I figured I would post this up for you guys. Especially the ones in the market for some new bulbs. This is a comparison between the two leading bulbs in the HID market today. The Osram 66240 CBI'S and the Osram 66240 SVS. The are both the same price $185/pair. They can be purchased here. http://www.theretrofitsource.com/index.php?cPath=27

CBI'S vs SVS
http://www.hidplanet.com/forums/showthread.php?49309-Osram-CBI-vs-SVS-Output-Comparison-Pics

After seeing the comparison myself, I may try the SVS. I've been running my CBI'S for almost two years.

 

wtf, i just bought some cbi's last month, no i see this! those svs's look amazing!

welp here goes another $185

edit: then again isnt the svs 4300k which would be the reason it has a better visibility correct?

 

havent gotten new bulbs since the car was new in 04... I guess it would be a huge difference regardless of which one I get?

 

that thing looks sweet! I will be looking into this next year lol hahah thanks for the heads up

 

They're actually almost the same amount of lumens.
The CBIs don't seem as bright as the SVS due to the color temp.

Nonetheless, both bulbs are simply amazing as we can see.

 

the question is, how does the SVS compare to the 85122+?

 

The svs seem to be a bit brighter than the 85122+. From reading the descriptions on the website the svs are rated 3500 lumens and 4200k, the 85122+ are rated 3200 lumens at 4300k.

 

 

 

where does one buy these?

 

http://www.theretrofitsource.com/index.php?cPath=27

 

They're both very impressive bulbs, just a little rich for my blood. I wound up trying some Morimoto bulbs cause I figured they would be better than my probably 6 year old bulbs. One of the Morimoto's flaked out quick so I put the Osrams back in and I didn't notice how yellow they were until I had one of each in. Were the 66040's OE equipment? I'm thinking since they're still yellow they are probably new and haven't color shifted to white.

 

I have had the SVS in my car for about 6 or so months now, got them when they first came out. My set up is Hybrid TL projectors with authentic ZKW lenses.


I was expecting to get blown away due to the Lumens difference, i.e. 3200 from Phillips 85122+ to 3500 from the SVS, but sadly that is not the case. The SVS didnt really impress me especially when you consider the price tag. I am actually considering going back to a new set of 85122+ bulbs soon.

I have tried the CBIs as well, as the comparison pictures suggest, i wasnt going to give up that much light intensity for some extra shade of blue, I actually like the yellowish light output from the Phillips and the SVS as they make you see eons better at night. The SVS do have a greenish tint, which I am not too fond of either, hence is the switch back to Phillips.

Either way if you were switch from your old stock HID bulbs (old style Osrams) to the new SVS, CBIs, 85122+ or even the stock new Osrams 66240, it would be a huge enhancement and visibility at night.

 

I aslo have the same headlight setup as JNC ,thanks JNC ,but had the CBI first in the headlights love them up until I had to drive an hour to work at night my eyes hated me ! So went with the SVS bulb there ok I guess ,but my eyes love if didn't have to drive at night for so long I would of kept the CBI in .NOW there in my draw local pick up ?

 

I am currently sitting at 21ish hours on my new cbi's and although love the color i am unsure about the color output. I like the way they look being white but feel as though it doesn't off enough viability.

 

Here's my 85122+ already installed.
I also had Bruce install a set of ZKW.
I still think it could be brighter, I had driven behind a brand new Acura TL and those things look a lot brighter and sharper.

 

Great info, Nate. I'm more curious how the SVS bulbs compare to the 85122+'s, since they're closer in kelvin/lumens ratings. The only thing the SVS and CBI seem to have in common is the price tag. Personally, the SVS bulbs are a little warm for my taste, but their output intensity is very impressive. I've had the CBI's for almost a year now and am still amazed at the amount of light they put on the ground.

 

I wonder how the CBI's would do with a 50 watt ballast, since the higher wattage would wash out some of the color, they'd probably be a little closer to 4300K but put out 30% more light. I honestly miss my old headlight setup, I had RX330 projectors with TSX clear lenses and a Morimoto 50 watt kit with 5000K bulbs, it was insane, makes my TL headlights look weak. I even did the ZKW lenses but I'm still not thrilled.

 

I got CBI
Happy with and and always amazed how silverbright it is compared to other xenon cars outside

Exactly what I wanted, no more yellowish after paying that much money
Out put low during rain? Turn on fogs

 

the best is passing someone on the highway and washing out their headlights with the CBIs.

 

 

I'd love to see a proper comparison of the SVS vs 85122+.

I've had the 85122+ for 2 years now... one headlight needs to be badly replaced [the lens is really dull] and the other is okay.

I have SVS sitting around... waiting to upgrade my headlights.

 

IamaTL, want to meet up and get some (iPhone 5) shots of stock vs. CBI? I hate my stocks and I'm pretty sure people here would like to see the pics.