Replacement Headlight Bulbs - Test Report

[JimVickers]

The January '06 issue of Consumer Reports (Page 47) has an interesting test of aftermarket replacement headlight bulbs.

CR tested low-beam distance using 5 premium replacement headlight bulbs, and compared them to the mfg OE bulbs with the Ridgeline as one of their test vehicles. The tested bulbs were halogen that provide a whiter light than the OE bulbs ... offering the look of HID lights while retaining the vehicle's OE headlight assembly.

Only 1 bulb improved low-beam distance on only 1 tested vehicle.
The GE NightHawk on the Ridgeline from 350' to 400'.
On the other test vehicles the replacement bulbs typically decreased the low-beam distance.

The article states that much of a headlight's light distribution is dictated by its reflector/lens, factors that remain unaffected by altering the bulb.

CR also found that using whiter premium bulbs in the RL increased discomfort glare to oncoming drivers.

[arteegee]

No surprises there.

[mayfielh]

Who carries the GE bulbs?

[lowrider90]

Things people find. thanks for posting, great information!

[DoctorJ]

I might try these. I recently swapped my bulbs and do have a whiter output but the amount is about the same. I wish all cars had HID headlights, you see everything like its daytime.

[arteegee]

Originally Posted by mayfielh

Who carries the GE bulbs?

Wal-Mart I think.

[mayfielh]

Originally Posted by DoctorJ

I wish all cars had HID headlights, you see everything like its daytime.

I used to feel this way until I blew a bulb in my wife's Acura TL: $190 parts and labor. The stupid little bulb was $137 and you had to take out the whole HL assembly to install it.

Originally Posted by arteegee

Wal-Mart I think.

Thanks I think I may check them out next week.

[DoctorJ]

Originally Posted by mayfielh

I used to feel this way until I blew a bulb in my wife's Acura TL: $190 parts and labor. The stupid little bulb was $137 and you had to take out the whole HL assembly to install it.

Regardless, I would rather see more vs not much.

[mayfielh]

Has anyone else (with HID experience) noticed that in certain lighting even with your lights on it doesn't seem like they are in fact on? Dawn, Dusk and streets with the Amber lights seem to be the worst. When its pitch black out HIDs are fantastic.

[swampler]

I like the stock headlights. Very bright and can see forever already.