Philips X-Tremes, A Comparison

[06pvibe]

I sent to Germany/Lithuania for and waited a month the get a set of the highly touted Philips X-Treme bulbs for my wife's Vibe. Due to the recent weather we've been having and the break from it yesterday I was finally able to install them last evening. This is a comparison for those that are interested.This is the OE bulb. Next to it is the X-Treme:Here's a front shot @ dusk:And in the dark:What do you think? Were they worth the trouble?

[lovemyraffe]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »What do you think? Were they worth the trouble?Yes I think they are worth it. I have them on my Vibe and love how freakin' bright they are. I found mine on eBay for dirt cheap.

[06pvibe]

I bought these from an eBay seller also. They were around $40/pr including shipping from Lithuania. But I had ZERO communication w/the seller even after contacting them several times. I had to put in an eBay claim against them and then finally got them 28 days after ordering and paying for them.It's too early for me to tell if there is much difference. I took pics of the low beams from the top (the single pictures) to avoid lens flare and because it showed the most significant difference in output between the two.The high beams don't seem to have as much of an output difference at all.Also keep in mind that the OE's in this car are nearly 4 yrs old.

[Bikerscum]

I got, and like, the x-tremes from ebay too.... but not from another country. They were $36 shipped, arrived in a few days.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

[BlueCrush]

Got mine here: http://www.suvlights.com/produ...d=100From this thread: http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=38452Had them in a few days also.Good price on yours, Biker!

[06pvibe]

That auction was for 9006's. The Vibe takes 9003/H4's, unless the 09-10's take those instead?I couldn't find any that were not +/-$60/pr at the time I ordered them, so off to Germany I went.

[lovemyraffe]

I got mine from a seller in the U.S. and paid about $35 shipped.

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »That auction was for 9006's. The Vibe takes 9003/H4's, unless the 09-10's take those instead?I couldn't find any that were not +/-$60/pr at the time I ordered them, so off to Germany I went.The fogs are 9006. I have both the 9003 & 9006 Phillips X-Treme bulbs installed. Love 'em!!

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by BlueCrush »The fogs are 9006. I have both the 9003 & 9006 Phillips X-Treme bulbs installed. Love 'em!! I know you do. I have read your posts on them which is mainly why I decided to try them in my (wife's) Vibe.You do have influence 'round here, y'know? The fogs are 9006's, I just thought that perhaps they would be cheaper than the 9003's since they only have one filament vs two like the H4's do. I didn't want others to be mislead by that price.

[keithvibe]

just a small fyi... 9003/h4 are one in the same

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »just a small fyi... 9003/h4 are one in the sameYes. I know. Frustrating isn't it. I believe they are also known as HB1's?No reflection on you Keith, but isn't it silly that we have 3 different nomenclatures for the same damned thing in this world? If we can't even agree what to call a headlamp bulb, how can we agree on anything? I had known them as H4's for years when I worked in the "foreign" car business (along w/H1's, H2's now defunked, H3's, etc...,) so that's what I will call them from now on. They invented those bulbs. Why should we feel the need to change it?When I bought my Mazda3, the manual stated that the low beams were HB3's. I said, (removed) are HB3's? I came to find out that they are in reality H7's. THAT I can live with.

[keithvibe]

i usually refer to them as h4 simply because it' global. Only the usa versions are called 9003. Just like the whole measurement issue.... we should just switch to metric and be done with it.Heck even years ago printers like myself used to use their own system, called points and picas and agats 6points =1/2 a pica 12 points=1pica it was also very close to 1 inch. And since the development of of desk top publishing it went by the wayside.

[06pvibe]

I agree we should stick to the global....So where did the HB1, HB2, HB? system come from? Does anyone know?Is it a Ford vs. Chevy thing or....?

[BlueCrush]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »I know you do. I have read your posts on them which is mainly why I decided to try them in my (wife's) Vibe.You do have influence 'round here, y'know? The fogs are 9006's, I just thought that perhaps they would be cheaper than the 9003's since they only have one filament vs two like the H4's do. I didn't want others to be mislead by that price.Thanks, but I tried them due to Whelan's influence. I guess we all influence each other in some way to make this site and our Vibes better. 9003=H4=HB2, btw.

[06pvibe]

Yes, I read the entire thread about these, so Whelan and "Raffe" influenced my decision as well.9003 > H4 > HB2: I'm going to need a map to keep track of all these numbers. Is there a chart/list somewhere for all these headlight designations? I was looking for information online, thinking that if nothing else I could make one myself, but was unsuccessful finding very much.

[bull77]

after reading all your reviews of the bulb -- I'm definately picking up a set of 9008's for our new van

[Whelan]

Good call, I would recommend them still. Had them in for a few months and love my night vision.

[northvibe]

yeah I will be getting these or HIR's for my cars until a projector/hid is installed. stock bulbs are killing my night vision

[northvibe]

does anyone have good suggestions for a H11 size? stupid escape low beam...

[unisilv05]

BULBS.COM - http://www.bulbs.com/Miniature....aspxCarries the Philips X-TREME

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by unisilv05 »BULBS.COM - http://www.bulbs.com/Miniature....aspxCarries the Philips X-TREME I am not seeing the X-Tremes on that site.PHILIPS NIGHT GUIDE 9003NG 3-in-1 Color Halogen Headlamp –Maximum Safety and PerformancePHILIPS VISION PLUS 9003VP Halogen Headlamp - Up to 50 ft. Longer Beam PHILIPS CRYSTAL VISION ULTRA 9003CV Halogen Headlamp –Extreme Blue/White Color, Brighter BeamPHILIPS BLUE VISION 9003BV Halogen Headlamp - Blue/White Color for Style and Better Visibilityare the four H4's they offer.

[bull77]

http://www.bulbs.com/eSpec.asp...26+RV

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by bull77 »http://www.bulbs.com/eSpec.asp...26+RVHEY!!! How did you find that? I did a search by vehicle (our Vibe and the Mazda) and the list I posted above is all that came up.Thanks, Bull!!

[vibolista]

Now we all have to see how long they actually last. I haven't taken the DRLs off yet, so I'm putting some extra wear on them. So far I like the brightness and I especially like the near cut off at the top of the light pattern that they display in low beam. My son picked them up in Worcester, Mass just before Thanksgiving 2009, where Bulbs dot com is located and from where they also ship out all the bulbs ordered online. So they do have a brick and mortar store.

[DeLaMano]

Old thread but a little update:I just bought a pair at my local CarQuest for $49.99, but they've got a $10 rebate going, plus they throw in a "pocket LED flashlight". Woo hoo. Must be purchased before Feb. 2, 2012.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by vibolista »Now we all have to see how long they actually last. I haven't taken the DRLs off yet, so I'm putting some extra wear on them. I do have the DRL/AHL feature(s) disabled... and we put a new battery in the car in July of 2011.Well here's your answer, in our case at least.I installed the X-Treme's on 2/06/10 and at around 37,500 miles. My wife complained that her headlights were "dark" on 10/21/11 when I put the OE's back in. The car had 53,800 miles by then. That's 20 months, 13 days, 16,000 miles. And I don't really know how long she was driving around on ONLY fog lights. Both low beams were out, and both high beams were working.

[vibenvy]

For anyone in the midwest, Farm & Fleet sells the Philips Xtreme Power bulbs for $39.99 a pair. They have them on sale alot for $34.99 as well.I've been tempted to try some, but the only ones that can be used in the 2009-2010 Vibes are the 9006 for the low beams. No 9005 for the high beams and no 9145/H10 for the fog lights . I prefer to have all my lights match.