Recommendations for good / brighter bulbs?

TS7 · 30 Aug 2011 at 22:43

I'm not sure if it's just me or if my headlights have become dimmer but I'm not happy with the amount of light I'm getting currently. The lights don't light as much of the road ahead as I deem sufficient.

Now does anyone have any recommendations for good bulbs? I've heard Philips X-Treme (I think) bulbs are suppose to be good - there a couple of different versions, which is the best one?

I certainly don't want any fake xenon, ridiculously blue lights. Want them to be white.

Car in question is a 06' Fiesta

Thanks in advance

Westyfield2 · 31 Aug 2011 at 09:03

Osram Night Breaker Plus is what I use

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BlastRadius · 31 Aug 2011 at 09:09

Westyfield2 said:
Osram Night Breaker Plus is what I use .

Same. They actually make a big difference. Phillips do a good set as well I think.

Deep · 31 Aug 2011 at 09:11

Westyfield2 said:
Osram Night Breaker Plus is what I use .

BlastRadius said:
Same. They actually make a big difference. Phillips do a good set as well I think.

I had a pair of these, and they blew after only a few months

I've heard this has happened to a number of people, so just be aware

Paul. W · 31 Aug 2011 at 09:28

I gave up with these 'brighter' bulbs.

Ive been through loads, Osram Nightbreakers, the Phillips ones and others. At £20 a set they are not cheap.

They dont make a huge difference. Yes they are a tiny bit brighter, but are NOTHING compared to Xenons, and certainly dont warrant the £20+ pricetag for bulbs.

And from personal experience, they last about 4 months before blowing. Total waste of money. Back to my £3 bulbs from the local BP garage and the current ones are 12 months old and still going strong.

lordrobs · 31 Aug 2011 at 09:28

Philips X-treme Vision. Just as bright as Osrams but last 3+ years rather than 3 months.

NathWraith · 31 Aug 2011 at 10:37

This is going to sound stupid but although these(osrams) aren't HID Xenons do they still have to be used in projector headlights or are reflectors game aswell?

Westyfield2 · 31 Aug 2011 at 10:43

Deep said:
I had a pair of these, and they blew after only a few months

I've heard this has happened to a number of people, so just be aware

Hmmm. I did read of a few people having their original Night Breakers blow after a while, but I believe the Night Breaker Plus’s are meant to be longer lasting... well I’ve had my Night Breaker Plus’s in for a year and they haven’t blown yet!

NathWraith said:
This is going to sound stupid but although these(osrams) aren't HID Xenons do they still have to be used in projector headlights or are reflectors game aswell?

They’re fine in reflectors

.

BlastRadius · 31 Aug 2011 at 10:54

Deep said:
I had a pair of these, and they blew after only a few months

I've heard this has happened to a number of people, so just be aware

That was the older version. If you get the plus (+) version it should be fine.

Fr0dders · 31 Aug 2011 at 10:54

I've given up too

They all seem to last much much shorter than the average cheap ones.

I guess the increased light output is at the expense of longevity.

Deep · 31 Aug 2011 at 10:55

Westyfield2 said:
Hmmm. I did read of a few people having their original Night Breakers blow after a while, but I believe the Night Breaker Plus’s are meant to be longer lasting... well I’ve had my Night Breaker Plus’s in for a year and they haven’t blown yet!

They’re fine in reflectors .

BlastRadius said:
That was the older version. If you get the plus (+) version it should be fine.

I didn't know there was a + version. Good to know though

Frozennova · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:13

Another user of night breakers,certainly made a difference on the golf,was like driving with candles before.

Kei · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:26

Philips xtremes in mine for the last 2.5 years. Might try some nightbreaker + when one of the philips bulbs eventually goes.

NathWraith · 31 Aug 2011 at 12:45

Westyfield2 said:
They’re fine in reflectors .

Cheers

mjt · 31 Aug 2011 at 16:30

In my experience, Nightbreakers don't last very long at all.
I recommend Philips X-Treme Vision. They're brigher too IMO.

Confused · 31 Aug 2011 at 16:34

You really want to be upping the supply voltage to the bulbs. A drop of 5% in voltage results in a ~20% drop in light!

Set up a couple of relays, with the coils driven by the current wiring, and the switched contacts switching in a nice reasonably thick feed direct from the battery.

Most cars send the voltage that ends up at the light all the way to the switch on the steering column/dash, and down fairly thin wires! The voltage drop across these wires is quite high.

TS7 · 31 Aug 2011 at 16:35

Just went to Halfords to get some and have them fitted and they don't even sell them! They only sell Bosch ones.

Anyone know any other shops / stores which sell them?

Imy · 31 Aug 2011 at 17:13

I've been using Philips X-Treme Vision H4's for a year now. The light they emit is whiter in appearance than the standard bulbs I had before, giving them more of an expensive car look. They are certainly a lot brighter too.

Check the condition of your headlight casing while you're at it. If it's cloudy or scratched up you can refurbish them which is what I did and that made a massive difference too.

ubersonic · 31 Aug 2011 at 19:05

PIAA Platinum Series.

They cost a lot but are worth it, they increase the amount of light given by drawing more watts (so make sure your wiring can take it) instead of using a "whiter" or "cool blue" light like most bulbs (the bright white and cool blue light goes further than the normal yellowy white because of its spectrum but it will tire your eyes out faster, important if you do any long distance driving, these bulbs give the same increased distance of light but with the more natural colour)

jcr · 8 Sep 2011 at 00:06

i use halfords extreme brilliance bulbs buy them in pairs when the 1 + 1 free offer is on. last about 10000 miles and are a marked improvement over the standard bulbs in my skoda.