The ultimate headlight upgrade H4 (not LED or HID)

A while back @Yo'ta pinged me on these bulbs that seem to have similarity to the discontinued Osram Hyper 85/80w bulbs, the bulbs are Xencn Kablights 85/80w. While clearly Chinese with poor english translation, they do say 'German lighting technology' and claim longer range (meaning more precise filament like the Hypers) while also being over wattage in the same amount as the Hypers. The color temperature was also spec'd equivalent to the German Hypers. It did appear they could be a knock off/copy of the successful Osram product, and if so (while quality would be suspect) at $10/pair off eBay would be a good find. So, I decided for $10 to try them out. See them here.

Packaging
First thing that should strike as suspicious, higher power and greater distance bulbs have shorter lifespan. The package claims higher power, greater distance and longer lifespan.



This is where things are a bit confusing. 'German lighting technology' and 'bulb base's place of origin: Germany'. Osram does have a Chinese factory, is someone counterfeiting their products? Is the German bulb base claim legitimate? And the base is pretty simple, so why spend more on a German base when the bulb is what matters most?



Xencn left vs Osram right.
Might be difficult to see in the photo, but the Osram bulb has a thinner more precise filament, which is going to mean more intense hot spot. The Xencn bulb actually has better filament alignment and precision than the $90+ ARB bulbs, but the filament coils are thicker meaning more diluted hot spots. The Xencn bulb overall feels more 'tinny' with thinner materials and the base has a multi-piece attachment point for the bulbs tack welded together where as the German bulb uses a much more substantial single piece base.


Light comparison
Osram left vs Xencn right



The picture isn't great but the Osram has a more concentrated hotspot with greater intensity than the Xencn bulbs. In person it is clear the left sides hot spot is much hotter than the right.

Low beam output measured from 19ft:
Osram Hyper: 1837 lux, color temp: 3400k
Xencn Kablights: 1630 lux, color temp: 3200k

Now I was comparing the new Xencn bulb to a well used Osram bulb, so a new Osram would likely rate higher as halogen bulb output decreases over the life of the bulb. It is difficult to say what bulb life would be on the Xencn's, though they are certainly a more price friendly option. While I tested these against the Osram Hypers, the Hypers do outperform the Superbrights, but I do not have any Osram Superbrights on hand to compare against at this time.

 

Mike at Headlight Services sent me a headlight harness for evaluation. Mike had explained how he will only use the highest quality parts, refuses to use Chinese relays in his builds and takes great pride in his work. My initial thought was that it is a wiring harness, aside from relays, how different can they be? All I can say is WOW! The attention to detail in his work is astounding.

You do not see raw wire, or wire connectors anywhere on this product. Everything is shrink wrapped and sealed. The fuses are even bent and non-equidistant to be off set from each other so they can sit more flush, while using higher end silicone/rubber fuse holders which are easier to operate. It also uses seperate fuses for high and low, whereas Rallylights combines everything into a single fuse, meaning if the single fuse were to blow you’d have no headlights.


The relays are European made Bosch-Tyco TE relays.


And to top it all off it included zip ties, a spare fuse, excellent install directions that were very clear and the wire loom is a more appealing black (vs grey from Rallylights).

To compare to the Rallylights build (this is used off my truck, so it is a little dirty, don't fault the product)
Basic crimp battery terminal connectors, with exposed connections. The headlight harness plug connections are entirely exposed and open. The headlight plugs themselves (not pictured) used clip shut doors on the back of the plug to cover the connections, which are now both broke held shut by electrical tape.


While Hella is certainly a quality name brand, they now produce their relays in China.


While the Rallylights harness has served me well over the last 3+ years, the build quality is not up to that of the Headlight Services product. After seeing the outstanding build quality of the Headlight Services harness, it is readily apparent this is a product of passion. To top it all off the Headlight Services product is notably less expensive than the Rallylights harness while being better built with higher quality components.

I now run Mike's harness, which with the black loom is even more stealthy under my radiator shroud.



After reviewing the difference between these two headlight harnesses, seeing the exceptional quality of the Headlight Services product available at a lower price point making it a far better value, I am replacing the Rallylights harness as the recommended harness and promoting the Headlight Services harness as the better buy.

Here is a link to the Headlight Services harness:
http://www.headlightservices.com/Wiring.html

 

You just converted me to a purchase a new harness when funding permits..... and i will compare it to the painless harness i currently run.

 

Painless harness? The Headlights Services harness is the highest quality I have seen, but if your existing harness works for you then I am not sure there is much reason to switch from a functionality standpoint.

 

This one is 89.50 correct?

 

Correct. And I believe the shipping charges are better rates as well.

 

Sweet thanks

 

I just dont like an inferior products.... my current headlight harness WAS the best at that time... And i could use it else where for other duties..

 

So this harness will make my Philips + 130's and new Night Breaker Laser + 150's brighter as well?

 

Completely agree. The Headlight Services harness is the best quality I’ve seen.

Yep. Plug and play, and will allow you to run those high powered Osrams if you choose.

 

Thanks again brother

 

Ok,I made the jump.
I've had an Osram H4 sitting on my desk for months.
Dark is coming.
Kept looking at harnesses, I guess I have to try this one.

 

Very good write up. Will be looking at doing this mod.

 

Which osram bulbs are you running with this kit. The brightest and safest.

I assume this is the proper kit for my 2012 Tacoma

I currently run piaa extreme white and love the color but always want more light

 

Bulb recommendations are listed in the first post.

 

Figured things have changed in 3 years since this post came out bud. Newer and better technology bulbs and such that might be recommended now. Been searching and reading. Looking to see what people have been using recently vs 3 years ago.

 

Psst, The first post was edited 8/12/2018...

 

Missed that. Thanks for correcting

 

I keep all my lighting threads original posts up-to-date so that people do not have to hunt through 1000s of posts for updated info. Unfortunately things have actually taken a minor step back since 3 years ago as the higher performing Osram Hyper bulbs have been discontinued, leaving the Superbrights as the recommended option now. I do have a plan to compare some of the high wattage bulbs in the future to see if there is anything better.

The harness you linked is the correct one, it is exceptionally high quality at a very fair price.

The problem with a bulb like the extreme white, is the blue coating allows white/blue light through while filtering out the yellow light. The majority of a halogens output is yellow light, so you are filtering the bulk of the output out to shift the light color and only allowing the weakest part of the light spectrum through. For a real performance bulb, the bulb should not be coated.

Edit: That said, Osram does have a Cool Blue 5000k 100/90w bulb:
https://www.ebay.com/i/172740139673?chn=ps

Edit 2, if others are interested:
However, the further away from the natural color temp of halogen you get, the further output is reduced. 5000k is really far from the low 3000k of a halogen so output will be quite a bit less than an uncoated bulb. For someone interested in whiter appearance, I wouldn't recommend going higher than 4000k in halogen, even then output will be reduced, but much less than 5000k. I'm not aware of any quality 4000k high wattage bulbs though. For highest output I recommend non-coated bulbs, currently the 100/90w Osram Superbright H4s listed in the original post of the thread.

Another option, providing around 3700k color temp is Philips ultimate stock wattage bulb, their Racing Vision series:
https://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product/philips-racingvision-h4-twin

The gasses and high intensity in this bulb have it burn whiter than stock wattage halogen without a coating on the low beam and it also has the best precision on the market for furthest distance projection. However, it does have a coated high beam, so high beam performance will be downgraded. This is only a little less white than your PIAAs while being significantly higher performing on low beam. Bulb life is shorter though at 200hrs, which is the same as the high wattage bulbs.