5000K bulbs

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Andy Beats
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5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

For those interested in getting the 'white look' to their headlights, I've just ordered some 'Philips Diamond Vision' H7 bulbs.
They're advertised as 5000K, but they keep the stock 55W.
The only other 5000K bulbs I've tried were Osrams, but they are 80W and there's the debatable risk of overloading the headlight wiring.
I'll report back once I've fitted them, I'll try and stick up some before and after shots.
Hopefully they're nice and white and match the LED running lights.
I'm only going for dip, I barely use main beam and not worth spending another £24.
Andy Beats
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

While I'm waiting for the 5000K bulbs, here's a photo comparing the standard bulbs with the Osram 4200K nightbreakers.
It's a photo taken in shade rather than dark, but you can still see the difference between the standard bulb (driver side) and Osram (passenger side).
The Osram is a good bit less yellow.
Car 1.jpg
CP_Vaughny
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by CP_Vaughny »

First thing I'm doing when my car arrives is putting in new bulbs.

As 5000k aren't legal in the UK just how much of a risk is it putting them in?
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by monkeyhanger »

Who's going to catch you? Police aren't on the roads to catch people on their mobiles. Make sure they're off for service and future MOTs.
Andy Beats
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

Who says 5000K aren't legal?
As long as the wattage is legal, the colour temperature is fine.
It's difficult to find 5000K bulbs that are 55/60W, most are 80W or above, but these Philips say they're 5000K - hence me trying them.
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alexperkins
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by alexperkins »

Take a look at the new Osram Nightbreaker Laser series

https://www.amazon.co.uk/generation-bri ... fJVWEP6amw

They give off a lovely crisp blue white, and are legal

If you do buy them, be sure to go for the Sold By Amazon rather than another seller as there are endless fakes of genuine osram, ge and phillips bulbs now.
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by RUM4MO »

Powerbulbs are a safe seller - I think, I've used them many times in the past - unless anyone suggests otherwise.
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alexperkins
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by alexperkins »

Powerbulbs are good, just sometimes a little pricey compared to amazon (sold by amazon), so be sure to shop around.
Andy Beats
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

Powerbulbs are one of those companies that seem to have almost permanent offers on.
No use to anyone now, but inserting 'JAN2019' in the code box got me 20% off.
Andy Beats
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

alexperkins wrote: Fri Feb 01, 2019 9:57 am Take a look at the new Osram Nightbreaker Laser series

https://www.amazon.co.uk/generation-bri ... fJVWEP6amw

They give off a lovely crisp blue white, and are legal

If you do buy them, be sure to go for the Sold By Amazon rather than another seller as there are endless fakes of genuine osram, ge and phillips bulbs now.
They're only rated at 3500K
Which is worse than the 4200K of the normal nightbreakers.
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alexperkins
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by alexperkins »

They don’t look like that though. I have a set in my TT high beams

The higher the K the lower the light output so whilst it looks good, it actually reduces visibility.
Andy Beats
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

alexperkins wrote: Fri Feb 01, 2019 10:52 am They don’t look like that though. I have a set in my TT high beams

The higher the K the lower the light output so whilst it looks good, it actually reduces visibility.
Really?
I've not found that, I've found the whiter the light the better I can see for sure.
Yellow light, at this time of year, just gets sucked into the wet roads.
White light is much more effective.
That's my opinion anyway, which is why I want them.
Looks matter as well, of course, yellow headlights with white LED DRLs look awful.
Andy Beats
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

Here's some interesting reading:

There are definitely pros and cons to having a warm or a cool light on the road, aside from the obvious styling benefits.
White light is cloest to natural daylight, and so if you're about to embark on a long night time drive, the white light will trick your brain into feeling more awake. However, in bad weather conditions such as rain or fog, a yellow light will cut through better than a white. This is due to the wavelengths of the light and how well they reflect.
So, it completely depends on how often you'll be driving in each situation. If you're a night driver, you might want to look at white lights, and if you do a lot of driving in a country that doesn't have very good weather, a yellow bulb may be your best choice.


I've personally found white light better in all conditions, but there you go.
Pros and cons for both.
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alexperkins
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by alexperkins »

I agree. I’m all for white light

The LED headlights on my A3 are probably around 5000k and the light output is immense

DRLs look awful without a doubt against LEDs
Andy Beats
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Re: 5000K bulbs

Post by Andy Beats »

LED headlights are one of the things I miss on my Leaf.
But I'm hoping these 5000K bulbs can go some way towards resolving that.
The 5000K 80W bulbs I have are absolutely spot on, but I'm too worried about overloading the loom to leave them in.
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