Headlight Bulb Upgrade

Hightower · 28 December 2009, 03:09

Has anyone upgraded standard H4 headlight bulbs with aftermarket ones to improove the lighting on their car/truck?

If so, what where your findings and what bulbs did you go for?

I'm starting to get fed up with the poor ilumination my Monerey's kicking out.

JABS · 28 December 2009, 09:06

Yes, I have fitted zenon upgrades. Absolutely fantastic. I went for the 55 watt version, which in retrospect was not necessary, I think the 35 would have been fine.

Don't go fo the really high colour temperature, use a mid range. Thetop end can be very blue and a bit chav!

You might need to fit relays since there is a quick surge whilst they fire up.

It was a quick and simple upgrade and absolutely worth gthe outlay.

Hightower · 28 December 2009, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by JABS

Yes, I have fitted zenon upgrades. Absolutely fantastic. I went for the 55 watt version, which in retrospect was not necessary, I think the 35 would have been fine.

Don't go fo the really high colour temperature, use a mid range. Thetop end can be very blue and a bit chav!

You might need to fit relays since there is a quick surge whilst they fire up.

It was a quick and simple upgrade and absolutely worth gthe outlay.

Are these the HID ones?

I was just thinking of upgrading the bulbs to off the shelf type ones, not the whole system.

JABS · 28 December 2009, 11:16

Yes, HID. Absolutely fantastic.

You could go for higher wattage H4, but then you would certainly have to upgrade the wiring and maybe add relays, since they would draw more current. The advantage of HID or Zenon is that they last pretty much the life of the car and draw less or the same current.

They do cost more, but, im my view, absolutely worth every penny!

Bigmuz7 · 28 December 2009, 11:37

Whats the score when it comes to MOT time with these ?

Hightower · 28 December 2009, 12:03

As far as I can see the HID ones are legal as they only draw 55 watts max, I just didn't want the cost or bother of putting them in and was looking at a quicker way of upgrading my lights ie: swapping bulbs

Cypman · 28 December 2009, 12:13

I changed my standard 55w bulbs for "Ring" Zenon 55w ones (£14 on E-bay).
Quite a lot more light and an easy fix!!

JABS · 28 December 2009, 12:17

HID is technically only legal with self levelling headlights, whiuch few cars have. I am careful to adjust mine if I have a lot in the boot.

The 'zenon' bulbs on ebay are just regular incandescent bulbs with a differnt gas insde. The 'proper' HID lights have a ballst driving the lamps.

You can get the proper jobs from a load of specialists on the web.

bedajim · 28 December 2009, 12:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

As far as I can see the HID ones are legal as they only draw 55 watts max, I just didn't want the cost or bother of putting them in and was looking at a quicker way of upgrading my lights ie: swapping bulbs

Something like these

http://www.powerbulbs.com/philips-xt...at1=37&cat2=73

Hightower · 28 December 2009, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

Something like these

http://www.powerbulbs.com/philips-xt...at1=37&cat2=73

Yeh, that's the type of bulb I'm looking for.

Have you experience of using these Bulbs Jim?

mark_j · 28 December 2009, 13:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmuz7

Whats the score when it comes to MOT time with these ?

As has been already stated these are illegal if not used with self leveling, I have had some ebay ones fitted to my van 4500 colour temp for 2 years and one has only just failed, they are good but not designed to be used with the halogen reflectors as they throw the incorrect beam, that said they are an improvement and have gone through 2 MOT tests so INMHO worth fitting.

Nos4r2 · 28 December 2009, 13:21

Andy, I think you've got identical headlights to mine in your Isuzu. If you have (and mine are pretty poor!) avoid any bulbs with colouring on the outside as they look really impressive 'til you get somewhere out of town when you'll suddenly realise (as I did)you can't see much at all. The best I found were a standard big brand H4 type.

Hightower · 28 December 2009, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Andy, I think you've got identical headlights to mine in your Isuzu. If you have (and mine are pretty poor!) avoid any bulbs with colouring on the outside as they look really impressive 'til you get somewhere out of town when you'll suddenly realise (as I did)you can't see much at all. The best I found were a standard big brand H4 type.

Yeh probably, I can't see why Isuzu would put differently designed lenses and reflectors on such similar models.

I've asked this question on ITOC too and am not getting a good response. Some are saying Rings and the HID is getting the thumbs up, but that's not what I want.

As far as I can see the Phillips is a clear bulb and is the favorite at the moment just over £17 on ebay inc postage

Nos4r2 · 28 December 2009, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Yeh probably, I can't see why Isuzu would put differently designed lenses and reflectors on such similar models.

I've asked this question on ITOC too and am not getting a good response. Some are saying Rings and the HID is getting the thumbs up, but that's not what I want.

As far as I can see the Phillips is a clear bulb and is the favorite at the moment just over £17 on ebay inc postage

Let me know what your results are mate-it'd be nice to be able to see where I'm going

Hightower · 28 December 2009, 14:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Let me know what your results are mate-it'd be nice to be able to see where I'm going

Yeh, I'll let you know what ones I go for and how they compare.

I just need someone who's used the Phillips to give me a recommendation. Bedajim?

Cypman · 28 December 2009, 14:14

The Ring and Philips units are effectively the same, the Rings being cheaper!
They are a simple replacement and give a noticeable light increase. To go one better you need to fit completely new units with ballasts etc., SOME of which may be illegal for normal road use but produce a much brighter light.

gibbo500 · 28 December 2009, 15:11

Andy,

This might be useful?

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product...e_test_30.html

I use Philips and Osrams, they are definitely brighter but in my experience burn out pretty quickly. I dont think mine have lasted longer than 6 months.

Hightower · 28 December 2009, 17:07

So possibly the bulbs burn out quicker because they burn brighter? I'd expect a high performance bulb to last at least a year and a half of normal driving, if not longer.

Ian M · 28 December 2009, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Yeh, I'll let you know what ones I go for and how they compare.

I just need someone who's used the Phillips to give me a recommendation. Bedajim?

Andy, the lights on the old Panzer wagon are pathetic, so like you I thought about an upgrade. Just received a set of the Philips X-treme bulbs, and will try to fit them tomorrow. I'll let you know what the improvement is

chewy · 28 December 2009, 23:01

HID's are the most effective. Granted they may not be legal if you don't have self levelling and washers on your head lights.

I've never failed an MOT on various cars and the police have never had any problems with them at their drink driver stops where they check the car over.

On the Volvo's they last about two years and thats with day time running lights.