best HID replacement bulbs?
09-22-2009, 12:55 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oak Forest, IL
Age: 35
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
best HID replacement bulbs?
Im looking to replace the stock 4300k HID bulb to a 5000k replacement. I need some help on what some of the top brands are for direct replacement bulbs for the headlights. Can some of you provide me with some brands? Im looking for the brightness, life, and whether it loses some color temp after a period of time.
09-22-2009, 10:15 AM
#2
Three Wheelin'
Some of the guys here have Kaixen bulbs which looks to be well-made. I also bought some 6000K ones for my fogs recently. If you can get some Philips or Osram bulbs, they're pretty good, too.
09-22-2009, 10:50 AM
#3
Racer
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
Age: 49
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I recommend the Philips Ultinon bulbs. I put a set in my '05 TL and my wife's '09 Pilot and could not be happier. They are a nice 6000K temp so you'll have a noticible difference to stock.
09-22-2009, 11:01 AM
#4
My beer fridge is in
i have the Kaixen 6000k bulbs, i like them alot better than stock, which by the way is osram. i have both the fogs and headlights 6000k. I love the color. But you will lose some light output going to the 6000k from the 4300k.
09-22-2009, 11:06 AM
#5
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oak Forest, IL
Age: 35
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
Is there any loss in light output with the Philips Ultinon? I have a 6500k HID kit on my 2004 MDX and they are pretty bright and nice in color but you can tell a little loss in output. Im trying to avoid loss in output as much as possible.
09-22-2009, 11:34 AM
#6
My beer fridge is in
I believe 4300k temp is the most output you can get.
09-22-2009, 12:35 PM
#7
here it is.
http://store.theretrofitsource.com/p...95ba0967ea19bd
6000K is horrorble at rainny night. it will significantly reduce your vision. I bought 85122+ D2S and luv the results. 300+ lumen from regular d2s.
http://store.theretrofitsource.com/p...95ba0967ea19bd
6000K is horrorble at rainny night. it will significantly reduce your vision. I bought 85122+ D2S and luv the results. 300+ lumen from regular d2s.
Trending Topics
09-22-2009, 12:56 PM
#8
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oak Forest, IL
Age: 35
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
here it is.
http://store.theretrofitsource.com/p...95ba0967ea19bd
6000K is horrorble at rainny night. it will significantly reduce your vision. I bought 85122+ D2S and luv the results. 300+ lumen from regular d2s.
http://store.theretrofitsource.com/p...95ba0967ea19bd
6000K is horrorble at rainny night. it will significantly reduce your vision. I bought 85122+ D2S and luv the results. 300+ lumen from regular d2s.
....but do the Philips 4300k 85122+ D2S that you showed me have a better color output than the stocks as well? I know im looking for light output but i also want a richer color output than stock as well.
09-22-2009, 12:58 PM
#9
The Phillips 85122+ bulbs i believe are the best... but the temp. will not go that high (6000k, 8000k etc...)
I think they only make 4300K & 5000K... also, they generally come with a high price tag..
Kaixens are GREAT quality and an affordable price...
I think they only make 4300K & 5000K... also, they generally come with a high price tag..
Kaixens are GREAT quality and an affordable price...
09-22-2009, 01:05 PM
#10
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oak Forest, IL
Age: 35
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
If i can find the 5000k Phillips 85122+ bulbs then that would be great. I dont want to go over the 5000k temp because i dont want to lose much light output but i DO want a richer color output. So if i can find the 5000k Phillips 85122+ bulbs then i would be happy.
09-22-2009, 01:14 PM
#11
For 5,000K without losing tons of output this is what you want
http://www.aftermarketbulbsshop.com/...phi-cm-d2s.htm
But the 85122+ are by far the best in terms of output.
http://www.aftermarketbulbsshop.com/...phi-cm-d2s.htm
But the 85122+ are by far the best in terms of output.
10-07-2009, 12:14 PM
#13
Racer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hopefully this isn't a stupid question, but if you don't get MORE light output, why would anyone change out their headlight bulbs? ESPECIALLY if light output is actually reduced? I would do this in a heartbeat if I could INCREASE light output without other adverse effects.
10-07-2009, 05:18 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
The main reason guys are doing this is to get more color (more bluish) at the expense of light output.....which explains why 5000K-8000K bulbs are so popular. As stock HID's have gotten more and more yellowish in recent years, more and more guys have swapped out their stock bulbs for something more white-blue. Unfortunately, it's impossible to get a more bluish bulb while maintaining the same amount of lumens as stock......you can't break the laws of physics.
10-08-2009, 07:14 AM
#15
Racer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The main reason guys are doing this is to get more color (more bluish) at the expense of light output.....which explains why 5000K-8000K bulbs are so popular. As stock HID's have gotten more and more yellowish in recent years, more and more guys have swapped out their stock bulbs for something more white-blue. Unfortunately, it's impossible to get a more bluish bulb while maintaining the same amount of lumens as stock......you can't break the laws of physics.
Thanks. Personally I'll stick with the maximum light output. For me every additional fraction of a second that I have to react to deer, road debris, and other road hazards is that much more chance I have to keep my TL out of the body shop. Guess this is kind of like the smoked plastic people used to stick over headlights to get the "blacked out" look back in the '80's.
10-08-2009, 11:49 AM
#16
My beer fridge is in
Thanks. Personally I'll stick with the maximum light output. For me every additional fraction of a second that I have to react to deer, road debris, and other road hazards is that much more chance I have to keep my TL out of the body shop. Guess this is kind of like the smoked plastic people used to stick over headlights to get the "blacked out" look back in the '80's.
lol i remember those in high school! all the mustangs and camaros had them
10-09-2009, 09:27 AM
#17
The main reason guys are doing this is to get more color (more bluish) at the expense of light output.....which explains why 5000K-8000K bulbs are so popular. As stock HID's have gotten more and more yellowish in recent years, more and more guys have swapped out their stock bulbs for something more white-blue. Unfortunately, it's impossible to get a more bluish bulb while maintaining the same amount of lumens as stock......you can't break the laws of physics.
10-09-2009, 09:49 AM
#18
I've installed the kaixen 5000K, 6000K & 8500K bulbs on my TLs... only with the 8500K did was light output noticeably less... but once i upgraded my fogs to 8500K, the lightoutput was increased, and balanced out.
On my 4G, I have 6000K HIDs & 6000K Fogs... again, because i upgraded my fogs.. the entire setup outputs MORE light, then the OEM 4300K HIDs & Halogen Fogs
On my 4G, I have 6000K HIDs & 6000K Fogs... again, because i upgraded my fogs.. the entire setup outputs MORE light, then the OEM 4300K HIDs & Halogen Fogs
10-09-2009, 11:09 AM
#19
My beer fridge is in
I've installed the kaixen 5000K, 6000K & 8500K bulbs on my TLs... only with the 8500K did was light output noticeably less... but once i upgraded my fogs to 8500K, the lightoutput was increased, and balanced out.
On my 4G, I have 6000K HIDs & 6000K Fogs... again, because i upgraded my fogs.. the entire setup outputs MORE light, then the OEM 4300K HIDs & Halogen Fogs
On my 4G, I have 6000K HIDs & 6000K Fogs... again, because i upgraded my fogs.. the entire setup outputs MORE light, then the OEM 4300K HIDs & Halogen Fogs
10-09-2009, 07:41 PM
#21
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oak Forest, IL
Age: 35
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
I bought the Philips D2S 85122cm 5000k. I had my body shop install them because im not that much of a handy guy. After installing them, one bulb seems more white than the other and one bulb has a sharper cutoff than the other. Any explanations for this?
Stock: Straighter cutoff lines
Philips 85122cm: Left bulb seems to be a little whiter and has a better cutoff. Right bulb doesnt look like it at all.
Can anyone tell me why its like this?
Stock: Straighter cutoff lines
Philips 85122cm: Left bulb seems to be a little whiter and has a better cutoff. Right bulb doesnt look like it at all.
Can anyone tell me why its like this?
10-09-2009, 09:43 PM
#22
Instructor
I bought the Philips D2S 85122cm 5000k. I had my body shop install them because im not that much of a handy guy. After installing them, one bulb seems more white than the other and one bulb has a sharper cutoff than the other. Any explanations for this?
Stock: Straighter cutoff lines
Philips 85122cm: Left bulb seems to be a little whiter and has a better cutoff. Right bulb doesnt look like it at all.
Can anyone tell me why its like this?
Stock: Straighter cutoff lines
Philips 85122cm: Left bulb seems to be a little whiter and has a better cutoff. Right bulb doesnt look like it at all.
Can anyone tell me why its like this?
10-09-2009, 10:04 PM
#23
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oak Forest, IL
Age: 35
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
I have a pic of the front of the car before but i havent taken an after pic of the front yet. I will as soon as i have time. Do you guys think that maybe the bulbs were dirty? If so, whats the special way to clean the bulbs without causing any more problems?
10-09-2009, 11:51 PM
#25
Instructor
could be.Thats what i meant when i said is the bulb in straight.If its on a angle in the headlight assembly could throw the light pattern off.Maybe stop by your body shop tommorrow if there open see if they could check it out.
10-10-2009, 08:16 AM
#26
Racer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've installed the kaixen 5000K, 6000K & 8500K bulbs on my TLs... only with the 8500K did was light output noticeably less... but once i upgraded my fogs to 8500K, the lightoutput was increased, and balanced out.
On my 4G, I have 6000K HIDs & 6000K Fogs... again, because i upgraded my fogs.. the entire setup outputs MORE light, then the OEM 4300K HIDs & Halogen Fogs
On my 4G, I have 6000K HIDs & 6000K Fogs... again, because i upgraded my fogs.. the entire setup outputs MORE light, then the OEM 4300K HIDs & Halogen Fogs
10-10-2009, 09:08 PM
#28
Racer
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Oak Forest, IL
Age: 35
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
I started messing around with the bulbs today at the body shop and everything seems to be good now. I asked if i can help them with the bulbs so that i can get an idea of how to change them in the future and they agreed and actually made me do everything so i can get the experience. It seems like the one bulb wasnt seated correctly but now everything is good and i am very satisfied with the bulbs.
10-10-2009, 10:29 PM
#29
My beer fridge is in
So would I be correct in assuming that if my goal is to maximize total light output, sticking with the stock 4300K in the headlights and upgrading the fogs would be the way to go. Are there 4300K bulbs available for the fogs and once again am I correct in assuming they would provide more light output than the other options?
10-11-2009, 02:46 PM
#30
Racer
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10-11-2009, 07:52 PM
#31
Former Sponsor
iTrader: (12)
CM just means Color Match 
As far as I know, the CMs are rare and cost an arm and a leg, you actually paid all that money to down grade.
HID bulbs loose their intensity over their life, after about 100 hours of use the bulbs "color shift" i.e. the chemical composition changes inside the capsules, xenon gas interacts with the salts inside the bulb. New Philips 85122 bulbs produce 3200 lumens (intensity) of light at around 4300k (color), after color shifting the output comes down to around 2800~3000 lumnes and the color goes up to around 4900~5000K. This is the reason why older bulbs are a bit whiter but produce less intense light.
On a side note osrams are less potent than 85122, 85122 CM, 85122+ etc iterations of Philips bulbs.
Now, cars that come with HID bulbs from factory run into situations where one bulb needs to be replaced, this could be due to a blown bulb or an accident etc. If a car had 85122 bulbs from the factory and after 2 years of use one of them was replaced with a new 85122 bulb then you would have a difference in output, the new bulb (since not color shifted) would be yellower and brighter than the older bulb. To solve this problem philips came out with the 85122CM bulb. By no means it was made to have a 5000k bulb in its line up, think of the CM bulbs as 2 year old 85122 bulbs.
If you had kept using your osrams for a year of so then they would have the same light output that your CMs do right now.
CM is not to be confused with a middle fixture between the 85122 and 85122WX (6000k Ultinon) bulbs.
As far as I know, the CMs are rare and cost an arm and a leg, you actually paid all that money to down grade.
HID bulbs loose their intensity over their life, after about 100 hours of use the bulbs "color shift" i.e. the chemical composition changes inside the capsules, xenon gas interacts with the salts inside the bulb. New Philips 85122 bulbs produce 3200 lumens (intensity) of light at around 4300k (color), after color shifting the output comes down to around 2800~3000 lumnes and the color goes up to around 4900~5000K. This is the reason why older bulbs are a bit whiter but produce less intense light.
On a side note osrams are less potent than 85122, 85122 CM, 85122+ etc iterations of Philips bulbs.
Now, cars that come with HID bulbs from factory run into situations where one bulb needs to be replaced, this could be due to a blown bulb or an accident etc. If a car had 85122 bulbs from the factory and after 2 years of use one of them was replaced with a new 85122 bulb then you would have a difference in output, the new bulb (since not color shifted) would be yellower and brighter than the older bulb. To solve this problem philips came out with the 85122CM bulb. By no means it was made to have a 5000k bulb in its line up, think of the CM bulbs as 2 year old 85122 bulbs.
If you had kept using your osrams for a year of so then they would have the same light output that your CMs do right now.
CM is not to be confused with a middle fixture between the 85122 and 85122WX (6000k Ultinon) bulbs.
10-22-2009, 07:41 PM
#32
Instructor
CM just means Color Match
As far as I know, the CMs are rare and cost an arm and a leg, you actually paid all that money to down grade.
HID bulbs loose their intensity over their life, after about 100 hours of use the bulbs "color shift" i.e. the chemical composition changes inside the capsules, xenon gas interacts with the salts inside the bulb. New Philips 85122 bulbs produce 3200 lumens (intensity) of light at around 4300k (color), after color shifting the output comes down to around 2800~3000 lumnes and the color goes up to around 4900~5000K. This is the reason why older bulbs are a bit whiter but produce less intense light.
On a side note osrams are less potent than 85122, 85122 CM, 85122+ etc iterations of Philips bulbs.
Now, cars that come with HID bulbs from factory run into situations where one bulb needs to be replaced, this could be due to a blown bulb or an accident etc. If a car had 85122 bulbs from the factory and after 2 years of use one of them was replaced with a new 85122 bulb then you would have a difference in output, the new bulb (since not color shifted) would be yellower and brighter than the older bulb. To solve this problem philips came out with the 85122CM bulb. By no means it was made to have a 5000k bulb in its line up, think of the CM bulbs as 2 year old 85122 bulbs.
If you had kept using your osrams for a year of so then they would have the same light output that your CMs do right now.
CM is not to be confused with a middle fixture between the 85122 and 85122WX (6000k Ultinon) bulbs.
As far as I know, the CMs are rare and cost an arm and a leg, you actually paid all that money to down grade.
HID bulbs loose their intensity over their life, after about 100 hours of use the bulbs "color shift" i.e. the chemical composition changes inside the capsules, xenon gas interacts with the salts inside the bulb. New Philips 85122 bulbs produce 3200 lumens (intensity) of light at around 4300k (color), after color shifting the output comes down to around 2800~3000 lumnes and the color goes up to around 4900~5000K. This is the reason why older bulbs are a bit whiter but produce less intense light.
On a side note osrams are less potent than 85122, 85122 CM, 85122+ etc iterations of Philips bulbs.
Now, cars that come with HID bulbs from factory run into situations where one bulb needs to be replaced, this could be due to a blown bulb or an accident etc. If a car had 85122 bulbs from the factory and after 2 years of use one of them was replaced with a new 85122 bulb then you would have a difference in output, the new bulb (since not color shifted) would be yellower and brighter than the older bulb. To solve this problem philips came out with the 85122CM bulb. By no means it was made to have a 5000k bulb in its line up, think of the CM bulbs as 2 year old 85122 bulbs.
If you had kept using your osrams for a year of so then they would have the same light output that your CMs do right now.
CM is not to be confused with a middle fixture between the 85122 and 85122WX (6000k Ultinon) bulbs.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
