MTEC HID Bulbs - Any Experience?

[JohnWest]

I need to replace my HID bulbs as they appear to be dying. From a previous thread (https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1473275), a PHer used hids-direct on which I have found a potential replacement:

https://www.hids-direct.co.uk/2-x-mtec-d3s-4800k-3...

My first question is, does anyone have any experience of MTEC bulbs? Secondly, some time ago I recall reading that increasing colour temperature means decreasing light output. Is this true or have I misinterpreted it?

To those of you who have replaced xenon bulbs, what colour temperature did you go for and are you happy with it? I think factory is somewhere between 4200-4800K, looking at the temperature comparison image on that link, it'd be a toss up between 4800K and 6100K for me.

I'm not set on those bulbs by the way, I'm open to suggestion. I did fit the Osram Cool Blue Intense on a different car, I was a little disappointed with the output on them.

Thanks.

[Haltamer]

I'd suggest looking at either:
4800K (Yellowest, but most light output)
5000K / 6000K (Cool white; Not blue - There is a small loss in light output, but you're not into diminishing returns yet)

As for brand, I haven't really heard much of MTEC in regards HID Bulbs:- at £99 though, I'd suggest going for one of the more recognised brands:-
https://www.osram.co.uk/ecat/XENARC%20NIGHT%20BREA...

https://www.philips.co.uk/c-m-au/car-lights/headli...

OSRAM, or Phillips - Both tend to lead:- The Nightbreaker Laser or xtremevision gen 2 are their highest performance offerings, and I'd bargain the highest performance HID bulbs available.

[JohnWest]

At 4800K you’ve stated as the yellowest but I expect it’ll still be far whiter than a halogen bulb?

I expect you’re right about going for a known brand; buy cheap, buy twice. Maybe I’ll try Phillips this time given my disappointment with Osram last time.

[Haltamer]

https://youtu.be/ko7eN0NZQFA

This video is a very good explaination of the differences:- Personally, I'm a bit of an OSRAM Fanboy - I've had very good experiences with their LED / Performance Halogen products, and being a major OEM, I'd expect them to produce a quality HID Bulb.

I imagine the previous poor experience was down to it being a "Cool blue intense" bulb - Biased to colour temperature for the innit bruvs et al, rather than output.

(Standing in the headlight area of Halfords for a few minutes yields some real gems - "I don't care how bright it is, I just want it blue - Innit bruv", "I need the fog light now - I use them all the time")

That said, I know phillips have some quality products!

[JohnWest]

I've used lots of Osram parts previously, Haltamer you may be right about the last bulbs I had being more about the colour and perhaps less about output. That leads me onto my next question, is the Xenarc Nighbreaker Unlimited (£79.99/ea) really £32 better than the Xenarc Classic?

Xenarc Nighbreaker Unlimited:
https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-xenarc-ni...

Xenarc Classic:
https://www.powerbulbs.com/product/osram-xenarc-cl...

I don't want to turn night into day, all I want is more output than the bulbs I have currently which have started to dim quite considerably. I am also not bothered about colour/temperature, it's all about output for me.

Thanks.

[Haltamer]

Managed to find this:
https://youtu.be/OhYbEgyLRTM

Good comparison - It looks like the extra £30 would be worth it IMO!

[JohnWest]

Went for OEM in the end, a pair of Osram Xenarc Classic should be with me in a few days.

[Turbojuice]

The MTEC ones were probably an OEM product in a rebranded box. I recently got some "Twenty20" bulbs and on the actual bulbs was printed GE Megalight.

[JohnWest]

Turbojuice said:

The MTEC ones were probably an OEM product in a rebranded box. I recently got some "Twenty20" bulbs and on the actual bulbs was printed GE Megalight.

Did you know that before buying?

[Turbojuice]

JohnWest said:

Turbojuice said:

The MTEC ones were probably an OEM product in a rebranded box. I recently got some "Twenty20" bulbs and on the actual bulbs was printed GE Megalight.

Did you know that before buying?

I didn't but the advertised specs matched the bulbs I received

[alexmonkey]

The various flavours of Osram Xenarcs are brilliant; good light output, good halide salts, reliable throughout their lives, etc.

Be careful to get genuine - either from Amazon Prime (shipped from Amazon), a reputable UK-based eBay seller, or a shop. They should have holograms etc on the packet.

Fake premium brand HID bulbs are apparently quite a common thing. Who knew?

/Al

[JohnWest]

The Cool Blue Intense I’ve tried previously were from ECP. The ones incoming this time are from here: https://www.powerbulbs.com/