Replacement headlight bulbs?

[chris200]

Some years ago I had a Saab. I put new Phillips bulbs in after being told they were fabulous. They weren't. They were no better than standard bulbs. Do any of these halogen upgrade bulbs REALLY make a difference or is it all a load of tosh?
New HID units are not worth the money in my opinion, that's why I'm considering alternatives. Any serious contenders??

 

[Simzy]

Some years ago I had a Saab. I put new Phillips bulbs in after being told they were fabulous. They weren't. They were no better than standard bulbs. Do any of these halogen upgrade bulbs REALLY make a difference or is it all a load of tosh?
New HID units are not worth the money in my opinion, that's why I'm considering alternatives. Any serious contenders??

Halogen bulbs are much better imo as i have them..visibility is much better and they look great on the car too. Make sure you get white ones though because blue ones are illegal as i found out ..

 

[chris200]

Any specific recommendations? I didn't like the Phillips ones and a friend told me the Osrams weren't much better.

 

[hotrodder]

Good piece on them here... Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply and the good variety (that don't actually produce blue tinged light) Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply that helps cut through marketing BS

Personally i reckon both Osram and Phillips are noticably better than standard halogen*... it's not a night and difference but it can't be considering what's changed, a tweak here and there to produce whiter light and run the bulb 'hotter' as you've filtered out some of the light that results in a yellowish cast and the result is something that lights the road a bit better and has a shorter life.

* They'll be several others too but as Phillips or Osram usually win when tested and can be picked up for less than hellfrauds own brand if you shop around i've only used them

 

[chris200]

Thanks hotrodder for taking the time to make a detailed reply. I'm pants at techy stuff!!

 

[Halcyon Days]

I've had 4 saabs and all of their headlights were pants (my last one was a 9-3 with HiDs and even that was pants!)
My CLK with standard halogens is MUCH better. So I would judge the experience of people on here that rate the Osrams & Philips in their Mercedes.. and the Osrams are only about £10 a pair for H7s, so worth a punt, surely?

 

[LittleG]

I've got Bosch +90% alot better than standard.

 

[ivan1983]

I've got Bosch +90% alot better than standard.

How long have you had these for, Im thining of getting some for my bike but if they blow then i cant be bothered. If they last a few years then it could be worth it

 

[grumpyoldgit]

As already said, either Philips or Osram, but make sure to get the correct ones as both makes have different but similar named options. Take a look at the Auto Express review on Philips bulbs Best headlamp bulb: Product Awards 2012 | Auto Express and Osram Osram Night Breaker Plus | Auto Express (There are also links to reviews on other makes in this particular write up).

Philips have X-treme vision & Vision Plus.

I think Osram do Nightbreaker & Nightbreaker Plus (There is also a Nightbreaker Gold Limited Edition just to confuse things).

I have used both Philips X-treme Vision and Osram Nightbreaker Plus and it's hard to say which is best, but I think the Philips is my preference, but only just.

I haven't tried the Bosch + 90% but the Auto Express review isn't as good as for the Philips or the Osram.

I also tried some non road legal 100w bulbs, more out of curiosity than anything else and in my opinion they weren't as bright or as good as the above two. I soon put the Philips bulbs back in. (Still have the 100w gathering dust in the garage).

Fleabay is your friend for best prices, but as said, make sure they are the correct ones as some of the ads don't make it clear.

 

[p3tchy]

Just fit a set of Hid's. I've tried nearly every replacement bulb out there and wasted a lot of money doing so.

In the end I just went with Hid's

mondeo mk2
mondeo mk3 (st tdci)
vectra c x 2
others had xenon's fitted as standard.
And finally my current CLK, till I find some xenon's anyway.

 

[grumpyoldgit]

For the after market, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "HID is banned in the after market" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require HID in the after market to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply.

Therefore a HID headlamp unit sold in the after market should:

1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component.
2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place).
3. Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned.

In practice this means:

1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory.
2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam.
3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 it is an offence to supply, fit or use vehicle parts which are not legal.
In summary it is not permitted to convert an existing halogen headlamp unit for use with HID bulbs. The entire headlamp unit must be replaced with one designed and approved for use with HID bulbs and it must be installed in accordance with the rules stated above."

 

[p3tchy]

How can you quote all that gumpf when you admitted to fitting 100w bulbs in the previous reply.... :fail

(and it's passed it last 2 mot's so I don't care)

 

[grumpyoldgit]

Sorry, I didn't say but they were fitted in an off road vehicle

I sincerely hope you never find yourself in a difficult or dangerous situation caused by being blinded by someone as inconsiderate and cavalier as yourself.
I trust you've notified your insurance company of any and/or all modifications so that you are still covered?

 

[ivan1983]

(and it's passed it last 2 mot's so I don't care)

Have to say thats quite irresponsible/ inconsiderate/selfish, as I biker surely you dont appreciate being blinded by other motorists lights so why would you go around dazzling others

 

[Rupert44]

Some years ago I had a Saab. I put new Phillips bulbs in after being told they were fabulous. They weren't. They were no better than standard bulbs. Do any of these halogen upgrade bulbs REALLY make a difference or is it all a load of tosh?
New HID units are not worth the money in my opinion, that's why I'm considering alternatives. Any serious contenders??

Yes.
I upgraded to Osram night breakers for the 2005 C200 and wow what a improvement, I drive 75 miles a day to work and back mostly in the dark for 2/3 of the year and they make the country lanes drivable.

The do have a little draw back thou, they only last 2 years then blow but that is worth it for the light out put.

 

[LittleG]

How long have you had these for, Im thining of getting some for my bike but if they blow then i cant be bothered. If they last a few years then it could be worth it

I've been using them for 2 years and I've gone through 2 sets, but My lights are on constant and I've done 30k+ when on country lanes at night I don't feel the need to use main beam but i do eat a lot of carrots.

 

[ivan1983]

On LittleG's recommendation I bought a set of bosch 90%+ for the motorbike.

The old bulb was at least 7 years old but more likely original at around 15 years, it was a phillips Long Life bulb which I guess means its less bright to last longer.

The new bulb was initially a bit disappointing (looking at it during the day) but after a bit of night riding they definitely produce a more defined beam on the road with a longer throw. Still not amazing but I think thats partly due to the wiring/ low voltage of the bike.

For £10 a pair I dont think you can go wrong I just hope they last as its a right pain to change the bulb

 

[paulgorringe]

Osram have a new bulb out now.
The Nightbreaker Unlimited which is supposed to be even brighter, have longer throw and a much longer life
Might even try this one.

 

[mersum1es]

Some test results:

This month issue of FIN 'technology World' magazine tested H7 bulbs. Measurements were done in Philips laboratory, FOM (figure of merit) method (link to method + some H4 test found in accident.

Results (I'm not including all tested bulbs):
1. Philips XtremeVision +100 %, score 118 points
2. Philips VisionPlus +60 %, 108 points
3. Osram Night Breaker Plus +90 %, 101 points
4. Bosch Plus 90, 93 points
5. GE Megalight Ultra +90%, 89 points
.
.
11. Philips LongLife EcoVision, 68 points
..
18. Osram, 58 points
19. Osram UltraLife, 55 points
.
22. Raze, 34 points (never heard, but worst bulb

)

 

[V12]

What most people neglect is the condition of the lamp itself.
The bulb plays an important part, but if you have a pitted lens or a dusty reflector, you are throwing light away.

Some new bulbs do seem to age badly. Any new bulb will generally outperform an older bulb. Not just the life until they pop but they do start to film over and drastically reduce light performance.

I would first of all check your reflectors are spick and span, polish the lenses if there is any clouding or pitting and then get some long life bulbs which will offer you more stable performance.