seeing at night, in the rain-Page 2: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

1 2

Jan. 6, 2010 1:48 a.m. mtn SuperDork

Lesley wrote:

First mod I make to any of my old beaters is a brand new windshield. For $200 (there's a guy who'll come to your place to install) it's a godsend for night time driving. I was driving a new Caddy SUV all last week, during some really long distance holiday trips. While I really like the HID headlights, it's surprising how many other drivers "flashed" at me, assuming I had highs on. Made me start to think about the possibility of windshields that can filter out glare - since I always feel guilty when driving a premium vehicle with blinding white headlights, yet love their visibility.

This is one of the biggest things that is getting to me these days. Why oh why do you need headlights with the power to shine to the moon?
Jan. 6, 2010 4:47 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

It's a rain at night problem. Not a dirty windshield, not generic oncoming headlights at night. It's rain & night. Both, together, that cause me severe problems. I'm already well aware of closing one eye, looking to the right, cleaning the windshield, etc.

It's not simply a dazzle problem, though that does contribute. But even when I'm the only car on the road, I can barely see the road, when driving in the rain, at night. I can see the painted yellow dashes on the road no more than one or two dashes ahead. Blacktop pavement is invisible. Anything on the pavement, or holes in the pavement are nearly invisible. Add curves and opposing traffic, and it gets real interesting.

Going to try some semi-expensive glasses with some anti-reflective coatings, and some of the various colored lenses (never tried the pink lenses). But if I can't find a decent solution...
Jan. 6, 2010 7:42 a.m. MrJoshua SuperDork

The "paint" is thicker now and sits on top of the road making a very smooth surface. Your light just bounces right on down the road instead of making them visible. The old stuff that was probably really paint followed all the bumps so your lights had something to light up. New smooth roads cause the same problem as the new markings. New lines are really slick as well. The big white ones at intersections sucked when I rode a motorcycle occasionally.
Jan. 6, 2010 8:10 a.m. BoxheadTim HalfDork

Yellow lenses definitely work - I've got a set of 'driving glasses' (we don't really hunt over here in the UK) that have a yellow/brown tint for daytime use and they make a massive difference, as did the yellow visor insert I used for biking.
Jan. 6, 2010 8:30 a.m. There are those who call me...Ross. HalfDork

I like the amber colored tint and polarized. I would also like to endorse Rain-x washer fluid, it works just like the rain-x you have to put on by hand but instead your wipers do it for you. Its simply great!