The ULTIMATE (almost) light bulb comparison thread (w/pics!)

[Y2K5SRT]

Originally Posted by HemiGpaw

Nice right up. So you can put a 9005 in place of a 9145??

Absolutely. Just make sure you don't use anything rated over 65W, as the 100W bulbs can burn up your stock harnesses. In addition to what I posted above, I have been recently testing these bulbs even further, including measuring the actual light output and adding the "HIR" bulb that is supposed to be so bright it is almost illegal (not true in either case). Here is a sample:





Here are the stock foglights vs. Xenon:



Looks like the Xenon is brighter, right? Nope! The "whiter" light of the Xenon appears slightly brighter because of the way the eye interprets colors. In reality the stock fog light - with 23 less watts of power - puts out over 15% more light:





No worries, despite the angle of the first picture the lights were the EXACT same distance from the meter (exactly 20'6") and were in an "open" lense with only a clear plastic cover (highbeam socket of a Yukon Denali):



I should have a color meter soon and will test not only the brightness of these bulbs (and the factory 300 HID's), but the color temperatures as well. Stay tuned to this thread if you are interested!

[Johnny Vig]

Just thought I would add this info for those looking for good bulb info as well.

One bulb that was not tested was the Philips 9005 Vision Plus bulb. Stock 65 watts they are the best bulbs I have ever owned and have used them in all my cars. They are very hard to find, but I found a place in Long Island and they sell them for an unbelievable price. The Philips Vision Plus blow away even the best Silverstar you can find and the price is less than half. They don't match the HID's but they are bright as hell and look a thousand times better than the stock fog bulbs. I recommend them for the high beams. I am gonna probably go with the xenon bulbs from xenonlightshid.com for my fog bulbs just for the looks. The below link will take you to Aid auto's site where you will see Philips Vision Plus bulbs at the lowest price.

http://aid-auto.stores.yahoo.net/rebu.html

Another article here about aftermarket bulbs and how good Philips Vision plus are. This article tells the story better than anything.

http://faqlight.carpassion.info/hl-filament-bulbs.htm

[Y2K5SRT]

Well, I would be willing to bet that they won't put out as much light as a couple of these others, but I will put my money where my mouth is: I just ordered a set of 9005's. Like the HIR's that were supposed to be the brightest out there, they weren't. Nor were the Silverstar Ultras (the most expensive besides the HIR's). With the utmost respect, the picture they show of the Vision Plus 9005's are IDENTICAL to the OEM Philips 9005 bulbs that comes with the Denali - right down to the socket, O-ring, and posts. We shall see!

[Johnny Vig]

Originally Posted by Y2K5SRT

Well, I would be willing to bet that they won't put out as much light as a couple of these others, but I will put my money where my mouth is: I just ordered a set of 9005's. Like the HIR's that were supposed to be the brightest out there, they weren't. Nor were the Silverstar Ultras (the most expensive besides the HIR's). With the utmost respect, the picture they show of the Vision Plus 9005's are IDENTICAL to the OEM Philips 9005 bulbs that comes with the Denali - right down to the socket, O-ring, and posts. We shall see!

I hear ya Y2K, the website and pics are cheezy, but the product and price is amazing. If you read the HID article I attached on the previous post you will see how Philips is #1 and it truly does cast a longer beam, up to 50% more light. The H4, H1, & H7 bulbs are better designed and therefore the Philips vision plus in those applications are even better. I put the Philps 9007 bulb in my Cobra as well as my freinds and the light output was very noticeable.
Make note these Philips Vision plus bulbs have a clear filament which is why they won't match the HIDs, but is also the reason why their light performance is the best or tied for first place with european Osram bulbs. I await your results and I want to say thank you for investing your time and money in your bulb comparisons. I have shared my bulb info with Mustang and Corvette forums as well as a Maxima forum and I have always received good responses. Let's hope that continues lol.

[300cWannaBe]

Stuipd question but the 9145 and interchangeable with 9005 cuz it they are arnt those the Highs on a Base 300 like mine?

[kenk]

Y2K5SRT: OK...help a newbie here. Are you saying that if money were no problem you would put the Silverstar Ultra in the foglamps and the low and high beam lights? If so, then in addition to being the brightest and whitest, they would also all match, right?

[NOSMOKEICE]

That was some cool stuff Bra, I will keep that info handy when I shop around for my fog light replace job. Again Mahalo Nui Loa and Aui Ho ikala Apopo.(Thank you and until we cross paths or meet again)

Nothing But ALOHA-

[Black Angus]

Ok Bottom line. Change out the fog light to match as close as possible to head lights. Which bulb?

[Y2K5SRT]

Xenon 9005 65W. Poorest light output (by far), but the best color match to HID's.

[Big K]

I went ahead and put the cool blue's on high and lows for now. Going to do the fog lights also with 9005 cool blues.

So far I am liking them

Will upgrade to HID's in the future, but unsure which ones just yet. So these will work for now