Best Halogen Headlight Bulb?

[normal username]

Personally, I won't go LED or HID in halogen housings again. Doesn't matter if it's halogen reflectors or halogen projectors. It’s very unfair to everyone else and dangerous too. No matter how sharp the cutoff looks against the wall or how the bulbs are "correctly" angled in halogen housings, or the subjective feeling of you thinking you can see better at night with them in; the beam coming out of the housing is illegal, not optimal and has glare which will go into the eyes of oncoming traffic. It's physics, it does not lie. Headlights aren't like flashlights.

You can't eyeball it and say "yup looks great! much brighter!". If that was the case, all big brand name manufacturers like Osram, Philips, etc would come out with tons of HID kits and LEDs and they'd be universal and they'd be everywhere. Only mass produced cheap Chinese blacklabel companies are doing it and just for straight up profit.

 

[Carlostrece]

Sylvania has been repackaging Osram's "plus" headlight bulbs, for the types that have equivalents, for a while. The COO (not Mexico, Asia, or the US) make the suggestion, and the part number of the bulb reveal the model.

The first upgrade level XtraVision would be something like the old Silverstar, or +30/+50 level.

I've had good experiences with Philips' XV+130 bulbs, but that was back when they were still German. I don't know if the spinoff of the lighting business, and production shift to China, has affected their quality, but it has been close to a decade since, and they carry on.

I've used Philips XTV made in Germany and China. I did not detect any difference in quality. However, I bought real Philips products (not counterfeits).

When buying from Ebay, Amazon 3rd party sellers, or other Internet sources you have to be careful to be sure you're buying real Philips products, not counterfeits.

I bought the Chinese made XTV bulbs from an Ebay seller with my fingers crossed after I read ratings and reviews about the seller. It worked out well.

I don't remember where online I purchased German made XTV, but I was careful to try to get a genuine product. It was and it worked well.

If you can find XTV at a namebrand autostore in person or online then you don't need to worry. Also, if you can find XTV at Amazon with Amazon being the seller, not some 3rd party seller using Amazon to process payments, then you'll be 100% safe and getting a genuine Philips product.

I trust Amazon when Amazon is the seller, but I don't trust Amazon 3rd Party Sellers who just use Amazon to process the payment. I somewhat trust if the product is Amazon Prime.

 

[normal username]

I've used Philips XTV made in Germany and China. I did not detect any difference in quality. However, I bought real Philips products (not counterfeits).

When buying from Ebay, Amazon 3rd party sellers, or other Internet sources you have to be careful to be sure you're buying real Philips products, not counterfeits.

I bought the Chinese made XTV bulbs from Ebay with fingers crossed after I read ratings and reviews about the seller. It worked out well.

Same here. I had German, China and Poland made Philips XTVs and they were all great!

 

[f355spider]

Personally, the color temperature and *rendering* from a halogen is superior to everything else. If the lamp gets good lumens on the ground, you’re in great shape.

I sold surgical lights for hospitals for 11 years. Its called "Color Rendering Index". It is actually very important in surgery as color helps verify healthy tissue from poor. Only a point or two difference can have a pretty dramatic difference. Of course our light had the highest at 95.5...most others were 91 to 93 and had an either bluish or greenish tint...partly caused by their strong UV filtering.

Prior to LEDs, halogen really had the best color rendering over other light sources like HID, or variants like halogen/xenon.

 

[Carlostrece]

Same here. I had German, China and Poland made Philips XTVs and they were all great!

If it's a genuine Philips product it will be good no matter which of their factories in whatever country it was made in. That's been my experience.

However, there are lots of counterfeits out there pretending to be Philips products. The Xtreme Vision is a commonly counterfeited product. So be careful who you buy from or vette them carefully.

 

[dubber09]

I'm assuming you drive at night a lot. With regard to convenience, it's easy to change bulbs. Was it easy to convert to LED? PXV bulbs are low cost, IMO. Was converting to LEDs low cost? PXV (and all halogen bulbs) put out enough heat to (usually) melt snow and ice that gets on them. LED don't put out much heat. What do you do when it's heavily snowing sticky wet snow and your LED don't melt it?

One time when I was in a 07 Jeep Wrangler LJ in Winter in a blizzard at dusk, visibility became zero. I had to stop. The heavy snowfall made near whiteout conditions, but worse still was my headlights were covered with heavy wet snow. I brushed headlights off and then continued driving. Every few miles I had to stop, get out, and brush off headlights again. It was miserable and dangerous.

That was with Wrangler stock halogen headlights. Normally stock halogen headlights melt snow faster than it can accumulate, but in a heavy wet snowfall even stock halogen bulbs can get overwhelmed. LED would have been much worse in a heavy wet snowstorm because LED make little heat. If my Jeep had LED headlights, I would have been stranded.

In my 99 Jeep Cherokee and my 97 Buick Park Ave I have Philips Xtreme Vision halogen bulbs.

My Philips Xtreme Vision bulbs put out enough heat (slightly more heat than stock AC Delco halogen) to (so far) always melt snow faster than it can accumulate. The PXV are also much brighter than ACD and same useful slightly yellowish color.

Everyone knows that halogen bulbs create some heat due to some inefficiency, but in winter conditions heated headlights can be a God send.

- 'Conversion' to LEDs was simple, basically just swapping bulbs with bulbs, about 2x the cost of Philips VisionPlus bulbs but still cost effective due to long lifetime. I did replace bulbs in both cars after about 4 years only due to one bulb getting 'iffy' and not willing to get to it twice.
- never noticed a difference in 'melting' snow in heavy snowfall with halogens vs LEDs, and we had a few snow storms. Snow melts a little and freezes into ice in sub zero temps and more snow sticks to the wet-ish ice cooling it and causing thicker ice and more snow sticking, especially when driving... imho, ability of halogens to melt snow to 'keep headlights clean' is waaaay overrated
- with my work sched I do drive in the dark to and from work in winter, I drive when I need or want to so night time doesn't prevent me from driving

 

[Carlostrece]

I think if converting to LED in a responsible, safe, considerate to other drivers manner, you'd need new housings/refectors that are properly made and certified for LEDs. At that point LEDs aren't very cost effective compared to Philips XTV.

 

[meep]

I sold surgical lights for hospitals for 11 years. Its called "Color Rendering Index". It is actually very important in surgery as color helps verify healthy tissue from poor. Only a point or two difference can have a pretty dramatic difference. Of course our light had the highest at 95.5...most others were 91 to 93 and had an either bluish or greenish tint...partly caused by their strong UV filtering.

Prior to LEDs, halogen really had the best color rendering over other light sources like HID, or variants like halogen/xenon.

Excellent explanation. I used to do a little lighting design here and there, helped pay my way through college as a theater tech. My specialty was audio but sometimes did minor light design work. There were some basics you just had to know. This was one of them.

3.1k halogen is the gold standard for all broadcasting, studio and theatrical work. You need a solid light source before you start putting gels (filters) in front of it. The halogen in our headlights is not too far off. Carbon arc can also be good, which is what most of the long-throw spotlights are, such as in arenas. They need forced exhaust venting, and are fueled with welding rods.

High CRI for the win!

 

[Carlostrece]

Philips Xtreme Vision have the highest CRI that I know of. They're good on dry nights, but wet nights are where they really impress because they're bright while minimizing glare for you and oncoming drivers. That's due to their color temp and high CRI.

Sadly the more recent model years of PXV are somewhat whiter than they used to be. This is because they partially bowed to public pressure/demand for whiter bulbs. But the public doesn't know what's best. The public just wants whiter light because it's a fad and they don't understand that bright yellowish light is much better, especially on rainy nights. Scientists and engineers know that bright slightly yellowish light is best, but in the end the public must want the products for them to sell.

So Philips XTV bulbs have been getting whiter with each new generation. I am not pleased about that, but they're still yellower and better with higher CRI and less glare than any other option I know of.

i.e. - They're not as good as they used to be, but they're still the best, IMO.

 

[Carlostrece]

The thing to be careful of when buying Philips Xtreme Vision was (and maybe still is) to get a genuine Philips product. There are counterfeits sold on the Internet. Counterfeits come in packages that look very similar to a genuine product.

In the past this was a huge concern for people in USA because for decades Philips XTV were made in Europe and Asia and sold worldwide, but were not available in USA brick and morter stores. The only way to get them in USA was to buy online.

That was because for decades XTV were illegally bright for USA and not DOT approved. i.e. - They were an illegal upgrade in USA back in the day when I first started using them. At that time they were legal/approved by governments in Europe, Asia and rest of world and were winning the European Car & Driver award for best headlight bulbs every year for a decade or more (probably more).

At that time XTV were the best legal bulbs in Europe, Asia, and everywhere in the world, except USA (and maybe Canada) where we couldn't legally buy or use them. I bought them on the Internet (from Europe for my Jeep, from China for my Buick) and used them anyway. They were (and are) fantastic and safe. I did get genuine Philips bulbs.

During those dark days in the USA, the best bulbs available in USA brick and morter stores was Philips XtremePower, which was excellent, but one step down from XtremeVision. At that time XtremePower were the best bulbs available in USA autostores and were the best street legal bulbs for USA. In that same time frame, XtremeVision were better and were the best street legal bulbs in Europe and Asia.

I don't know if XtremePower are still made. I don't know if XtremeVision are still the best legal halogen bulbs. But I do know that in USA the DOT finally approved XtremeVision for sale and use in USA around 5-8 years ago. So now you can buy XtremeVision from USA autostores, Walmart, or Amazon.

I mean with Amazon as the seller, not a 3rd party Amazon seller. I don't trust Amazon 3rd party sellers.

I used to belong to the CandlePower forum. Technically I'm still a member there, but I haven't logged in there in 8-10 years because I'm so happy with my XtremeVision bulbs that I haven't felt the need to update my knowledge or bulbs. So my knowledge of headlight bulbs is dated. So keep that in mind if you choose to follow my advice.

I don't know if Philips XTV are still the best, but they're good enough for me and I'm picky. I'm still satisfied with them. So I don't feel a need to do more research to find out what's currently the best street legal bulbs.

If you want the most current info, join the CandlePower forum where they'll torture you (help you) with more current info about headlights than you want to know.

 

[f355spider]

The thing to be careful of when buying Philips Xtreme Vision was (and maybe still is) to get a genuine Philips product. There are counterfeits sold on the Internet. Counterfeits come in packages that look very similar to a genuine product.

In the past this was a huge concern for people in USA because for decades Philips XTV were made in Europe and Asia and sold worldwide, but were not available in USA brick and morter stores. The only way to get them in USA was to buy online.

That was because for decades XTV were illegally bright for USA and not DOT approved. i.e. - They were an illegal upgrade in USA back in the day when I first started using them. At that time they were legal/approved by governments in Europe, Asia and rest of world and were winning the European Car & Driver award for best headlight bulbs every year for a decade or more (probably more).

At that time XTV were the best legal bulbs in Europe, Asia, and everywhere in the world, except USA (and maybe Canada) where we couldn't legally buy or use them. I bought them on the Internet (from Europe for my Jeep, from China for my Buick) and used them anyway. They were (and are) fantastic and safe. I did get genuine Philips bulbs.

During those dark days in the USA, the best bulbs available in USA brick and morter stores was Philips XtremePower, which was excellent, but one step down from XtremeVision. At that time XtremePower were the best bulbs available in USA autostores and were the best street legal bulbs for USA. In that same time frame, XtremeVision were better and were the best street legal bulbs in Europe and Asia.

I don't know if XtremePower are still made. I don't know if XtremeVision are still the best legal halogen bulbs. But I do know that in USA the DOT finally approved XtremeVision for sale and use in USA around 5-8 years ago. So now you can buy XtremeVision from USA autostores, Walmart, or Amazon.

I mean with Amazon as the seller, not a 3rd party Amazon seller. I don't trust Amazon 3rd party sellers.

I used to belong to the CandlePower forum. Technically I'm still a member there, but I haven't logged in there in 8-10 years because I'm so happy with my XtremeVision bulbs that I haven't felt the need to update my knowledge or bulbs. So my knowledge of headlight bulbs is dated. So keep that in mind if you choose to follow my advice.

If you want current info, join the CandlePower forum where they'll torture, I mean help, you with all more current info about headlights than you want to know.

Good advice. I haven't bought HID bulbs in a while and recently decided to get some Philips Xenon XtremeVision V2 DS2 bulbs as an upgrade and yes, prices much cheaper on Amazon and fleabay but no telling what you are getting. Ended up paying more from a reputable seller, and not take the risk of trying to save $50 and get counterfeit bulbs. $181 for a pair with tax...ouch.

 

[Carlostrece]

Good advice. I haven't bought HID bulbs in a while and recently decided to get some Philips Xenon XtremeVision V2 DS2 bulbs as an upgrade and yes, prices much cheaper on Amazon and fleabay but no telling what you are getting. Ended up paying more from a reputable seller, and not take the risk of trying to save $50 and get counterfeit bulbs. $181 for a pair with tax...ouch.

I noticed you're in Seattle. I'm in SW Washington. Just as wet as Seattle!

Philips designs most of their products so you can see good in the rain at night. That cannot be said of most of their competitors.

Always avoid (even with Philips) any bulb that brags about being whiter, bluer, or calls itself crystal. That also applies to other brands. Whiter/bluer light reflects off rain, fog, snow, and wet pavement far more than yellowish light does. Thus whiter/bluer light is blinding to you and oncoming cars in wet conditions.

Philips VisionPlus, XtremePower, and XtremeVision bulbs have a slightly yellowish color, which helps you see better in wet conditions and does not reduce vision in dry conditions

 

[f355spider]

I noticed you're in Seattle. I'm in SW Washington. Just as wet as Seattle!

Philips designs most of their products so you can see good in the rain at night. That cannot be said of most of their competitors.

Always avoid (even with Philips) any bulb that brags about being whiter, bluer, or calls itself crystal. That also applies to other brands. Whiter/bluer light reflects off rain, fog, snow, and puddles far more than yellowish light does. Thus whiter/bluer light is blinding to you and oncoming cars in wet conditions.

Philips VisionPlus, XtremePower, and XtremeVision bulbs have a slightly yellowish color, which helps you see better in wet conditions and does not reduce vision in dry conditions

I'm familiar with lumens, color temperature, Color Rendering Index, etc...I used to sell surgical lights to hospitals...all that is equally important. Bluer, whiter or "daylight" was not ideal when looking at tissue...it also caused fatigue when working during a multi hour procedure.

 

[normal username]

I switched to Philips Xtremevision 130% H7 a few days ago, after a few weeks with the Sylvania Silverstar Ultra (the improved updated one that looks like the Osram Nightbreaker Unlimited) and yeah… the Xtremevision is quite a bit better. The color is a small bit more towards the “yellower” side but it’s easier on the eyes and I can see better in the rain. The beam pattern seems to definitely go further/deeper into the night than the SSUs with more punch and it offers really nice balance in all areas.

I was still happy with the SSUs and they are still great but the XVs are definitely better.

When these burn out I want to try the Philips GT200 bulbs next. 450hrs from the XV down to 250hrs with the GT200. It’s a +200% bulb from Philips so it should be fantastic behind the wheel.

 

[mjk1967]

Just put in a pair of H11 Philips CrystalVision Platinum. I'll know tonight or tomorrow how they are.
The original Philips bulbs were really dull

Was going to get LEDs but the shipping time is several weeks out on Amazon.
We'll see how long they last. Only anticipate having the vehicle for 2 years.

Well, learn from my buying mistake.
Passenger side bulb died yesterday. 1 month ?

Went and got the vision plus today.

 

[Deontologist]

If you want the most current info, join the CandlePower forum where they'll torture you (help you) with more current info about headlights than you want to know.

The 2 automotive lighting enthusiasts over there have long been relinquished of their moderator statuses, and it's been years since any of them have bothered to help anyone on the forum. I suspect they'll never come back.

 

[Wheel366]

I just had one Philips 9003 CrystalVision Platinum for my wife's CR-V die. 14 months on the bulb. Any recommendations that are better then OEM but will last longer? I used to have good luck with the PIAA XTreme White bulbs but not their intense white. And it seems that the PIAA website is down; which is not good.

 

[y_p_w]

I just had one Philips 9003 CrystalVision Platinum for my wife's CR-V die. 14 months on the bulb. Any recommendations that are better then OEM but will last longer? I used to have good luck with the PIAA XTreme White bulbs but not their intense white. And it seems that the PIAA website is down; which is not good.

Anything that's brighter is probably going to be overdriven to the limits. There's really no magic to getting more light from incandescent bulbs other than more power.

I remember buying some GE Nighthawk 9004 years ago at Walmart. They weren't that expensive. I don't think GE actually made them (they were made in Germany) but obtained them from a supplier. They're still available, but I'm not sure who is actually selling/making them after GE sold off its lighting division. I could just be some random licensing agreement to use the brand name.

If you want something that lasts longer, there are long life bulbs that actually produce less light. I've even heard of longer life bulbs meant for use with daytime running lights.

 

[14Accent]

I've been impressed with the Vosla +120's. Put a set of H4's in our Kia, and just installed 9005/9006's in my new-to-me Cadillac.

 

[slomo]

If your goal is to blind oncoming drivers with glare due to poor beam shape, you bet!

But if you want to see the road yourself, well, skip the LEDs…

Can we get an AMEN!!!!! Love it.