I really like the white modern lights look and as I do a lot of miles through wales and somerset, a bit of extra light would be good on the country roads.

what is the difference between:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/55W-HID-Xenon-Conversion-kit-H1-H3-H7-6000K-8000K-/220823366880?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item336a192ce0

and

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Ring-H7-XENON-ULTIMA-Max-Car-Hedlamp-Headlight-Halogen-Gas-Bulbs-120-/400354946899?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item5d3703af53

I like the idea of the latter, as it is a direct replacement. I understand the first one is technically illegal as well and am not so keen on the extra wiring needed. there must be a difference, otherwise the more expensive option would be obsolete.

I was also looking at LED replacements, but they give canbus errors and need seperate cables to eliminate this. would anyone recommend this option, or are they also technically illegal?

ta, jamie

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There are various stories about these cheap "chinese" HID kits being very poor value, with dubious wiring standards, poor quality, and poor longevity. Getting a set from a known reputable seller might initially cost more but might be cheaper in the long run.

The Ring bulbs are good, but there are reports of a short life to them. Many on here can recommend the Osram Nightbeaker Plus or their Phillips equivalent. They may only be +90% but to be honest I doubt that you would notice the difference. I've been using the Osram's for some years and never had a problem with them.

You can buy Canbus "safe" LED bulbs but they aren't cheap. Depends what you want them for, I suppose. Technically if they aren't EU approved they aren't legal, but since they will never be checked why worry? If and when they come down in price I would fit them front and back. Again be aware that the cheap "chinese" ones often aren't really canbus safe, as I found out.

thanks for that. the led ones are not canbus compatible, but it appears you can get a pair of cables for about £8 that will fix the errors.

I see one seller claiming that as they use less power, the car does not have to produce so much charge and therefore has a lower mpg. bulbs that reduce mpg, that's a new one on me!

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the obligatory thread stupid question: h7 and h1 are the bulbs, but which is which. ie normal everyday night driving is? and dark country roads with nothing coming the other way is?

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thanks for that. the led ones are not canbus compatible, but it appears you can get a pair of cables for about £8 that will fix the errors.

I see one seller claiming that as they use less power, the car does not have to produce so much charge and therefore has a lower mpg. bulbs that reduce mpg, that's a new one on me!

£8 for a couple of resistors sounds expensive!

I'm sure there are cheaper ones around.

the obligatory thread stupid question: h7 and h1 are the bulbs, but which is which. ie normal everyday night driving is? and dark country roads with nothing coming the other way is?

I don't know which bulbs the Octavia uses. H1 and H7 are the design of the bulb fitments and are not compatible. You need to check what fitment your car uses.

I've used this company for a long time, and always found them very good:

http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/Skoda-Car-Bulbs.html

They will list exactly what you need.

thanks!

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I have both, although not from those suppliers.

The dipped beams are HID conversions, in 35w 4300k flavour. Mine came from LondonColour, an ebay seller. After two years, still good and bright, still functioning correctly and great to drive behind. So far, no irritated flashes.

Any higher kelvin number will result in less light, as our eyes are less sensitive as the light gets bluer in the higher k range.

The story I was told, by someone who wasn't trying to sell me anything, is that 50w burners (there is no filament like an incandescent bulb, rather an arc is struck between two electrodes) are pretty rare, most sold as 50w are over driven 35w, hence the usual shorter life.

To try to get some improvement for the main beam, I bought some Osram/Phillips nightbreakers, while better that the standard issue Octavia bulbs are a long way behind the HID'd.

I presume the nightbreaker type have improved filtering on the quartz envelope and a different formulation of gases inside, to modify the light colour. Because a 60 watt bulb has 5amps of current through it whatever the packaging, and 5 amps will produce the same heating effect and the same filament temperature. Anything above 60 watts is illegal on the road. (and expensive).

It seems many Octavia's come with poorly adjusted beams, so that may be something to check. Several listers have said the MOT didn't pick up anything, but the test is for no dazzle, not optimum beam pattern.

there is another thread on here that says the canbus safe hid kits fry the canbus system. I think I am going to play safe and just get some good aftermarket bulbs.

bit gutted, quite fancied the hid. the other thread also says the hid systems will fail mots from this year....

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http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/241226-xenon-hid-retrofit/

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