3rd Gen HID vs LED vs Halogen H11 projector headlights

so I wasn’t convinced I’d like halogen as much as hid. Even though they’re cheap I still went with an even cheaper option than hella.

GP THUNDER Authentic 3500K H11 55W Golden Yellow High Performance Halogen Light Bulbs for Fog Light -High Beam - Low Beam SGP35K-H11 Pair

$10 GP Thunder H11 3500K 55W JDM Golden Yellow High Performance Xenon Halogen Light Bulbs for Compatible Fog Light -High Beam - Low Beam SGP35K-H11 PAIR

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BZ5MOIK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_W10KFbP08QA3K?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

It’s funny that you say that. I’ve had a blue light filter on my work computer for years (f.lux) and it’s a game changer. First few months of a full on desk job I was getting headaches. Since then only a few on really long pain in the ass desk days when I’m staring at the screen. Both my personal phone and work phone are the same as well, always on blue light filter (now I use iPhones, again because of work, but they call it night shift I think). Makes sense I guess using that same philosophy on headlights.

now that I know I like the yellow once these burn out I’ll probably go to Hellas or something a bit “nicer”. But for now and hopefully through this winter these will do.

 

It's unfortunate that the french agreed to unify with ece regs.. that basically killed off any legitimate market for quality yellow bulbs/lamps.

 

Those bulbs definitely are not the 3500k temp they spec but inexpensive as an experiment. For yellow H11 headlights, I'd look at the 2900k Hella Extreme Yellows when you are ready to replace. There are a few yellow H9s but not many, Optilux makes an extreme yellow H9 as well, which I suspect would be similar to the 2900k rating.

Night Shift is nice, and far easier on the eyes. If you have a Mac computer, they have it as well, no need for blue filters. I use it on my MacBook Pro.

 

Ordered! Available here:https://www.ebay.com/itm/274480897701

 

Closest thing I have is rock lights:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-rock-light-showdown.612253/

 

Yeah, I mean they're 3500k "ish", they're more yellow than stock and similar to my HIDs which were probably also 3500k "ish". Now that I know that I'll like it, I'll get the nicer ones next time, probably just H11. I hardly use my headlights, I have streetlights to and from work. The extra throw would be lost on me. I don't take the highway to get to/from work either, fastest road is a 40.

 

Saw those on ebay also, a little more money than the +130's. The small lower right picture makes an example look 4x to 5x more light vs 150%.

 

They will only be an incremental improvement at best over the +130, TBD. I wouldn't put any stock in that graphic. Here is an output chart from the +150 product brochure.

 

So is the consensus best (or most appropriate) led bulb the hikari ultra?

 

Correct. The Hikaris have the smallest cross section between emitter faces giving them the best focus and highest intensity output out of any LEDs tested.

 

Im debating on hikari ultra or the hr sv4.
Does the hikari ultra actually put out a big improvement over stock amd gtr lighting? On a scale of 1-5 how should you recommend these for the 3rd gen? Thanks

 

I had the HR sv4 in the low beams and swapped to the philips H9. They are bright, but no focus or light projection. Its like driving with flood lights. You will be much happier with the H9 swap and your wallet will thank you.

 

Are these the new ones that powerbulbs was going to sell for over $40 per bulb? I seem to recall you had tested these against the +130s and the improvement was negligible. If I'm off track, please let me know.

 

I haven’t tested the sv4 so I cannot compare based on any measured data. The Hikari Ultras are the best performing replacement LED tested and the only one I’d recommend for LEDs. The GTRs are a terrible design and low performing product, they are among the largest LEDs with the worst focus, not recommended. So if specifically looking for LEDs I’d rate the Hikari Ultras highly. However, if looking for the best performing bulb, performance halogens easily outperform the Hikari Ultras, in which case I wouldn’t rate them very high at all.

No, the ones you are thinking about are the new Philips +150, which were outperformed by the GE/Tungsram +130. These are the new +150 from Tungsram. Being that Tungsram has the highest performing bulbs for 3rd Gen headlights due to their extreme precision filaments, these seem very promising. TBD.

 

Gotcha, I'll be waiting on that review for sure! BTW, thanks for the tireless work you do. I never realized I knew so little about lighting in general.

 

Came across a couple of other trucks with the alphaRex Nova headlights. Easy to tell at night, cause all the light is at the ground.
OEM LEDs easily outshine them.

Though my friend's quad retrofits, are in a class of their own...

 

A lil confused, which bulb did you say you recommended? Ge/tungsram +130 ro +150?

 

The +130 outperformed the +150.

 

I believe the status is
Philips +150 = meh
Tungsram +150 tbd

Philips H9 King Kong but gotta mod base or use harness
Tungsram +120 best no mod but not available, +130 nearly as good and somewhat available for purchase and also whiter so queen bee?
OEM osrams = joker

I’m curious myself on the Tungsram +150’s

 

GE/Tungsram +130 = best presently available. <-Recommended
Philips +150 Pro = good, but not as good as GE/Tungsram +130
Tungsram +150 = TBD

Nailed it.