Hey guys, my bulbs are working fine. However, I would like something brighter. I'm fine with the stock light temperature.. I'm not really into the 6000k stuff. I had that for an older car and as I got older my taste has changed. Besides I was using it on projectors made for halogen (did an old school HID retrofit)
At the time I was trying to mimic that nice little blue/purple hue you see on other cars at the time and I realized that had more to do with the projector itself That's just IMO. To each their own.

Besides, doesn't visibility actually reduce with the higher temps? If I'm not mistaken, stock should be around 4300k which is similar to natural sunlight?

Anyway, I would like to get some of your guy's thoughts on aftermarket bulbs (Phillips or Osram etc) that stays close to stock but just "brighter". If it's 5000k that's fine. I just want brighter and for them to be reliable. Cause man, my stocks are still running strong after all these years. Might be dimming a bit.. but not sure? Possibly just the nature of aging? My wife's 2024 CX-5 HID is amazingly bright and I'm jealous. Obviously not an apples to apples comparison but definitely got me thinking I could upgrade.

Thanks in advance!

 

A bunch of good threads on this if you do a search. Many upgraded the entire assembly to the newer HID style...

 

Is there a specific brand you like or have experience with yourself?

I have always wondered if it was possible to get the newer style headlight assembly but it can't be as easy just swapping them out can it? If so, shoot I'd look into that for sure.

 

I've had great results with OSRAMs and prefer them. These are rated up to 220% brighter, and are about the same $$$ as you'd pay for a single / regular bulb at the local parts store.

 

Good option for brand/model, but dont buy on Amazon, lots of counterfeit out there. I recommend theretrofitsource.com personally but there are other authorized dealers out there .

i personally also like the Phillips and Sylvania brands too

 

Generally I just stick with halogen bulbs if that's what came with the car stock (either Phillips or Sylvania brand bulbs are what I use). The projectors in those headlights were not designed for aftermarket LEDs which can mess up the pattern output and blind other drivers. If they're xenon bulbs (higher trims) then I would just get the best brand you can.

 

Any particular model for Phillips and Sylvania you like. I saw some Xtreme Vision Gen 2 (hear they are a bit more blue than Osram so not sure if I'll like that). also a bit pricier compared the NB from Osram, then again this was on Amazon. I checked your link and I didn't see any regular HID D2S bulbs.. it's all LED? Haven't done much research on Sylvania yet.

 

Yup. As stated, I have the Tech Package. I'm not that dude to do something that egregious to other drivers. Cause I can tell when others do it their halogen projectors and it just annoying to me.

 

I agree generally and stay away from any "OEM-marked" parts available on Amazon, (and especially Ebay)...I can personally vouch for these Amazon-sourced OSRAMs I've installed in both my 13 RDX and 09 TSX. One nice thing regarding bulb installation on the RDX, it's pretty easy to install from inside the engine compartment...though the battery will need to come out to replace that bulb on the driver's side.

RockAuto is another source for headlight bulbs at a decent price...

 

https://www.theretrofitsource.com/hi...d-series-bulbs

they have HID bulbs here.


i have 2 sets of Xenarc CBI ready for install in my garage.. for you, id recommend the night breakers as well since you don’t care for the bluer color temp. The Phillips XV2 are well rated also.

 

Amazon’s commingling of inventory at their Distribution Centers(regardless of if its “sold by Amazon” or not is the problem. You might get lucky, but sooner or later, the counterfeit things will make their way into the supply chain by shitty sellers. Of course, YMMV, it’s just not worth the headache for me personally

 

I always get either Sylvania Silverstar or Philips PowerVision/.CrystalVision Ultra bulbs personally and have had good luck with them being much more white and lasting quite a long time.

 

Frankly the fog lights need upgrading more than the headlights....

 

BTDT this past weekend on my 13 RDX. One of the original fog light bulbs finally burned out and I replaced them with LED...huge difference and though a slightly whiter, the temp much better matches the color of my HID low beams.

For installation, IIRC, there's (2) front tray fasteners in the passenger wheel well and (1) in drivers wheel well...pop those out, then pop 3-4 bumper / tray fasteners at each corner and the 2-3 fasteners that attach the tray to the frame that are behind those corner fasteners. Don't worry about removing fasteners in the middle.

At that point you can pull each corner tray section out and down from behind the bumper for access to the back of the fog light housing and bulb. Took me ~30min

 

Nice which did you go with? Have a link? Was thinking about some yellows and doing the full assembly but if changing bulbs isn't took much of a hassle might just got that route...

 

With deference to those who don't like Amazon, I went with these:
Super bright, perfect fit and completely satisfied. YMMV

 

Awesome thanks for the link.. that's kinda odd I would think the Night Breakers would be a bit cooler than 4200K that's listed.. How do you like the Xenarc CBI?

Also, what are your guy's experiences for the life of these bulbs? My stock bulbs still kicking for a 2013. Car was bought in 2017. I somewhat doubt the bulbs were replaced prior.. but even if they were that's still a long time. Is the stock ones Philips brand?

 

Not sure on the stock brand. I replaced the passenger side bulb last year, 2014 Tech with 163k. Driver's side is original.

 

Just got the LED fog lights installed. Wish they were more yellow but wow what a difference! Much more light.

 

If you purchased / installed the same fogs I linked above...yes they are bright! Personally, I like the fact that they're very close to the same temp / match as the HID bulbs as they're on at the same time...rather than the "amberish" color of the conventional OEM bulbs, which do not match the HIDs.

If your preference is the old school "Rally" true yellow...you might try Lamin-X films. They pull double-duty for tint and protection...not cheap either, for what they are, but I put them on the last (2) housing replacements due to broken lens. So far, so good. Link below. Good luck.

ACURA RDX (13-15) FOG LIGHT COVERS

 

Yeah thought about doing exactly this in future if needed. Thanks for the link!

May start looking into doing the main lights as well now...