of us with cataracts.

Drivers seem to like them however. But personally I need high lighting down to 5 mph and even more to the left/right. Although some of the newer animal detection systems work well, I still need a deer spotter. Lighting that shine off to the right and left of the roadway to detect approaching deer via reflection from their eyes. I haven't found matrix lighting to be effective as my 85 Vette's sealed beams... but thats just me.

It's not these lights. The issue (in my view) are ill fitted aftermarket lights and bulbs which are out of spec and not installed correctly.

Much ado about nothing IMHO.

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