Yeti SE 110 H4 Headlamp bulbs

Having now covered some 600 miles in the Yeti and was so surprised at the lack of light coming from the headlamps on dipped, I have now purchased a pair of Osram Night Breaker Plus 60/55 watt bulbs to try out.

Coming from a science research background I do not always believe the sales hype of products. So the labelling of up to 90% (of what, lumen power?) more light, up to an extra 35 metres light beam and 10% whiter light does not really impress.

Placed one new Night Breaker Osram bulb in one side of the Yeti and left the standard Osram Bilux bulb in the other side for a direct comparison. Just out of interest I measured the headlamp plastic covers with a reading of 50* centigrade using the Bilux and 59* centigrade with the Night Breaker using a pyrometer and air temp at 15 degrees.

Off into the country lanes for a practical test and down to an old airfield to walk around and actually see the beam difference between the bulbs.

Well conclusion was yes they are quite a bit brighter but on dipped the cut off with the metal shield spot welded inside cuts down the actual area to the same and not really improved much.

On high beam there is a noticeable improvement but nothing like the advertising would like you to believe. So I purchased the pair for £16.00 and will put the other one in and keep the Bilux ones for breakdown spares. But if you paid the Halfords full price then I would not bother.

I do get the feeling that all these super sonic amazing after market bulbs is sailing very close to the wind on their claims. Still believe you cannot beat the good old thick glass headlamp with Fresnel lens and a higher wattage like my bike from 25 years ago. Yes have played about with the bulbs on the bike over the years with many different makes of lamp but watts seem to count with H4 bulbs.

By the way my Yeti returned 49 mpg over the first 600miles of driving.

FlyingBrick

My last car was a Volvo and the dipped lights on that were diabolical. I went to Osram Nightbreakers but the difference was negligible. There is a very active Volvo forum and many others had similar problems. The considered opinion on that was that the housing/reflectors etc in the Volvo were so poor that the power of the bulb was just not going to make a difference. Interesting.

There are a number of people on this forum who have put the Philips Xtreme bulbs in and they note a significant improvement. Some live out in the wilds where street lighting does not exist and so any light improvement is noticeable and welcome. Whilst the Osrams did not work for me in my last car, they also only lasted 3 months before blowing, I am going to follow the leads of the Yeti owners who have tried the Philips bulbs and found they genuinely make a difference. I agree that all mfrs claims should be treated warily but enough people on here have used the Philips bulbs and backed them that they are worth a £20 gamble.

I've learnt to live with the standard H4 headlights, not great even with brighter bulbs. It really hits home when driving my wife's 10 year old Ford KA with standard bulbs, so much better on dipped and full beam.

I miss having dipped on at the same time as main beam. I know it is still 'on' as it is just a cover that moves down on the xenons, but my old Octavia had 4xH7(?) on for full beam, which was possibly better than my xenons on full beam. Current dipped beam xenons much better than Octavia (non xenon).

Best thing about the xenons that never fails to amuse is the bendy lights.....

Yeti SE 110 H4 Headlamp bulbs

Having now covered some 600 miles in the Yeti and was so surprised at the lack of light coming from the headlamps on dipped, I have now purchased a pair of Osram Night Breaker Plus 60/55 watt bulbs to try out.

Coming from a science research background I do not always believe the sales hype of products. So the labelling of up to 90% (of what, lumen power?) more light, up to an extra 35 metres light beam and 10% whiter light does not really impress.

Placed one new Night Breaker Osram bulb in one side of the Yeti and left the standard Osram Bilux bulb in the other side for a direct comparison. Just out of interest I measured the headlamp plastic covers with a reading of 50* centigrade using the Bilux and 59* centigrade with the Night Breaker using a pyrometer and air temp at 15 degrees.

Off into the country lanes for a practical test and down to an old airfield to walk around and actually see the beam difference between the bulbs.

Well conclusion was yes they are quite a bit brighter but on dipped the cut off with the metal shield spot welded inside cuts down the actual area to the same and not really improved much.

On high beam there is a noticeable improvement but nothing like the advertising would like you to believe. So I purchased the pair for £16.00 and will put the other one in and keep the Bilux ones for breakdown spares. But if you paid the Halfords full price then I would not bother.

I do get the feeling that all these super sonic amazing after market bulbs is sailing very close to the wind on their claims. Still believe you cannot beat the good old thick glass headlamp with Fresnel lens and a higher wattage like my bike from 25 years ago. Yes have played about with the bulbs on the bike over the years with many different makes of lamp but watts seem to count with H4 bulbs.

By the way my Yeti returned 49 mpg over the first 600miles of driving.

FlyingBrick

Having now checked my 110 SE bulbs - they are 60/55 jobs, the car is '60' reg, and an ex demo, garage fitted ? / factory fitted?

All this said, give out more than adequate light on frnch lanes etc - the bulbs are unbranded!

55/60 is the standard bulb wattage. The bulbs lots of us recommend, Osram Nightbreaker Plus, are still the same wattage but have a different filament that gives greater light output for the same wattage.

55/60 is the standard bulb wattage. The bulbs lots of us recommend, Osram Nightbreaker Plus, are still the same wattage but have a different filament that gives greater light output for the same wattage.

And the Philips variant as well?

Do you work the Marches line?

And the Philips variant as well?

I have used Philips Xtreme vision in the past, but not on Elsie, as I can't fit them.......my Xenons are in the way

I have used Philips Xtreme vision in the past, but not on Elsie, as I can't fit them.......my Xenons are in the way

nah nah ne nah nah :p

The Phillips are probably as good as the Osrams, but seem to be more expensive.

Certainly do!! Just outside Ludlow.

Onibury then or Wooferton?

Neither. The one in the middle of them, Bromfield.

Ha forgot that one - by the racecourse then been by there photographing steam specials numerous times over the years

You FORGOT BROMFIELD!!!

Swine!!!

Go and stand in the corner!!!

Just remember next time you're over and want to take photos I only charge "bacon sandwiches" in the morning and cream cakes in the afternoon.

The Festival we are singing at near Derval in August has a NG Railway. Only diesel locos but I shall be taking photos.

Do you ever get Ivor and Idris the dragon coming past Graham? Great kids series

Unfortunately the M & L L Rlwy Co is no longer connected to the main line, so no Ivor.

However I do have the full series on DVD!!!