My Opinion: Philips X-treme Ultinon LED H4 Headlight Bulb Review

I'm with you on that one. Lumens and Kelvins are not the same thing.

 

I disagree. While I agree that is what the picture shows....in real life, this is not the case. The camera struggles to capture the 100% true output and light spread on these bulbs. In real life, the shoulder on the right is nearly as bright as the beam patter in the center. Living near a canyon where deer and other animals are common on and near the road way. I had no trouble (probably even easier time) spotting them on my way to take my final comparison pics. I suspect these are bright enough that the camera focuses solely on the brightest spot in the center of the beam pattern, causing adjustments in exposure, etc, to change and wash out the light thrown to the shoulder ...which in reality is still there.

These bulbs maintain the factory beam pattern exactly...

 

It should also be noted that vehicle positioning on the road way was not exactly identical either. Several weeks passed inbetween when I took the OEM photos and the LED comparison shots. During that time we had several storms which washed my markings off the roadway which I had put down to allow an exact vehicle position...I did the best I could without them.

 

Just wanted to share an update, since I was voicing my skepticism regarding a warranty claim.

I contacted xenondepot via email asking what the return process would be if a bulb failed at some point in first 3yrs. Specifically, would they handle it, or tell me to contact Phillips.

Here's the response:

Hi,

Thank you for your interest in the product.

In the event that a product fails, we may ask you to swap components (bulb or ballast) left to right to see if we can isolate what is causing the issue. If we require anything sent back, we would provide you with a return label to send the product back, and once the defective component is received a replacement would be sent out.

Steve

This in addition to the thorough review by OP has me realllly leaning this way in near futute.

 

Great write up and nice to see some pictures to go along with it.

My buddy did these same brand of LED in his Silverado 6 months ago and he has nothing but good things to say. Pretty sure i'm gonna take the plunge on these.

 

I don't blame you...I was pretty skeptical when the first few posts about these surfaced on another forum. But, once I installed them in my own vehicle and got to see first hand the results and output, my skepticism quickly faded! :thumbup:

 

Daniel, I put a write up here on TW on TW too a while back: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/philips-led-h4-headlight-bulb-review.392854/

I got one of the two first sets (literally) in North America. I installed them on Aug 21. XenonDepot had me hold off on posting my review until they could get an ETA on the bulbs being shipped to North America. It was a long wait. I even saw the pics of the stacks after they arrived, so I will confirm that they are coming directly from XenonDepot's location in Canada.


On the other comments...

These bulbs do light up the shoulder more than stock. They also have better "in lane" lighting down the road with concentrated beams the width of the lane. I too could not seem to capture it. Now maybe if I used my wife's DLSR instead of my phone, that would be a different story.

As for comparing to brighter halogens, they are not as bright (close though) to the silverstar ultras, but then those only last about 12 months. I'll take the longer life of the LEDs. They also produce far, far less glare to both oncoming drivers and those in the right lane. The brighter the halogen, the more side glare. It was obvious comparing the LED to the silverstars.

 

Having driven with these for quite some time now, my only critique would be that due to the lack of heat generated by the LEDs I have noticed quite a bit of snow build up on the lenses when driving any sort of distance during decent snow storms which can/does affect output.

 

Good update. I am still considering these....thanks

 

I switched to these last October after reading a few posts. I personally don't like the stock Halogen lights and even tried some "better" Halogen's without any noticeable difference. I did try another LED but wasn't real happy with the lack of output on High Beam, although they were better than stock/upgraded lights.

The big difference in the Phillips bulb is it does have a cutoff beam, which is a lot better for driving and oncoming traffic. I did have to adjust my pattern but have made several trips over the Sierra's this winter on Hwy. 88 in pitch black (l leave early) and haven't been disappointed in the light output. I also like the fact it doesn't use a ballast. When I turn on my LED fog lights it really makes an improvement on vision. Going to high beam, my fog's still go off (doing the mod next week), but the vision is great. I think with the fog's on with high beam will be a big factor in vision. I'll know next month. As for deer and critters, Hwy. 88 has it's share and I've been able to see them before it's too late (I hope) and also use a "deer whistle" that does seem to work. After installing it, the deer just freeze, whereas before they would dart, leaving me guessing. Just thought I'd throw that in.

My only downside to ANY "white" light or "bright" light is the fact that you don't see as well in fog or snow conditions due to the reflectivity of light. A yellow or amber light is much more effective.

 

great review, I was interested in these Ultinons for my truck and your review and other members input helps in making my decision to get them, but a few other questions about them I have if anyone who owns them can answer. #1 since it is illegal to use a LED h4 bulb in a halogen designed headlamp assembly has there been any problems with the Motor Vehicle inspections when you go for inspections? My state will test the headlamps for proper cutoff and adjustments any issues there or do you just change out the bulb back to halogen for state inspections. #2 After installation to you make any adjustments to the headlamps to lower the beam pattern in anyway to match up the halogen pattern, or it was just PNP and that's it. #3 how good is the illumination compared to the yellowish halogens when confronting Rain/Sleet/Snow/Fog do these perform as well or lesser than halogens, since they do not generate the same heat as halogens there must be ice/snow accumulations,I live in a Snow state so it concerns me not to have that inclement weather performance. If any others might own these Bulbs please feel free to give feed back on them thanx

 

#1 I had mine inspected twice with them installed and it passed both times without issue.

#2 if your beam pattern is properly adjusted with the halogens, there will be zero adjustments required after install of these as they maintain factory cut offs and beam pattern.

#3 See my quoted post above. As far as performance, you lose a bit in snow and fog due to the whiter light being reflected back at you more.

 

Daniel,
Excellent review! One of the best ones I've seen for 2nd Gens! Nice going Homie!

I personally have dealt with Steve at @XenonDepot and can vouch for their commitment to providing the customer an absolute trouble free experience. They are an active vendor that takes pride in their products and is eager to work with the customer any way they can. Like you said, the products are coming right out of Canada, not from over seas. Not that there is nothing wrong with that, but it definitely help should there be a problem. I've been running their 3rd Gen LEDs since July of this year. Not a single issue.

I also agree with you about how a digital camera captures things seen differently by the human eye. My own reviews of the 3rd Gen H11 bulbs were the same way. I even went back out and re-shot photos after reviewing them when I did my review because I thought I had a setting wrong on the camera. It's almost as if the photos are jacked up making the output look faked, when in fact, the output is actually better in person. I think it's an LED thing.

Here is my thought on the cost. Yes, the prices are higher than some. However, it always strikes me as funny that we are willing to spend the extra money for say some brand name brackets to mount a set of ditch lights or a light bar, etc, yet fail to put any emphasis on mods that increase the safety aspects. I for one would rather spend a little more on tires, brakes, or especially lighting. My commute during the week in the winter, in the snow and or rain is 44 miles one way. Country, highway and city roads are the norm. In the city you have the idiots, on the highway you have the race car drivers and big rigs, and up in the country where we live it is corn/soy fields and deer, and other critters out the ying yang! I for one am definitely glad I upgraded all my lighting for these conditions. Especially up in the country. Those deer eyes are like laser beams when LEDs hit them. Similarly, so are vehicle reflectors and signs. Again, it's an LED thing. So yea, I will spend the extra to keep my family safe. The best part is, any improvements on road will only be exaggerated off road. All my test sites are either open fields or dirt roads. There is no way you are going to mistake an obstacle.

Just had to share my own experiences.
As I said originally, great job!