The octavia blew a headlight bulb this morning, so on the look for replacements. Currently running ring max 100% jobbies. I've previously ran osram +50% & +90%, philips +80%. the +50% were the best balance between power and lifespan. I've noticed that the new philips are promising improved life, but haven't seen any reviews.

I have toyed with the idea of hids, but can't be bothered with the legal minefield. So what you running, osram, philips, halfords, ring or other??? What's your thoughts on them? Where's the best price with fast delivery?

Cheers

I've had the Philips in since mid January this year, very happy with them and I paid just uder £20 including standard postage from a seller on ebay (can't remember who I'm afraid) and they arrived within a couple of days.

I kept the original bulbs as spares so that in one goes I'll be able to replace it immediately until I can order new bulbs. I know someone who's had the Halfords +80% bulbs in their car since January too, but I can't really compare the lifespan as she's driven about 6000 miles since then and I've driven 23500...

I have the Philips Blue Vision fitted. I originally purchased these for my Fabia VRS last year and swapped them into my Octavia in February. They give really good light and they have been used nearly everyday/night for well over 2 hours at a time. They have lasted well:thumbup: Now I have said that...ones bound to go "pop" later lol

Philips extreme power at the moment, they are lasting very well but I prefare the light from the nightbreakers. Osram have just brought out nightbreaker plus which promise a longer beam and longer lifespan.

Osram Nightbreakers are brilliant. I would recommend them.

Osram Nightbreakers are brilliant. I would recommend them.

The Philips Extremes are better than the nightbreakers and they seem to last longer too. I also prefer the light from the Extremes.

In the recent Which? test the Bosch Pure Light beat all the others by some margin. HID were 160 Lux, Bosch Pure about 140Lux and most of the others (including the supposidly extra bright ones) were around 100 Lux. You can get Bosch Pure Light H7 for about £18 a pair from Halfords.

I'm a Philips X-Treme man too

Here is the data from a scientific test done by Which? eariler this year. As you can see, on dipped beam, the Bosch massively outperform bulbs like the X-treme and Nightbreaker.

The readings are dipped beam intensity (Lux) and main beam intensity (Lux) for the different types of light sources.

Factory OE H7 Halogen.....................91.........................48

Factory HID...........................................164......................131

Philips X-treme +80%........................102......................62

Halfords SuperBrilliance +50%..........90......................62

Halfords Standard H7...........................78.....................64

Osram Nighbreaker +90%................97........................63

Bosch Pure Light................................141......................55

I think part of the failure of some of the bulbs was the design of the old pug 307 headlight. The bulb melted the silver coating on the cone and it killed the bulb. Bit surprised by the Bosch being as highly rated. So far it looks like philips. Just to confirm dipped on a 56 octavia is h7, main is h1??

Just to confirm dipped on a 56 octavia is h7, main is h1??

Sounds about right

If you check out Powerbulbs, they've got an offer on at the moment of 20% off any two sets of Philips bulbs - I recently got a set of Philips X-Treme H1 and H7 for just over £40 delivered, with a free set of Philips sidelight bulbs - very quick delivery too

Edited 11 November, 201015 yr by Brimma

Osram Night Breaker Plus were the best buy in the Auto Express bulb test recently. Allegedly according to an ad in the current Autocar.

I fitted upgraded bulbs to my Octavia last year and am underwhemed by the results.

I fitted these on monday, very pleased with them, definately brighter, whiter and a crispier light!

I put some of the latest 100% brighter Philips ones in (H1 and H7), and kept the originals as spares. Tried Osrams in my old car, but imo they weren't as bright as the Philips they replaced (despite having an allegedly higher % brighter) so stuck with Philips again.

Seem to work fine - main beam in particular is now very bright.

Here is the data from a scientific test done by Which? eariler this year. As you can see, on dipped beam, the Bosch massively outperform bulbs like the X-treme and Nightbreaker.

The readings are dipped beam intensity (Lux) and main beam intensity (Lux) for the different types of light sources.

Factory OE H7 Halogen.....................91.........................48

Factory HID...........................................164......................131

Philips X-treme +80%........................102......................62

Halfords SuperBrilliance +50%..........90......................62

Halfords Standard H7...........................78.....................64

Osram Nighbreaker +90%................97........................63

Bosch Pure Light................................141......................55

I'm mainly concerned with dipped beam.

Do you have to do anything to fit the Bosch bulbs apart from just fit them in?

No, the Bosch bulbs just install like any other H7 bulb...

Apart from Halfords, anywhere on line that sell Bosch H7 ?

Failed to find any.

I put Night breakers in my Scout and I didn't honestly think there was much differance from the standard bulbs. Disappointed.

Is only an H7 bulb so only impacts the dipped beam, main beam seems okay although still dosn't improve much in the way of spread to the sides of the car.

Apart from Halfords, anywhere on line that sell Bosch H7 ?

Failed to find any.

Well, there probably is. But Halfords are everywhere and there's no P&P to pay,....

I've got to make a special journey across town and at 32mpg over say 8 miles it adds up. Plus an hours return trip in Saturday traffic. So mail order is preferable.

I've got to make a special journey across town and at 32mpg over say 8 miles it adds up. Plus an hours return trip in Saturday traffic. So mail order is preferable.

Fair enough. Do you have a local Bosch agent? I think they would supply them. Or a local motor factor would order them in for you. Maybe Halfords themselves do mail order?

I've got to make a special journey across town and at 32mpg over say 8 miles it adds up. Plus an hours return trip in Saturday traffic. So mail order is preferable.

Until Halfords started selling them, I think you could only get them from Bosch service centres.

the Bosch Pure Light sond interesting. I vary rarely drive with the main beam on so I am mainly concerned with dipped beam so I might look into these. Having not changed bulbs before, I assume I can just change the dipped beam buld and leave side and main beam OEM?

the Bosch Pure Light sond interesting. I vary rarely drive with the main beam on so I am mainly concerned with dipped beam so I might look into these. Having not changed bulbs before, I assume I can just change the dipped beam buld and leave side and main beam OEM?

Yes. There is a guide on here somewhere. The octavia bulbs are very easy, you have to remove the headlight assembly, which sounds scary but it is straight forward

Yes, headlight bulbs can be changed fairly easily I've done it myself by following the guide on this site. Need some confidence to yank the levers and not drop the headlight units though! And do not touch the bulbs with fingers.

How do you actually disconnect the wiring loom from the headlight on the FL? I'd to leave the unit sitting on a tall stool last time, rather than get brutal.

My local Bosch agent is at Clay Cross - even further away than Halfords!