Replica Z Beam's

[VWguy]

Does anyone have any input or experience with the replica Cibie Z beams from www.classicgarage.com ? They are only $18 each and made in India. I had a set of the original Z beams back in the '70's and '80's and knew how good the light was projected. But they are not available anymore and used ones are hard to find. Recently bought a set of Autopals and am disappointed with the projected light. While I only have 1volt drop from battery to bulb, its easy to overdrive these low end lights even with my VW bus! Feedback much appreciated, Bill
PS: made a purchase of Cibie's from Daniel Stern lighting but have yet to install and I have two daily driver VW's.

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: VWguy
Does anyone have any input or experience with the replica Cibie Z beams from www.classicgarage.com ? They are only $18 each and made in India. I had a set of the original Z beams back in the '70's and '80's and knew how good the light was projected. But they are not available anymore and used ones are hard to find. Recently bought a set of Autopals and am disappointed with the projected light. While I only have 1volt drop from battery to bulb, its easy to overdrive these low end lights even with my VW bus! Feedback much appreciated, Bill
PS: made a purchase of Cibie's from Daniel Stern lighting but have yet to install and I have two daily driver VW's.


If you're overdriving a set of E-Code lamps from Autopal, then you're driving too fast or you don't have them aimed properly. A Z-Beam pattern can't compensate for either scenario.

 

[JHZR2]

I had gotten a set of Indian ripoff e-codes sometime back. Recently one sealed beam went out on my 82, and I had to go on a trip, so I swapped one. The results are interesting.

I have real Marchal (sp?) French-made e-codes on my 240d, had Bosch 7" on my old 83 300D, have Hella 5 3/4" ecodes on my BMW, And all seem to have a more strict cutoff and a bit more aggressive slant up to the right.

Still seems like a pretty good pattern to illuminate as much area without the light concentration of the GE sealed beam on the left.

FYI, both images were taken on low beam, just a different distances from the wall.

Now I need to get the 240D out to compare the real thing...

FYI, real bosch e-codes look like:

 

[G-MAN]

The Autopal (Indian) E-Code lamps are vastly superior to any sealed beam. I used one in my Sportster and was more than pleased with the output and pattern.

 

[JHZR2]

You can see the autopal and a sealed beam side by side just up above in my sample shot.

Superior to a sealed beam, yes... That's not hard.

Superior to my 5 3/4 and 7" ecodes by Hella, Bosch and Marchal? lol! The benefit here is that it isnt a sealed beam (kind of like saying that alpo is good to eat because it isnt feces), and it is cheap if a rock takes it out...

 

[G-MAN]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2
You can see the autopal and a sealed beam side by side just up above in my sample shot.

Superior to a sealed beam, yes... That's not hard.

Superior to my 5 3/4 and 7" ecodes by Hella, Bosch and Marchal? lol! The benefit here is that it isnt a sealed beam (kind of like saying that alpo is good to eat because it isnt feces), and it is cheap if a rock takes it out...


I agree, the photometrics of the Autopal lights are not as good as the name-brand E-Code lamps but the beam pattern is still better than any sealed beam or DOT compliant 9004 headlamp.

 

[bmwjohn]

I think the Indian z beams are NEOLITE, which I THINK is not the same as AUTOPAL, although same store sells both. Same construction as Cibie, but somewhat lower quality and MUCH lower cost. The Neolite appear to use pressed glass, the Cibie look like fine crystal wine glasses. I did put the 2 big square NEOLITE units in a truck, and for the money seemed almost as good as Cibie or Hella. Try the neolite out, I suspect you will be pleased, and if a cheap set of Cibie appear on e-bay, then that is the time to upgrade.

 

[Rjohn]

I wish their three chamber light had driving beams on the bottom instead of fogs. They would make for a cheap BiOscar copy if they did. Has anyone seen them in person because those bottom lens' do not look like fogs to me?
Here's the link:
http://classicgarage.com/3cham7rounhe.html
Some 35w HID's would be the bomb in those lower "fogs" if they are what they look like instead of what they say.

 

[VWguy]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Originally Posted By: VWguy
Does anyone have any input or experience with the replica Cibie Z beams from www.classicgarage.com ? They are only $18 each and made in India. I had a set of the original Z beams back in the '70's and '80's and knew how good the light was projected. But they are not available anymore and used ones are hard to find. Recently bought a set of Autopals and am disappointed with the projected light. While I only have 1volt drop from battery to bulb, its easy to overdrive these low end lights even with my VW bus! Feedback much appreciated, Bill
PS: made a purchase of Cibie's from Daniel Stern lighting but have yet to install and I have two daily driver VW's.


If you're overdriving a set of E-Code lamps from Autopal, then you're driving too fast or you don't have them aimed properly. A Z-Beam pattern can't compensate for either scenario.


Well, the cheapo H-4's are in a VW Bus, so don't think I'm over driving them and the adjustment is nearly spot-on. Recently did a voltage drop test and determined I have a 1v drop from batt to the bulbs. Gonna rewire but bought a pair of the Sylvania Xtravision bulbs at WM. Big improvement and commitments had me out of the city where I would really need the lites. The improvement is noticeable. Have good use of available light. Though not as good as a higher quality H4. Good width of pattern and about 1/4 mile reflective range on low beam. So, I think I made a good choice with this used pair of H-4's and upgrade with Xtravision bulbs. Good compromise for my buck. Bill.

 

[VWguy]

Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
You can see the autopal and a sealed beam side by side just up above in my sample shot.

Superior to a sealed beam, yes... That's not hard.

Superior to my 5 3/4 and 7" ecodes by Hella, Bosch and Marchal? lol! The benefit here is that it isnt a sealed beam (kind of like saying that alpo is good to eat because it isnt feces), and it is cheap if a rock takes it out...


I agree, the photometrics of the Autopal lights are not as good as the name-brand E-Code lamps but the beam pattern is still better than any sealed beam or DOT compliant 9004 headlamp.


Totally agree. Thanks. Bill