tucker21

hey guys i posted this thread in the lighting forum however it doesn't seem to get much traffic so i figured i'd x-post it here as well and hopefully some of you can help me.


i've spent DAYS upon DAYS reading everything i can find on all the different brands and types of 9005 bulbs to use as both my DRL and high beams in my GS430.

i installed some putco nitro blue bulbs which look nice but don't give me anywhere close to enough usable light when trying to use my high beams so i need a new set.

i ordered some sylvania cool blue bulbs but haven't opened or installed them yet and i'm considering sending them back as i've found a lot of complaints posted about them online.

so the bulbs i'm now considering are:

philips diamond vision
philips xtreme vision
philips crystal vision
(having a hard time really finding useful info on the differences between these)

sylvania cool blue
sylvania ultra stars

osram nightbreaker plus

i would like to avoid the yellow look but at the same time i want a set that are going to give me a good amount of illumination when i need to use my high beams.

i know there is a ton of stuff posted online but its all so conflicting and as soon as i think i've decided on a set of bulbs i'll come across a bunch of people giving all kinds of reasons why i shouldn't get them and i go back to square one.

if any of you have used any of the above products i would really appreciate some feedback, esp if you've used more then one and can give some useful comparison information.

thanks in advance for any advice.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Check the chart on the back of sylvania packaging, all the way to the right are the best bulbs,i am using them. They are noticeable whiter but not as white as stock hids. They also give you further lighting distance and wider. K now that I am on my computer I found the ones I have http://www.sylvania.com/en-us/produc...tar-ultra.aspx you can purchase them from http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-SYLVAN...#ht_978wt_1396 for like $35 cheapest I found retail is like $50.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

I have the philips xtreme vision, when lights are off they have the blue hint when on they have a white look, DRL is yellow.

XxGoKoUxX

*shrugs* shoulda got HID's LOL

tucker21

my understanding was hids take a few mins to warm up and therefore are not ideal for a high beam application.

tucker21

how about the illumination? much brighter then stock? have u used any of the other bulbs on the list?

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Yes the output isn't def. better than OEM much brighter. I have also used the crystal vision one, as well as both of the sylvania bulbs, those didn't really produce that much brightness that I wanted.

2008GSh

The blue dipped/tinted/silverstar/bightwhite/kight hawk/extreme/diamond/xenon/whateveryouwanttocallthem Halogens ALL look yellow when running as DRL, regardless which brand you select.

If you are looking for BRIGHT, I run a set of 100W (stock wattage is 65W) and even blue tinted they are considerably brighter and whiter than the stock or any 65W fancy/pricey bulb. I have had them in for a couple of months now, with no issues with fuses or housings melting, but you run over watt bulbs at your own risk.

If you pick a stock like bulb and run stock like wattage you will pretty much get stock like illumination (brightness) there is no free lunch here.

An HID conversion is super bright, and is a perfect match to the HID low beams, but these will require relays and ballasts, special wiring and they will not work as DRLs (if you like/require that feature).

After lots of reading, worrying and wondering about this. I simply searched the internet and found the cheapest 9005 5000K tinted halogen bulb you can find and plugged it in. I figured that way, if I hated the look, or if they caused issues I was only out $4.70-$5.55

Stock Wattage:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hot-2pcs-900...327fe7&vxp=mtr

100W:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-X-HB3-9005...439fe8&vxp=mtr


What we really need is a "combo" multi LED bulb where half of the 5000K LEDs come on at 6V and then ALL of them come on at 12V... Such a bulb would be easy and cheap to engineer, and would solve all of the problems, but simply does not exist.

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

i dont think the stock wattage is 65w, it should be 55w for halogen and i would strongly suggest not running a 100w bulb on a harness rated for 55w

tucker21

just FYI the stock wattage for DRL/high beams is indeed 65w.
however ya I don't plan on running a 100w bulb but do appreciate all the responses.

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

interesting, good to know though. i havent check the specs on the lights in a while lol.

2008GSh

So far, on my car, there has been no issue with the 100W bulb... As others have posted it is 65W. But I agree, run these at your own risk... That's why I said that, and even made it bold, so that there would be no doubt. Not only are you over loading the wiring harness, but 100W Halogen bulbs high beam bulbs are illegal in many places. (as are HID retro fit kits BTW)

All of this monkey business with bulbs is done at your own risk.