paran

It looks like there are 3 strong candidates for OEM replacement headlamp bulbs:

Philips X-Treme Vision 85122xv

4800K; Brand new version and only available through Europe.

Apparently, brighter than the CBI's

Philips D2S Xenon X-treme Vision 50% more Light New! - Autolamps-Online

Philips D2S X-treme Vision +50% 4800K Xenon Brenner 2erSet 85122XV | eBay?

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Osram Cool Blue Intentense (CBI) 66240CBI

5000K

Slightly dimmer than Osram Xenarc (SVS) but a whiter/bluer color

D2S: Osram Xenarc 66240 CBI - HID Bulbs from The Retrofit Source Inc

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Osram Xenarc Silverstar 66240SVS

4300K Slightly brighter than CBI's but more yellow and closer to OEM tint.

Many prefer the 4300K range as it's easier on the eyes over long distance driving.

D2S: Osram Xenarc 66240 SVS - HID Bulbs from The Retrofit Source Inc

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I think I'm waiting for the Philips 85122xvsi or (ci) to drop in price and make its way to the USA.

balbs

Cool. Thanks for the heads-up. One of my bulbs are slightly "yellower" than the other. I may need a set soon. I'm interested in the 5000K model. Any higher might be too blue for me.

MORI3L

Below is a solution that is brighter and whiter then anything that is mentioned in the OP

https://5series.net/forums/diy-do-yo...it-50w-125767/

Enjoy.

paran

I believe lumen output is restricted to around 3200. So I'm going to assume that if you go with the Osram 66240CBI or Philips 85122XV at 50W that you're going to be exceeding the 3200 lumen count by a wide margin and would probably get you pulled over more often.

THe 66240SVS run in the 4300K range of "tint" with the lower the number the more yellow the light output. Also, the CBI's are the first bulbs to run in the 5000K (Whiter range) and still be able to output 3200 lumens. Previously, that whiter output cost you actual light output.

The 4300K range is pretty much the OEM yellowish tint. It's considered the best all round "tint" for a headlamp. As you move into the 5000K range, glare, and loss of some visibility in rain, fog, etc comes into play. Some guys use the fog lights to take the road glare away when running 5000K+ bulbs.



The CBI's also have to "burn in" before reaching their 5000k to 5500K color.

Now the 85122XV's are around 4800K, but the hotspot is larger and brighter than the CBI's hot spot. From what I read on other forums, the XV's seem to be the latest and greatest with the CBI's coming in a close second.

The SVS's are so close to OEM "tint" that outside of a slightler brighter output they are not worth the investment even though they are the cheaper of the three. So, if you want a "Whiter" output, but the same, or even brighter lumen count, then go with the CBI's or XV's.

This is why I say the CBI and XV's now are worth the extra money if you like 5000k+, if you're happy around 4300K or so, then any good OEM bulb will do, and save you some bucks.

MORI3L

I don't know how it is where you live, but the cops here in Southern California are pretty tough. That being said, I have 2 55W and one 35W (for my AE) HID kits on the front of my car and the only time i've been pulled over was because i plowed through a stop sign.

Having 50W HID's has now become no more noticeable then having dark tint. Either that, or i'm extremely lucky. Given the fact that i put almost 30K miles on my car last year, I doubt that's the case.

paran

As you move up the "K" range (43000K to 5000K to 6000K+) the actual light output drops. That's what makes the CBI's and XV's unique; they are able to hold the 3200 lumen output.

Your 55W system, depending upon when you installed it, cuts the lifespan and output of the bulb in a very short period of time. Also, if you're running 6000k+, your output is also cut.

You may have started out around 5000 lumen (max), but given how 55W destroys the gap in the lightbulbs arc within just a few hundred hours of use, you're acutal output is much lower than that at this point.

So combining these two, you're probably putting out the same or less light than a 35W system of the same age and running 4300K to 5000K.

paran

HID bulbs become "whiter/bluer" with age.

Color-Shifting: As HID bulbs age, they go through what is known as "color-shifting". When the bulbs are brand new, the output is whitish-yellow and as physically bright as it will ever be. As the bulbs age, their output turns more pure white/bluish and also starts to dim a bit. That's why cars with factory 4300K bulbs that are 5+ years old look like they're running 5000K or higher bulbs. This is due to the deformation of the electrodes that occurs as time goes on. To understand this, one must understand that near the electrodes, a region of plasma glows deep blue. As the electrodes are deformed, this region grows larger and contributes more to the color of the bulb.

Only Phillips with their 85122+ series has been able to hold the "K" range intact with age. The Osram CBI's change in color over time; that's why I think the Phillips 85122xv's are the best choice in tne 5000K range.

MORI3L

I am aware of this, thats why I didnt go cheap with the kit that I have on my Lo-Beams and went with TRS. Lifespan isn't an issue with a 5 year warranty(I'll sell the car before I need to replace this kit). As for lumen output, well, its been a year and i'm still blinding people.

seten

Philips Xtreme vision is 4800K. Osram 66240SVS 4300 kelvin. In this case, Philips XV is easy on the eyes on the long road more? Which one is better in terms of lighting performance? Which ahead?

nomis_nehc

I think you may be thinking of two different things though. Lifespan most likely means that it'll still turn on, etc. But that doesn't protect you from the bulbs losing lumen over time.

Optimally, even regular 35w HID bulbs are recommended to be changed out every 2-3 years or so to maintain the best light output. So with your current set up, in the real world, what Paran is saying is more accurate as far as your light output goes.