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      09-06-2021, 01:03 PM   #1
razman
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Laser lights vs. Standard LED

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I'm debating whether to upgrade my base M3 build to laser lights, but I'm having a tough time understanding whether and to what extent this option actually improves visibility for day to day (night to night I suppose) driving.

First, to make sure I'm understanding the upgrade correctly, the option is not just adding laser technology, but is also upgrading the standard LED lights to "adaptive" LED light, correct? If so, what's the difference between standard and adaptive? Do you find that difference useful?

As for the laser, is that limited to just high beams above 35 mph and has no effect on low beam driving (at any speed)? This video (9:01 - 9:45) shows an M8 toggle between low beam LED, high beam LED, and high beam laser, and there doesn't seem to be that big a difference between the latter two imo.


If the laser is limited to just high beam use, and even then the difference is somewhat negligible, I'm debating this option's value. (Though the blue coloring in the headlamps is undeniably rad.)
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      09-06-2021, 01:45 PM   #2
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You do get the better looking daytime running lights (ICON LED) over the standard lights. The lasers are essentially for show here in the US. The lasers are high beam use only and you can see a difference, but if you live in the city you aren't likely to get much use out of them.
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      09-06-2021, 04:47 PM   #3
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lasers are worthwhile for only $1000 I will always option then. I used to live somewhere I could take advantage of the reach, not anymore but their DRL is also a must. order them, no regrets
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      09-06-2021, 05:22 PM   #4
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I would include laser lights just for DRLs. I think US version has lesser output when compared with Europen ones becasuse of regulations. So it might not have significant differences in the real world.
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      09-06-2021, 05:51 PM   #5
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razman I would kindly recommend going for the upgrade. I was at a friend's shop looking at this wicked Tanzanite Blue xDrive G80. It had all the upgraded options, minus the Laser Lights. I was surprised and did a bit of research, thinking that the Laser Lights were standard. They were in the 2021s, but 2022s have been an option. I thought it was because of the chip shortage. If your going to spend the money on the G80 might as well get it. You'd be going back you wish you did or purchasing it and installing them on your own in the long run.

I plan on ordering the LCI G80 and if that is still an option. I wouldn't hesitate and get the Laser Lights. I have the adjustable LED's in the 2018 F80, and the Laser Lights are better IMO. Good luck!
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      09-06-2021, 06:02 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GleanStrateShady View Post
razman I would kindly recommend going for the upgrade. I was at a friend's shop looking at this wicked Tanzanite Blue xDrive G80. It had all the upgraded options, minus the Laser Lights. I was surprised and did a bit of research, thinking that the Laser Lights were standard. They were in the 2021s, but 2022s have been an option. I thought it was because of the chip shortage. If your going to spend the money on the G80 might as well get it. You'd be going back you wish you did or purchasing it and installing them on your own in the long run.

I plan on ordering the LCI G80 and if that is still an option. I wouldn't hesitate and get the Laser Lights. I have the adjustable LED's in the 2018 F80, and the Laser Lights are better IMO. Good luck!
As a point of clarification, the laser lights were never standard. They were included in the executive package on the 2021s and then it got split out to be a separate option for the 2022s. There were some 2021s that got built with the laser lights even though they were never optioned but it was never really determined what the true reason for this was other than pure luck. Seemed to mostly be some of the first ones to roll off the production line that got lucky.
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      09-06-2021, 07:15 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AndroidRobot View Post
lasers are worthwhile for only $1000 I will always option then. I used to live somewhere I could take advantage of the reach, not anymore but their DRL is also a must. order them, no regrets
What's the difference in the DRL between the standard and upgrade? They look different? More light output?
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      09-06-2021, 07:17 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GleanStrateShady View Post
razman I have the adjustable LED's in the 2018 F80, and the Laser Lights are better IMO. Good luck!
Not entirely sure what you mean by "adjustable." Are the standard LEDs on the 2022 M3 also "adaptable"? Does that mean they swivel around when you turn left or right?
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      09-06-2021, 07:23 PM   #9
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I live in the burbs some streets no lights, love the laser lights
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      09-06-2021, 07:26 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by razman View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndroidRobot View Post
lasers are worthwhile for only $1000 I will always option then. I used to live somewhere I could take advantage of the reach, not anymore but their DRL is also a must. order them, no regrets
What's the difference in the DRL between the standard and upgrade? They look different? More light output?
The SPY has laser lights. Non-laser DRLs are just on the bottom
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      09-06-2021, 07:27 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by razman View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndroidRobot View Post
lasers are worthwhile for only $1000 I will always option then. I used to live somewhere I could take advantage of the reach, not anymore but their DRL is also a must. order them, no regrets
What's the difference in the DRL between the standard and upgrade? They look different? More light output?
DRL difference is mostly aesthetic as in the above picture.
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      09-06-2021, 08:03 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mgokev View Post
The SPY has laser lights. Non-laser DRLs are just on the bottom
Gotcha thanks. I guess the turn signal is different too right?
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      09-06-2021, 08:23 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by razman View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndroidRobot View Post
lasers are worthwhile for only $1000 I will always option then. I used to live somewhere I could take advantage of the reach, not anymore but their DRL is also a must. order them, no regrets
What's the difference in the DRL between the standard and upgrade? They look different? More light output?
yes, you get the "u" shape without Lasers, with is the "Ionic" BMW Halo style which now is 3/4 of the full circle.

the output is higher but only when they turn on in Auto mode. I've used them many times at night in the back country and they're great.
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      09-06-2021, 11:04 PM   #14
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Do you drive much at night? I rarely do. Uber usually moves me at night.
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      09-07-2021, 05:01 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by razman View Post
Not entirely sure what you mean by "adjustable." Are the standard LEDs on the 2022 M3 also "adaptable"? Does that mean they swivel around when you turn left or right?
They are 'adaptive', not "adjustable" or "adaptable". In the pre-LCI F8x with Xenons (or any other BMW of that period for that matter) adaptive meant they physically moved in relation to steering input. This is what my F82 has, along with High Beam Assistant, but I think possibly this was an option on early cars.

With post-LCI F8x LED/'Icon' lights, like many other LED systems, they do NOT physically move and instead are able to adjust the beam pattern by either switching off sections or using shutters (I'm not 100% sure if BMW used shutters).

The newer LEDs in G2x/G8x will use adaptive LED where it will blank/switch-off part of the beams. Generally speaking the latest LED systems will have a much higher LED density, especially on their 'option' lights, which some manufacturers refer to as 'pixel lighting' (a bit like the backlight array on higher end LCD/LED TVs, OLED is different as its 'self-lit').

In the 'Laserlight', again like competitors systems, they use a mix of 'regular' LED and a reflected LASER source (still actually generated by high output LED, I put LASER in caps as it is actually an acronym too!). Although as far I'm aware all of the LED sources are reflected anyway - in other words you're never seeing the direct output of any of the LEDs.

The beam is selectively adjusted/dimmed as needed to provide that 'adaptive' capability, which is why *apparently* you don't need to switch between low/high beam, as they automatically adjust for oncoming traffic to avoid dazzling (with the 'High Beam Assistant'). I think the High Beam part is the main difference between the 'regular' and 'adapative' LED headlights, I believe the base light on the M3/M4 is adaptive anyway (at least here in the UK), but I'm happy to be corrected.

With regards to the OPs original question, I've also queried whether the Laserlights are worth it, but I think I'd want them (rather than need them) anyway!
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      09-07-2021, 05:04 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by razman View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mgokev View Post
The SPY has laser lights. Non-laser DRLs are just on the bottom
Gotcha thanks. I guess the turn signal is different too right?

Yes, the turn signals are different.
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      09-07-2021, 06:03 AM   #17
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Beyond the aesthetic appeal, the LASER headlights offer little technical advantage in the US since Variable Light Distribution and Anti Glare High Beams are still illegal there. Everywhere else in the word, it is a very nifty safety feature to have. However, the function can likely be coded back on US cars for those willing to do so.
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      09-07-2021, 08:30 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by razman View Post
I'm debating whether to upgrade my base M3 build to laser lights, but I'm having a tough time understanding whether and to what extent this option actually improves visibility for day to day (night to night I suppose) driving.

First, to make sure I'm understanding the upgrade correctly, the option is not just adding laser technology, but is also upgrading the standard LED lights to "adaptive" LED light, correct? If so, what's the difference between standard and adaptive? Do you find that difference useful?

As for the laser, is that limited to just high beams above 35 mph and has no effect on low beam driving (at any speed)? This video (9:01 - 9:45) shows an M8 toggle between low beam LED, high beam LED, and high beam laser, and there doesn't seem to be that big a difference between the latter two imo.


If the laser is limited to just high beam use, and even then the difference is somewhat negligible, I'm debating this option's value. (Though the blue coloring in the headlamps is undeniably rad.)
I have a G83 on order. Originally, I did not have the laser lights in my build, even though I thought they looked cool. I reached out to my dealer last week and added them on. In the end, this is my dream car and I felt that if I was going to order a $92K car, I didn't want to go back and have regrets over a $1000 option.

Life is short. If you want the lights, add them!
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      09-07-2021, 09:43 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by naywa01 View Post
They are 'adaptive', not "adjustable" or "adaptable". In the pre-LCI F8x with Xenons (or any other BMW of that period for that matter) adaptive meant they physically moved in relation to steering input. This is what my F82 has, along with High Beam Assistant, but I think possibly this was an option on early cars.

With post-LCI F8x LED/'Icon' lights, like many other LED systems, they do NOT physically move and instead are able to adjust the beam pattern by either switching off sections or using shutters (I'm not 100% sure if BMW used shutters).

The newer LEDs in G2x/G8x will use adaptive LED where it will blank/switch-off part of the beams. Generally speaking the latest LED systems will have a much higher LED density, especially on their 'option' lights, which some manufacturers refer to as 'pixel lighting' (a bit like the backlight array on higher end LCD/LED TVs, OLED is different as its 'self-lit').

In the 'Laserlight', again like competitors systems, they use a mix of 'regular' LED and a reflected LASER source (still actually generated by high output LED, I put LASER in caps as it is actually an acronym too!). Although as far I'm aware all of the LED sources are reflected anyway - in other words you're never seeing the direct output of any of the LEDs.

The beam is selectively adjusted/dimmed as needed to provide that 'adaptive' capability, which is why *apparently* you don't need to switch between low/high beam, as they automatically adjust for oncoming traffic to avoid dazzling (with the 'High Beam Assistant'). I think the High Beam part is the main difference between the 'regular' and 'adapative' LED headlights, I believe the base light on the M3/M4 is adaptive anyway (at least here in the UK), but I'm happy to be corrected.

With regards to the OPs original question, I've also queried whether the Laserlights are worth it, but I think I'd want them (rather than need them) anyway!
Thanks very helpful.
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      09-07-2021, 09:44 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chicagoguy0822 View Post
I have a G83 on order. Originally, I did not have the laser lights in my build, even though I thought they looked cool. I reached out to my dealer last week and added them on. In the end, this is my dream car and I felt that if I was going to order a $92K car, I didn't want to go back and have regrets over a $1000 option.

Life is short. If you want the lights, add them!
Yeah, good point.
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      07-06-2022, 11:00 AM   #21
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Side by side, you will be very sad to not get the laser lights. I was considering forgoing the option but every time I see a non-laser light LED, it looks like a headlight from a 330i. Its a bit confusing how it is not standard because it will transform the front end of your car. TOTALLY worth it!!
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      07-06-2022, 11:17 AM   #22
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https://www.bmwblog.com/2021/11/18/b...ve-headlights/

Is this a Hardware or Software update to US models?
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