What's the best headlight bulb?

Also, the HID bulbs are up to 3x brighter than stock halogen bulbs.

The squirrel finder cutouts that allow light above the cutoffs to illuminate overhead signs let out too much glare IMO without modification/elimination for HIDs.

 

For what it's worth, I've had a pair of ballasts from DDM for four years. I've rarely had a kit last less than two years.
3M outdoor mounting tape (the grey stuff with the red backing) holds five pounds, once it cures, it's incredibly stable.

 

I installed HIDs over 80,000 kms ago and still going with the original bulb in the headlight that survived a kangaroo collision. (Like hitting a deer) I use my lights as DRLs. Definitely worth the effort and saves huge amount of money in the long run. The entire HID kit cost only slightly more than two new high performing halogens. One proviso. pick a good quality HID kit. There's a lot of rubbish out there.

 

The light output of STANDARD H9 is more than 2000lm, with life closer to 500 hours, as far as I remember
- Alex

 

I think we're both correct - Osram's values for H9 are 250 hours B3 and 500 hours TC - so most people will see a lifespan somewhere between those values.

 

If you want to get it done without breaking the bank, get an HID kit from DDM and a roll of outdoor mounting tape from Home Depot. I'll cost you under $60 and you'll have better output and reliability than any halogen on the market.

DDM warranties their kits, so there's little risk. I've personally run three kits from DDM and they've all performed wonderfully. There's a YouTube video out there that shows the best place to mount ballasts. Wipe em down with some alcohol prior to sticking them, apply some pressure for 60 seconds and you should be good. That tape held my OEM spoiler on my old car since I didn't want to drill holes. It was on there for 6 years before I traded it. Just keep in mind that the tape has its best adhesion in weather above 60, but being in CA, that shouldn't be a problem.

If you do go halogen, I've known more people who have had their harnesses burned out by Nokya or Luminics bulbs than I've known people with HID problems.

 

People that burn or melt their wiring and harnesses are most likely using 80 or 100w bulbs.

SCH-I535

 

thanks. as my lights aren't that bright, I am looking for the brightest that I can put in without using an exacto knife to fit one in.

 

Not sure if you're way past debating but HID kits have a lot to offer.

In regards to longevity, I have yet to have an HID bulb go out in my OEM and aftermarket kits. The cheap kit I had, it lasted over 5 years and no issue when I sold the car.

There's no debate about output.

Zip ties work fine if you don't trust tape.

 

Just got a 2010. time to do some pimpin.

 

I have just changed second set of Osram Nightbraker each set lasted me 2 months (second was warranty set). I have been observing 12V system on Tourque app and it shows 14.3 to 14.4 V, is this too much? If I go to Osram webpage there is technical data and test voltage is rated at 13.2 V. I guess they measure bulb life under that conditions

 

There is a voltage drop to the bulbs, so it's unlikely that they are seeing more than about 13.5V, but the only way to know for sure is to back-probe the bulbs and check. High output bulbs like the Nightbreakers do have a substantially shorter life than stock bulbs as the trade off for better output - as little as 150 hours or so, and this drops even further above the 13.2V target. Do you do a lot of driving at night? Are your main beams used during the day as daytime running lights?

 

They run all the time as DRL, but they lasted around 3,500 km at avg speed of 50 kmh, this means around 70 hours of running time.

From technical details a life span is from 150 to 250 hours:
NIGHT BREAKER UNLIMITED | Halogen headlight lamps... | OSRAM

 

Then you should check the voltage at the bulbs themselves and see. at greater than 13.5V, you would start to see a definite loss in life. I presume you know not to touch the bulbs with bare hands?

You might also consider converting to H9 bulbs which will give you much more output and a bit better life as they are generally rated at about 500 hours. Good ones are cheap to buy as well.

 

I know this will generate a lot of negative comment but my answer is HIDs. I've been running HIDs in the standard Prius genIII headlights with no problems and have been using the same bulbs and ballasts for three years and 140,000kms at a huge savings in cost and superior light output. I also use HID high beam which works for me in the rural area I live in but would not suit cars in many other locations.

 

Not as much as you may think. There's a huge chunk of people here who are running HID.
Even a cheap HID kit that's properly leveled will outlast and outperform any halogen out there without bothering oncoming traffic.
People will jump on you if you put HID in the OEM fogs, because they don't have a discernible cutoff, but in the lows, they're all good.