Headlight Bulb Opinions

[MARSHALLMAY]

IMO as with all mods, you get what you pay for. When you drop $300 on a true HID set you get the best lighting money can buy. When you buy incandescent bulbs that *look* white or purple or blue, all you are buying is a look. Those bulbs have a filter on the glass to block out lower wavelengths of light. This causes less light to come through, which causes a need to up the wattage. Which in turn puts added strain on your wiring harness. Here's how you know you have HID lights...when you pull up next to another car with regular incandescant lamps, your beam pattern completely overpowers theirs. I'm not talkin about you can see your color lights compared to theirs. I mean complete saturation. If you have ever pulled up to a car with true HID and you have incandescant.. you probably already know what i mean... just my $0.02

 

[Bobby]

It's not quite that simple. You can't just throw money to solve bad lighting. Most times, HID conversions will throw out LESS light because the projector isn't optimized for HID or the lighting element isn't in the right place. You would need to replace your headlight housing to take full advantage of HID.

As far as bulbs go, Silverstars are probably your best bet. They run about $40/pr and are MUCH better than PIAAs at $80+.

 

[iFORCE]

It's not quite that simple. You can't just throw money to solve bad lighting. Most times, HID conversions will throw out LESS light because the projector isn't optimized for HID or the lighting element isn't in the right place. You would need to replace your headlight housing to take full advantage of HID.

As far as bulbs go, Silverstars are probably your best bet. They run about $40/pr and are MUCH better than PIAAs at $80+.

that's quite true. A bad setup of HIDs give you less concentrated light compared to properly setup of regular halogen bulbs.

In my case... I get the best of both worlds.... HIDs in a Halogen lamp giving me proper lighting and minimal glare... all with quality parts!

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

It's not quite that simple. You can't just throw money to solve bad lighting. Most times, HID conversions will throw out LESS light because the projector isn't optimized for HID or the lighting element isn't in the right place. You would need to replace your headlight housing to take full advantage of HID.

As far as bulbs go, Silverstars are probably your best bet. They run about $40/pr and are MUCH better than PIAAs at $80+.

That of course CAN BE true...when you don't know what you are buying. But quality bulbs are "tuned" to the corresponding socket application. Therefore the depth is sufficient, And the type of projectior you have becomes irrelevant...
Where that becomes relevant is when you have a 9003, or H4 lighting where the hi and low beams are in a single bulb. Such as 96-02 4runners have. I am very skeptical of the method used to activate the hi-beams because the distance between high and low elements on incandescant bulbs is so small. And the fact there is a sheild over one element I see these bulbs all over ebay. And in theory it would work. but I'd rather not put my money in a headlight with servos, and trust that the depths are calibrated correctly.

 

[HRunner]

HRunner - I'm sure you realize that the JDMs were designed for the streets of Japan where they drive on the other side of the road. Therefore the light pattern is probably different. Might be worth it to have them professionally adjusted.
Of course, you may have already thought of this.

In fact, I don't notice that much difference. Probably the other drivers may get blind by me

I don't have time to adjust it yet (because it must be done at night). Hope I could do it by next week, then I could tell by then.

 

[Border411]

BUY THE SPP 80W SUPER WHITE BULBS!

I am so serious about this. I have used Silverstars (which lasted just past a year) and they were nice. The SPP bulbs that I replaced them with drown out some OEM cars HID'S . I am not making it up either. The stock wiring harness have hanlded the 80w yellow SPP bulbs in the fogs for a year now with no problem, and they are always on with the headlights. They throw out so much light, and havent gotten flashed at all by oncomign traffic. I have even followed police (i.e.-friends of mine) and they never complained they were too bright!

They are $29.99 plus shipping at www.supremepowerparts.com

 

[CopperX]

BUY THE SPP 80W SUPER WHITE BULBS!

I am so serious about this. I have used Silverstars (which lasted just past a year) and they were nice. The SPP bulbs that I replaced them with drown out some OEM cars HID'S . I am not making it up either. The stock wiring harness have hanlded the 80w yellow SPP bulbs in the fogs for a year now with no problem, and they are always on with the headlights. They throw out so much light, and havent gotten flashed at all by oncomign traffic. I have even followed police (i.e.-friends of mine) and they never complained they were too bright!

They are $29.99 plus shipping at www.supremepowerparts.com

I bought a pair of the 80W yellow fogs from them in March but one of them burnt out in September. I sent both of them (even only one is out)in for replacement and got the new pair in the mail within 4 days ( I am local to them in So Cal). I really like these bulbs and I think the short life span was actually my fault (installed inproperly/ touching glass while installing).

Highly recommanded bulbs and great customer service!!

BTW, Shaun,
I am thinking of getting these 80W super whites. Any idea what color temperature they might be? I used XD5800 (5800K) and Nokya Stage II (7000K?) and I like the XD better. They are a little brighter and whiter. The Nokyas are too blue for my taste.

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

do those yellow fogs make the road look like you are driving with blue-blocker sunglasses on?? just curious...

 

[Border411]

I bought a pair of the 80W yellow fogs from them in March but one of them burnt out in September. I sent both of them (even only one is out)in for replacement and got the new pair in the mail within 4 days ( I am local to them in So Cal). I really like these bulbs and I think the short life span was actually my fault (installed inproperly/ touching glass while installing).

Highly recommanded bulbs and great customer service!!

BTW, Shaun,
I am thinking of getting these 80W super whites. Any idea what color temperature they might be? I used XD5800 (5800K) and Nokya Stage II (7000K?) and I like the XD better. They are a little brighter and whiter. The Nokyas are too blue for my taste.

They are 5800K, so they have a ***SLIGHTLY*** bluer tint to them when compared to the Silverstars. They are just like HID's. BUY THEM! By the way---I had to send in one of my yellow ions because if you look at your bulb you will see some glass INSIDE the bulb next to the base connecting both of the elements. Well, that broke and kept it from working ( I have no idea how, but it did). I sent only the ONE broken bulb in and they sent me TWO! I had them within 3 days! Holy crap that was fast, plus I now have an extra bulb! Are they great or what?! Buy the Superwhites--I promise they are even more worth the money than the yellows were! I swear to you on my 4runner!

 

[Solice]

They are 5800K, so they have a ***SLIGHTLY*** bluer tint to them when compared to the Silverstars. They are just like HID's. BUY THEM! By the way---I had to send in one of my yellow ions because if you look at your bulb you will see some glass INSIDE the bulb next to the base connecting both of the elements. Well, that broke and kept it from working ( I have no idea how, but it did). I sent only the ONE broken bulb in and they sent me TWO! I had them within 3 days! Holy crap that was fast, plus I now have an extra bulb! Are they great or what?! Buy the Superwhites--I promise they are even more worth the money than the yellows were! I swear to you on my 4runner!

Border, I was looking at your pics (of the Silverstars and SPP's) and they definately look good. I don't think they're any brighter then the XD5's though. Man, I really wish my home pc wasn't torn apart right now so I could upload some pics of the Silverstar's (lows) and XD5's (fogs). It's a REALLY bright combo. Honestly the XD5's even appear brighter then the Silverstars, but that may only be mainly because they're lower to the ground.

I'm getting my new carpet and computer desk this coming Wed, so I'll definately upload some pics then.

HRunner: The Silverstars and XD5's are an awsome combination! Seriously, for $9.99 for the XD5's you can't beat them. I'm convinced. After my Silverstars burn out I'll probably replace them with the XD5's too. Seriously, even if anyone is unsure about what to use, for $9.99 I think people are crazy for not at least trying them. Especially compared to the prices of all the other bulbs out there (Ok, the SPP's are a little cheaper then the rest too).

-Joe

 

[00328]

I just got done putting silverstars in my LBs and XD5s in my fogs. Haven't driven yet with them at night and I can't wait to see how they look.
I turned them on in the garage to make sure they worked and the XD5s do seem to have a slight bluish tint to them.

 

[Solice]

I just got done putting silverstars in my LBs and XD5s in my fogs. Haven't driven yet with them at night and I can't wait to see how they look.
I turned them on in the garage to make sure they worked and the XD5s do seem to have a slight bluish tint to them.

Make sure they're XD5's and not the GP Thunder's (from the same site). My XD5's look as white as the Silverstars but they sent me GP Thunders for my high beams by accident (I kept them anyway). The GP Thunder's definately have a blue tint to them compared to the XD5's and Silverstars. I really don't think my XD5's have a bluish tint to them though, unless I'm going color blind .

 

[24runners]

here's mine...XD5's 5800...high beams, low beams, and fogs

these are straight, unedited pics...mine look very white and are VERY bright

the corner lights are LEDs and have a blue tint, but the headlights are BRIGHT white as seen in these pics

 

[24runners]

from other angles

 

[Solice]

from other angles

I bought the blue LED's for my parking lights when I ordered the XD5's. I had them in for about 3 weeks before I got pulled over and had to take them out . I knew it was gonna happen, I just wondered how long. I got the 6 bulb LED's, those things were WAY to bright.

 

[24runners]

i got this one and they arent bright at all...they actually look more "ice" than blue...they only look that blue next to the headlights cuz the headlights are THAT white (which is what I'm trying to prove with these pics)

I didnt get the 6 LED because they are all facing the same way and I figured that would be too bright but this works perfect because the outer ones just reflect in the housing like a normal bulb...it doesnt blind you at all...

WLED 5-LED Wide Angle LED bulb
12 VDC 5-LED Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type)
Super Wide Viewing Angle bulb uses 4 radially mounted LEDs aiming out the sides and one High Flux LED on top
Non Polarized

 

[00328]

Make sure they're XD5's and not the GP Thunder's (from the same site). My XD5's look as white as the Silverstars but they sent me GP Thunders for my high beams by accident (I kept them anyway). The GP Thunder's definately have a blue tint to them compared to the XD5's and Silverstars. I really don't think my XD5's have a bluish tint to them though, unless I'm going color blind .

They are definitely the XD5s, but like I said, I haven't used them at night yet. Just installed them and did a quick turn on to make sure they lit. Just looking at the lense they did seem to have a real slight blue to them. Maybe the beam itself is white, dunno, we'll see. Looking at 24runners pics the silverstars and XD5s do seem a real close match though.

 

[Solice]

i got this one and they arent bright at all...they actually look more "ice" than blue...they only look that blue next to the headlights cuz the headlights are THAT white (which is what I'm trying to prove with these pics)

I didnt get the 6 LED because they are all facing the same way and I figured that would be too bright but this works perfect because the outer ones just reflect in the housing like a normal bulb...it doesnt blind you at all...

WLED 5-LED Wide Angle LED bulb
12 VDC 5-LED Wedge Base bulb (194/168 type)
Super Wide Viewing Angle bulb uses 4 radially mounted LEDs aiming out the sides and one High Flux LED on top
Non Polarized

Yeah, the 5-LED bulb looks like it would work a lot better. The one I had, like you said, had all the bulbs facing the same way which made it extremely bright, and the light wasn't spread out (like I'm sure it is with the 5). When you looked at mine head on and from the side it didn't fill out the parking light area. It just looked like there was a really bright blue ball stuck where the parking light should be.

 

[00328]

Yeah, I just bought some WLED 5-LED lights in amber and white. Not sure which ones I'm going to use, have to see how they look.
With my DIY blacked out headlights, the OEM amber are pretty dim looking now.

 

[xnapajx]

PIAA 7500K

I just installed PIAA 7500K bulb on my 3 weeks old 05 SE. I got them from an vendor on ebay. I think the PIAA 7500K is the closest you can get to HID without putting on any Kit.