H4 vs H1 vs other headlight options

[BertBeagle]

Thoroughly confused over the different headlight options.

The H4 and H1 kits are very expensive (to me). Are they for an authentic look of some sort? Seems like there should be an aftermarket replacement headlight that is just as effective for much less money.

Is there a “headlight education” post here somewhere? Thanks for the help.

BTW – for a ‘77 911.

[asphaltgambler]

Personaly for me it's just a matter of taste. No right or wrong way. I do think most people prefer the look (Euro) of the H1's or H4's as that is what the ROW cars came with at the time

On outward appearances the H1s and H4's are almost identical. MO. H1's if you can find them are like hens teeth. Very rare, very expensive for nice usable pieces. Try $1K and up for a nice pair

H4's are still available NOS. I just bought a set, NOS, still in the box for $300. A good deal any day for these.

[drl911]

I am definitely not an expert on the complete subject of H4's vs. U.S. market OEM sealed beams, but I can first hand say the H4's produce more light on the roadway. I got a very nice pair of used H4's from e-bay for $265 just a few weeks ago and they do make a difference.

The "look" is your choice.

Dan

[rfuerst911sc]

What headlights do you currently have? You can go with U.S. spec H4's which use the "sugar scoop" rings for fairly cheap, you can usually find these for about $100.00 used and you can use any size H4 bulb you want. Just as good as the Euro H4 but a different look. Relays are recommended regardless of which style you go with.

[BertBeagle]

I have installed a relay kit from Marcus Sucro and it works well, was a great bargin @ $25 and easy to install.

For anyone interested:

http://members.rennlist.com/msucro1/relaykit.htm

I currently have the oem lights.

I don't want to change the headlight rings and don't really like the look of the H1 and H4 rings and lights. I like the USA version look.It seems to me that there should be a direct replacement for the oem light that has a replaceable H4 bulb. Years ago I had cars with Cibie aftermarket headlights that were like this, with a replaceable bulb of whatever the bulb of the day was.

Has anyone seen or sourced this?

Thanks

[Wil Ferch]

Bert:
You've glossed over what rfuerst911sc says....... if you have a 77 USA 911, and the USA spec sealed beam headlights and the original "sugar scoop" trim rings...then you need to buy (cheap) Hella-brand H4's that are a DIRECT REPLACEMENT for the USA sealed beams. The "other" H4 and H1's we're talking about are the "aero" style and are made by Bosch....cost considerably more. There have been innumerable threads on headlights in the archives.....

- Wil

[BertBeagle]

Wil
Thanks, that is the part I was confused over. I have not known who makes these USA oe replacement lights.
I will search for Hella on the web.

thanks again.

[Early_S_Man]

Bert,

Pelican has these Hella H4 sealed-beam conversions for sale:

Hella H4 Halogen Headlamp Upgrade Kit, 2 Per Car, 911/912 (1965-73), Each [Photo] 70476-M44 $54.75

[Bill Verburg]

It seems to me that there should be a direct replacement for the oem light that has a replaceable H4 bulb. Years ago I had cars with Cibie aftermarket headlights that were like this, with a replaceable bulb of whatever the bulb of the day was

The Cebe "BOBI" was a US DOT legal sealed beam unit which had a replaceable H4 bulb. The name comes from bubble in bubble. The innere bubble was where the changeable H4 bulb resided.

Also available were non sealed types like the Lucas Pls. These wer not DOT legal but were very popular aftermarket installs because of the great light output. I used to use the PLs on my motorcycles. They worked just as well in cars.

Besides appearance and absolute light output, the pattern of the illumination is also very important, this is an area where the ROW H4s excell.