Headlight Bulbs

[hampshire hog]

Thanks for all the replies.

[mikeonb4c]

just found these night breaker unlimited which this review says are better than nigh breaker plus.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H4-OSR ... -pair.html

Thanks+++ Helen, Phil and Ady. Sounds like Ady's suggestion above could be the Top Gun choice (You're the best....the best of the best.....we'll make you better )

[helen&tony]

Hi
It rather depends on what you want in terms of a light source, and how much you are prepared to pay....Lumileds are available , and at £ 65.00 to £100.00 , they are available in some fitments. The light output in terms of watts is perfectly legal, but measured in lumens, they make conventional Osram bulbs look like birthday cake candles. It's all to do with the way the light is presented, and the colour mix, making the Lumileds and Cree chips present light at a spectrum far more suitable to the human eye, or in simple terms , make us see better. Various animals can see better in certain light conditions because their eyes are designed for purpose, and ours aren't . Our eyes pick up colours better, and whilst a dog may be able to see further in theory, if the object they seek doesn't move, then they won't pick it up, but within certain distances, we do better than dogs, because we see non-moving items and the brain interprets it all....anyway, I digress, the Lumileds produce a light that is very suitable for our eye/ brain, but not particularly suited to the purse
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi
It rather depends on what you want in terms of a light source, and how much you are prepared to pay....Lumileds are available , and at £ 65.00 to £100.00 , they are available in some fitments. The light output in terms of watts is perfectly legal, but measured in lumens, they make conventional Osram bulbs look like birthday cake candles. It's all to do with the way the light is presented, and the colour mix, making the Lumileds and Cree chips present light at a spectrum far more suitable to the human eye, or in simple terms , make us see better. Various animals can see better in certain light conditions because their eyes are designed for purpose, and ours aren't . Our eyes pick up colours better, and whilst a dog may be able to see further in theory, if the object they seek doesn't move, then they won't pick it up, but within certain distances, we do better than dogs, because we see non-moving items and the brain interprets it all....anyway, I digress, the Lumileds produce a light that is very suitable for our eye/ brain, but not particularly suited to the purse
Cheers
Helen

Interesting post. I had (until it got nicked) a Cree single LED headlamp for my electric bike, and it was astonishing for its brightness. And yes it wasn't cheap!

I'm unsettled by the admitted shorter life of these Osram bulbs and reviews that they are not game changingly brighter. If I had no other lamps on my Bongo I'd buy them but frankly my 100w spots eclipse the headlamps for brightness in any case and give plenty good illumination, so I'm not sure if the benefit/hassle ratio of slightly brighter but less durable H4 bulbs is attractive for me to want to fit them.

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike...
To be fair, I haven't ever found the Bongo lights lacking in any way, and I've driven in plenty of places with no lighting. The standard lights, if they are clean and not dulled with age are perfectly adequate for the job. I have a pair of 100 watt lamps for night use, only so that others can see that I'm coming along a country road, as the locals are a menace. With the quad headlamps, though, the lights are obviously better, as they all stay on in high beam, and with the spots as well, it sometimes makes me wonder how the battery / alternator would cope ...
Oh, yes, I have actually got a few cree torches...shatteringly brilliant!
Cheers
Helen

[rita]

Hi Mike...
To be fair, I haven't ever found the Bongo lights lacking in any way, and I've driven in plenty of places with no lighting. The standard lights, if they are clean and not dulled with age are perfectly adequate for the job. I have a pair of 100 watt lamps for night use, only so that others can see that I'm coming along a country road, as the locals are a menace. With the quad headlamps, though, the lights are obviously better, as they all stay on in high beam, and with the spots as well, it sometimes makes me wonder how the battery / alternator would cope ...
Oh, yes, I have actually got a few cree torches...shatteringly brilliant!
Cheers
Helen

Completely agree, maybe a wee trip to the eye people might help.

https://www.google.co.uk/?gfe_rd=cr&ei= ... dog+advert

[mikeonb4c]

Bongo headlamps are OK (my covers are nice and clear)but I feel that when on main beam then nearby lighting could be better. I set my spots to the dipped area (so they don't bother oncoming drivers) and get good illumination for kerbside etc while the headlamps deal with distance view.

Also, as we get older, our night vision generally gets worse, so this is another consideration.

[helen&tony]

Hi
Mike...
I wasn't gong to mention the age thing, because a lot of those who complain on here about the lack of lighting on a Bongo must be about 30 years younger than us "veritable veterans" . It makes me wonder if there is such a thing as a Mk 2 human with impaired senses ...or are we just perfect!!!!
Cheers
Helen

[mikeonb4c]

Hi
Mike...
I wasn't gong to mention the age thing, because a lot of those who complain on here about the lack of lighting on a Bongo must be about 30 years younger than us "veritable veterans" . It makes me wonder if there is such a thing as a Mk 2 human with impaired senses ...or are we just perfect!!!!
Cheers
Helen

I think your point about unclear covers could be the key hear: Bongo vision also deteriorates with age. Toothpaste, elbow grease and some Osram bulbs should combine to effect a miraculous improvement

[helen&tony]

Hi Mike
Or simply 'phone a breaker's yard and buy a pair of decent headlamps and save time!
Cheers
Helen

[cmm303]

perhaps I should take me shades off
I put up for 3 years. A pair of those nightbreaker ultimates in the post.

In my defence me Lord (and ladies), I'm very happy on totally dark roads. No probs. The contrast between oncoming bright white lights and then the bongo's lights is what i find most troublesome. Not something I find in my car which is obviously much lower and much easier to feel dazzled.

[cmm303]

perhaps I should take me shades off
I put up for 3 years. A pair of those nightbreaker ultimates in the post.

In my defence me Lord (and ladies), I'm very happy on totally dark roads. No probs. The contrast between oncoming bright white lights and then the bongo's lights is what i find most troublesome. Not something I find in my car which is obviously much lower and much easier to feel dazzled.

One new light, one old.

[mikeonb4c]

perhaps I should take me shades off
I put up for 3 years. A pair of those nightbreaker ultimates in the post.

In my defence me Lord (and ladies), I'm very happy on totally dark roads. No probs. The contrast between oncoming bright white lights and then the bongo's lights is what i find most troublesome. Not something I find in my car which is obviously much lower and much easier to feel dazzled.

One new light, one old.

Wow, that's DEFINITELY an improvement. Think I might have to get me some despite the longevity issues (I can always keep the old ones in the glove compartment as spares )

[mikeonb4c]

just found these night breaker unlimited which this review says are better than nigh breaker plus.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H4-OSR ... -pair.html

Decided to buy and fit a pair of these. I THINK they're better than my old ones. They look a lot whiter/brighter viewed from the front but when driving the illumination is not hugely better. For those with somewhere to mount them, I can highly recommend a pair of 100W spots linked to come on with main beam and set to match the dipped headlight setting. Once you have this set up going, the brightness of headlight bulbs becomes of secondary importance as they provide a lot of really useful illumination. I have a 3 way switch for mine: off / on with lights / on only on main beam and when flashing headlights on main beam.

[cmm303]

just found these night breaker unlimited which this review says are better than nigh breaker plus.

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/H4-OSR ... -pair.html

Decided to buy and fit a pair of these. I THINK they're better than my old ones. They look a lot whiter/brighter viewed from the front but when driving the illumination is not hugely better. For those with somewhere to mount them, I can highly recommend a pair of 100W spots linked to come on with main beam and set to match the dipped headlight setting. Once you have this set up going, the brightness of headlight bulbs becomes of secondary importance as they provide a lot of really useful illumination. I have a 3 way switch for mine: off / on with lights / on only on main beam and when flashing headlights on main beam.

Mike, I agree with the nightbreaker unlimited. Appear brighter but the beam seems "empty" on the open road. I wonder if its something to do with the focusing.