2022 Expedition new headlights quality question

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USKflt

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I still need to check my aim. High beams are excellent (and really like the fade on/off feature). But I’ve been very underwhelmed by the throw of the low beams compared to the Explorer Sport we traded in. On rural highways I almost feel like I need to slow down under the speed limit to feel comfortable when another car is coming.
 
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I was out driving in the country after a sports game with the kids yesterday and remembered your request for a direct comparison to the Mazda's lighting. The extended drive on minor roads with no urban or suburban lighting, and also through farmland. Compared to the CX9, it is less sharp on the road, illuminating more of the sides. The Mazda has outstanding lighting, particularly with it's well focused high beam. That said, the Expedition lighting is still much better than just adequate - and I'm not saying that just because we own one
Max thanks for taking the time for the comparison and write up. The less sharpness I can live with as long as the brightness is there, which many of you say it is. Illumination off to the side is an added benefit to the driver, but in my opinion not great for oncoming cars.
All the same looks like I'll won't miss my present lights too much, except on winding roads (my CX5 has the adaptive bending lights, which on mountain twisties really helped out).
 
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I agree - it's plenty bright but not as crisp. Maybe that's the reflector vs projector? Better lighting than my '15 projector but just less of that crisp cutoff that I was used to. High beams are definitely brighter/broader lighting
Yep projectors generally provide a clean cutoff. I think the '15 projectors used old school halogen bulbs. And from my experience, most of the halogen setups on non-luxury autos had crap light output (lumens and color). Another benefit of projector housing is being able to add the motor mechanisms for them to be curve adaptive (like Lincoln does). And I don't think reflector housings are able to provide auto leveling for the same reason (like another poster said above for the '22 lights), though I can be wrong about that part.
 

mlogan

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Sort of unrelated but I had a '10 BMW 5 series wagon (before my '15 expedition) which had adaptive Xenon HID projectors - even though non-LED, they were probably the best lighting I have experienced. Although these '22 LEDs are probably brighter.
Hopefully the new regulations will allow the European tech to trickle our way.
 

litaz1

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I wouldn’t go as far as saying they are the best I’ve ever had, but I will say I have no complaints. I live in the country with no street lights. There are ranches everywhere with occasional stray animals. I have never had a problem with visibility on both standard lights and brights. I think ford did a good job with the lights. I have the XLT and didn’t realize it doesn’t come with fog lights. This is irritating to me at this price point and I am going to have to do after market fog lights as there’s not even wiring for it. That’s my only complaint as it gets foggy quite often, especially this time of year.
 

rd618

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Sort of unrelated but I had a '10 BMW 5 series wagon (before my '15 expedition) which had adaptive Xenon HID projectors - even though non-LED, they were probably the best lighting I have experienced. Although these '22 LEDs are probably brighter.
Hopefully the new regulations will allow the European tech to trickle our way.
I had the 2013 f35 with the xenon’s. Oh man. That thing would light up the road like daylight. Those Bavarians knew what they were doing.
Screw LED, Can’t wait for the laser headlights. Lol.
I’d also agree ‘22 exp has great light output. I live without a lot of street lights, but with a lot of deer, and this does a great job at night.
 

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