OEM vs. Nighthawk vs. X-Treme +80%: The Showdown <56K Intense>

[Eran]

After months of waiting, AutoLamps-Online has finally received some new shipments of Philips X-Treme Power +80% H4 bulbs. If any of you are wondering why it took so long, take a gander at this: Originally Posted by AutoLamps Customer Service Jan 23, 2007 3:05 AM Philips H4 XP - Current Update These lamps are made in Aachen Germany and Philips has been experiencing a number of problems with this new product line. Philips has gained it reputation by making the worlds finest bulbs and will not release product until they are 100% happy. To this end they are redesigning the production line from Vision Plus to X-treme Power and this is taking longer than they thought and would have hoped. However it does mean that nobody is getting product at this current time. We had a number of the initial, limited production and these were sent to allocated orders but none have been released since the middle of November when our last delivery was received. We had no indication to suggest that there was any problem or anticipated delay with production and fully expected the flow to continue smoothly. We continue to work with the Philips team in order to provide the latest updates and delivery forecast. Well, I finally received my pair in the mail today ( with a 10%-OFF coupon, no less ), and in celebration, I thought I'd put them up to the test. What we have here is a showdown between the Honda OEM 9003 Bulbs (Manufactured by GE), the GE Nighthawk 9003 Bulbs, and the Philips X-Treme Power H4 Bulbs. Testimonials: Philips X-Treme Originally Posted by Auto Express This is so new, we could not randomly select test samples, so can’t include it in our assessment. Yet performance of our pre production unit was staggering. Even compared with the current benchmark Plus per cent bulbs, the difference was immediate and dramatic. Philips claim an 80 per cent improvement over standard units, but we think that this is conservative. The results have been achieved in the same way as the 30 and 50 per cent lamps-by taking the allowed tolerances right to the edge. This time though as well as reducing the filament and burning it hotter, Philips has shrunk the glass casing. As a result, the gas pressure can be increased for better light output. Engineers have also optimised the geometry and shield position to focus the light where it is needed. GE Nighthawk Originally Posted by Daniel Stern GE NightHawk is an excellent new product line -- Tied with Philips VisionPlus as the best 9000-series bulbs (and least-worst sealed beams) on the general retail market in the US. And yes, good eye, they don't have light-stealing blue coloration to the glass like the Sylvania Silverstar junk. Honda OEM Originally Posted by Everyone I Know They suck. Product: Here are some shots of the actual product. As you can see, in lieu of the traditional ceramic cap on the end of the bulb, Philips has fitted the X-Treme Power bulbs with a metallic, semi-transparent blue dichroric filter (very similar to the color of a Sylvania Silverstar). This allows light to pass through the end of the bulb, but without blinding oncoming traffic. The capsule has also been reduced in size, allowing for the gases inside to burn hotter for an extended period of time. This both increases light output and bulb life. Comparison Well, I couldn't take road shots (since it's still daylight), but I did manage to get some comparison shots against the inside of my garage door. This was a relatively good test of color and brightness, due to the fact that when shut up, my garage is completely devoid of ambient light. Road Shots: I am very pleased with the performance of these bulbs. Driving around tonight, it was a level of visibility I hadn't yet experienced with my civic. I've had just about every kind of bulb on the market: PIAA, Polarg, Sylvania, Luminics, Nokya, blue, purple, yellow, gold, white, hyper-white, +30%, +50%, etc. These are by far the best H4 bulbs I've ever used. The light is crisp, clear, and well defined. The color is very pleasant, and very conducive adverse weather conditions (fog/rain). Here's some far and close shots: Modified by Eran at 11:43 PM 2/7/2007

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[turbociviccoupe]

philips x-treme looks great

[CXtypeR]

are these better than piaa extreme?

[iceman7329]

Whats the link so I can get a set?

[Eran]

Originally Posted by CXtypeR

are these better than piaa extreme?

Yes, considering PIAA XTreme White bulbs are basically $80 Silverstars with a blue tip

Silverstars


PIAA's

[Eran]

Originally Posted by iceman7329

Whats the link so I can get a set?

http://autolamps-online.com/pr...e.htm

£24.99 per pair with free shipping worldwide (comes out to $49.25).

[mr poo]

what everyone needs here is a longevity test


silverstars the next big thing until people realized they only lasted a year

[iceman7329]

Originally Posted by Eran

http://autolamps-online.com/pr...e.htm

£24.99 per pair with free shipping worldwide (comes out to $49.25).

Thanks

[Eran]

Originally Posted by mr poo

what everyone needs here is a longevity test


silverstars the next big thing until people realized they only lasted a year

I'll let you know in a year.

[CXtypeR]

one of my piaa bulbs died. not exactly dead, but its on one night and dim the next. its ****ing annoying. might be my wiring though, its melted

[iceman7329]

Originally Posted by mr poo

what everyone needs here is a longevity test


silverstars the next big thing until people realized they only lasted a year

Ive had them in both my trucks ever since they came out and Im still on the same ones.

[Eran]

Originally Posted by iceman7329

Ive had them in both my trucks ever since they came out and Im still on the same ones.

Did you have sealed beam capsules, or actual bulbs?

[iceman7329]

Originally Posted by Eran

Did you have sealed beam capsules, or actual bulbs?

Both. Sealed beam on one, composite on the other. The sealed beams are way brighter than the other IMO

[Eran]

Originally Posted by iceman7329

Both. Sealed beam on one, composite on the other. The sealed beams are way brighter than the other IMO

Yeah, sealed beam lasts a lot longer than composite.

[iceman7329]

Originally Posted by Eran

Yeah, sealed beam lasts a lot longer than composite.

I know that but what Im saying is the sealed beam silverstars are way brighter than the compostie silverstar bulbs.

[solbrothers]

do they come in an H4H bulb for us JDM headlight guys

[Harryflores]

Originally Posted by solbrothers

do they come in an H4H bulb for us JDM headlight guys

x2

[Eran]

No H4H applications. They're European.

[WiLConAh]

here a place u should buy some Lights it very good
http://www.f1spec.com

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st....99889 [IMG][/IMG]

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st....58482 [IMG][/IMG]

[Eran]

Originally Posted by WiLConAh

here a place u should buy some Lights it very good
http://www.f1spec.com

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st....99889 [IMG][/IMG]

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st....58482 [IMG][/IMG]

Please don't post stupid shit about PnP HID kits in my thread. Reported.

[gsRt5]

They look nice but I had a set of piaa star whites and they about the same as the philips xtremes..........But then I got the Piaa super plasma GT-Xs and i think they blow all of these away.......
But ya, for the money I guess the PHILIPS are a good buy.....

[Eran]

Originally Posted by gsRt5

They look nice but I had a set of piaa star whites and they about the same as the philips xtremes..........But then I got the Piaa super plasma GT-Xs and i think they blow all of these away.......
But ya, for the money I guess the PHILIPS are a good buy.....

I will never again buy a fully coated bulb, especially not for $70.

[Eran]

Road shots posted.

[seadonkeyraypiss]

Thanks for the good post

[mRek9R]

awesome! I almost purchased some Silverstars today...i'm gonna get me a set of those Phillips! Thanks! 8)