Recommend me a 9005 high beam bulb!

[sciphi]

I'm looking for a 9005 high beam bulb that will serve double duty as both a DRL and high beam bulb. I don't use the high beams often after installing HIR2 low beams. With the DRL, I believe HIR high beams aren't a good idea due to filament deposit issues caused by lack of use. So I'm looking for something still bright, and that won't mind being used as a DRL.

With those constraints, what bulbs do you folks recommend me?

 

[rshunter]

I'd recommend either Philips Vision Plus, or Philips Night Guide, depending on which characteristics you feel you'd benefit from more. The quality and performance of Philips headlamp bulbs is excellent. The only shame is that they don't yet offer their Philips X-Treme Power in the 9005, as it is the absolute top performer in the halogen category.

 

[97prizm]

I have had really good results with GE nighthawk 9005 bulbs, but walmart doesn't carry them anymore, they are still available at other retailers. One of the best are the osram nighbreakers, or the philips xtreme power bulbs, both are great.

 

[sciphi]

Thanks! I think the Night Guides would help in the DRL role. And, it's competitive with pricing on other bulbs.

 

[sunfire]

.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Thanks! I think the Night Guides would help in the DRL role. And, it's competitive with pricing on other bulbs.

No sweat, always glad to be of assistance.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I think that going too bright in an unshielded DRL application might be troublesome for other drivers. The GM DRLs seem to run at a very low wattage, so they're usually not troublesome, at least to me. Still, I'm not sure I'd stick the brightest bulb I could find in there.

I've used the Night Guides before(in a 9007 application), but wasn't impressed with them. The different coloring on the lense glass produced an odd effect on the road, and I didn't like them from the moment I installed them. Personally, I'd go to Walmart and get a pair of the Sylvania Xtravision 9005s and be done with it. They'll last a long time, put out good light, and don't cost $20 for the pair I don't think. The only place I could find the Night Guides locally was Napa, and they were getting $45/pair for them.

(I replaced those Night Guides with Xtravisions and am happier.)

 

[G-MAN]

For a high-beam DRL application I think the Philips LongerLife bulbs would be the best choice.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I think that going too bright in an unshielded DRL application might be troublesome for other drivers. The GM DRLs seem to run at a very low wattage, so they're usually not troublesome, at least to me. Still, I'm not sure I'd stick the brightest bulb I could find in there.

I've used the Night Guides before(in a 9007 application), but wasn't impressed with them. The different coloring on the lense glass produced an odd effect on the road, and I didn't like them from the moment I installed them. Personally, I'd go to Walmart and get a pair of the Sylvania Xtravision 9005s and be done with it. They'll last a long time, put out good light, and don't cost $20 for the pair I don't think. The only place I could find the Night Guides locally was Napa, and they were getting $45/pair for them.

(I replaced those Night Guides with Xtravisions and am happier.)


That's why I'm not going with HIR high beams.

I found the Night Guides for $23 shipped online. Then again, Sylvania XV's are $25 at Advance.

Lifespan isn't a concern since they'll be used mainly as DRL, with a few minutes of high beam use per week.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
I think that going too bright in an unshielded DRL application might be troublesome for other drivers. The GM DRLs seem to run at a very low wattage, so they're usually not troublesome, at least to me. Still, I'm not sure I'd stick the brightest bulb I could find in there.

I've used the Night Guides before(in a 9007 application), but wasn't impressed with them. The different coloring on the lense glass produced an odd effect on the road, and I didn't like them from the moment I installed them. Personally, I'd go to Walmart and get a pair of the Sylvania Xtravision 9005s and be done with it. They'll last a long time, put out good light, and don't cost $20 for the pair I don't think. The only place I could find the Night Guides locally was Napa, and they were getting $45/pair for them.

(I replaced those Night Guides with Xtravisions and am happier.)


That's why I'm not going with HIR high beams.

I found the Night Guides for $23 shipped online. Then again, Sylvania XV's are $25 at Advance.

Lifespan isn't a concern since they'll be used mainly as DRL, with a few minutes of high beam use per week.


Hey, if you can order the XVs online from AAP, there is a $10 discount on purchases of $25 or more. Just type "BIG10" in the promo box during checkout...

 

[sciphi]

Ended with some Wagner bulbs on sale. They're much brighter than the very old bulbs they replaced.

 

[rshunter]

Originally Posted By: sciphi
Ended with some Wagner bulbs on sale. They're much brighter than the very old bulbs they replaced.

Yeah, most people never realize just how badly the light output falls off as a bulb ages. A new set, of the exact same bulbs, can make a world of difference.