"Blue" (i.e. cool white) headlamps
Discussion
As much as I enjoy reading about the lovely motors on PH, I only drive a little Seat Ibiza Mk4, although on the plus side it does have the torquey 1.8T engine in it.
One thing I'm less enamoured about it the front left sidelight failing repeatedly, which is virtually impossible to access. So I think it's time to get some little LED 501 bulbs and pop them in, instead.
However I've read (and know from using LED torches etc) that the colour of LED lights is very different from that of ordinary incandescant bulbs. Now I'm not normally one to fuss over such styling details but it would be nice to have the lights on the front of my car at the same colour temperature.
I've been looking into things such as Philips "Blue Vision" bulbs ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-12972-BVD-Blue-Vis... ) which will presumably be a decent match, and hopefully better for night driving too with a cooler, more natural colour to them.
Are there any other manufacturers of blue / cool white / "xenon effect" halogen bulbs out there that I should check out?
One thing I'm less enamoured about it the front left sidelight failing repeatedly, which is virtually impossible to access. So I think it's time to get some little LED 501 bulbs and pop them in, instead.
However I've read (and know from using LED torches etc) that the colour of LED lights is very different from that of ordinary incandescant bulbs. Now I'm not normally one to fuss over such styling details but it would be nice to have the lights on the front of my car at the same colour temperature.
I've been looking into things such as Philips "Blue Vision" bulbs ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Philips-12972-BVD-Blue-Vis... ) which will presumably be a decent match, and hopefully better for night driving too with a cooler, more natural colour to them.
Are there any other manufacturers of blue / cool white / "xenon effect" halogen bulbs out there that I should check out?
NiceCupOfTea said:
If you want to see where you are going rather than pose, Philips X-treme Power +80% IMHO.
Cheers, I will check them out. But I'm curious, these will be 55W like the other bulbs, so how can they put 80% more light out like the manufacturer claims? I'll have to read up about these! Headlight performance is important to me - I'm a keen photographer and will often (well, occasionally) head out in the middle of the night to catch the dawn golden hour, which involves blatting along deserted roads at 4 or 5am.Posing isn't my thing, but I had assumed that 55W H7 bulbs would all produce roughly similar amounts of light, and so focussed on the colour temperature.
davepoth said:
Have you considered there might be a wiring issue causing the bulb to fail?
Yes, but I've been unable to diagnose anything. Access is extremely limited due to the close proximity of the battery box behind the headlamp unit. There's no sign of any looseness in the assembly, and the wires going into the headlight unit seem well clamped and secure. Anything further than that, as this stage, will require significantly more upheaval (and tools!).Disco You said:
Why are you using your sidelights enough for them to fail?
Sidelights are pointless imo, if it's dark enough for lights then dipped beam is always going to be more effective than the tiny little teacandles that are sidelights...
I do use my sidelights a lot, plenty times when headlights are completely unecessary but I want the front marker lights and the tail lights on. And, err, if my headlights are on, then the sidelights would be on anyway, so the run-time of the sidelight bulbs would be no less...Sidelights are pointless imo, if it's dark enough for lights then dipped beam is always going to be more effective than the tiny little teacandles that are sidelights...
Edited by stroberaver on Sunday 23 January 13:51
maniac0796 said:
Sidelights usually only use a 5w capless bulb, why are you looking at 55w bulbs?
Because if I'm changing my sidelights to LED, I was thinking of replacing my main headlight bulbs (H7) with brighter, whiter ones. I appear to have forgotten to elaborate on that in the OP!stroberaver said:
maniac0796 said:
Sidelights usually only use a 5w capless bulb, why are you looking at 55w bulbs?
Because if I'm changing my sidelights to LED, I was thinking of replacing my main headlight bulbs (H7) with brighter, whiter ones. I appear to have forgotten to elaborate on that in the OP!I know what you mean.
I'm normally a fan of Osram Nightbreakers although a bulb failed in my van the other day and I noticed Halford's fanciest +90% bulbs were only £19.99 (H4s for mine) a pair as they're two for one.
They're noticably brighter and look very white with a slightly blue tinge much like it seems you're looking for.
I'm normally a fan of Osram Nightbreakers although a bulb failed in my van the other day and I noticed Halford's fanciest +90% bulbs were only £19.99 (H4s for mine) a pair as they're two for one.
They're noticably brighter and look very white with a slightly blue tinge much like it seems you're looking for.
Edited by Wigeon Incognito on Sunday 23 January 14:11
stroberaver said:
Posing isn't my thing, but I had assumed that 55W H7 bulbs would all produce roughly similar amounts of light, and so focussed on the colour temperature.
Not so. The upgraded bulbs use xenon gas, instead of halogen. This allows the filament to glow more brightly without burning, hence more light. It is certainly not the case that every type of bulb, regardless of construction and materials, will give out the same amount of light if fed with the same amount of power. Compare a standard tungsten light bulb with an energy saver, for example.I have some of the halfords xenon bulbs and the difference is subtle but noticable. From what I hear the osram and philips bulbs are even better.
It is quite easy to buy illegal bulbs, so be a bit carefull.
Disco You said:
Why are you using your sidelights enough for them to fail?
Sidelights are pointless imo, if it's dark enough for lights then dipped beam is always going to be more effective than the tiny little teacandles that are sidelights...
Completely agree.Sidelights are pointless imo, if it's dark enough for lights then dipped beam is always going to be more effective than the tiny little teacandles that are sidelights...
I only use my sidelights when leaving the car on the side of the road for a few mins while I drop something off/nip to shop etc.
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