Thoughts on PIA headlight bulb replacement?

[gearhead]

I have been giving some thought to replacing the stock element with a more white/ Xenon type bulb like PIA! Is it worth it?

[greer]

Definitely worth changing the bulb, but I'm not sure you have to spring for the Piaa. Seems like there was a thread a few months back that gave a link to a test showing as good or better results with the less expensive Sylvania. Sit tight, I'm sure others will provide more info. Sarah

[pjbmw]

I replaced with the 60/55 super white. Much brighter than stock. Still not enough light in my opinion. I added a set of PIAA 1100s to supplement. If you decide to buy the replacement head light bulb, buy the two pack. Saves a bit of cash and you have a spare.

[Capt. Blackadder]

It's absolutely worth it. I went with an Xtreme White type, and never looked back.

[dallara]

I use a PIAA Super-White that is hardly available any more...

It's an 80/80 watt. Definitely worth the coin. I tried the Sylvania Silverstars, but wasn't impressed. Sure, they're cheaper, but I didn't think they put out any more light than the stock bulb.

I have some others I have tried and been happy with, but I worry a bit about the wattage and the OEM headlamp wiring. One is a Philips 130/100, and it is fantastic, and that is a true 130/100... Not one of the 60/55's they say is "rated" higher. I also have some Hella 100/90's, and they work well, too.

A great bulb for the money are those made by MTec. These are made in Japan, and have very high quality construction. I have used them and never had one burn out. They are available in a really trick looking model that has a blue surround cap that are 60/55's "rated" at 130/110. You can see those here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-MTEC ... 8001566858

They also make what they call "4X" bulbs, which are 100/90's, but "rated" at 170/160 light output. These are what I have used. You can see 'em here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JAPAN-MT ... 8005868119

IMHO, the very best H$ bulbs you can buy are the trick Raybrig's (made by the Stanley company in Japan), but they are *HARD* to find the upper-end models, and they are pricey as hell, just like PIAA's.

Most cost effective to me are either the MTec's or Hella's.

Hope this helps!

Cheers!

Dallara

[ofrogg]

The whole PIAA thing is fairly overrated...

Buy what you want, but for those of you with technical backgrounds, do your research and determine if you haven't been fished...

Danial Stern Lighting

[rdsmith3]

Yes, I am with ofrogg on this. Buy your basic 90/100 W headlight bulb, such as a Philips, at your local auto store. Install relays, such as these:
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Home/Main/ ... _kits.html

You will have much brighter lighting than stock -- you will have a true 100W high beam. You will probably spend about the same for this setup as the cost of just a PIAA H4 bulb.

[gearhead]

The whole PIAA thing is fairly overrated...

Buy what you want, but for those of you with technical backgrounds, do your research and determine if you haven't been fished...

Danial Stern Lighting

Thanks to all for the feedback, I was good to go until I read the articles above?!! Now what to think? I was under the impression that the human eye perceives blue/more pure white light as being brighter even if it isn't technically...That would be enought for me to be worth it, besides is does look cool and not that worn out yellow look...So, the question is, is it really brighter like they say for the same wattage or not? HMMMM

[rdsmith3]

So, the question is, is it really brighter like they say for the same wattage or not? HMMMM

NOT

Do you really think you can get something for nothing? Can you get more light from a PIAA H4 bulb that consumes 55W than from another 55W bulb? I would say not an appreciable amount more of light.

Assuming that you are sticking with an H4 bulb, using relays will deliver more power to the bulb because it is directly wired to the battery. Then using a higher wattage bulb will give you even more light.

[Peter J]

I have the PIAA H-4 Anti Vibration 60/55 = super white in my roadster, yes it does put out more/whiter light and it lights the road up better rthan the stock bulb. One of my riding buddies has one as well in his F650 when I look in my mirror I can locate him much easier than when he had the stock bulb. I belive in being seen which these bulbs do help, I have used them in both my truck and my previous F650 and have gotten between 18 and 36 months out of the bulbs. But I continue to buy them because they work.

[guest11]

I have the PIAA H-4 Anti Vibration 60/55 = super white in my roadster, yes it does put out more/whiter light and it lights the road up better rthan the stock bulb. One of my riding buddies has one as well in his F650 when I look in my mirror I can locate him much easier than when he had the stock bulb. I belive in being seen which these bulbs do help, I have used them in both my truck and my previous F650 and have gotten between 18 and 36 months out of the bulbs. But I continue to buy them because they work.

the pia bulbs only last between a year or two? that blows! how long is the stock element expected to last. Also, why the vibration bulb instead of the standard pia?