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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2637

 
Disappointed
Collected my new Defender on Friday, drove it to work today in the dark and to say I was underwelmed with the matrix lights would be an understatement.
After driving the wifes Volvo XC60 where their version of matrix is excellent it just highlights the lack of quality of the LR system.
Does anyone else have this issue? Or am I just being overly picky? 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #978485 17th Jan 2023 10:24am
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2159

United Kingdom 
ls that the upgraded lights or standard? Mine has the standard lights and they are okay, but not great.

The ones on our 2020 Suzuki Jimny are a lot better !
Post #978490 17th Jan 2023 10:30am
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J77



Member Since: 04 Nov 2019
Location: Fife
Posts: 3223

Scotland 
The matrix lights on mine work a treat, light up the road when required, blank out on coming traffic when required. 23.5MY 90 D250 X-Dynamic SE, Pangea Green
Gone - 23MY 110 D250 XS Edition, Hakuba Silver
Gone - 21MY 90 D200 S, Tasman Blue, Fuji White roof.
Post #978491 17th Jan 2023 10:30am
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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2637

 
Perhaps I need to try it again. But initially not overly impressed after paying the £700 ish upgrade 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #978492 17th Jan 2023 10:32am
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J77



Member Since: 04 Nov 2019
Location: Fife
Posts: 3223

Scotland 
It definitely came with the matrix lights and they haven’t just fitted the premium headlights? 23.5MY 90 D250 X-Dynamic SE, Pangea Green
Gone - 23MY 110 D250 XS Edition, Hakuba Silver
Gone - 21MY 90 D200 S, Tasman Blue, Fuji White roof.
Post #978496 17th Jan 2023 10:40am
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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2637

 
To be fair I haven't looked a the actual units but I did ask on handover and was informed that it was built as per the order sheet, so assume they are fitted
If I look at the headlight unit is there an easy way to identify which lights I have? 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #978497 17th Jan 2023 10:46am
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Moo



Member Since: 01 Oct 2021
Location: Bath
Posts: 973

Ukraine 
If I keep my Defender I'm going to fit some Lazer lights. I think the matrix lights are poor. My XC90's were way better and my daughters D3 xenons are also leagues ahead.
Post #978506 17th Jan 2023 11:57am
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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2637

 
I think Volvo have headlights nailed almost perfectly, you can see the elements drop out and cut back in very clearly. The LR version is either very subtle or just pants.
I've had a look online and I'm convinced I have matrix fitted, 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #978508 17th Jan 2023 12:02pm
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Tim in Scotland



Member Since: 23 May 2007
Location: The Land that time forgot
Posts: 3748

 
You know that you have to activate the Matrix lights in the settings menu?


Click image to enlarge
 Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come
2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed!


Last edited by Tim in Scotland on 17th Jan 2023 12:05pm. Edited 1 time in total
Post #978509 17th Jan 2023 12:03pm
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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2637

 
Moo wrote:
If I keep my Defender I'm going to fit some Lazer lights. I think the matrix lights are poor. My XC90's were way better and my daughters D3 xenons are also leagues ahead.


There are some nice lights that fit in the lower front grill, but not sure if they will work seamlessly with the fitted headlights. 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #978510 17th Jan 2023 12:03pm
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walfy



Member Since: 29 Aug 2007
Location: Frome
Posts: 2637

 
Tim in Scotland wrote:
You know that you have to activate the Matrix lights in the settings menu?


Click image to enlarge


I didn't know that. When I asked the sales person about them he said they just worked as part of the lights.
Will go and check the settings at lunchtime.
Thanks for the heads up 110 D250 SE HT
110 USW SOLD
RRE HSE Dynamic Gone, wife killed it
VOLVO XC60 R Dynamic with some toys

Polaris RZR 900XP SOLD
Post #978511 17th Jan 2023 12:09pm
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Tim in Scotland



Member Since: 23 May 2007
Location: The Land that time forgot
Posts: 3748

 
Yes they will if you get them coded by a dealership - I regularly see an L663 with the rooftop pods that were permanently on full beam and I came across the owner one day in a car park and pointed this out - now his light pods “dip” with his headlights after a visit to the dealer. You might be able to do it with an IID tool

Adaptive headlights when they are on are great viewing as they stay on full beam outside of places with street lights and it’s great fun for young passengers to watch them block out on coming cars or cars that you are following!
Must admit that the Matrix headights in my Mini Electric have way better Range and spread than my Defender’s ! A throw back to the old Defender’s weak headlights! Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come
2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed!


Last edited by Tim in Scotland on 17th Jan 2023 12:17pm. Edited 3 times in total
Post #978512 17th Jan 2023 12:10pm
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Ritson



Member Since: 11 Apr 2021
Location: France
Posts: 156

France 
walfy wrote:
I think Volvo have headlights nailed almost perfectly, you can see the elements drop out and cut back in very clearly. The LR version is either very subtle or just pants.
I've had a look online and I'm convinced I have matrix fitted,


I have the Matrix lights and they perform exactly as you describe above, ie you can clearly see the various sections of the lights dropping out as an oncoming car closes (whilst the area to the left and right of the car remains fully illuminated), then coming back on as the car moves out of that sector.

Are they the brightest lights I've ever had, no, but they certainly work well Current: MY22 P400e SE
Prior: Discovery Sport HSE, Jaguar F-Type S, Discovery 3, RR Vogue
Post #978513 17th Jan 2023 12:12pm
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gilesn



Member Since: 12 Jun 2013
Location: Glos
Posts: 44

I was dissapointed in mine - till I realised I had not activated them.
Once I had that done - I saw a big improvement.
Particularly when I come out of a town or built up area into an open road situation - you really see the additional lighting 'filling in'
Post #978531 17th Jan 2023 2:12pm
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chalky



Member Since: 09 May 2008
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 483

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Tonga Green
We have these lights on a Tiguan and they work flawlessly, my wife followed me back home the other week and her lights from behind were projected way further up the road ahead of where my lights could reach, they also illuminate hedgerows either side and steer round corners,

The way the shadows are cast around in coming vehs and drivers in front is pretty impressive.
I’m hell bent on finding a used defender that has the matrix lights BUT maybe I need to try these out in the dark first if they are as bad as you say they are.

The AHBA has always been a joke, I’m hoping these aren’t following that vein. DEFENDER XS CSW 08 TONGA GREEN
Post #978532 17th Jan 2023 2:13pm
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