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CloseOptical or sensor-based, fixed or movable: the choice of headlamp beamsetters depends on the vehicles you receive, your throughput and the space available. Here are the criteria to consider, in order.
The primary consideration is not the device but the fleet you are dealing with. Lighting technologies have diversified, and not all of them require the same level of precision when tested.
A headlamp beamsetter used fifteen times a day at a vehicle inspection centre and one used only occasionally at a car repair shop do not face the same constraints.
Two main families coexist. Neither is superior in absolute terms: they differ in the way the beam is analysed and in the constraints they impose on the operator.
| Optical reading | Sensor or camera reading | |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | The beam is projected onto a screen and interpreted visually by the operator. | The beam is captured and then analysed, and the result is displayed. |
| Interpretation involved | Depends on the operator’s experience, particularly with complex beams. | Reduced: the reading is objectified by the device. |
| Traceability | Manual recording of values. | Results are displayed and, depending on the model, can be saved or transmitted. |
| Ease of use | Quick to use for an experienced operator. | Positioning and adjustment assistance depending on the model. |
| Typical use | Workshop with moderate throughput. | Control centre or high-throughput workshop with a modern fleet. |
The exact functions — measurement modes, display, recording, connectivity — vary from one model to another. The product sheets for the headlamp beamsetters range specify these features for each individual unit.
This is the aspect most often underestimated. A headlamp beamsetter, regardless of its technology, only provides a usable result if the vehicle and the device are positioned on a suitable surface.
If the available space is limited, this may influence the choice of equipment as much as the vehicles being processed.
The requirements applicable to the measurement area and lighting inspection depend on your business and your market. These are verified with you during the design phase, in accordance with the regulations in force where you operate.
If you had to choose just four criteria before comparing models, these are the ones.
Your vehicles
Vehicle categories accepted and the most common lighting technologies in your fleet.
Your turnaround time
Frequency of use: fixed installation or equipment moved between several bays.
Your scope of work
Length, flatness and clearance actually available in the workshop.
Your operators
Number of users, turnover and expected level of assistance during measurement.
From mechanical to robotic headlamp beamsetters, the range covers all scenarios: workshops, technical inspection centres and end-of-line inspections.
| Model | Technology | Key features | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAP2100 | Mechanical: alignment laser, Fresnel lens | Simple and robust, halogen, xenon and LED | Workshops and garages |
| CAP2500 | Electronics with photodiodes | Guided measurement, accuracy to ±0.2 per cent, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Vehicle inspection and workshops |
| CAP2600 | Camera-based electronics | Halogen, xenon, LED and Matrix, AFS / GFHB calibration | Vehicle inspection and workshop, light vehicles, heavy goods vehicles and two-wheelers |
| CAP2600 Workshop | Camera, expert workshop version | Test completed in under 7 minutes, ground compensation, before and after report | Car repair shops |
| CAP2700 | XL lens and Smart Control | Extra-wide headlights, LED, laser and Matrix, one-handed operation | Vehicle inspection and workshop |
| CAP2900 | Robotised, CCD camera | Automatic movement, alignment and measurement | Test centres, end-of-line checks |
A headlamp beamsetter cannot be assessed in isolation: its accuracy depends as much on its technology as on the surface on which it is used. It is the combination of the device and the measurement area that produces a usable result, reproducible from one operator to another.
Design office and factory together in Montpellier: you deal directly with the designer and manufacturer of your equipment, from design to maintenance. Equipment in use on every continent, with subsidiaries in Germany and India.
designing and manufacturing measuring equipment
certified production, every unit checked at the end of the line
of revenue invested in research and development
to receive a proposal tailored to your project
Is a different headlamp beamsetter required for heavy vehicles?
The headlamp height and the stability required are not the same as on a light vehicle. Some devices cover a wide range of heights, whilst others are designed for specific applications. Compatibility must be checked on a model-by-model basis.
Can a headlamp beamsetter be shared across several bays?
Yes, provided that each bay has a measurement area that complies with the equipment’s requirements and allows for reproducible positioning. The cost of sharing the facility is reflected in the set-up time required for each use.
How does the device connect to the rest of the equipment?
Depending on the model, results are either stored locally or transmitted to the data entry station. The available interfaces are listed on the product data sheets and are specified during the project planning stage.
What maintenance is required?
A headlamp beamsetter requires routine maintenance and periodic checks, the details of which depend on the model and your business. See taking out a contract and repairs.
Tell us about your workshop, your vehicles and your test area: we’ll suggest the right configuration and, if you’d like, a demonstration.
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