2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Head Lights gone wacko

[The patriot]

Welp. Thanks. That's what I was looking at, and theyre NOT cheap!
Any time I tried high wattage bulbs, they ended up like that one.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

My exploded bulb was also not chinese.

Off-topic, look at the fine print on those fancy $$$ bulbs - performance claims are vs. a worn old standard bulb, not a new one. Consumer Reports testing of Silverstar vs a new standard bulb showed the Silverstar does put out a brighter-appearing light (different color temperature) but does not increase down-road lighting at all, as that is primarily a function of lens and reflector design, not the bulb.

Consumer Reports recommends replacing bulbs every 2 years, as the performance of any bulb deteriorates over time.

 

[seafish]

The Phillips XTremeVision or XtremePower halogen bulbs are a DEFINITE lighting upgrade and I can say from personal experience they DO last for years, even while sometimes running BOTH filaments with the diy MFS headlight switch mod that I did many years ago. While likely made in China, they are NOT some superwatted, blinding blue halogen that may or may not last…they are a well designed, well engineered, and well crafted bulb meant to serve the oem lighting market.

For more info (sorry if I have posted this before) about aftermaklet bulbs and forward vehicle lighting in general. check out Daniel Sterns site--


http://www.danielsternlighting.com

 

[rickybobby]

I found the LMC HD wire harness to be a little short also. A couple more inches of wire would have work so much better. Lights are brighter but not what I would like. Might be the housing itself. Might go with Geno's brite box and a set of sport head lights

 

[BigPapa]

Consumer Reports testing of Silverstar vs a new standard bulb showed the Silverstar does put out a brighter-appearing light (different color temperature) but does not increase down-road lighting at all, as that is primarily a function of lens and reflector design, not the bulb.

I replaced the blown one above with a cheap, new, Chinese bulb just to get me by a few days and you can definitely tell a difference between it and the Silverstar on the driver side. It's much more yellow and is not near as bright when shining on the garage door from about 30'.

Not trying to argue, just my experience.

I may look at the Phillips lamps. I've had good service from the Sylvania's. The one above is 4 years old and I honestly believe it wouldn't have blown like it did if it was not running with both elements on.

 

[GAmes]

IIRC the bulbs that came with Genos lights were GEs. I like 'um.Oo.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

All bets are off when comparing chinese crap to quality parts. I make no statement about that.

I'm no engineer. I know a little stuff and some words, like "color temperature," which measures the color of the light. Different colors appear brighter and we may prefer one color over another, and your preferences and mine may be different.

The guys at Consumer Reports are engineers. They took a car out in the dark with bulb "A" installed. A guy went down the road a measured distance (I imagine it was more than 30'. I'd go 50yds or 100yds) and set up some sort of instrument to measure light. They measured bulb "A". Then real quick they installed bulb "B" and measured again. Then they reported the result. Kinda like if that was a deer 100yds down the road, they couldn't see it any better with one bulb or the other.

Consumer Reports: We found that the premium bulbs, as a group, deliver a whiter light and up to 19 percent more output than the standard or OE bulbs, and that can be more pleasing for drivers. But none of the premium bulbs allowed us to see farther on our headlight test course than the standard or OE bulbs.

So if an engineer who was aware of the methods CR used for the test wanted to say that they did the test wrong, I'd listen to his argument. Or if he wanted to scientifically dispute their conclusions, I'd listen. Not that I'd know if he was right. But when we're comparing an individual's personal opinion of whatever used to be in their truck vs what's in there now, no offense, I'll take the engineer's word over the opinion, even my own.

 

[BigPapa]

Whatever floats your boat there CF. Like I said, wasn't trying to argue, just my experience.

Do you think I'm lying? Making it up? Maybe I have a financial interest in people buying "premium" lamps? Why is it that so many people here on TDR no days wants to argue with someones personal experience? All the different personal experiences is what has made TDR such a great place. Nothing I said was wrong. Nothing I said was untrue. All I stated was my personal experience, not a quote from a 3rd party experiment or something that "happened to a friend of mine".

I'll keep running my "premium" lamps, thank you.

 

[The patriot]

Anyway.
I prefer parts made in the good ol USA. Or Germany. Mostly due to past last experiences.
The best bulbs in the world will not be of any use to me if they quit before a long trip. And/ or live an exceedingly short life. Or ruin my light assy in spectacular fashion.
I dont mind paying for a premium product, as long as the product is REALLY premium.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

Sorry, I guess I get a little frustrated with personal experience some times. Like if Eli Manning stood on the 50-yard-line and threw a ball to a guy standing on the goal line. Then Drew Brees stood on the 50 and threw a ball to a guy standing on the goal line. And then John Manning, who is standing right there, says Eli threw the ball farther than Drew. It's his personal experience. It's equally as valid as the markings each guy was standing on.

 

[BigPapa]

That's the stupidest thing I've ever read.

And, by the way, do you mean John MADDEN? John Manning is an idiot.

 

[rickybobby]

Whats the most stupidest thing u ever heard" Big Papa"

 

[The patriot]

Let me get a beer.....hold on.....

 

[seafish]

Whats the most stupidest thing u ever heard" Big Papa"

Well for me that'd have to be the recent run of republican debates, but then we'd have to retitle the thread "politicians gone wacko"

 

[BigPapa]

When polishing my lenses I found moisture in that headlight so I pulled the lens to do a reseal (I posted a thread on that hoping it may help someone someday) and found there is some damage to the reflector. I'm sure it will affect the light some but maybe it won't be too bad.