GE Nighthawk Platinum

[hokiefyd]

I recently bought a pair of these from Amazon during their rebate period, and had them in our 2008 CR-V. I did a fair amount of driving on dark and rainy roads this weekend, and have actually taken the bulbs back out, and here's why. The contrast between the dark wet roads and the VERY intense reflective markers and road signs was very tiring for my eyes. Similar to how I didn't like the H9 bulbs in my Camry's H11 reflectors, I felt like I was kind of blinding myself with the reflective road signs. I became very self-conscious about how bright my headlamps were.

I have the Philips Vision Plus bulbs back in, and comfortable light levels are restored. It's almost as if some of the bulbs are too bright for me, and create levels of "self glare" that are either disabling or at least discomforting.

Is it possible for some aftermarket bulbs to put an OEM lamp like this out of compliance with FMVSS 108 performance criteria, especially in the area of controlled glare above the cutoff?

 

[JMSinMD]

I recently bought a pair of these from Amazon during their rebate period, and had them in our 2008 CR-V. I did a fair amount of driving on dark and rainy roads this weekend, and have actually taken the bulbs back out, and here's why. The contrast between the dark wet roads and the VERY intense reflective markers and road signs was very tiring for my eyes. Similar to how I didn't like the H9 bulbs in my Camry's H11 reflectors, I felt like I was kind of blinding myself with the reflective road signs. I became very self-conscious about how bright my headlamps were.

I have the Philips Vision Plus bulbs back in, and comfortable light levels are restored. It's almost as if some of the bulbs are too bright for me, and create levels of "self glare" that are either disabling or at least discomforting.

Is it possible for some aftermarket bulbs to put an OEM lamp like this out of compliance with FMVSS 108 performance criteria, especially in the area of controlled glare above the cutoff?

I'd personally rather drive in snow and ice than in rain. I've always found (regardless of lightbulbs/vehicle) driving in rain (at night) a sensory overload. There's glare from other vehicles, reflections off the wet road, etc, etc.

Currently we have the Sylvania Xtravision in our Highlander and we've been happy with them. Amazon has good prices on them too.

 

[Lightdoctor]

I've had this same issue a well. When it gets really bad, I swap out the Osram 70/65 H4's and install Osram 60/55 Allseason Super H4's and drive behind a goldish yellow light...much easier on the eyes.

 

[haha1234]

Yes, it is possible for aftermarket bulbs to put an OEM lamp out of compliance, but your Nighthawks did not.

The legal definition of a white light is fairly broad, and there is also a tolerance (usually 10-15% range) that the light output can be in.

The bulbs that would put you out of compoliance are the low quality no-name eBay junk. The Osram 70/65 is technically illegal due to being above the stock wattage, but it is a quality product and can be an improvement.

The All Season H4's are a great idea in your CRV. They are *slightly* yellow, but still legally white. You might also be able to get Philips Weather Vision.

 

[-Virgil-]

Much as I hate to say something like this, because it sounds much more dismissive than I intend: The effect you describe wasn't real. It was more or less in your head. Yes, it's possible to nuke reflective signs with so much light that they are too bright (cause glare or cannot be read), but you really can't come close to doing it with GE Night Hawk Platinums or even with an H9 in a Camry H11 projector.

By the same token: No, Osram All-Season bulbs are not anything like "a great idea" for your CR-V or any other vehicle. They do not improve anything about the headlamps' performance, and in fact they objectively worsen it.

 

[hokiefyd]

Yes, it's possible to nuke reflective signs with so much light that they are too bright (cause glare or cannot be read)...

I certainly wouldn't say that they couldn't be read, but they were so bright that it hurt my acclimated-to-the-dark eyes. I didn't have to wince at the signs, but they were definitely a bright contrast against the black sky. I would say too much so.

Maybe my eyes are overly sensitive to light-and-dark contrast.