Headlight bulb is dead, need suggestions.

[hyde]

Passanger side headlight lamp is dead. Wow1.gif I didn't think it would happen so quick, but it did. I don't want to just get the replacement, I am looking for something whiter and maybe a bit brighter. I know the replacement is 9007.

I will probably go with SilverStar Ultra but they don't have as long life rating as others also some complained about the color (temp).
What do you guys think of Philips VisionPlus?

Edit: Found this: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/attachments/f28/98678d1263003739-better-headlights-phillips.jpg

 

[LibertyTC]

If you want a long lasting bulb that is really bright and white spend the extra $ and get the PIAA 9007, Extreme White + replace both as pair. All bulbs fade over time.
http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-9000.html

 

[67Customs]

Buy any bulb that isn't tinted and you will be fine. Tinted bulbs are filtering out useable light.

I would go with the Vision Plus if you can find it in 9007.

 

[hyde]

If you want a long lasting bulb that is really bright and white spend the extra $ and get the PIAA 9007, Extreme White + replace both as pair. All bulbs fade over time.
http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-9000.html

I just saw them on sale for $70, but I need to get them shipped, no local store carries them. I would prefer going and buying since I drive daily and although I can rely on my fogs, I don't want them dying either even though I use them alot.

 

[Dave]

On that chart the Phillips Vision Plus seem good. Can you get those locally? If so I would lean towards doing that because 1) you have one light out and 2) it is faster that way since you can just get them and put them in. 3) you will see better and not get pulled over and get a ticket and then be wasting money you will spend on bulbs anyway.

Just my thoughts.

Dave

 

[yellocoyote]

I went from the normal Sylvania bulbs to their Xtravision line ($20/pair at wally world). I've only had them in a couple of months so far, but I can definitely tell the difference in brightness between the new and the old set.

I wasn't ready to pay for Silverstars as I knew the lifespan wasn't all that great. The lifespan on the Xtravision's are supposed to be better - midway between the basic bulb and the Silverstars.

 

[hyde]

Found this:

Here's manufacturer data for output and lifespan at 13.2v for standard-wattage H1 bulbs. The numbers here are a composite of values applicable to the products of the big three makers (Osram-Sylvania, Philips-Narva, Tungsram-GE). Each manufacturer's product in each category is slightly different but not significantly so. I picked H1-type bulbs for this comparison, and while the absolute numbers differ with different bulb types, the relative comparison patterns hold good for whatever filament bulb type we consider (H4, 9006, 9007, whatever). Lifespan is given as Tc.

H1 (plain, standard):
1550 lumens, 650 hours

Long Life:
1460 lumens, 1200 hours

Ultra Long Life (e.g. Osram "Light@Day"):
1430 lumens, 3000 hours

Plus-30 High Efficacy (Osram Super, Sylvania Xtravision, Narva Rangepower+30, Tungsram High Output, Philips Premium or High Visibility):
1700 lumens, 350 hours

Plus-50 Ultra High Efficacy (Philips VisionPlus, Osram Silverstar, Narva Rangepower+50, Tungsram Megalicht, but not Sylvania Silver Star):
1750 lumens, 350 hours

Plus-80/90 Mega High Efficacy (Philips Xtreme Power, Osram Night Breaker):
1780 lumens, 340 hours

Blue coated 'extra white' (Osram CoolBlue, Narva Rangepower Blue, Philips BlueVision or CrystalVision, Tungsram Super Blue or EuroBlue, Sylvania Silver Star or Silver Star Ultra, Wagner TruView, also PIAA, Hoen, Nokya, Polarg, and all the rest of the blue-glass junk):
1380 lumens, 250 hours

Just 350 hours?
Dave, yes i can get them local, in fact Strauss has the Phillips Vision Plus on sale for $20 a pair.

yellocoyote, based on above, it looks like xtravisions are also rated 350 hours.

I could not get any info on specific PIAA's life span, but above says 250 hours.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Gosh, I had the PIAA Extreme whites in mind but for $70 theres no way Im paying that if they only last that long.

Ive had the regular silver stars for over 3 years now and they are doing fine. I do not do much night driving so that could have a lot to do with it.

Hyedipin, you could go buy the cheapest set of 9007's you could find that way you can order and/or have time to decide what you want. I keep the stock bulbs in the back of my jeep incase my silver stars blow in the middle of the night or something.

 

[yellocoyote]

yellocoyote, based on above, it looks like xtravisions are also rated 350 hours.

Thanks for this - good to know. I added these to the the log that I keep for everything. Being it's my first time trying them, and my old 'standard' bulbs lasted 2-3 years, I'm anxious to see how well (or not) the Xtravisions do.

I just couldn't justify $40/pair for the silverstars...

 

[hyde]

Blake,
even if they blow, at least we've got the fogs for emergency use, and the maglite! We can always tape it to the hood or the roof I drive a lot at night, work etc.. and I also like to keep my lights on most of the time.

Jayme,
$40/pair is OK if it is something that will last as long as the OEMs with the much brighter illumination. However, based on above, they don't last anywhere near the stockers.

I found the Vision Plus bulbs for $20 pair at Strauss, unfortunately to out of towners they are NY/NJ/PA area only. If they are good, I can let you guys know and you can order online as well. It seems like there is bad blood between performance drivers and Sylvania bulbs (most claim Slyvania just sprays/coats their bulbs to give the appearance of brighter light.. whatever that means)
PDF: http://www.straussauto.com/downloads/01-10-10Asb.pdf

 

[kj924]

I ran the Sylvania Silver Stars for the last 2 years and finally blew the passengers side bulb a couple weeks ago. I didn't find the SS's all that great for the price I paid for them.

I just replaced both headlight bulbs with Canadian Tire cheapos for now $20/pair

I would like to try the PIAA's next time I can afford to waste money on lights.

 

[hyde]

I picked up a pair of Philips, will keep you guys posted.
It looks like it is pretty tight behind the headlight housing, any tips to make the job easier?
PS: My long beams still work.. But I drove home with the fogs.

 

[Luke]

I would like to try the PIAA's next time I can afford to waste money on lights.

drive.gif But ... It's reeeeeeally reeeeally dark up here dude ... I will admit, the sweet subtle blue flare of light that they emit is the biggest reason I like them though, that and the fact that they are very bright and white. I spend that much on oil changes 3-4 times a year so it's all good.

14 months and counting ... I'll def. post when they die.

 

[Luke]

I picked up a pair of Philips, will keep you guys posted.
It looks like it is pretty tight behind the headlight housing, any tips to make the job easier?
PS: My long beams still work.. But I drove home with the fogs.

Glad ya got something bright ... do a good wrist stretching exercise to limber up .. if I remember it's just the drivers side that was tricky.

 

[67Customs]

I removed the air box snorkel and it made the passenger's side very easy. The driver's side just has to be worked the right way.

 

[speedracerbubba]

I had silverstars before and they lasted less than a year. I typically drive with my lights on and that year was about 20k miles, but that is still not a long time since we use the long life bulbs in our work trucks and with daytime running lights and 6+hrs of being on 4 days a week they last a minimum of a year and a half.

 

[hyde]

Bubba,
I also drive mostly with my lights on, but I drive daily, sometimes longer than other days, so I am guessing any "bright" light will last approx 1 year, let's see.
On the driver side, one recommendation was to move the fuse box.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I picked up a pair of Philip's, will keep you guys posted.
It looks like it is pretty tight behind the headlight housing, any tips to make the job easier?
PS: My long beams still work.. But I drove home with the fogs.

I pop out the rectangular power distribution (fuse) box in front of the battery
to get more access to the headlamp unit.
And for the passengers side, I just pull out the air box for better access.

 

[osufans]

FYI, GE NightHawks are supposed to be pretty good too. From what I've researched online, stay away from Sylvannia's....go with either the Philips or GE's, if you can find either.

 

[hyde]

OK, I swapped them. It was much easier than I thought, i got a few scrapes on my hand here and there, but it was still pretty smooth. I removed the air intake pipe or whatever it is that sits on top of grill, it was held by one clip on right side, and I also removed the fuse box, but I noticed that fuse box cannot be removed completely it is held by all the wiring, so just lift it up as much as possible. Rest is very easy. Turn the grey ring pull the connector out, there is a little tab-like plastic which is holding the bulb and housing in place, pry it gently up and pull the bulb and housing, replace.

When putting the bulb back in, just watch it from the front through the headlight lens, you will see that there is a tiny little tab on either side of the housing which makes it sit tight, if you don't look at it from front, it can take a long time to make it sit properly.

In my garage I did not really notice any difference over the stockers, will see when I drive in dark.