Brighter than Hipper?

S

smp3000

Member
Contributor
:
04' EVO VIII
Sup guys,

I've got the Hipper H4 xenon bulbs and they just don't seem to be bright enough. The color is definitely differen't than reg lights, but they aren't as near as bright and actually give me less night time visibility than the stock lights.

Are there other brands of Xenon H4 lights that are better? Brighter?
 
smp3000 said:
Sup guys,

I've got the Hipper H4 xenon bulbs and they just don't seem to be bright enough. The color is definitely differen't than reg lights, but they aren't as near as bright and actually give me less night time visibility than the stock lights.

Are there other brands of Xenon H4 lights that are better? Brighter?
Click to expand...

to be honest...the only true way to get more visible light out there to make you REALLY see better.....and not just change the color of your lights is to get a REAL HID conversion kit ..... I just have a hard time putting up $600 or more for frickin lights!
 
Yep, as was posted in another thread, hiper whites, or blues, or whatever, any "brighter" replacement light is actually dimmer, they have a hotspot that the people measure at, right above the filament (the bright spot when you look at the light) which gives it a higher reading. However, total dispersion in candles is the same or most often worse than with stock lights.

They're dangerous, and I wholly oppose them for any nightime driving. They decrease the night visibility of the driver (as you've noted), and blind oncoming traffic. Stupid idea, if you ask me. But I understand people want to look good. Just dont drive near me, I'll shoot your lights out.

Just pissed because someone w/ hipers was tailing me on a road trip, total ass. Dont take it personal.

Go with stock until you can afford true HID conversion.
 
easy solution..

#1. go to your airport
#2. steal 4 landing lights
#3. Mount them on your car in a non Ghetto way
#4. Enjoy

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any consiquences that may or WILL occur as a result fo these actions
 
PIAA lights are good, brighter, better vision all around. I know a bunch of people on this board have them and like them. they are expensive (for bulbs) but they work well, look good and have a lifetime warranty. Ive got them (both H4's (super plasma GT's) and h3's(super plasmas)), and love them; good luck
link>>
PIAA
 
Esteban Toledo said:


Here's a link, that may be helpful: http://lighting.mbz.org/tech/info/bulbs/
It's an interesting read. However, I don't what his credentials are.
Click to expand...
This person didnt write all the articles, just published them. And it was actually the article on hyperwhites that I was talking about. THIS is the problem with these hyper bulbs and why they are NOT truly brighter.
From the above link:
When a bulb with such a modified filament stack is placed in a headlamp, the different dimensions of the filament alter the beam pattern. In most US-specification headlamps, what this does is reduce the size of the central "hot spot" of the beam and put more light in it, while taking away light above, below, to the left and to the right of the hot spot. Then the PIAA marketeer comes up with his light meter, sticks it in the hot spot of the beam, and says "Nifty! The hot spot is almost as bright as it would be with an 85W bulb!" and rushes off to order-up a new batch of boxes festooned with "55W = 85W" banners. Then Mr. Consumer comes along, plunks-down some $70 (!!) for a pair of these bulbs, puts them in, and though his headlamps look "whiter", he has just screwed himself.
Click to expand...
While the writing isnt exactly what I'd call "collegiate," the author is right. Stock bulbs send out light much more spherically. They still have a hot spot (all bulbs do), but it's just a slight increase. the hypers have a very hot hotspot, with cool areas all around. The article goes on to say (correctly) that you can actually lose night vision, especially on the periphery, something that others on the site have noted.

So if you're doing this, do it for looks, and be aware that you're putting other drivers and to some degree yourself in danger by driving at night with hypers that are not a true HID conversion.

A much simpler, cheaper alternative is to just adjust your headlight beam to reach farther.

This of course is MHO, please let's not flame.
 
I agree with everything stated regarding the way bulbs are rated and the amount of light and what not, but stand by my feeling the PIAA's and ONLY the PIAA's are better than stock. Believe me, when my car was new, I tried them ALL...PIAA is quality, the rest of that Hyper, Hiper, fake japanese writing type things are all crap...as always and agreed, these are all opinions between us, not scientifically tested and documented.
I could go on and on about how PIAA really only makes bulbs, lights and wipers...and they are still around so they must be doing something right...I think they have taken the time to do it correctly, whereas the other crap you see on ebay are scams designed to make a quick buck.
 
I have to admit that the PIAA's are a lot better than the stock headlamps or any bad knock-off bulb I've tried for that matter. I've tried APC, HIPER, FOCUZ and I've always come back to PIAA. Hell, if you want a real increase in night vision, buy some of PIAA's bulbs, put them in your fog light housing and the proceed to re-aim your fog lights. I have a hell of a lot better vision with the fogs re-aimed, so I haven't felt the need to buy HID's. I will probably buy the CATZ system for $150 though
 
re-aiming fogs...

Hey Apexi, how would one go about re-aiming the fogs? thx
I'm assuming its pretty simple...
 
How are you guys getting PIAA bulbs to work? What I looked up said our low beams took H7, and PIAA doesn't make H7....something I'm missing? (probably)
 
So are H4 & H7 compatible? I have a set of cheap blue bulbs that I ran for a while until I discovered they suck, and they're H7's. So H4's will work also? According to www.sylvania.com and piaa.com a 2002 P5 takes a H7, but if the H4 works I'm all about it!
 
HurricaneP5 said:
How are you guys getting PIAA bulbs to work? What I looked up said our low beams took H7, and PIAA doesn't make H7....something I'm missing? (probably)
Click to expand...

I think these cats are using imported piaa h7's. These can be found on a number of websites. Use a search engine.
 
Re: re-aiming fogs...

scott42 said:
Hey Apexi, how would one go about re-aiming the fogs? thx
I'm assuming its pretty simple...
Click to expand...

You re-aim the fog lamps by completely removing the foglamps from the car and loosening the bolts on the bottom of the fog lamp assembly. To ensure that both lamps are aimed correctly, place them on a flat surface and do your best in trying to match them up with one another. I got lucky and aimed the perfectly on the first shot. Definately be sure not to aim them to high or you'll be recieving fix-it tickets.
 
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