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Author Topic: Brighter headlamps?  (Read 642 times)

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Offline Questor

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Brighter headlamps?
« on: February 12, 2009, 03:41:20 AM »
I can't say that changing headlamps on a car is often an adventure, but I just had one.

My car is 10 years old and one of the headlamps went out. It's the first time I have had to change a headlamp in that car. That's odd because I am used to replacing headlamps each year. I bought a couple of new lamps and replaced the bad one. I went to replace the other one and couldn't get the lamp out. It took quite a bit of effort and dismantling of things to free it. That's probably because it had been in there so long that the locking ring siezed up.

The mystery is related to the options we now have for headlamps: normal, brighter, and brightest. The brand is Sylvania Silver something-or-other. I opted for the middle ones just to see if they would help illuminate dark wet blacktop at night. It does seem to help a little, but I'm not sure whether it was worth it yet. We'll have to get to the rainy season before I decide.  They do seem to illuminate the roadside better.

Have you used these brighter headlamps and seen a significant improvement?

They don't last as long as the normal ones, and they cost more, so there's a reason not to use them.


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Offline mcgiiver

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #1 on: February 12, 2009, 04:27:34 AM »
I have been down this road. I have installed brighter headlights in both my car and cycle, but only the middle of the road ones. Those Sylvania Silverstar or whatever are simply too expensive at something like $34 a pair. The newer lamps did help.
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Offline no guns here

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #2 on: February 12, 2009, 05:01:08 AM »
If you can afford the HID replacement lamps (if they are available for your car) go for it.  I have them on my suburban and it throws light so far down the road it's ridiculous.  Not only a lot of light but it's very white light.  You can see great with them...

ngh
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Offline Questor

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2009, 05:13:19 AM »
What's an HID light? I only know them as $8, $18, and $35 dollar replacements.
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Offline no guns here

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #4 on: February 12, 2009, 06:27:56 AM »
HID =  High Intensity Discharge.  Ever see the ones that look "blueish" coming at you but are really bright?  Mostly on high dollar cars still however they are available for some models from previous years.  They are sort of disconcerting at first but they are really bright.  You are looking in the couple of hundred dollar range.  I got mine from a guy who bought them and then had to sell to make some money.  He had a tahoe but they fit my suburban.  Works for me...


ngh
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Offline Troyboy

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #5 on: February 12, 2009, 12:03:29 PM »
No way would i pay couple hundred bucks for lights. I'd buy more guns ;D ;D ;D
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Offline DDelle338

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2009, 12:27:41 AM »
  One word of caution regarding the Sylvania Silverstar's, if you are buying for a type of headlight that uses the small H-3 bulb, where the glass capsule is only about 1" long. They are only going to last you about 6-8 months. They are clean and bright but they are too expensive to replace that often. I talked to Sylvania after my third pair and they said expect no more than 1 year of life out of them. I switched to a Wagner Bulb and will never go back to Sylvania. I bought the Wagner LazerBlue Headlights, and they are almost as bright as the Sylvania Silvertstars and I haven't replaced them in the last 2 yrs. Wagner also makes BriteLite Xenon Headlight Bulbs that are brighter yet, but they weren't in stock for my car at the time.
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Offline mcgiiver

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2009, 02:13:02 PM »
Its my understanding that the HID lamps run too hot for normal headlight housings. They can melt the plastic housings unless they are used in headlights designed for them.
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Offline LONGTOM

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2009, 06:23:10 PM »
Quote from: mcgiiver on February 13, 2009, 02:13:02 PM
Its my understanding that the HID lamps run too hot for normal headlight housings. They can melt the plastic housings unless they are used in headlights designed for them.

Just take a drill and a 1/8" bit and drill a hole in the bottom of the housing.
This will let a lot of the heat out and they will last a lot longer.
I replaced the driving lights on my wifes trailblazer with 100 watt bulbs three years ago and drilled the holes and have not had to replace one yet and no melting of the plastic housing.
The same can be done to the head light housings.

I too have had better luck with the Wagner BriteLite Xenon Headlight Bulbs.


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Offline no guns here

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2009, 09:50:37 PM »
my hid's were a complete unit.  no bulbs.


ngh
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Offline Singleshotsam

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2009, 03:21:49 AM »
A lot of it depends on your eyesight.  For me they are worth it because my night vision blows...

I decided to get them after driving my mom's explorer at night.  Here headlights were the HID's and man!  Worth every penny to this blind fella.
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2009, 03:41:43 AM »
Another thing the brighter headlights do is blind oncoming drivers and limit their vision. I think they should be outlawed. If you can't safely see far enough ahead for the speed you are going, slow down, don't endanger others. That's my story and I am sticking to it....<><....:)
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Offline Questor

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2009, 04:14:47 AM »
MSP Ret:

You nailed it, buddy! I hate those things in oncoming vehicles. If they're not aimed right, they are a real menace, and even when they are aimed right they are a serious nuisance.

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Offline greg916

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2009, 01:23:02 PM »
I agree with Questor and MSP retired. I bought a toyota not too long ago. The lights are superbright, even on low beam. I would say 2 or 3 cars out of 10 I meet want me to dim. I have had the beams adjusted down, but they readjusted them last inspection.
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Offline 45-70.gov

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Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2009, 02:33:31 PM »
my  car  has  h-4 bulbs
get  them cheap from jc witney

185 watt    off road use only
melted my light plugs now have  high temp plugs

not so bright on  low beam 55 w
but real bright on high  185w
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