« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Brighter headlamps?  (Read 636 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
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.


Logged
Safety first

Offline mcgiiver

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 119
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.
Logged

Offline no guns here

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1671
  • Gender: Male
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
Logged
"I feared for my life!"

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
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.
Logged
Safety first

Offline no guns here

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1671
  • Gender: Male
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
Logged
"I feared for my life!"

Offline Troyboy

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (41)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1220
  • Gender: Male
  • Work more talk less
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
Logged
.204 .22lr .22wm .25acp .223 5.56 .243 .25-06 6.5x55  .308  .300wbymag  7.5x54  7.62x25 7.62x39  338-06  9x19 .38spl  9x18 .45acp . 45-70 .500s&w 12rfl 12smb 20smb  .45lc 410smb .22hornet .280AI    Ask not what your country can do for you BUT what can YOU do for your country

Offline DDelle338

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 306
  • Gender: Male
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.
Logged
Life's a Bitch, But the puppies are cute.

Offline mcgiiver

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 119
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.
Logged

Offline LONGTOM

  • Trade Count: (391)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4644
  • Gender: Male
  • IF ONLY I COULD GO BACK-I WOULD BE A MOUNTAIN MAN!
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.


LONGTOM
Logged
NRA Benefactor Life Member
NAHC Life Member
NRA Member-JAMES MADISON BRIGADE
IWLA Member
NRA/ILA Member
CCRKBA Member
US OLIMPIC SHOOTING TEAM supporter

"THE TREE OF LIBERTY FROM TIME TO TIME MUST BE REFRESHED WITH THE BLOOD OF PATRIOTS AND TYRANTS".
THOMAS JEFFERSON

That my two young sons may never have to know the horrors of war. 

I will stand for your rights as my forefathers did before me!
My thanks to those who have, are and will stand for mine!
To those in the military, I salute you!

LONGTOM 9-25-07

Offline no guns here

  • Trade Count: (1)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1671
  • Gender: Male
Re: Brighter headlamps?
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2009, 09:50:37 PM »
my hid's were a complete unit.  no bulbs.


ngh
Logged
"I feared for my life!"

Offline Singleshotsam

  • I.T. Professional
  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (5)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1682
  • Gender: Male
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.
Logged
I'm voting 3rd party in this election by writing in Jesus Christ for president.  Sadly even if this were an option most of you would still vote Republican because "It's a two party system."

Offline MSP Ret

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (173)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8940
  • Gender: Male
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....<><....:)
Logged
"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline Questor

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7075
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.

Logged
Safety first

Offline greg916

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • *****
  • Posts: 410
  • Gender: Male
  • was mich nicht tötet, bildet mich stärker
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.
Logged
OSTENDO NON OSTENDO

Offline 45-70.gov

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7009
  • Gender: Male
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
Logged
when drugs are outlawed only out laws will have drugs
DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO STOP A DEMOCRAT
OBAMACARE....the biggest tax hike in the  history of mankind
free choice and equality  can't co-exist
AFTER THE LIBYAN COVER-UP... remind any  democrat voters ''they sat and  watched them die''...they  told help to ''stand down''

many statements made here are fiction and are for entertainment purposes only and are in no way to be construed as a description of actual events.
no one is encouraged to do anything dangerous or break any laws.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »