I have just needed to replace a second headlight bulb in 5 months (different sides). When I purchased the first replacement I was shrewd and bought a spare (if ones gone the other won't be long after). Now that the spare has been used, I was looking on-line to get some more spares/stand-by. I paid £5 each for my original replacements from my local car spares shop. Neolux (Osram) N499. I have just bought 4 of the same, on-line for £1.44 each. What I'm asking is if anyone has experience of these cheap bulbs being inferior in any way to more expensive replacements, bearing in mind one replacement has already lasted 5 months and I haven't noticed any lack of efficiency in its' operation. I regularly drive in the dark, including motorway work and haven't had a problem. I'm 71, ex HGV driver and don't race about, but keep up with the traffic and overtake when necessary.

Any thoughts appreciated.

I usually get Ring bulbs. They have always been pretty reliable and reasonable cost.

 

Like you I always keep a couple of spares.

Yeah, Ring are economical too and you seem to get decent reliability from them.

Nice bike by the way. do you ride it a lot? I only managed 1700 miles last year on mine and if the weather doesn't improve soon I might not even do that this year.

Those Neolux bulbs are Osram's value brand and are as good as standard Osram bulbs. I've used them on our fleet for a few years now and they last about the same as the standard Osram bulb with the same light output. I think they have the same B3/TC life rating as the standard Osram and Philips H7 bulbs.

 

The last ones I got from Carparts4less and ECP were made in India.

 

Great value.

12 hours ago, carbman said:

Yeah, Ring are economical too and you seem to get decent reliability from them.

Nice bike by the way. do you ride it a lot? I only managed 1700 miles last year on mine and if the weather doesn't improve soon I might not even do that this year.

 

I did 8 miles last year taking it for MOT. Determined to get a few miles more on it this year. It runs a bit lumpy with sitting so long so needs a good clear out.

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I thought I was bad doing only 1700 miles. Just off to dream at  https://www.jemspeedshop.co.uk/used/kawasaki/gt/gt750/batley/west-yorkshire/20009711/#top-image  they've got an immaculate GT750. Not that I'm going to buy, just to have a look. Checkout all the bikes they've got for sale. A Boss Hoss for £30000!!

 

Thanks for that xman. Mine are coming from carparts4less. Good to feel they are reasonable quality. As I've said, one has already done 5 months with no problems.

If you are happy, why not continue using the cheap ones. Id recomemnd replacing them in pairs though. Especially being that cheap. As you get even wear in the light and the output will be the same from both headlights.

 

If you want to try some good bulbs, try the philips xtreme vision h7's. They will give out a slightly whiter light than you are used to giving you better visibility. The bulbs should last a respectable amount of time too. I highly recomend the xtreme vision range from philips. Back when I had halogens in my last car I tried loads, Philips, Osram, Ring and PIAA. PIAA are just a rip off, osram dont seem to last. Ring are good aswell as philips but the philips xtreme vision came out top imo.

 

Stay clear of ones saying they are white like xenon. They achieve this by coating the bulb with blue paint. This gives a white light and achieves this by cutting out part of the light spectrum thus giving less output.

Tried Osram Nightbreakers. Didn't seem to be better than some no-name cheap ones from a local store but the last ones were much (like 5 times) cheaper. These Osram ones didn't last very long too.

So, right now I buy a few of these cheap ones, put them in the glove box and change them when there is a need for that.

The lifetime of extra bright halogens is much shorter than a standard bulb. Google the spec sheet and check the b3/tc  hours ratings. In practice I see only a little difference between +90% and standard, mainly due to it being whiter. The price difference is horrific considering they are produced with the same equipment and material at virtually no extra cost to the manufacturer. Marketing mark up of several hundred percent.

 

https://www.carlightblog.com/2012/08/01/b3tc-or-how-long-does-a-halogen-lamp-last/

 

All halogen h7 bulbs are limited to 1500 lumens max by law, so brighter bulbs aren't really brighter, just whiter and slightly different filament length and position that concentrates the beam in a different area. Plus the fancy marketing brainwashes you. +200%!!! Whiter than white!!! 

 

Plus they dont really lose much output with age because of the tungsten/ halogen reaction. They just pop when the filament gets too brittle with age, and physical or themal shock kills it.

Edited 1 April, 20188 yr by xman

Thanks everyone for your input. I have learned quite a bit now about these bulbs. In retrospect I feel quite happy with my purchase and as some of you have said, they are cheap enough to have spares in the car for when they are needed. Thanks again for all your points of view. Much appreciated.