Philips X-treme Vision / Osram Night Breaker / other HIR bulbs

[crankcase]

I'm thinking of replacing my headlight bulbs with HIR (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#Halogen_infrared_reflective_light_sources_.28HIR.29) for the extra brightness, so I'm looking around for options.

 

I believe Philips X-treme Power and Osram Night Breaker both fall into this category, but I'm not sure. Any reviews or comments on either of these? Or where I can buy them cheap in H4 size?

 

Suggestions for other brands of HIR bulbs also welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

EDIT: the title of the thread should say "Philips X-treme Power", not "X-treme Vision".... sorry

[ProFatSir]

I'm thinking of replacing my headlight bulbs with HIR (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headlamp#Halogen_infrared_reflective_light_sources_.28HIR.29) for the extra brightness, so I'm looking around for options.

 

I believe Philips X-treme Power and Osram Night Breaker both fall into this category, but I'm not sure. Any reviews or comments on either of these? Or where I can buy them cheap in H4 size?

 

Suggestions for other brands of HIR bulbs also welcome. Thanks in advance!

 

EDIT: the title of the thread should say "Philips X-treme Power", not "X-treme Vision".... sorry

 

go for hir,its bright,really bright

 

http://www.limbat.com.sg

[crankcase]

go for hir,its bright,really bright

 

http://www.limbat.com.sg

 

I have seen the HIR at Limbat, but I'm not keen as the power rating is 130/120W instead of the normal 60/55W. Apart from putting a higher strain on the battery, this means you have twice the amount of current flowing through those wires, and 4 times the amount of heat generated

 

I know there are people using it without any problems, but personally I'm not comfortable installing such a high wattage bulb in a system that's not rated for it. Would prefer to explore options within the same wattage range, maybe up to a maximum of 75W, not more. Any suggestions on this?

[DeusExMachina]

I did consider HIRs when I heard about it. What about their color temperature? White? 4300K and above?

 

And regarding the power rating.... HIR @ 120/130W?? Er.... in that case, no way. I'm not gonna risk burning my wire/bulb socket, or frying my rectifier. If your system is rated 55/60W then you'd best not overload it.

[crankcase]

I did consider HIRs when I heard about it. What about their color temperature? White? 4300K and above?

No, it's a 'normal' yellowish halogen colour. Not sure what colour temperature it corresponds to, though.

And regarding the power rating.... HIR @ 120/130W?? Er.... in that case, no way. I'm not gonna risk burning my wire/bulb socket, or frying my rectifier. If your system is rated 55/60W then you'd best not overload it.

My sentiments exactly. I could live with a 20-30% overload, but 115% overload is a little beyond my comfort level...

[ProFatSir]

I have seen the HIR at Limbat, but I'm not keen as the power rating is 130/120W instead of the normal 60/55W. Apart from putting a higher strain on the battery, this means you have twice the amount of current flowing through those wires, and 4 times the amount of heat generated

 

I know there are people using it without any problems, but personally I'm not comfortable installing such a high wattage bulb in a system that's not rated for it. Would prefer to explore options within the same wattage range, maybe up to a maximum of 75W, not more. Any suggestions on this?

 

my hir is 60/55 same rating as the stock bulb.notice a difference of 0.4V less using hir.

[crankcase]

my hir is 60/55 same rating as the stock bulb.notice a difference of 0.4V less using hir.

Did you get it from Lim Batt ? When I was there a couple of weeks ago, they only had the 130/120W model (for H4 anyway). That's why I'm considering the Philips/Osram models now.

[ProFatSir]

Did you get it from Lim Batt ? When I was there a couple of weeks ago, they only had the 130/120W model (for H4 anyway). That's why I'm considering the Philips/Osram models now.

 

yes i got from them,they have the bulbs,pls double check.

[ProFatSir]

Did you get it from Lim Batt ? When I was there a couple of weeks ago, they only had the 130/120W model (for H4 anyway). That's why I'm considering the Philips/Osram models now.

 

yes i got from them,they have the bulbs,pls double check.

[crankcase]

I just spoke to him on the phone, he told me the bulbs are 'rated at 130W' in terms of light output, but actually only consume 75W. Personally, that seems like a very strange way to rate a bulb.

 

I did find a picture of the box, posted by a friend in another thread:

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=193446&d=1297252534

 

You can see the "12V 130/120W" in red, but if you see the small print to the left of that, it seems to say "12V 100/90W". Can't be totally sure from this pic, but if that's the case then I would say that should be the real power consumption (not 75W). This is still a bit high for my tastes, mainly due to the effect of the extra current on the wiring etc.

 

Tony, do you happen to have the box your bulbs came in? Do you think you could post a pic here for us? Thanks!

[ProFatSir]

I just spoke to him on the phone, he told me the bulbs are 'rated at 130W' in terms of light output, but actually only consume 75W. Personally, that seems like a very strange way to rate a bulb.

 

I did find a picture of the box, posted by a friend in another thread:

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=193446&d=1297252534

 

You can see the "12V 130/120W" in red, but if you see the small print to the left of that, it seems to say "12V 100/90W". Can't be totally sure from this pic, but if that's the case then I would say that should be the real power consumption (not 75W). This is still a bit high for my tastes, mainly due to the effect of the extra current on the wiring etc.

 

Tony, do you happen to have the box your bulbs came in? Do you think you could post a pic here for us? Thanks!

 

i do not have the box.i went there pick up and fix the bulb on the spot.

(the bulb i purchase was not in the original box as well)

 

many of us are using the bulbs,dun worry.

 

btw,why you need a brighter bulb?going up north?if you are just using it in sg,normal bulbs will do the job.

Edited February 17, 2011 by ProFatSir

[crankcase]

i do not have the box.i went there pick up and fix the bulb on the spot.

(the bulb i purchase was not in the original box as well)

 

many of us are using the bulbs,dun worry.

 

btw,why you need a brighter bulb?going up north?if you are just using it in sg,normal bulbs will do the job.

 

I'm mostly riding in Singapore. And even when going north, I seldom ride at night except if going to JB for petrol run. But I found that in poorly lit areas my headlight isn't doing as good a job as I would like. It may be a question of beam quality rather than pure brightness, but since I can't do anything about that I'd at least like to change to a brighter bulb for a start.

 

Maybe I'll just install it on one side and leave the other side with a stock bulb... see how that works out.

[Honda Rider]

I use philips xtreme power for my motorcycle and car. It gives up to 80% more lights than stock bulbs. Had travelled to Thailand during the night and it really brighten up the road including the sides. It makes a difference. I had read reviews on HIR, Philips xtreme power and Osram Night Breaker. Osram don't last, some readers commented that it failed after 6 months of use. HIR is bright but it don't throw the light far enough ahead. Amoung the 3 types, Philips is still the best but don't last long enough compared to stock bulbs.

[crankcase]

I use philips xtreme power for my motorcycle and car. It gives up to 80% more lights than stock bulbs. Had travelled to Thailand during the night and it really brighten up the road including the sides. It makes a difference. I had read reviews on HIR, Philips xtreme power and Osram Night Breaker. Osram don't last, some readers commented that it failed after 6 months of use. HIR is bright but it don't throw the light far enough ahead. Amoung the 3 types, Philips is still the best but don't last long enough compared to stock bulbs.

 

Thanks for the review. Based on your experience, what's the lifespan of Philips Xtreme Power under normal usage?

[ohayo]

I used HIR for my X1R. Been using for 6 months. Its 12V 35/35W 4200k. The stock bulbs are 18W. Very pleased with my purchase. No burnt, no smell and no problem. Its way brighter that stock and could see something on the NSHW.

[crankcase]

I used HIR for my X1R. Been using for 6 months. Its 12V 35/35W 4200k. The stock bulbs are 18W. Very pleased with my purchase. No burnt, no smell and no problem. Its way brighter that stock and could see something on the NSHW.

 

That sounds interesting, where did you buy your bulbs? What's the price like?

[ohayo]

That sounds interesting, where did you buy your bulbs? What's the price like?

 

Bro, from limbat too. 35 per piece. two pieces 70. I compared both stock and HIR, the differences are significant unbelievable. Stock headlight cant even shine road signboard from far. WIth HIR, the bike could illuminate the signboard 100 meter away. On stock headlight, i always turn on high beam and no one gets irritated. On HIR highbeam, i have pissed many drivers especially cab off. 90% they will pay me back by their high beam. Unless of foul weather, i stop using headbeam already.

 

Best of all, its legal. No worries at all

[crankcase]

Bro, from limbat too. 35 per piece. two pieces 70. I compared both stock and HIR, the differences are significant unbelievable. Stock headlight cant even shine road signboard from far. WIth HIR, the bike could illuminate the signboard 100 meter away. On stock headlight, i always turn on high beam and no one gets irritated. On HIR highbeam, i have pissed many drivers especially cab off. 90% they will pay me back by their high beam. Unless of foul weather, i stop using headbeam already.

 

Best of all, its legal. No worries at all

 

Thanks for the info! I'm heading there this weekend, will see if they have this model in stock. Cheers!

[ohayo]

double post

[ohayo]

Thanks for the info! I'm heading there this weekend, will see if they have this model in stock. Cheers!

 

There again, i am talking from the kup X1R point of view. Cant say for class 2A n 2 bikes

[crankcase]

There again, i am talking from the kup X1R point of view. Cant say for class 2A n 2 bikes

Yeah, no worries I'll see how the 35W bulb compares to my stock 60/55W. Even if it's the same brightness at lower power consumption, that's worth something too!

 

Like I said above, the brighter version is 100/90W, which is more load than I am willing to put on my electrical system.

[ohayo]

Yeah, no worries I'll see how the 35W bulb compares to my stock 60/55W. Even if it's the same brightness at lower power consumption, that's worth something too!

 

Like I said above, the brighter version is 100/90W, which is more load than I am willing to put on my electrical system.

 

Oh, limbat is half day on sat. Sometimes they may not open for business. Better to call before heading down.

[ProFatSir]

Your headlight lens also play a part,clear len is brighter than perspective len.

[pufferfis]

if ur using H4 bulbs...i wld suggest u get a HID kit which is running only at 35w ....compared to a normal h4 55w/60w halogen bulb at 55w...its super bright n some more im using the old faded pb1 headlight...n it reli can cut tru darkness like hot knife tru butter compared to a normal halogen bulb....i suggest u get the high beam halogen n low beam HID bulb if ur concerned abt legal traffic issues.........also H4 HID kits r more competitively priced n its extremely plug n play ...i got mine a couple of years ago for $80..but this reli depends on ur budget.....n yes i went for inspection n the pb1 passed no problem...

 

also i didnt realize how easy to install it until the forumer i forgot his nick install it for me....u jus plug it into ur bike's h4 bulb socket n ur good to go n jus have to decide where to put ur ballast w cable ties....

 

for ohayo's bike ..im also in a similar dilemma....correct me if im wrong but i tink ohayo is using the socket similar to sp or phantom wic is the hs-6m.....n i must admit this bulb socket is rather limited in the sellers who is selling the hid hs-6m kit.....as far as i know only limbat carries it.....bought the HIR for my bro in law's phantom...to me pretty bright compared to halogen bulb used on s4.....another consideration u can consider is the life span of HID bulbs wic is 3 times as long as a halogen bulb...again correct me if im wrong any kind souls...

 

if ur on a budget...go for the HIR....if u can upp ur budget a bit...go for the HID kits for the long term..

Edited February 19, 2011 by pufferfis

[ProFatSir]

Hid can be rather annoying while going up north in a convoy.