Headlight bulb upgrade

[croozza Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close croozza]

I need to upgrade the high beam side (H7) of the wifes car. The low beam is awesome as they are factory HID, but when you go to high beam, it is like you have done nothing. A HID or LED upgrade is out of the question as they require me to remove the screw on dust covers for them to fit. So I have narrowed it down to PIAA xtreme white plus, osram nightbreaker unlimited or the Philips x-treme vision plus.
The PIAA look good as they produce the equivalent of 130w out of a 55w bulb, but I have not found out any info regarding heat, as I dont want to melt the reflectors or lenses.
The Osram has been recommended by a good friend in the driving light business, but I will have to get them from over seas.
The Philips look good too as they have a good white light just like the others.
Does anyone have any experience with the above.

[t303 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close t303]

Osram Nightbreaker, off Ebuy ex UK if I remember. Four years and 60k on them and a lot of night driving (Quickest way out of Darwin is pulling an allnighter). I have HID inserts in the spots. If you go too white you get stupid amounts of reflection off road signs. I reckon 4300k max for spots, probably 3000k for headlights.

[nanbar Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nanbar]

I used the PHILLIPS globe. The light is ok but the reflection off the globes is now always blue when the lights are off and the car is parked. Justs looks a little silly.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

I used the Philips globes which gave me more light, but both globes blew within 2 weeks of each other on the rougher stuff over in W.A. Could only find Repco globes over there to replace them, not much more light.

I found Narva globes, then emailed the company. The following is the reply:


"Our primary stockists include the following.


Autobarn, Auto One, Auto Pro, Bursons, COVS (WA),

Alanco (WA), R&E AUTO (Vic), Repco, Supercheap, Sprint Auto (SA),

Truckline, Ashdown-Ingram, AME Products, Motor Spares, Batteriesdirect,

R&J Batteries, RKS (Vic), Battery World, Home of 12V (SA), TJM,

Maxiparts, SCAGENCIES (NSW)

Any of the above stores will be able to help you with your requirements."


There are some good globes on their website. Will have a look at ordering some globes in the next few days.

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

I have previously used Philips and Narva. Both were good and made a clear difference. At the moment the Osram NightBreaker range (+110% claimed) seems very good value from Powerbulbs (and get good reviews) so I have ordered some for my Prado.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

Tried Bursons and purchased Philips X-treme Vision globes (100% more light - H11 for low beam, HB3 for high beam)

Was looking at Narva globes, but the staff said they fitted Philips X-treme globes to their vehicles and were happy with the extra light, so bought them.

Only fitted the globes today, so no chance to try them yet.

[yowie Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close yowie]

I fitted the Philips x-treme globes, certainly better light output.

[Pradopolous Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pradopolous]

Ive fitted the Phillips on another vehicle, nice white light but must have been unlucky as ive had two blow on me, fyi

[LongHorn Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close LongHorn]

Osram Nightbreaker, off Ebuy ex UK if I remember. Four years and 60k on them and a lot of night driving (Quickest way out of Darwin is pulling an allnighter). I have HID inserts in the spots. If you go too white you get stupid amounts of reflection off road signs. I reckon 4300k max for spots, probably 3000k for headlights.

Interesting you should say that about the 'kelvins' and reflections because the Nightbreakers are rated at 4000k

[Early Member Find all posts View Profile Close Early]

As long as there is only a light tinge of blue or a strip of blue filter on the bulb, the light will be a comfortable Kelvin range. Start getting the heavily blue tinted bulbs and you get whiter light, but less distance which gets even shorter when it is raining.
And don't forget to re-aim the headlights after a bulb change. Some bulbs can be a little off centre within the headlight casing.

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

I have just put Osram +110% bulbs in my Prado and they have made a large improvement. For about $100 for the 4 bulbs this is probably the easiest, most effective and best value upgrade you can do. Worth doing before considering need or type of extra spots or bars.

[packhorse Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close packhorse]

I have just spoken to Invision in Victoria who advised that the Philips Xtreme Vision +35M H11 globes have a rough life of about 450 hours. I have just go through two low beam sets within 12 months. Great light but poor life span.

I was referred to Invision by Philips Customer Care as they are the distruibutor for auto lights (so I was told).

[dazzman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dazzman]

I have just replaced mine with the Philips Extreme vision. I bought them from POWERBULBS in the UK. Free postage to Australia and only took 1 week plus if you use the promo code'Spring' you get 20% off. I paid $25 less than the cheapest i could find in OZ. Just google the name and you are off. I will definately be using them again as they are so much cheaper and only sell top genuine brands.

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

Ditto that - Powerbulbs provide a great price, range and service.
Has any tried the (expensive) H16 LED from Philips: http://www.powerbulbs.com/au/product...n-led-fog-lamp
(I have read some positive reviews, but might wait for a reduction in price)

[RBJET Member Find all posts View Profile Close RBJET]

It lists them as fog lights so probably not powerful enough for headlights?