Brighter Headlights - Update

[Marlon]

Fed up with my standard H7 headlight bulbs, but not wanting the expense of Xenons I saw this offer in Halfords 2 for 1:

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-blades-batteries/car-bulbs/bosch-car-headlamp-bulb-plus-90-477-h7-x-1

Has anyone upgraded to these, or similar. Are they an improvement on the standard 'candles'?

 

[cj10jeeper]

I haven't used that brand but have the Osram night breakers at less than half that price in my XF as the auxiliary main and flash to pass. Can't say they give out much more light, but are certainly whiter.

One point to remember is aside all the mumbo, techno speak for this sort of bulb they are no more than a halogen bulb (although they may put another inert gas in it). If they are brighter and the wattage is the same then the temperature is higher. To do that the filament is thinner so they last a shorter time. In reality expect less than a year, depending on use. What they do is make them better as where the filament is, so more light is focussed where you are looking, so the extra light claims ought to read 'more light where you need it'

 

[Marlon]

Thanks, very informative as always

 

[85genius]

Are you sure you haven't already got xenons? just looking at the photo in your sig it looks like you have the headlight washers which I thought were only fitted to cars with xenon headlights I could be completely wrong though..............

 

[cj10jeeper]

Are you sure you haven't already got xenons? just looking at the photo in your sig it looks like you have the headlight washers which I thought were only fitted to cars with xenon headlights I could be completely wrong though..............

Washers were an available option on halogen headlights, but mandatory on xenon, so not a good indicator of type of light fitted

 

[Marlon]

Are you sure you haven't already got xenons? just looking at the photo in your sig it looks like you have the headlight washers which I thought were only fitted to cars with xenon headlights I could be completely wrong though..............

If only - no, they have the power of a pair of candles

 

[stuartC]

Same issue with my halogen candles, interested to hear of a simple fix

 

[SeanConnor]

Same issue with my halogen candles, interested to hear of a simple fix

+1

 

[Marlon]

I'm definitely interested in giving these a go, although reading other threads it looks like its a bit of a PITA changing the bulbs - access seems to be from a cover in the wheel arch

 

[cj10jeeper]

I'm definitely interested in giving these a go, although reading other threads it looks like its a bit of a PITA changing the bulbs - access seems to be from a cover in the wheel arch

Access and changing is really easy:
Turn the steering to full lock
Using a very wide screwdriver, 2p coin, washer, etc. turn the cover lock 1/2 turn to release. Flap opens and can be removed.
Unclip the spring wire on the reverse of the light unit
look exactly how it is fitted and wriggle it out.
Change the bulb
Replace the cover taking care that no wires are trapped, refit the clip and close the access panel

10 mins first time, 5 thereafter

 

[Marlon]

I'm definitely interested in giving these a go, although reading other threads it looks like its a bit of a PITA changing the bulbs - access seems to be from a cover in the wheel arch

Access and changing is really easy:
Turn the steering to full lock
Using a very wide screwdriver, 2p coin, washer, etc. turn the cover lock 1/2 turn to release. Flap opens and can be removed.
Unclip the spring wire on the reverse of the light unit
look exactly how it is fitted and wriggle it out.
Change the bulb
Replace the cover taking care that no wires are trapped, refit the clip and close the access panel

10 mins first time, 5 thereafter

I going to buy the brighter bulbs and replace in the next few days. I will report back - thanks.

 

[cj10jeeper]

No harm in testing. Take a look on ebay and Amazon for best prices.

 

[srhutch]

Same issue with my halogen candles, interested to hear of a simple fix

The simple fix is to raise the headlamps a couple of complete turns of the adjuster.

Just remember to lower for mot time.

I found this more than brighter bulbs fixed the issue in my old zed.

 

[Marlon]

Same issue with my halogen candles, interested to hear of a simple fix

The simple fix is to raise the headlamps a couple of complete turns of the adjuster.

Just remember to lower for mot time.

I found this more than brighter bulbs fixed the issue in my old zed.

Will do - brighter bulbs and adjust a degree or two higher then, cheers

 

[stuartC]

Same issue with my halogen candles, interested to hear of a simple fix

The simple fix is to raise the headlamps a couple of complete turns of the adjuster.

Just remember to lower for mot time.

I found this more than brighter bulbs fixed the issue in my old zed.

Cheers Will give this a try

 

[Marlon]

I've taken a picture of the current lights. Is it me or do the sidelights look dim and yellow and the headlights much brighter and whiter?
If so could it be that only the sidelights need brighter bulbs, and the headlights are already upgraded to the brighter type?

 

[ben g]

I've tried a few different bulbs, from ebay specials, hid's, Philips white vision and currently philips crystal vision.

The 5000k hid's were by far the best, but also a bit fiddly and I had a few issue's with them.

Philips white vision are awful and they may aswell be called yellow vision.

Ebay specials didn't last long.

Crystal vision are definitely 'whiter' than normal halogen bulbs, but still give off a slight yellow tinge. Light output is decent though.

Might try diamond vision next.

 

[Stu Boy]

Don't know if these are any good, i remember this from last year:-

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=73991&p=1087141&hilit=led+headlight#p1087141

Available in H4 and H7 variants

 

[Smartbear]

Same issue with my halogen candles, interested to hear of a simple fix

The simple fix is to raise the headlamps a couple of complete turns of the adjuster.

Just remember to lower for mot time.

I found this more than brighter bulbs fixed the issue in my old zed.

Will do - brighter bulbs and adjust a degree or two higher then, cheers

Hi Marlon, i have the same issue with feeble halogen lights & fitted osram nighbreakers (I'm sure it was those) definitely better but still poor
I've tried HID kits on my motorbikes before & always seemed to get flashed by other motorists as the reflector shape is different & not really suitable imho (lots of beam scatter) so i gave up on that idea as a bad job & removed the HID kit & put the candle back :roll:
Don't forget you have the thumb wheel adjuster in the car to raise the lights a little instead of faffing about under the bonnet
regards

 

[Marlon]

Hi Marlon, i have the same issue with feeble halogen lights & fitted osram nighbreakers (I'm sure it was those) definitely better but still poor
I've tried HID kits on my motorbikes before & always seemed to get flashed by other motorists as the reflector shape is different & not really suitable imho (lots of beam scatter) so i gave up on that idea as a bad job & removed the HID kit & put the candle back :roll:
Don't forget you have the thumb wheel adjuster in the car to raise the lights a little instead of faffing about under the bonnet
regards

Mmmm, now I'm starting to wonder if its worth it. I have the lights set at highest angle using the thumb wheel adjuster. Thanks for telling me about your experience Smartbear.