I reckon the answer is likely no, but anyone improved main beam by upgrading bulbs?

As I drive a lot at night through highlands, i'd like to spot the eyes of Deer & Stags from much further away.

Not looking to retrofit extra lights, just wondering about making a significant improvement at not too much cost.

Thanks for your advice and opinions !

The best you can do is something like Philips ExtremeVision and Osram NIghtbreaker Plus bulbs. Don't expect a miracle, but it does help a bit. I've found that the difference is biggest with H4 and H1 bulbs. H7's seem to be pretty stressed from the factory so there's not really much to improve on anymore.

My 2012 with xenons have H1 for the main beam. I swapped out brand new standard Osram bulbs for ExtremeVisions when I got my car new in November and the difference was small but noticeable.

Then there's the xenon conversion kit. It's not legal and they take a second or three to light up properly on after you flick them on, but the light output will be on a totally different planet compared to halogens.

Bolting on extra lights will make a world of difference, obviously. And it will probably still be legal. I say "probably" because I don't know UK law.

Wow. Thanks for the super-comprehensive reply. Much appreciated,

Won't be going the illegal route, but will take a look at the Extreme Vision bulbs you mention. May make a significant difference when couple with the fact that existing bulbs are 4yrs old, so presumably not optimal any more.

Thanks very much

I went for Osram Nightbreakers and it made a large difference, though being an ex fleet car the bulbs in it were skank, probs the cheapest on the market lol.

Also ensure you have a decent headlight aim done, might need a bit of adjustment too. My main beams were pointing in the air.

Also, check the aim of the beams, you may find they light up the tops of trees etc rather than focussing the light where you need it.

Also, check the aim of the beams, you may find they light up the tops of trees etc rather than focussing the light where you need it.

Thanks. Only 3 months since last mot, so i figure that would be bang on in order to pass?

Halfords do their own range and I find them an improvement. They are usually two for the price of one. Main problem I found, and it's probably common to all upgraded bulbs, is the life span of the new bulbs. On average one replacement a year.

Main problem I found, and it's probably common to all upgraded bulbs, is the life span of the new bulbs. On average one replacement a year.

To squeeze more light out of the same 55 watts you need to make the filament thinner.

Local Motorfactors do a pair of Ring Xenon Ultima 120% 55w for £22.50 inc VAT.

£26 + £3 2nd class post online, so not too bad if real world output genuinely that good

Excellent advice from Perc. And interesting to hear about his experiences with H7 high output bulbs......I was very disappointed when I replaced the Low beam H7's in my Fabia.......now I know why!

Bolting on extra lights will make a world of difference, obviously. And it will probably still be legal. I say "probably" because I don't know UK law.

Yes, perfectly legal. A pair of driving lights wired to come on with main beam would make a lot of difference..........but nobody seems to do this in the UK any more...kind of gone out of fashion.

I suppose Xenon HID in main beam is illegal, however as the main beam is only on when there is no oncoming traffic, you'd not actually be causing any nuisance with them.......so they are probably (morally at least) more acceptable than HID in low beam reflectors......and plenty of people do that!

Cant really win with halogen lights; higher output bulbs have a considerably shorter life span and HIDs are on the whole unreliable and a grey area legally as they are supposed to be able to self level and also have headlight washers.

Though to be fair would I have spent 800 quid having xenon (not even bi-xenon) lamps optioned on an Octavia?....most unlikely. Good if you end up buying a used one with them though.

Edited 21 February, 201313 yr by pipsyp

Good if you end up buying a used one with them though.

I can vouch for that!

To squeeze more light out of the same 55 watts you need to make the filament thinner.

Yep the thinner the element the more light... only the thinner the element means it will blow quicker than "normal" bulbs.

Osram Nightbreakers are famous for this i bought a pair few years back only lasted 6 months, then bought the Philips blue vision ultra, i Found Philips to be longer lasting.

The Nightbreaker Plus that came out a year or two ago is supposedly better than the original Nightbreaker.

No real personal experience with Osrams, sorry. I use Philips because it's what I sell. I work with car parts. I also don't actually wear my bulbs out very often beacuse I keep trying every new uprated bulb that comes out.

Next on the list to try is the uprated xenon bulbs Philips released last year, but they're expensive and my current bulbs are still fresh with the car only having some 3,000 km on it.

I actually managed to wear out a Philips ExtremeVision H7 in my last V70, it lasted about a year or 10,000 km.

Edited 21 February, 201313 yr by Perc

Get 80w or 100w off road/rally bulbs. They will increase your vision.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ring-Performance-SPORTZ-BLUE-Bulbs-12v-80w-H1-Pair-/111010532903?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item19d8be4e27&_uhb=1

Thing is the heat will be immense.

Get 80w or 100w off road/rally bulbs. They will increase your vision.

For sure, but as well as the heat they generate, is the wiring up to it?

Also they would be just as illegal as after market Xenon HID's.

Fair point, being main beam though i think they would be ok as they wouldn't be constantly on.

Get 80w or 100w off road/rally bulbs. They will increase your vision.

http://www.ebay.co.u...d8be4e27&_uhb=1

I wouldn't EVER recommend anyone to go beyond 55 watts in stock headlight housings.

You're dealing with canbus electronics, relays that might be soldered in or a pain to get to, wiring optimized for weight and so forth. And then there's the issue of excess heat. In plastic headlights.

The headlights on an old Volvo 850 i had in the mid 00's were completely ruined by what I assume was 100 watt bulbs used by a previous owner. The surface inside the reflector was peeling off and the clip mechanism that held the bulb was warped.

I use them in my vrs with no problems & have used them in all my previous cars with no issues.

Valid point if using in a dipped beam but think its highly unlikely they would cause long term damage to wiring or lenses for the duration the main beam is used for.

Valid point if using in a dipped beam but think its highly unlikely they would cause long term damage to wiring or lenses for the duration the main beam is used for.

That may be true for a lot of drivers in the UK....but if you live in a rural area and do a lot of driving at night, the main beam may be on quite a lot.

Thanks. Only 3 months since last mot, so i figure that would be bang on in order to pass?

The main beam (I assume you mean the high beam rather than the dipped?) is not checked AFAIK other than for working and pointing forwardish

That may be true for a lot of drivers in the UK....but if you live in a rural area and do a lot of driving at night, the main beam may be on quite a lot.

Fair point.

I swapped out to Nightbreakers around this time last year and they popped this week! (one went and on way to halfords the other went!) at Halfords I bought 2 X 120% jobbies. Still better than stock. I think bulbs must dim with age too as I saw a massive improvement from stock to Nightbreakers and then again to these new ones...

Also, I am amazed it took like 45 minutes to change the bulbs 1st time round... under 10 for both sides second time round easy when you know how!

Bi-xenon is the only way to go and not THAT difficult, more like a straight swap :-)

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262148-octavia-vrs-custom-bi-xenon-projector-conversion/page__hl__+bi%20+xenon#entry3102747