Philips 921 Reverse LED

I guess that's why the SS Ultra bulbs are only partially covered in blue coating. The ones I looked at recently had a clear stripe with blue at the top and base.

 

The reason they coat the bulb with a blue film is simply marketing gimmick. The "brighter" white (which is really blue tinted light) is actually dimmer in lumens vs a bulb without the tint. This bluer light also makes it harder for the eye to see at night, but gives the illusion of being brighter.

Seriously dont go much above a 4500K rating... beyond that you get into the situation that makes it harder for the eyes to see even if you are pumping out more lumens.

 

I recently had the stock osram's, the non-ultra silverstars, and the SS ultras in my truck (I talked about them in another thread). All in the course of two days (long story- Sylvania's QA needs some work). And yes, they they get increasingly "whiter" as you move up the line. I finally settled on the Philips VisionPlus +60% bulb, due to its not being coated. Lots of people report very poor visibility with the blue coated "white" bulbs in inclimate weather conditions- something about the white light getting washed out. I know what they're talking about- sometimes when the road is wet, the road just kind of disappears. I really do like the way things look with the whiter light. It's more like daylight in ideal conditions. But I wasn't convinced that they offer considerably better visibility. They're just a different quality of light (that is great in some conditions). I did like them ALL better than stock. But I'm sticking to the non coated bulbs from here on out. The Philips visionplus I am now driving with are much whiter than stock, but they are clear glass just like the stock bulbs. And there's no way they're over 4500. I think I read on the Philips website that they're about 3200 (and the Philips XtremeVisions +100% are about 3400 if I remember correctly). The visionplus are likely similar to stock osram's but with more energy running through them? so yes they are brighter (and whiter) but they'll prob only last about a year.

Yup, the SS ultras have a dark blue band at the tip (low beams) and a lighter blue band toward the base (high beams). The non-ultra SS's have the whole bulb coated in light blue (a similar shade of blue as all the other smaller Bulbs in the SS line).

 

Do you know for certain that the blue coated bulbs have fewer lumens? This doesn't have to be the case when comparing two bulbs, if you push more current through the filament of the coated bulb relative to the non-coated bulb (as I tried to explain in a previous post). You'll end up with a similar lumen output in the two bulbs, but different "colored" light output. I don't think it's a gimmic in that they are "less bright". I'd lean toward saying they're equal in brightness, but different in color. There's no question they're brighter than stock- that's why they burn out in a year and the stock bulb lasts several years.

Again, I could be wrong- im just basing this on what I've gathered in my online research the last few days while trying to pick out a new bulb. I just wanted something better than stock that won't burn out in six months! I do appreciate you guys sharing your thoughts. I've learned a ton on this forum and others.

And I'm looking forward to hearing how the Philips 921 reverse LED's work!!! My hopes are high on this one!

 

Just to throw in another opinion on Philips LEDs, I've had these in my license plate and parking light spots for a couple months now. All four still going bright and strong. Way better than all the cheap garbage LEDs I'd ordered before. I'd imagine the 921 bulbs would be just as good.

 

So, as I stated in an earlier post, I had ordered the

Philips 921 T16 retrofit X-tremeVision LED Exterior light (Pack of 1)

Phillips 921 led replacement bulbs. Turns out, this item only contains a single bulb. I somehow didn't see this and only ordered one. It forced me to change only one at a time and not skip over a comparison of stock and LED in operation.
So to answer questions, that I know everyone is wondering. The 6K color temp looks good. Is it brighter, no (IMO). That being said, the bulb does work well and due to the cone shaped reflector in the bulb, may focus the light a little better than the stock bulb. I believe this will give a little more distance. Will it turn the area into daytime, not even close.

This items package indicated the 6K color temp and said 180 lumens. The other

Philips 921 Bright White Vision LED Back-up Light, 2 Pack

Phillips 921 led replacement (2 pack) does not give any of this info, and has a different part number. I cannot tell if the bulbs are the same from the Amazon listing of each, but the images of the packages do not indicate 6K color temp, nor lumens.

Hope this helps.

 

Bummer. But thanks for the review. I'm going to go for it, too. As i said before, I think our back up cameras are better able to pick up the whiter light. In reading through the reviews last week, I came across one that noted the two separate Amazon listings. The woman called Philips and confirmed that they only make one 921 LED bulb- I'm led to believe the two listings are the same bulb.

I'd contact Amazon and tell them you'd like to return the one bulb and purchase the two pack. They are the same damn price. Easy enough to make that mistake when ordering. Perhaps they'd just send you one more single for free instead of making you go through the exchange process?

 

I guessed they were the same, and the different part number was due to the qty packaging. FYI, there was a sticker over the bubble wrap saying once the seal was broken, it was not returnable. The sticker peeled off easily enough, but not the ones on the box. I decided to just order another single, of which they jacked the price up on. Oh well. I hope it will help my Amazon stock.

 

What are you running in your map lights?

 

I switched to the Sylvania LED 194 bulbs and they are awesome. I also used them at the rear license plate and in the 3rd brake light. They look great at the license plate, but I'm mixed on the 3rd brake location. They are definitely visible and do work, but they seem to be more focused than the stock bulbs and don't make the whole 3rd brake lens glow like stock did. They almost look like I have "blue dots" in the lens.

 

I've read that the Phillips 194 have a problem with the plastic cover falling off. My Sylvania 921 in my map light is awesome. super bright and no problems whatsoever. And I am VERY HAPPY with the one red incandescent. It's great when you want a little light on the road.

 

Here are some pics from another TW member:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/led-reverse-bulbs-philips-12841b2.384655/

 

You need to put red LED's in there instead. Go to Superbrightleds.com

 

Will install this evening.

 

I bought mine at Auto Zone for 9 bucks and change for a 2 pack. They are a big improvement over stock.

 

wow. well shit, they didn't have them when I was in the store. they're installed. waiting for it to get dark.

 

I'm running solo tonight, so output pics are gonna be difficult. will try to get a couple from the cab and of the backup can screen.

 

Here is some output