Expensive H4 LED bulbs? Worth it?
Discussion
One thing I'd like to know is that in the earlier days of LED replacements they invariably came with heat dissipation fins or other design add ons to keep temperatures under control.
These newer versions seemingly don't. For example it's now possible to buy H7 lamps that look not much different to incandescent versions.
How do they do that or is it not longer a problem. Even my little hand torch gets noticeably warm on full welly, and the coke can version gets uncomfortably hot on max.
These newer versions seemingly don't. For example it's now possible to buy H7 lamps that look not much different to incandescent versions.
How do they do that or is it not longer a problem. Even my little hand torch gets noticeably warm on full welly, and the coke can version gets uncomfortably hot on max.
IME, personally I wouldn't invest in retrofit LED bulbs because they can prematurely blow (used Philips before) and the beam is mever right, exacerbated by weathered or oxidised lenses, and would definitely recommend spending money on some decent uprated halogen bulbs that don't pretend to be xenons, LEDs, blue or anything.
My last pair of uprated halogen bulbs lasted 5 years, changed only a couple of months ago after one blew - I think they were Osram - with a good (non-dazzle) white light and excellent visibility.
I think you should be able to get some for no more than £20 to £30 off Amazon or your local motor factors.
My last pair of uprated halogen bulbs lasted 5 years, changed only a couple of months ago after one blew - I think they were Osram - with a good (non-dazzle) white light and excellent visibility.
I think you should be able to get some for no more than £20 to £30 off Amazon or your local motor factors.
I have some cheapo Chinese ones, about £40 from Amazon on my Cossie and they are pretty good. Miles better than the candles that were in there, however they do a weird thing where they all of a sudden go 10% brighter for no apparent reason - I don't notice them getting dimmer before that happens so I don't know why. They also make the dashboard light computer thing indicate the bulb is out.
Additionally they are not MOT legal, however the rules have just changed to allow Led bulbs if they come with a certified sticker which has to be on the car
Additionally they are not MOT legal, however the rules have just changed to allow Led bulbs if they come with a certified sticker which has to be on the car
Depends how easy it is to swap a bulb in your car. I could change the bulb on my Lexus CT in 5 mins just by feel but the Ford Fiesta involved taking the whole headlight unit out the car. Had Osram night breakers in the Lexus and they were certainly bright but I went through a set every year, if I still had the Fiesta I might be more temped by LEDs if they would last years.
Used expensive Philips versions in place of H4s in my now sold Landcruiser, they worked very well with perfect beam patterns, noticeable improvement over the previous Nightbreaker halogens, also noticeable how quickly they fired up.
Bit of bind having to remove them for the MOT, but worth the effort.
Sold them with the car, colleague aware and will carry on doing the same.
One thing though, presumably to assist in cooling the slim shape means they could fall inside the lamp unit if you misjudged fitting where such an event is impossible with an H4 bulb, so be really careful fitting them if room is restricted, this meant whipping each of the twin batteries out each time on the Cruiser because each battery sat just behind the headlight unit, simple 2 minute job swapping a battery out, not an issue fitting or removing the standard bulb but the LED units required more precise placement, once clipped in situ all good.
Bit of bind having to remove them for the MOT, but worth the effort.
Sold them with the car, colleague aware and will carry on doing the same.
One thing though, presumably to assist in cooling the slim shape means they could fall inside the lamp unit if you misjudged fitting where such an event is impossible with an H4 bulb, so be really careful fitting them if room is restricted, this meant whipping each of the twin batteries out each time on the Cruiser because each battery sat just behind the headlight unit, simple 2 minute job swapping a battery out, not an issue fitting or removing the standard bulb but the LED units required more precise placement, once clipped in situ all good.
Probably not. Wouldn't have them myself, but have been seeing an increasing number of David-Bowie-esque bangers round my way with one super-mega-ultra-blue eBay-special LED headlight blazing like the Crab Nebula and a normal, yellow bulb in the other lamp. It's obvious that the things are burning out early and drivers aren't bothering to replace them. Make of that what you will...
Just fitted a set of H1 LEDs to my E34 5 series (in the factory projector housings). Not as much as a difference as I thought, but there is a positive difference. The light isn't scattered, and it isn't as easy to "out drive" the headlights. The inside of the projectors could probably do with a clean though.
The headlights on my 2018 Connect were utter garbage as supplied. I replaced 8 bulbs on the front end with Twenty20 bulbs from HIDS4U in Southampton at vast cost, including using spotlight bulbs in the standard foglights. They've been in for about 4 years with no failures, and the beam pattern is bang on as it should be. They're very bright, but it's a lesson in getting what you pay for.
21TonyK said:
MustangGT said:
Are these the LED replacement bulbs for a standard H4 fitting?
Yep, LED to replace halogen. This sort of thing... 87 quid!The transit had 35w hids (original halogens were piss poor to the point where passengers would ask if the lights were actually on!). I had no issues with MOT’s and no issues opposite traffic flashing, I did get fault codes until I programmed them out but the lights always worked.
The Kuga was similar, updated halogens but still terrible. LEDs changed it, again no issues with MOTs or traffic, no fault codes either.
100% worth the extra money IMO.
I believe Osram make ‘legal’ LEDs now but I have no experience of them.
Lighting engineer here
Dont use them, they create horrendous glare for oncoming drivers which is dangerous for them and you.
The optical system was designed for an evenly lit omni directional source, not two uneven light emitting LEDs.
Plus they are ridiculously overpriced, just use the best Osram/Phillips HIDs that they were designed for.
Dont use them, they create horrendous glare for oncoming drivers which is dangerous for them and you.
The optical system was designed for an evenly lit omni directional source, not two uneven light emitting LEDs.
Plus they are ridiculously overpriced, just use the best Osram/Phillips HIDs that they were designed for.
Super Sonic said:
Gtom said:
...
I believe Osram make legal LEDs now but I have no experience of them.
I have looked at the Osram website and it lists countries in which their led h4s are legal, but sadly the UK is not on the list.I believe Osram make legal LEDs now but I have no experience of them.
https://www.hids-direct.co.uk/philips-ultinon-pro6...
tenmantaylor said:
Lighting engineer here
Dont use them, they create horrendous glare for oncoming drivers which is dangerous for them and you.
The optical system was designed for an evenly lit omni directional source, not two uneven light emitting LEDs.
Plus they are ridiculously overpriced, just use the best Osram/Phillips HIDs that they were designed for.
Don't dispute any of that within reason, but it seems like the most modern cars with the most modern design of headlights, with all of the benefit of manufacturers R&D seem to be some of the worst offenders for glare and dazzle straight off the showroom floor.Dont use them, they create horrendous glare for oncoming drivers which is dangerous for them and you.
The optical system was designed for an evenly lit omni directional source, not two uneven light emitting LEDs.
Plus they are ridiculously overpriced, just use the best Osram/Phillips HIDs that they were designed for.
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