Vibe + HIR Technology = Phillips X-treme Power Bulbs!

[BlueCrush]

The Philips X-treme Power bulbs arrived today....YAY! Will install these today after work.

[Whelan]

Nice, get some pics up, hopefully mine will be here tomorrow. I swear I look more forward to brown boxes from UPS than Santa coming.

[BlueCrush]

Both Philips NightGuide Bulbs:Both Philips NightGuide Bulbs w/fogs:LEFT Philips NightGuide Bulb/RIGHT Philips X-treme Power Bulb:LEFT Philips NightGuide Bulb/RIGHT Philips X-treme Power Bulb w/fogs:Both Philips X-treme Power Bulbs:Both Philips X-treme Power Bulbs w/fogs:

[Sublimewind]

I donno man, maybe it's just me, but there is a black line through every one of your picks, RIGHT through the center of the headlight beams... Makes it hard to see what's going on... I actually like the sharpness of the upper and lower cut-off of the old bulbs...

[northvibe]

yeah the garage door bar puts a damper on the light.... what do you think of them B?

[Kevzaz]

So is it worth it? I am going from stock bulbs.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by Sublimewind »I donno man, maybe it's just me, but there is a black line through every one of your picks, RIGHT through the center of the headlight beams... Makes it hard to see what's going on... I actually like the sharpness of the upper and lower cut-off of the old bulbs... LOL! Yeah, Yeah....I know. I changed them in my garage this morning. The garage door brace kinda blocks the view... Quote, originally posted by northvibe »yeah the garage door bar puts a damper on the light.... what do you think of them B?Hard to say right now. They did seem brighter in the garage but not as white as the NightGuides. I'll have to road test them on Tuesday night. That's the next time I'll be driving in the evening.Quote, originally posted by Kevzaz »So is it worth it? I am going from stock bulbs.You'll notice a big difference from stock bulbs. So, yes it would be worth it for you.

[Its_Dave]

Just finished installing my bulbs but I went with the Crystal Vision Ultra so its a different bulb but still made by Philips and tho I would show it as well to compare. I found it gives a little better like a gives a nice looking appearance, its a little harder to see in the pictures but gives it a hint of blue as well.Standard BulbsCrystal Vision UltraStandard BulbsCrystal Vision Ultra

[Whelan]

Just a note that white balance on cameras is a tricky thing. Essentially you won't get the TRUE picture of color or output without instruments for measuring and such so depending on angles it can vary slightly. Example being the best result would be a parked car anywhere 10-15 feet from a garage or solid wall on level ground and the car perpendicular to the wall. The camera would have to be in the exact spot (think tripod) and taking pictures of the bulbs and light output.I'm not saying I do this, just offering insight for everyone. The Xtremes definitely look to make a huge improvement over stock, but I would say since you were already running Night Guides BC that the difference in light would not be seen so closeup as it would be on the road seeing things from a distance and off to the sides. Those will be more noticeable. With the bulbs you show, the only difference seen currently it appears is a stronger light with more of a hotspot and more light directed where it is needed in front of you instead of to all sides.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »The Xtremes definitely look to make a huge improvement over stock, but I would say since you were already running Night Guides BC that the difference in light would not be seen so closeup as it would be on the road seeing things from a distance and off to the sides. Those will be more noticeable. With the bulbs you show, the only difference seen currently it appears is a stronger light with more of a hotspot and more light directed where it is needed in front of you instead of to all sides.I agree that the light is stronger and more concentrated. I will be able to get out tomorrow evening and test them out. I am considering getting these for my fogs as well.Also, I noticed, when I was installing the bulbs, that one of them had a flaw in the bulb glass...I'm hoping that won't cause premature failure on that bulb.

[Whelan]

flaw in the glass how? A bubble or distortion?Mine come today, didn't get them from Ebay but from SUVlights.com. Seems to be the most reputable to purchase from given what I've read so far on availability in the US at this point since they just came out around June/July it seems for the states in these sizes. USPS left for delivery today, woohoo!

[BlueCrush]

More of a distortion, not a bubble. Like what might happen if during the creation process two bulbs might have touched each other for a second then came apart, before they cooled enough. Something like that...

[Sublimewind]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »More of a distortion, not a bubble. Like what might happen if during the creation process two bulbs might have touched each other for a second then came apart, before they cooled enough. Something like that...You may be in for a problem... Hard to say for sure... I had a bulb once, burn out, and when I took it out, it had literally BURNED.. Out of the side of the bulb stood a nipple, much like the TIP of the bulb, but it was sticking out of the side...??? Figure that one out, they interior of a bulb is usually under a slight vacuum, and then whatever gas is purged in... still under a slight vacuum though...

[lovemyraffe]

Look what showed up today!

[Kevzaz]

haha, yay! Lets hear another review. =]

[mspalmer]

Count me in as a reviewer. I ordered both fog-lights and headlights but I have no idea how fast they will ship.

[BlueCrush]

I drove around tonight after dark an did notive that the lights are brighter. I also noticed that I need to align my headlights as they have been shooting a bit low for a long time. Anyone have some alignment tips? I also noticed that I need to buy the fogs as well.

[Whelan]

Just dropped mine in tonight. No good pics as it was done at 11pm before bed. I can say they are brighter with more point light and side light (less scatter). I too need to adjust my lamps, they are pretty low.

[keithvibe]

at a distance of 20 foot or so your lights should be about 3.5 to 4foot off the ground.

[Whelan]

yeah I gotta get my phillips head and fix it up a bit. They are putting loads of point light about 10-15 feet on the ground instead of 20-25 feet out. Major fixing, lol.

[lovemyraffe]

Strange. I had a similar experience. My first response was, "Wow these are bright, but they are pointing straight down." Looks like a few of us need to adjust the headlights. Can anybody give me tips on how to adjust them?

[bull77]

park about 10-15 feet back from a wall (garage door) == use a flathead to ajust the screws behind the headlight unit. rotate to your hearts desire i'd also suggest adjusting your fogshttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=23672

[Sublimewind]

Wow, this has me wondering if Phillips isn't playing some sort of "placement" game....lol... Everyone that has put these bulbs in now, seems to have to adjust the lights upward... I wonder if they haven't moved the filament in the bulb SO you would have to aim the lights higher.. I mean the lights DO produce more light in the lower regions of the beam.... Even filament bulbs have upper cut off built in, that or the cutoff is in the reflector.. Either way, if they move the filament, requiring YOU to move the headlight aim upward, OF COURSE YOU ARE GOING TO GET MORE LIGHT... lol.. Hmmm...?

[Whelan]

The filament is relocated in the bulb so it could very well be that all headlights will need some adjusting. I'll do mine this weekend.

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by bull77 »park about 10-15 feet back from a wall (garage door) == use a flathead to ajust the screws behind the headlight unit. rotate to your hearts desire i'd also suggest adjusting your fogshttp://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=23672O MY gosh please don't use a flat head screwdriver.Use a #2 phillips head screwdriver. If you look down you will see the notches in the alignment adjuster. Simply put the phillipshead screw driver in there and turn. If you use a flat head you will dig/goudge out the plastic.I use a distance of 20foot when I align the projectors.

[Wolfman213]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »O MY gosh please don't use a flat head screwdriver.Use a #2 phillips head screwdriver. If you look down you will see the notches in the alignment adjuster. Simply put the phillipshead screw driver in there and turn. If you use a flat head you will dig/goudge out the plastic.I use a distance of 20foot when I align the projectors.+1 I gouged the crap out of my driver's side. I think i ended up using a socket to adjust mine. but that was probably on the passenger side only due to fitment issues on the drivers IIRCgood idea with the phillips head Keith!!

[mspalmer]

well, I've had mine in for about a week and I have to say they are definitely brighter but 80% more seems like a stretch. I'll buy them again assuming they last longer than the Silverstar Ultras that I used previously. Those didn't last much longer than the regular Silverstars.I like them but if they fail soon I wouldn't buy them again. I replaced both the headlights and the fog-lights.sorry I don't have any pictures of before and after.

[lovemyraffe]

After about a month, I'm still loving these. Once I figured out the correct alignment, they have been wonderful. At first I adjusted the lights a bit too high, and pissed off a lot of people before I realized what I had done. Adjusted them properly, and it is still amazes me at how bright these are.

[BlueCrush]

Still lovin' mine....Just ordered the fogs as well.

[dcbridgwater]

So what is the story on the Philips X-treme Power bulbs? Has every on that has installed them had to align their head lights? Or did the ones that had to align them allready adjusted them from stock? I think I would like to get these bulbs, but I do not want to have to align the head lights. So if they are not install and go I will not get them.Thanks in advance for any feed back,Dale

[northvibe]

its just a bulb replacement so aim should be same as before removal. I think I'll be ordering these for my SS but still need to find those darn h11's for the DD :/

[BlueCrush]

According to Whelan they moved the filament location from oem so you will most likely need to adjust them. Mine are still not adjusted yet. They are fine but not perfect. So, I will adjust mine when I find time. I just got the fog bulbs yesterday and I'll be installing them tonight.

[northvibe]

dang im wrong...ah so they moved the filament. yes that would require some adjustment...

[lovemyraffe]

You don't have to adjust your headlights. I found it much better if you raise them just a hair.

[dcbridgwater]

I got my Philips X-treme Power bulbs today and installed them. The light output is much better but like everyone said they seem to be aimed low but I don't think it is the Philips bulbs becouse I put my OEM bulbs back in to check the differance and the OEM bulbs seem to drop off at about the same distance as the new ones. I guess I never noticed it till it was mentioned. New bulbs are back in and I will get them aimed. I purchased them from bulbs.com, they sure ship fast I ordered them yesterday and recieved them today and I did not even ask for express shipping. I guess now I will have to get a set for the fogs.

[bodhi]

Just installed these as well and was very impressed with the difference in light output. Didn`t feel there was any adjusting required. May try adjusting a little higher later on but so far I`m happy with them. They are a little whiter in appearance over stock but not much. You can tell by comparing to the factory fogs. Deffinitely getting a set to replace those soon too.

[DrunkenMonster]

I have had the X-tremes for a few months now and they are wonderful, I had Silverstars in my Bonneville and compared to these the Phillips are way better. You can actually see during the rain.

[Whelan]

Seeing during bad weather was a big peeve of mine. In rain with HIDs (since my lights aren't designed for them), they glared horribly, and other bulbs left no light on the road, just scattered and dull.The adjustment may not be necessary but I also would put out there that because these lamps aim so much farther down the road than standard bulbs the adjustment is more noticeable than with stock OEM bulbs. Meaning they throw light farther so you notice the height adjustment more. I still have to fix mine a bit and level them off this weekend. But man what a difference in what can be seen!

[dcbridgwater]

This is the responce I recieved when I asked Phillips about aiming.Sir, Thank you for your submission, X-treme power bulbs are install and go. They do not require and kind of aiming or adjustment. They are a great option because the bulb is the brightest that we have available, and it runs on the same voltage and wattage as a standard halogen bulb. You can purchase these bulbs on a website named http://www.bulbs.com, just do a search for you bulb numbers. Best Regards,Philips Automotive Lighting North America.

[vibolista]

I have a set of X-tremes on the way. Will set the car at the 20 foot mark from the garage door and take a picture of the OE light pattern. Then I'll install the X-tremes and do a comparative picture. That should bunk(?) or debunk the beam heigth differences.It might be a few days before I can do this, since I'm not sure when they will get here. As soon as they do, I post the pics, and maybe even enlighten those nice folks at Phillips ALNA.

[06pvibe]

May I suggest using some colored tape on the door (e.g. blue painters tape, electrical tape) to mark the original upper cut-off, then comparing that to the Xtremes?

[09vGT]

Do these last as long as the regular factory bulbs.. Do you just put them in or is there a special install requires?

[vibolista]

The Xtremes fit right in, just like OEMs. We will see how long they last. Wish I could have gotten those pictures to compare OE bulbs against the Xtremes. But so far, I like them.

[Whelan]

Quote, originally posted by 09vGT »Do these last as long as the regular factory bulbs.. Do you just put them in or is there a special install requires?Drop in and go, no extra work required. The lifespan of the Xtreme is comparable to factory OEM so expect to see 1000 hours give or take. What I really gotta do is either get the yellow film off my fogs or buy new ones. The heat from the HIR bulbs caused the film to show burn spots and it's starting to peel a bit. When and if you adjust the lamps just be crafty and fit in a small 1/4" drive with 10mm socket. Worked well for me.

[BlueCrush]

Not sure if this was posted here or not, but a good, thurough review form NewCelica.org: http://www.newcelica.org/forum...llips

[vibolista]

Need to get the DRL feature disconnected to help the bulbs last longer. I drive with my parking lights on most of the time during the day anyway... especially when it's cloudy.

[tribalman]

Quote, originally posted by vibolista »Need to get the DRL feature disconnected to help the bulbs last longer. I drive with my parking lights on most of the time during the day anyway... especially when it's cloudy. shameless plug!

[rAERRK]

so finally a bulb that wont burn out in a few months?now if only the DRL were easier to disable...

[Whelan]

DRL is easy to disable. Some used a wire clip but since I hate DRL I just went under the steering wheel and pulled down the DRL module (it's labeled as such) and cut the wire.

[rAERRK]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »DRL is easy to disable. Some used a wire clip but since I hate DRL I just went under the steering wheel and pulled down the DRL module (it's labeled as such) and cut the wire.what other effects, if any, does simply cutting the wire have?