Sbarbee54

So I am going 6k for my headlights. I am wondering what people think are the best and why. Also what makes the 180$ bulbs better than the 40$ and everything In between.

Let her rip

Nick216

difference between the prices is the brand. Phillips and osram are oem bulbs. while morimoto and others arnt. morimoto is prolly one of the best of the cheap ones though.

Sbarbee54

But brand is that big of a difference? Will one last longer produce more light?

Nick216

Its the same with anything phillips and osram are big brands that come stock in cars. While morimoto is a knock off brand from china.

Sbarbee54

So the knock off has the same life span and brightness. Even there site said it might not be as bright as stock bulbs.

Nick216

The higher the kelvin, the lower the lumens. Stock is 4300k your getting 6k. I mean yes the knock offs prolly wont last as long as the oem bulbs. But if u got oem bulbs chances are youd never have to change them again. So whats another 100$ over 5+ years.

wojo1988

osram cbi 5000k. End of thread

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

Listen to the Wojo...he speaks the truth. No more thinking needed.

Sbarbee54

That is what I bought last night. So glad to see people like these

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Aftermarket bulbs aren't held to the standards as oem bulbs. Oem bulb will have to meet certain sepcefications before they are released. With aftermarket bulbs, a lot could be different. Rods could have slight bends in them aslo the glass capsule, I'm not sure if the salts used are any different from OEM to aftermaket, they can burn out quicker (not saying OEM cant in this catagory) When buying OEM you buying quality pieces that you know has passed inspection.

sanquintinb

Phillips 85122+

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

Another way of looking at it is that the tone and hue of cheaper lights look different. I can pick out an EBay blue light special a mile away at night when I see one. It just has a cheap tacky look. Like an artificial aqua/lavender/smurf color. It totally takes away the luxury look of our car and makes it look very Honda Civic. The better quality stuff throws out nice clean crisp usable light.

I had EBay stuff back in the day. They are more reliable than people think and will last about as long as high end bulbs. So IMO longevity-wise they are comparable. But I won't go back. I had Kaixens and am now running Morimotos now. BTW even Morimotos are not perfect. I am sorting out an issue with them on both sets of HIDs I have right now (6k and 3k), but still I'm happier overall.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

best answer on WHY aftermarket bulbs suck.
thanks Nate!

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I have the osram cbi's myself, but quite often I find myself wondering if I should have gone with the osram nightbreakers/svs

SamDoe1

I had Morimoto bulbs in my BMW for about 2 weeks before I threw them out and replaced with the Philips bulbs that I should have installed from the beginning.

They are way less bright and more yellow than the Philips bulbs and not worth the $40 a pair they charge. I basically wasted my money on them but live and learn. When the TL needs new bulbs I will for sure be going OEM.

FWIW, you can get Philips 85122 bulbs on Amazon for far less than $180 a pair...

Sbarbee54

I saw that on amazon, but chose not to feed the giant and support TRS

usdmJON

led?

CBP08TL

iTrader: (2)

Why is that? Too blue, hurt the eye after extensive use?

Sbarbee54

Led does not have the projectin of light yet. Great bulbs for general use, but I think it will be a while before we really see led in true headlights

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

No, it's not that, I just feel like the added hint of yellow-ness from the SVS/nightbreakers would help visibility even more, especially in rainy weather. Don't get me wrong though, the CBI's are great. However, it's could just one of those "grass is greener on the other side" feelings. I haven't ever seen the SVS/nightbreakers in person.

Nick216

I have CBI and im curious on the svs and nightbreaker. But not enough to spend more money when mine are already perfect.

nate_0022

iTrader: (2)

Philips 85122 bulbs are half that price. I believe they're $90 from TRS brand new!
I agree with you there. I wouldn't mind trying the svs bulbs to see how they perform in real life, but buying tritons in 5k they wouldn't match and plus buy two pairs for my quads just doesn't seem worth the experimental change lol. My next set of headlights I'm not doing quads. Maybe I'll try them then.

SamDoe1

Uhh...LED headlights have been out for a few years now, you can even buy an Accord with LED headlights.

Yeah, the price on Amazon fluctuates though. If you watch it like a hawk like I did, you can snag a pair for $80 or less. I think I paid $78 or something like that for the pair. MUCH better than Morimoto though and worth the cost.

TheChamp531

iTrader: (3)

Amazon is the best. I'd buy from Amazon anytime I can. Good company, and the BEST customer service/return policy ever.

Sbarbee54

Yes some of the new cars have LED, but I have yet to see a retro fit led kit for any cars.

SamDoe1

That's because it takes a lot more effort to put in an LED bulb than to just install it and plug the connector in. Cooling is a big issue with LED headlights.

Sbarbee54

Plus as I read today while at work, is they throw a better spread at shorter distances but they do not produce as much light at long distance. So I could see as they make more of a beam throw heat will only increase.

dbqtown

I picked up a set of the new Osram night breakers 4300k and love how bright they are. A little to white for me though. I would of preferred a little more blue but they light up everything.

Nick216

^ there the same color as stock, should be same amount of white.

dbqtown

That's what I thought, but when looking at mine compared to other TL's they don't seem to have that bluish tint that the stock bulbs had. I was even next to another TL at night and his lights on the back of the other car were bluer than mine.

KJ TL-S

iTrader: (9)

once they get past their break in period maybe they will put out a bit more color.

dbqtown

That's what I'm hoping

edzyy

x2

tones160

Don't really have a preference but any ideas what type of bulbs i should get for my DRL's? I've seen some TLs with the blue LEDs and im becoming a bit of a fan now. any ideas which ones are those?