"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
04/09/2020 at 20:42 • Filed to: Headlights, headlight bulbs, BulbFacts
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"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
04/09/2020 at 20:42 • Filed to: Headlights, headlight bulbs, BulbFacts | 6
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As from my previous post,
I need some new bulbs
for my car after driving mom’s Accent
the other day to give it a run
and noticing,
as a result,
that mine are ridiculously worn out.
The P
hilips 130%+ bulbs I have in right now are veritable candles
in comparison to the OEM-style halogen factory-type standard bulbs in mom’s car.
I know brighter bulbs wear out more quickly, but I didn’t realize how bad mine were until driving her car.
AT ANY RATE
...long story short,
in my looking around for info on what bulbs to get, I came across this REALLY
well done website:
Independent tests on halogen and LED bulbs from all the name brands and a lot of ‘Amazon’ brands as well. They don’t accept paid sponsors or endorsements from companies, so all their testing is unbiased. They have
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
specific to the type of bulb in question (LED, halogen, gas-discharge) and maintain a VERY detailed chart of halogen, LED and gas-discharge bulbs including really nice details like % of low beam brightness and % of high beam brightness over stock in terms of Lux measurement, total output in lumens, color temperature (measured by them, not just what the bulb company said on the box), etc
- chart example:
It’s all broken down into categories based on bulb type (LED, halogen, etc) and then sub categories (standard bulb, name brand performance bulb, etc).
I also REALLY like how they deliberately and specifically test each bulb, say LED or halogen, in both normal ‘reflector’ and ‘projector’ housings and clarify how they did in each in things like their reviews and videos. They also specifically state if, for example (despite being illegal in most places) by measuring in their tests if an LED bulb is actually projecting too much light outside of the legal-limit cutoffs as to where the headlight should be adjusted...i.e. if you switch to this LED bulb from a conventional bulb will it blind somebody in the same housing with the same adjustments.
I seem like a shill, I know, haha, but I just thought it was really well done and very informative....I’ve bookmarked it and will be using the site again for sure. Those of you who had suggested OSRAM Nightbreakers on my previous post can feel vindicated as their tests show they did very well!
I think, from looking at their chart, I’ll be going with the Nightbreaker Unlimi
ted :)
Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/09/2020 at 20:46 |
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You have to wonder what sort of person is behind it and just how much time it takes up to keep the site up to date.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
04/09/2020 at 20:55 |
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Or more than one person! I know it’s the same guy in the videos I’ve watched so far, but it’s a pretty decent site!
For Sweden
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/09/2020 at 21:00 |
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First it’s bulb reviews. Soon it’s vacuum reviews
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> For Sweden
04/09/2020 at 21:16 |
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Is it sad that I actually found that interesting because I had no idea Electrolux ever had a robot vacuum?
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For Sweden
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/09/2020 at 21:27 |
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no
MarkRosemean
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/09/2020 at 21:43 |
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The testing methodology looks rigorous, and the charts and graphs are indeed very well-done.
But the fact of the matter is that his results aren’t even in the ballpark of valid.
Let’s first ignore the fact that the owner of the site himself publicly acknowledged that he needs to fix his testing methodology “ASAP” in 2018, and the fact that he hasn’t made the necessary changes since 2018.
Let’s focus on his “test” of this DeAutoLED kit in a low beam halogen reflector. He measures “7080 lux” at 12 feet. And oh! A very conveniently placed 10% discount code. This is equivalent to an intensity of 95,000 candela. For context, a BMW i8 with the laser high beams hit 75,000 candela. Somehow, a $150 LED kit (less 10% after using his code) transforms an old car with halogens into something that performs 26% better than a laser high beam.
The Bulb “facts” website has plenty of “novel discoveries” just like these—he’s found many kits that somehow transform a low beam halogen reflector headlamp into a laser high beam beating headlamp. In other words, the site is about as valid as a site with pretty graphics and charts showing how a Corolla sprints from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds, while a C8 Corvette does the same sprint in 3.2 seconds. Well, you might say, the 0-60 time site doesn’t accept loaner cars and used privately owned Corolla’s and Corvette’s. Nevertheless, t he results don’t even pass the sniff test. Pretty graphics and charts and not accepting sponsorships or free products doesn’t make the testing methodology and results any more valid.
PlaysWellWithNOthers
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/09/2020 at 22:33 |
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I bought a set of bulbs based on their recommendation and I’m very happy with them. They are a set of h7 bulbs for my projector lenses and they make a lot more light without a glare.
ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
> For Sweden
04/10/2020 at 00:56 |
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Do they cover the quarks and features?
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For Sweden
> ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com
04/10/2020 at 01:58 |
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No; this is a good review.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> MarkRosemean
04/10/2020 at 08:12 |
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Decent arguments, maybe I was a bit overzea
lous...
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> PlaysWellWithNOthers
04/10/2020 at 08:57 |
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Nice. My car takes H4 bulbs....reflector housings, so your ligghts are probably better than mine! I know some companies do aftermarket headlight assemblies that convert reflector lights to projectors, but there are none available for my Acccent!
XJDano
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/10/2020 at 09:39 |
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Welp, I just bought an H4 for my motorcycle. From a local place.... I was a bit bummed the store front was shut down because of Covid, but best to keep both parties safe.
If any interest, this is what I got. And I had to get this one as my headlight housing will only fit the 1.25” Depth to the back.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> XJDano
04/10/2020 at 10:17 |
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Wow, that’s not much space!
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XJDano
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/10/2020 at 10:22 |
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So it’s like this, a big fairing and not much space... the 80’s man... I should be getting it in today so I’ll take some photos and share it later. A cold snap went through this week so I won’t be getting back on, possibly for a while
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> XJDano
04/10/2020 at 15:29 |
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I imagine that will be quite the lighting upgrade when you get it inst
alled!
I imagine one of those ‘sealed-beam’ replacement LED headlights you see on Jeeps and trucks and such might’ve fit as well if you could’ve found one in the right size....more complicated to install though...
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XJDano
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/10/2020 at 16:35 |
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I think I read somewhere that the housing is actually 6.5” and not the standard 7” and it’s already a H4 housing... and I already swapped to H4 housings on my Cherokee. So if these are as bright as I hope, I I may get a pair for the Jeep. But it still has some IPF Magic J bulbs which has a glow in the dark blue ring that’s kinda ricer from early 2000’s.
It’s got these wing fins to displace heat, I guess I’d why it’s not as deep.
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PlaysWellWithNOthers
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/10/2020 at 17:17 |
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I would just go with what their best rated bulb is for reflector housings and make sure the lenses are clean, so if they’re clouded I would definitely do a headlight refinish.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> XJDano
04/10/2020 at 20:46 |
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Here’s hoping they work well!
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MarkRosemean
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/10/2020 at 21:09 |
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I’m glad you remain open-minded.
I’ve interacted enough with the owner of the site to know he’s not actively malicious, but the honest fact of the matter is that he’s just way, way too far in over his head with his attempts to quantify headlamp performance.
I get that he’s trying to provide a public service and bring some clarity to the world of headlight bulbs but the cut and dry of the matter is that he’s not bringing any clarity. He’s providing completely misleading numbers that aren’t even correct in a relative sense, much less an absolute sense.
Most people don’t deal with “lux” on a daily basis, unlike, say, “seconds.” We all know that a car that sprints from 0-60 in under 5 seconds is “fast.” And a car that sprints from 0-60 in 1.7 seconds is “BS” or “breaks the laws of physics.” Few, however, know how to interpret “9001 lux at 12 feet.” Is this “good” or “bad” or “breaks the laws of physics”?
If he really wanted to be of help, he would take down his site until he’s substantially revised his testing methodology. Expert suggestions were publicly provided to him in 2018, and he agreed with the suggestions. It’s 2020 and nothing’s changed.
That’s not to mention the fact that his top-rated halogen bulb is the Sylvania Silverstar bulb—which is a bulb that even the manufacturer called out as possibly causing some headlights (projector ones) to fail minimum legal brightness standards. It’s interesting that the manufacturer of the bulb says that even their cheaper line of bulbs perform better in projectors, but this Bulbfacts site ranks it as the best-performing halogen bulb.
I’m not a big conspiracy theory guy, but the Silverstar bulbs are also basically the most expensive halogen bulbs on the market. Gotta wonder what all those Amazon affiliates links on his site are for...are they just to help him recoup the cost of (invalid, worthless) testing...or do they exist for personal gain? I mean, come on, between a bulb manufacturer and a guy with a blog and a YouTube channel...who probably knows more about testing bulbs?
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> MarkRosemean
04/10/2020 at 21:25 |
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Yup...all valid points. Part of the reason I said I would go with the Nightbreakers despite his site saying they were very good is that Oppos here have actually voiced them as being decent bulbs on several occasions. His site may say they are good, but I would rather select them because I trust the judgement of people here compared to even a seemingly decent site online.
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MarkRosemean
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/11/2020 at 06:20 |
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Good bulbs, and good points too!
It’s worth noting that Osram-Sylvania doesn’t sell its Silverstar bulbs in Europe. Only Nightbreakers. Osram-Sylvania knows that they can’t get away with unloading crappy Silverstar bulbs on Europeans, who tend to be more informed and interested in bulbs (or as they call them, “globes”) than the average American. Road and Track, Car and Driver...they don’t perform bulb tests. Now, on the other hand, in Europe, there’s a bunch of magazines that perform annual bulb comparison tests...and they’re almost always done in testing laboratories.
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RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
> MarkRosemean
04/12/2020 at 12:09 |
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Good info to know! I’ve never purchased Sylvania other than more basic bulbs like LED interior bulbs from the local Canadian Tire.
All the headlight bulbs I’ve used in the past have been Philips brand - usually their ‘130%+’ models.
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MarkRosemean
> RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
04/15/2020 at 16:36 |
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Sylvania has some nice bulbs in their cheaper lines but their more expensive ones don’t offer a good price: performance ratio.