JuanCT

Has anyone heard or used Mtec light bulbs? I've heard a couple of favorable reviews.I'm looking to increase road visibilty at night. I've read that they give the power of 100 watt bulbs while using the standard 55. Any feedback would be appreciatted

Ballinger

I am suspicious, since that's essentially impossible without either an IR coating or simply running more wattage (cooking risk). After my research, I went with Halogen Infrared bulbs, and these ARE brighter, but cost more. There's a thread in here about Lighting Upgrades and I've posted photos of what you have to do to install them.

JuanCT

Here is a website
http://www.automotivelightingusa.com...uper-white-h11

foam4me

Here is the link for the HIR lamps.

http://hirheadlights.com/

I've purchased them and they are noticeably brighter; they seem to show valid data rather than only sales hype.

In the photo for the MTEC lamps they seem to have a blue coating which may may them appear brighter or more dazzling. It wouldd be interesting to see real data on light output (lumens) rather than appearance.

Chas2

This sounds highly unlikely unless the baseline bulbs are very blue, like an incandescent running 5000+K color temps and the MTEC bulbs are very yellow. And while it is true the yellower the bulb, the greater lumen output for the same wattage, I seriously doubt you could get the luminence of a 100 watt bulb out of 55 without going into an illegal color. All primary headlighting has to be "white" in color, or that is a good recipe for a pull over by the local law...sort of the opposite end of the spectrum for those that get pulled over running purplish lights.

The only real way to increase incandescent luminence in the traditional 3000K color temp range for the same wattage is the HIR technology which you now have the link for.

Ballinger

Those are just blue bulbs. Toy store stuff. Check Dan Stern's site out: http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/bulbs.html

JuanCT

Thanks 4 the feedback guys I was just wondering if anyone had actually tried them though?

Ballinger

Ok okay... I tried similar bulbs in a different car. They look very HID, but they don't punch more light out, at all. I switched to Sylvania SuperWhites in that car, and they're better than the blues. In my RL, I had no interest in ricer-looking lights, but wanted some power. The HIR's are as yellow as the OEM day/hi beams, but with much more whomp when you toggle on the high beam.

Chas2

And that is what you want, more light on the road, not pretty colors. You will not find a lumen output on these blue lights like the MTECs because they don't want you to see how much less light they put out. They just emphasize how much higher a color temperature the bulbs burn at.

An HIR High beam puts out 2500 lumens. A normal OEM style halogen about 1700. HIRs burn at a little higher color temperature, but only about 10% higher.

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

I wouldnt go for those 100w bulbs. I had it on my other car before and melted the wiring socket since it was too high of the wattage unless you switch to those heavey duty wiring harness.

kmcheney

I've been using the HIR bulbs now for quite some time. I agree with Ballinger that they put out more light and with all of the deer around here that is very important to me. I wish the high-beam pattern of the RL was a little broader. The RL's housing/projector focus's the majority of the light in a very tight circle straight ahead of the car.

foam4me

It's pretty clear to me (no pun intended) that most of the lighting discussions are about style and have nothing to do with illumination of the road or safety-the main purpose of the lighting systems on the cars. Unfortunately practically all of the mods result in less illumination-but they sure look cool.

JuanCT

I personaly dont care much for looks..I like a white light better than the yellowish ones the foglights have on their now..But better visibilty is what I'm trying to acheive here..It seems like all hondas dont provide adequate lighting..They make great vehicles and great engines but their lighting leaves much to be desired. I've had 2 civics and my wife has a pilot I've had to install extra lighting on all of these..I will take some before and after pics and share with you guys

foam4me

If you really want more illumination, not just "brighter" go with the HIR bulbs mentioned earlier. You will notice a difference (high beams only) but still a bit yellow. I'm not sure what you can do with the low beam HID. Remember that as the color temperature goes up beyond about 6000 k the lights appear brighter but are giving less light.

This site that Ballinger mentioned (http://www.danielsternlighting.com) has a lot of useful information and understandable explanations why brighter or blue color does not mean more light or better illumination.

Chas2

Your statement is right on!