rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

bla8291

Lol that emoticon made me chuckle.

Chad05TL

I wish there was a comparison between OEM and CBI. CBI's do look brighter and whiter than Philips, easily.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

I'm pretty sure the results of oem osram 66040 vs osram 66240 CBI are going to be similar to these pictures.

oem osram 66040 are discontinued. the updated replacement is 66240 which are 4200K and rated at 3200 lumens.

osram 66240 CBI are 5000K and rated at 3500 lumens.

Philips 85122 are 4300K and rated at 3200 lumens.

85122 & 66240 are both similar in specs so I would think they look pretty similar. If anything, 66240 may look a little more yellow because it's 4200K whereas the 85122 is 4300K

in short: osram 66240 CBI are still going to look brighter and whiter than oem 66040, easily.

carbngrytl

I've been thinking about replacing my bulbs with new ones. My headlights just don't seem as bright as they used too. Where is the best place to get the cbi's?

bla8291

theretrofitsource.com

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

Avoid eBay and Amazon. They are flooded with fakes for $100-$160/pair.

For authentic real ones go to The Retrofit Source Inc

carbngrytl

Ok thanks guys

Chad05TL

I wonder why the nightbreakers are $5 more , since they are not as white at 4300k






.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

CBI are rolls royce of all headlight bulbs. If price is not a concern than no other bulb compares to CBI

Chad05TL

Is this only 1 bulb turned on?

Just wondering why the step down is further to the right, than all the others

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

Yeah that light output in that picture is only the passenger side. The light on the drivers side is purposely blocked for that demonstration. Either it was blocked or disconnected to not turn on

Chad05TL

Thats right! So, we don't have an example of the Philips 85122 with both bulbs on, to compare to the CBI with both bulbs on..

Chad05TL

Is this one with 2 bulbs on? Both being CBI? If so, then we don't have a proper comparison of the Philips and the Osram




if this is only 1 bulb then we are comparing fairly because the philips is with 1 bulb only. then all is well. haha




.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

Yes that picture is with drivers side headlight only with CBI and passenger light is turned off or blocked.

You can tell it's only one headlight on if you pay close attention to the cutoff slope. If both were on you would see two different slopes merged together. Look closely at his other pictures that are labeled "BOTH BULBS ON" and pay attention to the cutoff line and slope... You can definitely tell there are two different lines merged together

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

in my OP, I took pics with these scenarios:
a. both bulbs on together
b. individual bulb on, but with SAME camera setting

that's about as good of a comparison as you'll get. I'll let you figure out which pics are which. If you can't tell which ones are which then you need to do more research on how the cutoffs look.

Chad05TL

Ok so one pic is with 1 bulb and the other is 2 bulbs. Sounds like an unfair comparison

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

you're still not understanding my OP. kinda sad really, I made it pretty easy to understand and everyone else has understood it except you.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I'll say this one last time and that's it.

In my OP, I made sure it was a fair comparison because I took a picture in every scenario, for your viewing pleasure.
In the right headlight, I have the philips 85122+ bulb
In the left headlight, I have the osram CBI bulb

(letters do NOT correspond with picture order)
a. picture with both bulbs on together, side by side(having bulbs side by side rules out camera setting differences because its the same picture)
b. picture of CBI bulb alone(philips bulb blocked), and a SET camera setting
c. picture of philips bulb alone(CBI bulb blocked), at the SAME camera setting
with scenario b and c at the same camera setting, this will rule out any differences in exposure, focus and whatnot.

I have also included multiple shots of each scenario to make sure you guys are satisfied.

What more can you ask for? there are no more possibilities that I could have shown you. I will not show you a picture of both bulbs being the same because that will be a useless comparison.

Chad05TL

OK so humor me. And lets put this in order for the first 3 pictures only.

Pic#1
Light headlight = CBI
Right Headlight = Philips

Pic#2
Right Headlight only = Philips

Pic#3
Right Headlight only = CBI ??? (I need help with this one I think)

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Pic 1:
left headlight = cbi
right headlight = philips

Pic 2:
right headlight only, philips

Pic 3L
LEFT headlight only, cbi

All of the bulbs were left in their respective positions in all the pics for uniformity purposes. So from pic 2 to pic 3, I could not have changed bulbs on each side. Plus, each pic is properly labeled on the top right.

Chad05TL

oh.. no I wasn't drunk. That was a typo. My finger type what they want sometimes. You should see the emails I get from my boss. Anyway.. I haven't had a drink in almost 6 months. =) haha

Chad05TL

Fresnel lenses presumably come in different strengths. I think the TypeS lens has less Fresnel effect than the base TL lens, but still enough so that the light is more evenly distributed. That's the bad thing with a clear lens. The cutoff is great, but there are weak spots everywhere. At least that is true with the XB 35's that I have and Clear lens. Fresnel takes away from the cutoff , but gains a lot in "even light" across the road with fewer dim spots. The CBI do look bright and more even that the XB's I have but then again the pics show only directly in front of the car. What about off to the right or left?

mau108

Just ordered a set of CBI's from Powerbulbs.com. Came out to 153 CDN with free shipping. It comes from the UK. Cheaper than retrofitsource and its not clear if the price at retrofitsource is for the pair where as powerbullb it states its for the pair.

Use Style20 coupon code for 20% off!

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

Wow... That's $120.61 USD + Free shipping for 2 Osram CBI.

That's a freaking deal. I already have CBI though.

anx1300c

iTrader: (2)

I got my CBIs from the Retrofit Source for $160 shipped. Finally installed them a couple Saturdays ago. Wasn't as big a job as I thought it was going to be. They're awesome.

Chad05TL

I asked trs if they would match the price and they said no. Then they pasted a canned reply about fake bulbs.

csmeance

Can you post when you get them? I'm very interested but don't want to end up with fake bulbs! they should have a blue return wire and the red/orange salts inside!

mau108

They are certified reseller for Osram and Philips. They came pretty quick by Royal Mail (UK) to Canada.

Here are some pics...







Update: Installed them, during the day really can't tell a different from stock but will have to see at dark. It definitely has the blue bar on it.

CBP08TL

iTrader: (2)

Looks like the real deal. At that price, i may snag a pair.

What is your impression of night driving.

thoiboi

I also believe it'll take a couple hours before they settle in and get brighter too but don't quote me on that, I think you'll be pleasantly impressed with them

mau108

So far its been good.

OsK

iTrader: (2)

I just ordered them as well since I couldn't pass on such a sweet deal. $123 USD for Osram CBI? I'll take it!

Mau108 looks like he got the real thing. I mean in their about page it says they are Certified Vendors for Osram/Phillips, as mau108 said.

They even have an article on how to spot fakes haha.

I'll let you know when I get them; should be real.

mau108

The output is definitely getting better and so is the color. Loving it...

truonghthe

thanks Mau, I wanted these before but that price tag close to $200 keep me off until now.

twigglius

iTrader: (6)

So I am looking at the retrofit source right now to buy some new bulbs. I read above that if price is not an issue than Osram CBI is the only way to go. However, there seems to be some new bulbs and all are in the $180-$190 price range.

Bulbs to choose from:

D2S: PHILIPS 85122XV C1 XTREME VISION for $185

D2S: PHILIPS 85122 WX ULTINON for $185

D2S: OSRAM XENARC 66240 NIGHTBREAKER for $190

D2S: OSRAM XENARC 66240 CBI for $185

At this price point, does it really matter?

Yvuru

When my OEM Philips bulbs went out I went with the Philips 85122XV C1 Xtreme Vision and am very happy with the purchase. It is rated at 4800k.

twigglius

iTrader: (6)

FYI - Just ordered the D2S Osram Xenerac CBI 66240 for $37 off by using promo code TRSOSRAM on the Retro Fit Source website.

Total came to $148.

Chad05TL

Which is brighter with more even coverage? Xb35 at 55w or cbi at 35w?

twigglius

iTrader: (6)

Rep at retro for told me the brightest bulb available is still the cbi at 35.