Blue Halogen Light Bulbs - Effectiveness?

[WydRyd]

I'm curious, how much more effective are the blue Halogen bulbs?

I'm told they are brighter and offer a higher contracts effect for road markings etc.

Anyone out there use these and if so, what's your input?

I just find that the normal H4's aren't 'white' or bright enough and actually have a yellowish tinge.

[jkcrewsn]

I would recommend just using hotter bulbs. I have used those "blue white" bulbs in both an Integra and in my GSX-R. I like my 80/100w bulbs in the 930. Yes, the contrast is a bit better with the blues, but I think it is a bit of a trick. The total effect is less light, but the white lines stick out more because of this. It seems like the signs reflect a bit better though. If you can find them cheap, go for it. If you can't come to terms with getting rid of them after you paid for them, I would suggest you find someone with them and go for a ride. One thing though, they are definitely different.
By the way, you will also have to live with the blue color showing when the lights are off.....perhaps you have seen this already.

Just my .02

[WydRyd]

Nice 930 Jeff

Thanks for the input. I'll try the blue'ish ones in my fogs to start with, just to see the difference. If I like them, I'll get blue'ish H4's for my headlights.

I didn't realise the blue is THAT noticable when the lights are off! Hmmm, that may change things slightly...

[Rufblackbird]

I have the PIAA Super Whites installed in mine and I think they do a wonderful job. It's only the 55w one but IMHO it makes quite a difference. Either that, or my old lights just plain sucked. The cheaper ones aren't too bad, but I really like the PIAA ones. Oh yeah. They are noticeable when they are off. See pic.

[WydRyd]

Thanks for the reply Rufblackbird. They look kinda blu'ish.

I don't mind that look actually.

[ChrisBennet]

You get less light in return for a bluish look.

Overboost light bulb test
PIAA Superwhites:"Average performance: 16.5% loss over stock"

Stern Lighting - Bulb articles

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

I always thought--no practical experience--that the "blue" bulbs were the lighting equivalent of the $9.98 Pep Boys stick-on phony cellphone antenna--that they made people think you had the $1,500 gaseous-discharge lights, or whatever they're called.

Stephan

[skinnerd]

I really looked into this subject about a year ago before buying some PIAA super whites for my H4's. I was worried about legality and illumination, etc, etc. There is more than meets the eye with these replacement bulbs.... E-codes, HIDs, color temperature of the bulbs, and on & on. I did some searchs on the internet, and found a wealth of material. Here's a good short technical one on these "blue-er" lights. I ended up getting the lower wattage super whites for my car, and am very happy with them. Mine appear very white, not blue though.


http://www.hitechimportlighting.com/techinfofaq.htm

[widebody911]

I've found that the parts-store blue lights work best in conjunction with stickers, such as "Mugen" or "Powered By Honda"

[Decolliber]

I tried the blue fake xenon bulbs a few years ago in my A6, and they blew out after a few weeks. I also felt that the illumination quality was lower than with normal bulbs. Back in the 1960s I wanted blue tinted glasses, to look like John Lennon. The optometrist told me that was not a good idea because of loss of visual acuity from the blue tint. I bought them anyway. Shortly afterwards I walked into a lamp post on a sidewalk in Paddington, Sydney.
I now use PIAA bulbs in my 911, and the illumination seems a bit brighter.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Decolliber
The optometrist told me that was not a good idea because of loss of visual acuity from the blue tint. I bought them anyway. Shortly afterwards I walked into a lamp post on a sidewalk in Paddington, Sydney.
I now use PIAA bulbs in my 911, and the illumination seems a bit brighter.

Maybe they seem brighter because you hit that lamp post harder than you thought?
(Sorry couldn't resist.)
-Chris

[Targa Dude]

I have H4's and I am currently running the bluish lights made by
Hiper.. I have PIAA's that are brand new if you want to buy them
I didn't see any difference between The Piaa's and stock H4 Bulbs.
You see I have night blindness so it's been a life long problem with me. So to finally be able to see clear at night is a relief and not to mention safe for me and others


Jorge (Targa Dude)

[ChrisBennet]

Targa Dude,
Please look at the sites I mentioned earlier if seeing it really important. The HID lights (that these various "blue lights" are trying to immitate) have lots of white light and the blue part of their output is just extra. "Blue" bulbs on the other hand, remove light from the non-blue parts of their emmision spectrum so you end up with less light. For someone with normal eyesight at least, this is a bad thing because our eyes are not as sensitive to blue light.
-Chris

[Rufblackbird]

Hmm... I should've mentioned my old lights were sealed beam units. The PIAA Super Whites shine a whiter light, even though the bulbs have a blueish tint on them. These have worked great for me so far. PIAAs aren't cheap. My pair cost me $60.

A while ago I had Hiper white H4s installed in my Trans Am. It seemed a tad brighter than stock (less yellow, more white, hardly any blue), but they burnt out after a few weeks. They were $15. You get what you pay for.

For those with about $700 or so itching in their pockets who are looking for white lights, see http://www.hids4less.com/ for the real deal. It's a DIY conversion for half the price of the factory pieces.

[old_skul]

Jeff, let's see some more pics of your car, now that you have a digital camera!

[Rufblackbird]

Mark...umm...you sure? I'd have to restrain you from either crying or laughing your ass off...in other words, sure you wanna see the bondo'd windshields and the garbage bag/duct tape combo I call sunroof?

Oh. Just to clarify, you're talking to me, or the Jeff with the Turbo?

[Adam]

Hiya Jeff,

Is that '89 T Bird the one you were talking about when I was there? Post a couple of pics. I've got one of your 911 that I keep meaning to send to you. I'm at work now, but I'll send it once I get home.

[Rufblackbird]

Hey Adam,
Umm...I think so. I don't remember what I told you about it, but the '89 SC is the one that I had when you were here. I have pics online of both of them (I picked up another one) and if you really wanna see it I can send you links.

[WydRyd]

Guys, which ones do you recommend?

See here:-

http://www.piaa.com/h4bulbs.html

I'm tempted to get the 'Super Plasma' or 'Super Plasma GT' bulbs.

Which do you guys recommend?

I wouldn't need a high power relay, right?

[steve911]

Merv--
I was taken to task (rightly so, I might add a while back) about the relay thing. Even with 55/60W bulbs, relays should be installed.

go here

and check out this thread

the relay installation was VERY easy and brings lots of peace of mind.....