I think the point is that unshaped beams are a PITA for people going the other way and make life more dangerous due to the glare they expose others to and the corresponding poor vision for a period of time.biker jk wrote:
From another similar thread.
stvzo
German bicycle lighting standard written by non-cyclists designed to force cyclists to subject themselves to increased danger by requiring the use of sub-optimal bicycle lighting systems.
"Dude, your lights suck, no one can see you coming and you just ran into a low hanging tree branch."
"Sorry, I have decided to comply with the StVZO standard which is much more important than seeing or being seen."
"Dude, dump the StVZO lights and buy a good light."
"Never, the German way is the only way."
by sms88 October 22, 2013
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=stvzo
The saferide 80 avoids that by shaping it's beam effectively. It is a bloody good light. They don't make it any more however
Not all StVZO lights suck.