3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

I installed a set of the GE + 130’s and was impressed with light output. Way better than OEM.

 

If your coworkers car has reflector headlights, many see the crazy amount of scatter and glare that light up everything around them as “very bright” not realizing that it is really a loss of pattern control and hazardous to others. It is always awkward when a coworker tells me something like that and I have to explain what they have really done.

 

I think you just described 80% of the people on this site.

 

LEDs in reflectors are bad enough, but I hate when people decide to use their LED bar in place of their headlights instead.

 

Pretty generous and conservative with that 80% number haha.

 

An update on my Nineo g2 LEDs in my bike: I ended up only doing the low beam. Between the cramped working area, and the fact that the heatsinks impinge on the space the bulb clips take up, it was just too much hassle to do both. I had to dremel out several notches on the heatsinks to clear the bulb clips. I put a Silverstar Ultra in the high beam. So, what are my thoughts on the LED in a reflector? *gasp*.... They are phenomenal. My assumption was correct. Some reflectors are better than others at how well they hide glare. Also, the beam may not be as focused as it could be, but it's still really fucking good. My buddy has a CBR1000 with HIDs, and my light completely washes his out. He had no complaints about my lights when he was riding in front of me, either, which I kinda figured since I could see that I wasn't lighting his mirrors at all. Even in the city lights, I can clearly see my cutoff where it terminates into the ground well ahead of me. It may not be the most focused the beam can be, but it's focused enough to get the job done. Similar to the Hikaris in my taco, though, there is very little up light to light signs. The IS a ton of peripheral light to light up the sidewalks and ditches, which is great when on a bike. Despite the fact that the glare isn't as bad as I expected, my bike is still very visible from the front. The LED really helps to distinguish my headlight from other traffic, as opposed to the blue LEDs it had, which had I had to have on high beam just to be seen at all.

The Silverstar Ultra on the other hand is a bit disappointing. I thought it was supposed to be one of the brighter halogens, but I can barely tell it's even on when there are streetlights. If not for the fact that it lights signs better than the LED low beam, I dont thing I'd be able to tell it's on. That's partially because it's aimed higher, and has a color that's more easily washed out by halogen street lights. However, I think its also because it just doesn't put out as much light as the LED. I'm still very happy with the current setup, as having both bulb types, i feel, will give me much better overall lighting and visibility. I just expected the halogen to be a bit brighter down the road.

 

That shit is inexcusable.

 

Those are the same people that drive with their fogs on in perfect and clear weather conditions because they like the look or think it's providing superior light.

 

My stock H4 bulbs in my Thruxton R work pretty good.

 

As covered in detail in the original post, Silverstars are terrible and perform lower than stock. Blue coating kills output. Output claims on those products are typically based on color temperature not actual lumen output, complete marketing BS.

 

I dont go by packaging or manufacturer claims. I was basing my choice on the bulbfacts chart (I know I know. Ugh, bulbfacts...). I know that having a filter on the bulb cuts output (I do know how light filters work, believe it or not). However, the filter on the H7 silverstar ultra is very light, and leaves the center open where most of the light is coming from. If you tested these bulbs, I'd be very interested in seeing the results. I did a search to see if you did in hopes of getting results from someone other than bulbfacts, but I didn't see any. For reference, here's the filter on that bulb compared to the GE. It coveres more bulb, but is significantly lighter.

 

I should also mention that those are the best Walmart has to offer, which is where I was when I decided to forgo the LED in the high beam. Otherwise I probably would have ordered the 130s as they're about the same price, and have been thoroughly proven.

 

I drive with my "fogs" on all the time and it does give me superior light. Most noticeable i the foreground and on the sides. Theyre not that bright and i an tell just from seeing other 3rd gens at night doing the same thing that im not blinding anyone. So seriously whats your beef?

 

When you drive with your fog lights on, even the shitty fog lights that come on these trucks, you overlight the immediate foreground and effectively reduce the distance you can see with your low beams. You make yourself less safe with less time to react even though you think you can see better. The beef is generally when you make yourself less safe, you're also making everyone else around you less safe too. This is something we discovered back in the late 1970's when we were all retrofitting the really cheap crappy sealed beams with Cibié H4, H1 and the still fantastic series 175 H2 lamps.

 

Studies back in 1995 had shown the effects are small.

Edit:
https://www.candlepowerforums.com/v...much-benefit&p=4838230&viewfull=1#post4838230

 

I use my fogs on dark country roads around here at night. Can't see the deer on the sides of the roads as well without them. In that respect, it definitely doesn't make me less safe.

 

I haven’t tried the later generations of Silverstars, though yes they have made improvements in reducing their coatings.

If you are using H7, then I would look at the Osram Superbrights. 80w is handled by most automotive applications, unsure on the circuit on a bike. Check the high beam fuse rating before using:
https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/osram-super-bright-premium-h7

 

Only on every other bulb it seems lol.

 

I've actually read a few comments about burning out the switch, which I assume means there's no relay. I'll stick with the silverstar for now. They're better than the blue running lights at least. Once [if] these burn out, I'll look at an upgrade.

Yikes. I dont remember any of the bulbs I saw looking that dark.

 

Yeah, if the switch is burning out that sounds like no relay. In which case going higher wattage is not advisable, unless also adding a relay.