Bulb quality

[lwil1962]

Hi, does the quality of an H4 bulb, make that big a difference in a headlight? I figure that the headlight seems to be most important, but do the brand name bulbs make that significant a difference?

 

[AnAppleSnail]

Yes. For one thing, correct filament placement is critical for most optical properties of the bulb/housing system. However, many name brands are pretty crummy. Avoid anything blue.

 

[lwil1962]

Yes. For one thing, correct filament placement is critical for most optical properties of the bulb/housing system. However, many name brands are pretty crummy. Avoid anything blue.

yes, i have had my run ins with the blue bulbs. Is there a difference is spread, throw and brightness though (not including blue bulbs)?

 

[AnAppleSnail]

yes, i have had my run ins with the blue bulbs. Is there a difference is spread, throw and brightness though (not including blue bulbs)?

Crap filaments may not be as bright. Crap filaments won't be in the right position, so crap filaments give you a bad beam that looks like someone stuffed a jack-o-lantern over your headlights, assuming that those are in good working order. Scheinfeinwerman or Alaric will be along in a bit; I'm just holding down the car-forum fort.


They'll want to ask: Are you looking to upgrade, or are you replacing, or maybe just wondering why your headlights aren't right? What condition are the headlamp enclosures in, and are they OEM (Not 'OEM equivalent')?

 

[lwil1962]

Crap filaments may not be as bright. Crap filaments won't be in the right position, so crap filaments give you a bad beam that looks like someone stuffed a jack-o-lantern over your headlights, assuming that those are in good working order. Scheinfeinwerman or Alaric will be along in a bit; I'm just holding down the car-forum fort.


They'll want to ask: Are you looking to upgrade, or are you replacing, or maybe just wondering why your headlights aren't right? What condition are the headlamp enclosures in, and are they OEM (Not 'OEM equivalent')?

Headlamps are in good condition. They are Hellas, which I have read previously are not amongst the top of the class in headlamps. I have been using cheap bulbs however and wondered if the brand names are really worth the (significantly) extra cash

 

[-Virgil-]

Yes, bulb quality makes an enormous difference in headlamp beam performance. Stick to reputable makers (Osram, Philips/Narva, GE/Tungsram) and be aware that the ultra-premium bulbs from those makers, such as Philips Xtreme Vision, Osram Night Breaker, Tungsram Megalicht and GE Night Hawk Platinum give significantly better (real) performance than the basic plain bulbs.

 

[lwil1962]

Yes, bulb quality makes an enormous difference in headlamp beam performance. Stick to reputable makers (Osram, Philips/Narva, GE/Tungsram) and be aware that the ultra-premium bulbs from those makers, such as Philips Xtreme Vision, Osram Night Breaker, Tungsram Megalicht and GE Night Hawk Platinum give significantly better (real) performance than the basic plain bulbs.

Thanks for that info Scheinwerfermann. i will try a set of the Phillips the next time I change bulbs. Seems the Nissan dealer here carries them as stock bulbs.

 

[lwil1962]

Crap filaments may not be as bright. Crap filaments won't be in the right position, so crap filaments give you a bad beam that looks like someone stuffed a jack-o-lantern over your headlights, assuming that those are in good working order. Scheinfeinwerman or Alaric will be along in a bit; I'm just holding down the car-forum fort.


They'll want to ask: Are you looking to upgrade, or are you replacing, or maybe just wondering why your headlights aren't right? What condition are the headlamp enclosures in, and are they OEM (Not 'OEM equivalent')?

How is it possible to check the filament, if they are crap or not? Also are bulbs also different for right hand traffic as opposed to left hand traffic?

 

[-Virgil-]

How is it possible to check the filament, if they are crap or not?

It's not, unless you have some very expensive specialized laboratory equipment. That's why you should get a bulb from one of the few reputable makers. And I can't imagine buying them at a car dealer would be cost-effective, especially since it sounds like you are interested in saving money.

Also are bulbs also different for right hand traffic as opposed to left hand traffic?

No.

 

[lwil1962]

It's not, unless you have some very expensive specialized laboratory equipment. That's why you should get a bulb from one of the few reputable makers. And I can't imagine buying them at a car dealer would be cost-effective, especially since it sounds like you are interested in saving money.

No.

Actually. i think they would be more expensive at the dealers, but i will try and order some of the vision plus online. Thanks again.