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I have the Intelligent Light System (ILS) on my ‘18 GLC 300 and love it, but was always jealous that here in the US we could not get the full Multibeam LEDs that was available in foreign markets. It seems an OBD that “unlocks” that function on certain US GLC’s is now available.
Has anybody purchased this and is there any significant enhancement over the ILS LED’s? One thing I really like about the Multibeams is they shine the main beam past a car in front of you without “dazzling” that driver. But the description of the OBD indicates that that may not be fully functional on US GLC’s. It’s called “Partial Main Beam“. Other than that function, it seems like my ILS does most of the other “enhancements “ achieved by unlocking the full Multibeam. I’m just asking because I don’t know and, because of where I live and drive at night, I would love an even safer lighting system on my GLC.
Also, does anybody know if it’s legal to run the unlocked LED’s in the US? This is my LED system
Thanks for the link, Webmoto. Lots of good info there!
One question....do you know if the Amazon Seller is the same as Vladimir? Vladimir seems to be the trusted seller most members on these forums deal with. I’ve noticed the Amazon seller pop in on several discussions of the Multibeams.
Also, does anybody know if it’s legal to run the unlocked LED’s in the US?
I'm positive that it's technically illegal due to antiquated laws in the US. Otherwise, MB would not have the need to disable it.
The good news is that because the way it works, it would be extremely unlikely (IMHO) for you to receive a ticket. It does the opposite of drawing attention to itself. In fact, that's the whole point.
The multibeams with full European functioning are probably overrated to some extent and there is a certain 'gimmick' factor involved!
Understood! While I’m sure they’re a huge improvement over static LED’s, the improvement over the MB Active LED’s that I have is probably less noticeable. And as members note, the big improvement is on dark, unlit roads as opposed to more urban driving. And this is why I’m interested....I live out in the country and my LED’s as is, have illuminated deer long before I would have seen them with “normal” headlights. And it seems members note an improvement when driving on wet roads at night and how they cut down on glare.
As a side note Decorily, did I see in another post that you were getting a new MB and it would have the Multibeams? If so, it will be interesting to see If you notice an improvement over your current LED’s. Please share if you do get the Multibeams!
As a side note Decorily, did I see in another post that you were getting a new MB and it would have the Multibeams? If so, it will be interesting to see If you notice an improvement over your current LED’s. Please share if you do get the Multibeams!
I actually have the Multibeam on my current 300d 2020 which is an upgrade from my previous 2016 250d with Intelligent LEDs.
Honestly I can't say that in the real world they are a big improvement. Yes they are 'cool' and hi tech but there are certainly times that they annoy me!
I also live in the country on unlit narrow Irish roads.
For instance..... when I start the car and drive to the road on a wet (or otherwise ) night the lights remain on low beams until I reach a certain speed at which point they automatically switch to high. I then drive for another (time period or speed..not sure which! ) before the lights again intensify to maximum brightness. Point is I just want maximum brightness from the off! !!
I then slow down coming to a junction a mile down the road and the lights automatically dip to low beam and when I turn on to the next road I again have to wait for the bloody lights to again go to high beam and intensity to maximum illumination some time /distance after that again.
A lot of fuss when all I really want is to have the lights giving me maximum light all of the time! !
Other imperfections also.
Edit. ..and yes I could just switch the lights on manually but that defeats the purpose of having the system in the first place!
I actually have the Multibeam on my current 300d 2020 which is an upgrade from my previous 2016 250d with Intelligent LEDs.
Honestly I can't say that in the real world they are a big improvement. Yes they are 'cool' and hi tech but there are certainly times that they annoy me!
I also live in the country on unlit narrow Irish roads.
For instance..... when I start the car and drive to the road on a wet (or otherwise ) night the lights remain on low beams until I reach a certain speed at which point they automatically switch to high. I then drive for another (time period or speed..not sure which! ) before the lights again intensify to maximum brightness. Point is I just want maximum brightness from the off! !!
I then slow down coming to a junction a mile down the road and the lights automatically dip to low beam and when I turn on to the next road I again have to wait for the bloody lights to again go to high beam and intensity to maximum illumination some time /distance after that again.
A lot of fuss when all I really want is to have the lights giving me maximum light all of the time! !
Other imperfections also.
Edit. ..and yes I could just switch the lights on manually but that defeats the purpose of having the system in the first place!
Ohh, so you already have some experience with the Multibeams on your new 300d. Your experience described above makes perfect sense and I agree that there are lots of times that such a sophisticated system can be frustrating. While I’m considering unlocking my US Active LED’s, I’m weighing just what you described before I pull the trigger.
As I said, the system in theory is very effective and to be fair is impressive some of the time on the road.
For instance when I meet a cyclist I have no way of knowing whether the system has identified the cyclist and reacted appropriately.....yes ,again, I know it should but it doesn't always!
Last night I met a lorry approaching over the brow of a hill and got an eyefull of those overhead lights that some lorries have. In fairness to the driver I can't blame them because my system hadn't detected his presence as his headlights were still below the 'horizon ' while his eyes weren't! !
As I said, the system in theory is very effective and to be fair is impressive some of the time on the road.
For instance when I meet a cyclist I have no way of knowing whether the system has identified the cyclist and reacted appropriately.....yes ,again, I know it should but it doesn't always!
Last night I met a lorry approaching over the brow of a hill and got an eyefull of those overhead lights that some lorries have. In fairness to the driver I can't blame them because my system hadn't detected his presence as his headlights were still below the 'horizon ' while his eyes weren't! !
For those of us in the states, I assume a lorry is maybe a large pickup type vehicle with lights attached to a bar over the cab? It’s interesting to read your experience through the eyes of an Irishman! Speaking of the efficiency of these LED systems, I have only had someone flash me (because of glare) 1 time in 3 years. That was when my car was fully loaded for a vacation with 2 passengers in the rear seat. I believe the front end may have been elevated ever so slightly and the lights had not adjusted and allowed a glare before the headlights dimmed. Other than that, driving at night is a joy with the Active LED’s.
Ohhh, ok! Now that’s a lot of lights! Interesting that you sent that pic. I drove a 1982 Saab 900 for 12 years. The parent company at the time was Saab Scania. Good to see the Scania trucks still rolling along.
Edit: It was really lazy of me to ask what a lorry was.....I guess I could have looked it up. But I enjoyed your description of your encounter with one and was interested in what you saw. 🙂
Thanks for the link, Webmoto. Lots of good info there!
One question....do you know if the Amazon Seller is the same as Vladimir? Vladimir seems to be the trusted seller most members on these forums deal with. I’ve noticed the Amazon seller pop in on several discussions of the Multibeams.
Mine was ordered from AMZ guy and he said it was just like Vladimir. Earlier I ordered the suspension lowering module and was very satisfied, so I ordered it from them again.
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