Best choice for brighter, whiter headlight bulbs?
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
Best choice for brighter, whiter headlight bulbs?
Just what my heading reads...What are some good strong opinions on bulbs that are truly brighter, whiter and give a better range? I'm not looking for the HID look a likes or those blue bulbs here. I truly want better vision from my bulbs. Anyone tried these?...Sylvania, PIAA, Philips or Osram (not to be mistaken for Osram-Sylvania). If so, which product line of these brands? Where to get the best prices?
Thanks!
Thanks!
#2
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had stock, PIAA's and the 9011/9012 from Toshiba (I think that is where they are from). PIAA's were definitely more white in color but IMO the 9011's put out more total light and a better pattern.
Fej
Fej
#4
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
I just installed a set of four Toshiba HIR 5011's, replacing the Sylvania Silverstars which looked cool, but didn't give me enough light. The Toshibas are staying put. At $26.50 a bulb, they're a no brainer.
I decided to go with the HIR's rather than experiment with the new Sylvania Ultrastars
I decided to go with the HIR's rather than experiment with the new Sylvania Ultrastars
#5
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll probably get slammed for this, but I've always used the GE Performance Series bulbs, and sealed beams. They are 80% brighter/whiter than standard halogen. 95% of my driving is at night, both in my cars, and in my big rig. They have fantastic penetration, and cast a very wide beam. I've tried a bunch of different brands, and for my money, it's hard to beat good ol' american General Electric bulbs.
#6
Night Owl for life
Member Since: Nov 2003
Location: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Posts: 23,193
Received 3,241 Likes
on
1,664 Posts
The HIR bulbs have the highest lumen output of the halogen bulbs.
lumens are what measures light output, not watts.
stock halogen 9006 low lumens = 1000
stock halogen 9005 high lumens = 1700
HIR X012 replacment for 9006 lumens = 1700
HIR X011 replacement for 9005 lumens = 2300
ACA full HID replacement low lumens = 3200
ACA full HID replacement HIR high lumens = 2300
lumens are what measures light output, not watts.
stock halogen 9006 low lumens = 1000
stock halogen 9005 high lumens = 1700
HIR X012 replacment for 9006 lumens = 1700
HIR X011 replacement for 9005 lumens = 2300
ACA full HID replacement low lumens = 3200
ACA full HID replacement HIR high lumens = 2300
#7
Le Mans Master
I've got Sylvania Silverstars (not the new Ultras), and they're a little better than stock, but not a lot. The light is a bit whiter on high beam, and the low beams have a greenish tint to them. That takes some getting used to.
#8
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Okay, here are some shots I took tonight of the Toshiba HIR's. I'm very pleased with them, but you can draw your own conclusions. When I installed the Silverstars, I had to realign my pattern because the Silverstars were shooting too low. Now, I need to realign again because these were too high (aka normal). The beam pattern isn't great yet, but it should give you a pretty good idea of the kind of light these things throw down the road.
The color balance is screwed up on the first few pics, because we have those yellow sodium street lights around here and it threw the white balance for the camera all out of whack. So the beam in the first few pics appears more yellow than they really look. Enjoy.
Here's how they look from the front. I'm starting with this picture because it's my favorite and I think it looks cooler than hell. I also just noticed something new in this pic. Note how the LED Halos light up the rear reflectors and license tag of the car parked way in the heck down the street on the right side of the picture!!
This is low beam (as mentioned above, the color is innacurate due to the overhead street lighting where the car is parked)
This is high beam. Frankly, not a whole lot of difference. Like I said, these still need proper adjusting.
Driving down the street, now in low beam. More realistic views of how the lights actually perform. Hmmmm. Not bad!
The ubiquitous garage door shots. These are low beam.
These are high beam.
These things are gonna be dangerous once I get them properly dialed in.
One more glam shot for the road.
Let me know what you think.
The color balance is screwed up on the first few pics, because we have those yellow sodium street lights around here and it threw the white balance for the camera all out of whack. So the beam in the first few pics appears more yellow than they really look. Enjoy.
Here's how they look from the front. I'm starting with this picture because it's my favorite and I think it looks cooler than hell. I also just noticed something new in this pic. Note how the LED Halos light up the rear reflectors and license tag of the car parked way in the heck down the street on the right side of the picture!!
This is low beam (as mentioned above, the color is innacurate due to the overhead street lighting where the car is parked)
This is high beam. Frankly, not a whole lot of difference. Like I said, these still need proper adjusting.
Driving down the street, now in low beam. More realistic views of how the lights actually perform. Hmmmm. Not bad!
The ubiquitous garage door shots. These are low beam.
These are high beam.
These things are gonna be dangerous once I get them properly dialed in.
One more glam shot for the road.
Let me know what you think.
Last edited by JMc; 11-23-2006 at 02:50 AM.
#9
Pro
I'm contemplating a change as well, but can't decide between these two, PIAA Platinum Super White Bulbs or Sylvania Silverstar Bulbs. The difference between the two is nearly $30.00. Though I'm not all that concerned about the cost, I simply want the best bulb between the two.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
#10
Night Owl for life
Member Since: Nov 2003
Location: Bugs Bunny should'a made a left turn here
Posts: 23,193
Received 3,241 Likes
on
1,664 Posts
Originally Posted by edved
I'm contemplating a change as well, but can't decide between these two, PIAA Platinum Super White Bulbs or Sylvania Silverstar Bulbs. The difference between the two is nearly $30.00. Though I'm not all that concerned about the cost, I simply want the best bulb between the two.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
go with the HIR bulbs as posted above if you want to actually get more light output.
#11
Administrator
Member Since: Mar 2001
Location: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
Posts: 342,649
Received 19,204 Likes
on
13,921 Posts
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Those HIR bulbs sure put out the light. Impressive shots.
#12
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Thanks, JD. I finally feel like I'm "finished" looking for headlight improvements for now. Sure, HID's would be marvelous, and the price seems to be dropping to tempting levels for me, but for now, I'm very content with the light output of these things.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
#14
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Jul 1999
Location: The Usual Suspects Yorba Linda Chapter
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by JMc
Thanks, JD. I finally feel like I'm "finished" looking for headlight improvements for now. Sure, HID's would be marvelous, and the price seems to be dropping to tempting levels for me, but for now, I'm very content with the light output of these things.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Those HIR's are amazing. Let us know how it goes.....if you get flashed by oncoming traffic.
I'm wondering if the stock wiring is OK for these lights.
#15
Racer
Member Since: Sep 2004
Location: Fort leonardwood Missourri
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Holy Crap, one of them bulbs would put my low beams and foglights to shame...
But i am installing my Piaa foglights tomorrow and will be doing some HID's, to alleaviate any more sucky lighting issues..
But i am installing my Piaa foglights tomorrow and will be doing some HID's, to alleaviate any more sucky lighting issues..
#16
Melting Slicks
Member Since: May 2005
Location: Las Vegas Nevada
Posts: 3,461
Received 161 Likes
on
108 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08
Where can I get the HIRs ? Also what numbers for high and low beams? Also can you do something like the regular high beam mod on these also for better low beam light?
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
Thanks,
Clayton from Las Vegas
#17
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Stock wires are definitely fine for the HIR's. They don't draw any more current nor create any more heat than stock bulbs, from what I understand.
They cost $26.50 each and were purchased through an auction site. Just search "Toshiba HIR". The vendor will ship up to four bulbs for a flat cost of $5.
9012's are the equivalent of 9006 low beams.
9011's are the equivalent to 9005 high beams.
I went with four 9011's and modded the bulb bases the same as you do with the Silverstar high beam bulb in low beam socket mod.
Here's a very interesting read about the various types of bulbs out there:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=954736
They cost $26.50 each and were purchased through an auction site. Just search "Toshiba HIR". The vendor will ship up to four bulbs for a flat cost of $5.
9012's are the equivalent of 9006 low beams.
9011's are the equivalent to 9005 high beams.
I went with four 9011's and modded the bulb bases the same as you do with the Silverstar high beam bulb in low beam socket mod.
Here's a very interesting read about the various types of bulbs out there:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=954736
Last edited by JMc; 11-24-2006 at 12:56 AM.
#20
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: "This is not a psychotic episode, but a cleansing moment of clarity."
Posts: 6,420
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Originally Posted by CMYC5GO
I'll probably get slammed for this, but I've always used the GE Performance Series bulbs, and sealed beams. They are 80% brighter/whiter than standard halogen. 95% of my driving is at night, both in my cars, and in my big rig. They have fantastic penetration, and cast a very wide beam. I've tried a bunch of different brands, and for my money, it's hard to beat good ol' american General Electric bulbs.