Brighter headlamps and external strip light advice

Lady · Jan 25, 2015

Hi all, my TD5 headlamps seem really dim, and yes this after I've wiped the mud off! Would brighter bulbs help or should I go for a new headlamp kit and which one?
Also thinking of adding a external led roof strip, and some spots, can anyone recommend anything?
Thanks
Lu

Litch · Jan 25, 2015

Usual reply about headlights applies.
Re-wire using relays and a decent loom then use Osram Night-Breaker bulbs, as long as your reflectors are in good condition then that is as bright as you can get while keeping it conventional.

After that it is LED replacements, not cheap but fairly good (I use Nolden's).

Marmaduke · Jan 25, 2015

Take a look at this

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/boomslang-loom-274181.html

Boomslang Performance Headlight Loom

Personally I've got Halfords super bright jobbers in mine and they are a vast improvement on the normal bulbs

Lady · Jan 25, 2015

Thanks, I will try these before investing in a strip light or spots x

hsp · Jan 26, 2015

Or you can blast it with Xenon: HID Xenon 6000K Headlight Projector Lens Kit for H1 H7 for Retro Fit | eBay

vilguy · Jan 26, 2015

oh god dont start the anti HID people off!

Marmaduke · Jan 26, 2015

hsp said:
Or you can blast it with Xenon: HID Xenon 6000K Headlight Projector Lens Kit for H1 H7 for Retro Fit | eBay

pete_j · Jan 26, 2015

Litch said:
Re-wire using relays and a decent loom then use Osram Night-Breaker bulbs, as long as your reflectors are in good condition then that is as bright as you can get while keeping it conventional.

To reinforce what Litch said...
When I bought my 200Tdi, the previous owner had installed 100/80W headlight bulbs.
(Yes, illegal on-road, but they got through 5 MoTs and nobody noticed!)

Anyway, point is, when one failed I replaced it with a 60/55W Osram Nightbreaker -- so I had one of each -- and you could not tell the difference in brightness between them. (The Nightbreaker had the far greater throw, and was slightly more blue.)

Can also recommend the Wipac Crystal conversion, which uses the reflector to focus the beam, rather than the lens.

Relays/thicker wire is on the ToDo list...

(Incidentally, if anyone is interested in a pair of 100/80 bulbs, where only the 100 works, drop me a PM!!)

chris mcc · Jan 26, 2015

+1 for the wipac crystal with osram night breaker.

SCOTSMAN · Jan 26, 2015

Halfords Extreme brilliance bulbs aint bad.

pete_j · Jan 26, 2015

Osram Night Breakers have come first in Auto Express product awards 2013 (also 2010, 2011, 2012!).
They have good, even projection over 75m throw, whereas standard bulbs can only reach 50m.
That 25m is a lot of extra warning when you're driving! (That's what persuaded me.)

In the 2014 Tests, Philips X-tremeVision narrowly beat the NightBreakers, but they were being discontinued in favour of a +130% version, at twice the price (but appeared to be the best yet).

TheQ · Jan 26, 2015

I fitted the crystal head lights with conventional halogens vastly better than the old lights.
I'd go for the crystal first and if you're not happy enough with the improvement then get more expensive bulbs.

Brighter headlamps and external strip light advice

Lady

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Litch

Well-Known Member

Marmaduke

Well-Known Member

Lady

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hsp

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vilguy

Do'er of stuff and the like

Marmaduke

Well-Known Member

pete_j

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chris mcc

Still fixing it!

SCOTSMAN

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pete_j

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TheQ

Well-Known Member

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