Another H3 Xenon question

[LightCrazy]

The other day while in a national chain store- but I forget which one, I saw two different clear glass H3 bulbs that were "Xenon" 55Watt- not halogen. I know this isn't much info yet, but can anyone tell me about these "Xenon" bulbs? They looked like a regular halogen filament and had clear glass.

 

[-Virgil-]

"Xenon" is probably the single most abused word in the world of car lights. You can walk through the aisles of a parts store or browse around online and see the "X-word" slapped all over everything. The H3s you saw are halogen bulbs. Most all halogen bulbs do contain some xenon in the fill gas mix. The reputable ones mostly don't shout about it, so if the word "xenon" is on the package and one of the relatively few reputable brand names is not, avoid the bulb.

 

[LightCrazy]

Thanks. Are the Philips H3 bulbs any good? (Halogen)

 

[-Virgil-]

Yep, Philips bulbs are top stuff.

 

[LightCrazy]

Great! The 12336 bulbs sell locally for $5.29 I'll start using them.

 

[HIDC]

If you want top notch stuff, shy away from things you see at your normal retailer (in North America). I usually recommend (and use) the Philips X-Treme Vision and Osram Nightbreaker. True performance and free shipping from Powerbulbs (no affliliation) in the UK. Those are stark contrast (no pun intended) to the "NightHawk" or "Silverstars" type bulbs typically marketed.

BTW just to clarify, xenon just refers to the gas that's inside the capsule which (usually) allows it to burn brighter or some other characteristic. Actually there is a pretty good thread right at home here: http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?44173-Halogen-vs.-Xenon

 

[Hamilton Felix]

Remember back when halogen (mostly H-3) lamps where marketed as Quartz-Iodine? Of course, that was when J.C. Whitney and Warshawsky & Co. were still selling Lucas Flamethrowers...

 

[-Virgil-]

They used to be known as "Quartz-Iodine" back before they were made out of glass and the halogen was changed from iodine to bromine. Other than that, they're still quartz-iodine. :-)

 

[LightCrazy]

Would the Philips 12336 standard halogen bulb be better than whatever Hella will supply with their 500FF fog lights?

 

[Lightdoctor]

Would the Philips 12336 standard halogen bulb be better than whatever Hella will supply with their 500FF fog lights?

If you're wanting the most lumen output, go with Narva Rangepower +50 55w H3...better than any other H3 on the market. You can buy them at Candlepower.com.

If you want a yellow H3 (which is best for foul weather vision)...the only bulb worth buying 'cause the top tier manufacterers (Osram, Philips-Narva, GE-Tungram) do not make them anymore would be pi@@...sorry that I had to mention them.

 

[-Virgil-]

I don't agree that there's any good yellow H3 on the market, under any brand.

 

[LightCrazy]

If I just want a local bulb of good quality, no one said if the Philips "Standard" 12336 H3 bulb would be better than whatever hella will provide with the 500FF lights.

 

[Alaric Darconville]

Because Hella do not make their own bulbs, a genuine (but 'standard') Philips bulb is almost certainly better-- unless they happen to put a real Philips or Osram or other real brand in there to begin with.