Philips X-Treme Power Bulbs - Distinctly Underwhelmed

[BTB 500]

If you read the link I posted earlier (Auto Express) the '80%' is based on the improvement in light output measured at 75 metres. They were also testing H7 bulbs

It’s important to fit the right bulb because, as our test shows again this year, buying anything but the top names is a lottery. Some cheap units produced worrying degrees of glare for oncoming drivers, as well as very low levels of light on the road and major differences between lamps. Getting the headlights aligned as you fit new bulbs is essential.

For this year’s test, we concentrated on the single-filament H7 – the most popular halogen bulb in Europe. Performance versions have been around for some time, offering 30, 50 and 60 per cent more light 75 metres in front of the car. But the past 12 months have seen the arrival of 80 and 90 per cent versions. Do they work? We test the leading standard, plus 30, plus 50 and higher (we list them as 50 plus) and blue bulbs, as well as one designed for off-road use, to deliver our verdict.


The Test

Philips’ 75-metre light tunnel at its plant in Aachen, Germany, allowed us to measure beams accurately, and see the patterns displayed on a simulated road. We assessed pairs of each bulb, and adjusted our Volvo V70 test car’s headlamp each time until there was no glare for oncoming drivers.

Our beam rating is a combination of the light at 50 and 75 metres in front of the car, and an average of readings from two bulbs. Build geometry and light output were also measured against EC regulations. Prices are for a pair of bulbs, and were taken into account only where there were big differences, as costs can vary wildly. We have listed our sources as a guide.

Light show: best vs worst

Seeing clearly
On the road, the difference between the best and the worst bulbs was enormous. Adjusted to prevent glare, the Classic Professional barely reached 40 metres, with a mass of distracting light just in front of the car.

Peripheral vision was a little over six metres either side of the driver.
Our Best Buy, the Philips X-treme Power, illuminated the road over 90 metres away with a 20-metre-wide beam and a bigger spread of usable light ahead of the test Volvo. That’s easily the difference between having a collision and avoiding one.

Feeling blue?
While one section of our test is devoted to ‘blue’ bulbs, the best deliver white beams and headlights. These products were created around seven years ago to imitate the then new gas-discharge xenon or HID systems which were appearing on top-of-the-range models from BMW and Mercedes, giving off super-bright beams and adding a blue tinge to the headlights.

Most halogen imitations use the latest technology to boost light output. And they need it, as the colour change from yellow is achieved by coatings or filters which rob light from the beam. In poor-quality units, the result is low levels of light and a kaleidoscope of colours around the edges. In this test, ‘blue’ bulbs performed mid-way between the plus 50 and plus 30 untreated samples.

Verdict

Head and shoulders above the rest in this test was the Philips X-treme Power, which put in a performance no rival bulb could come near.

However, if you want to spend less than £30, go for the Philips Premium. And for those who prefer the white look, the best is from Narva. Just bear in mind the trendy blue coating has an adverse effect on bulb performance.

The standard entries from Bosch and Halfords get our vote. But most of the build and beam issues were in this class, and it’s well worth upgrading to a plus 30 or 50 plus unit to ensure decent quality.

 

[Baron_Samedi]

st13phil, your photo is very good and I could make out more white in the image on the near side lamp.

 

[st13phil]

If you read the link I posted earlier (Auto Express) the '80%' is based on the improvement in light output measured at 75 metres.

I did read it Bill, but it's only in the last few hours that the penny's dropped when I put that info together with Amzchhabra's comment that he'd seen little difference in the performance of these bulbs in the dip beam fitment on a W209 CLK, but that they showed a marked improvement when fitted in the main beam lamp

If you consider that the cut-off on a european dipped beam pattern is at somewhere in the region of 55-65m ahead of the vehicle then it's no surprise that these bulbs make precious little difference when used on dip beam. Simply put, they can't make a great deal of difference because the lamp's cut-off prevents any real benefit, perhaps with the exception of the asymmetric "kick up" on the left - and that will be limited to a marginal improvement in your view of the road's edge on the left and, perhaps more pronounced, your view of road signs positioned on the left of the road (ref: wemorgan's post).

It's all falling into place

 

[Baron_Samedi]

I think you hit the nail on the head.

I would add that the extra brightness in the near side "kick up" is of great use on country roads and streets with mahoosive potholes

 

[st13phil]

Most of my commute driving is on unlit country roads which is why I tried out the X-treme Power bulbs in the first place. Regrettably - and I take your point about the near side "kick up" - the difference they make on my W204 is so marginal as to be irrelevant which is a great shame.

Oh well, I suppose my next car will have the Intelligent Lighting option box ticked

 

[Baron_Samedi]

If that means Xenon HID, I'd try it before ticking that box....

 

[Frank O' Phile]

I stuck in a pair of x-treme in my W124 and the difference was night and day.
Previously it was hard to tell if the lights were even on when driving in lit areas, but now the beams are visible at dusk. Money well spent in my case.

Maybe it is because of the model difference and bulbs are H4?

 

[Charles Morgan]

Right one.