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[Raeturbo]

One of my dipped lights has gone reddish I probably need a new pair of bulbs? Any thoughts/advice help,  welcome. 2003 estate.

[Nick W]

No probably about it, get a new pair.
Do you buy standard consumables from your most convenient and cost effective source, or spend ages obsessing about brands and subjective criteria?


I odered a pair off Ebay the Saturday evening one of mine went pink, and fitted them when I got home from work Monday evening for £16 delivered.

[Doctor Gollum]

Which bulb? And what spec car...

There should be a label on the top of the unit, just about visible under the slam panel

H4, H7 or D2S

[TheBoy]

It'll be D2S.

I disagree with NickW on this one. As we've proved time and time again, the cheap Chinese shite doesn't last well*, and all egay stuff will be that tat.  A branded bulb will be good for 10yrs.


*HIDs (actually all bulb tech, but especially HID) degrade badly over time. They still light up, and look bright when you look directly at them, but you will notice that the illumination capability is diminished.  Or not in OPs case, if they have turned pink .  The process is gradual, and starts right from first use.  There are crap bulbs, where this is highly accelerated, and good bulbs where this isn't.



I can also say, if they are the original, you *WILL* notice a difference.  IME, most noticeable on a dark, wet night when bright lights are coming towards you.

[Raeturbo]

Right great I want good ones, but obviously don’t want to pay three figures for them, any recommendations please. (Never had these type of lights before).

[Raeturbo]

GT Ultra Xenon D2S (Single) - BUY TWO GET 33% OFF    Any good?

[amba]

Philips or Osram have always served me well.

Think last set I bought was from Amazon but price escapes me.

[amba]

OSRAM XENARC NIGHT BREAKER UNLIMITED D2S HID Xenon discharge bulb, discharge lamp, 66240XNB-HCB, duobox (2 units)…£80 but imho worth the cost..but depends on budget and usage I expect.

I drive lots of night time miles around very badly lit or even country lanes...I didn't regret the cost

[Doctor Gollum]

Osrams from Hids4U

[biggriffin]

No probably about it, get a new pair.
Do you buy standard consumables from your most convenient and cost effective source, or spend ages obsessing about brands and subjective criteria?


I odered a pair off Ebay the Saturday evening one of mine went pink, and fitted them when I got home from work Monday evening for £16 delivered.

Of course, and only buy genuine, you should the drill, lots of pontificating as well.

[Raeturbo]

Thanks to all I’m on the right track now

[TheBoy]

Aye. Osram, Philips or Bosch would be my first choices.

I have some Halfords (are they made by GE?) ones in the Jag, but I don't think they are that good. Though they are D3S with built in ballasts.

[Raeturbo]

GT Ultra Xenon D2S (Single) - BUY TWO GET 33% OFF   

   Well I bought two of these bulbs for £26, fitted them last week and they are excellent, brighter than the Phillips I took out (one was blown) and of course they were old, but they are certainly up to the job and come with a 3 year guarantee! A no brainier I would say

[Webby the Bear]

My boss swears by the night breakers by osram. When mine need doing I’ll get them.

My issue at night isn’t the illumination from my lights. It’s being blinded/dazzled by other people. Me and wifey both wear spectacles and she was having same issue. She just had eye test and bought new glasses with anti glare. She reckons they’ve improved things dramatically. I’m going to have to buy some cos it’s got to the stage I’ll avoid driving at night because of it.

[YZ250]

My issue at night isn’t the illumination from my lights. It’s being blinded/dazzled by other people. Me and wifey both wear spectacles and she was having same issue. She just had eye test and bought new glasses with anti glare. She reckons they’ve improved things dramatically. I’m going to have to buy some cos it’s got to the stage I’ll avoid driving at night because of it.

I also wear driving specs so I know what you mean about oncoming traffic. 
Both of my cars have fiercely bright headlights, which is great for me but not great for others. They also both have Full Beam Assist, which means that they dip when the sensor sees the actual oncoming headlights, whereas I tend to dip just a split second before I see the actual headlights. This function can mean that when approaching a blind bend, you can momentarily blind oncoming traffic for just a split second. For this reason I'm not a particular fan of this function, but others love it. The irony is, if I'm sat behind an older car that thinks I'm on full beam, when I overtake them they stay on full beam to blind me in return, not realising that the cars fitted with super bright headlights are also fitted with some serious anti-dazzle features. Their attempts to blind me just make my mirrors go darker. 

[Webby the Bear]

Do you also find the glasses with anti glare significantly help?

Wifeys Hyundai has got that. As you say there’s a slight delay with the dipped turning off but as a feature it’s amazing. It’s just one thing to not have to think about. Now how do I retrofit this to the omega 🤔🤣🤣🤣

[YZ250]

Do you also find the glasses with anti glare significantly help?
.....

Mine are normal distance specs so I can't answer that one. 

An OOF thread going off topic, how unusual. 

[TheBoy]

My boss swears by the night breakers by osram. When mine need doing I’ll get them.

My issue at night isn’t the illumination from my lights. It’s being blinded/dazzled by other people. Me and wifey both wear spectacles and she was having same issue. She just had eye test and bought new glasses with anti glare. She reckons they’ve improved things dramatically. I’m going to have to buy some cos it’s got to the stage I’ll avoid driving at night because of it.

Northamptonshire has that other oddity that after every MOT, every driver sets one headlight high.

[TheBoy]

They also both have Full Beam Assist, which means that they dip when the sensor sees the actual oncoming headlights, whereas I tend to dip just a split second before I see the actual headlights. This function can mean that when approaching a blind bend, you can momentarily blind oncoming traffic for just a split second. For this reason I'm not a particular fan of this function, but others love it. The irony is, if I'm sat behind an older car that thinks I'm on full beam, when I overtake them they stay on full beam to blind me in return, not realising that the cars fitted with super bright headlights are also fitted with some serious anti-dazzle features. Their attempts to blind me just make my mirrors go darker. 

I have to agree with the sentiments about automatic full beam, plus such cars have great anti dazzle, it definitely does smack of sod-you-jack-i'm-alright

Trouble is, I can't find how to disable the auto high beam on mine, without disabling automatic lights.

[Kevin Wood]

They also both have Full Beam Assist, which means that they dip when the sensor sees the actual oncoming headlights, whereas I tend to dip just a split second before I see the actual headlights. This function can mean that when approaching a blind bend, you can momentarily blind oncoming traffic for just a split second. For this reason I'm not a particular fan of this function, but others love it. The irony is, if I'm sat behind an older car that thinks I'm on full beam, when I overtake them they stay on full beam to blind me in return, not realising that the cars fitted with super bright headlights are also fitted with some serious anti-dazzle features. Their attempts to blind me just make my mirrors go darker. 

I have to agree with the sentiments about automatic full beam, plus such cars have great anti dazzle, it definitely does smack of sod-you-jack-i'm-alright

Trouble is, I can't find how to disable the auto high beam on mine, without disabling automatic lights.

Along with Tosserla's "autopilot", it's one of those features that should be banned if they can't make it work as well as a manual setup with a clued up driver IMHO.

.. in fact, taking responsibilities away from drivers is a bad thing IMHO. I have no doubt that the growing number of cretins driving round with main beam on regardless, or pootling along A roads at 30 MPH in the dark without even realising main beam is a thing, is down to this sort of tech not working, or drivers getting reliant upon it and not realising that it's not fitted to the vehicle.

As far as tech is concerned, if you can't make do with a bent bit of ali with an oil light on it then you should be on a bus.

[TheBoy]

You forgot knob jockeys who drive in the fog with no lights on, because they don't realise you can turn them on manually if required.

[ronnyd]

You forgot knob jockeys who drive in the fog with no lights on, because they don't realise you can turn them on manually if required.

Or think that as they have DRLs,

 everything is fine when it gets nearly dark.

[Kevin Wood]

Indeed. You know what they say about trying to make things idiot proof.

[STEMO]

One day they may find a cure for the common cold, possible even cancer. But I'm afraid there's no cure for stupid.

[Nick W]

You forgot knob jockeys who drive in the fog with no lights on, because they don't realise you can turn them on manually if required.

or the opposite, who turn on the fog lights once more than three drops of water fall out of the sky.

[raywilb]

My issue at night isn’t the illumination from my lights. It’s being blinded/dazzled by other people. Me and wifey both wear spectacles and she was having same issue. She just had eye test and bought new glasses with anti glare. She reckons they’ve improved things dramatically. I’m going to have to buy some cos it’s got to the stage I’ll avoid driving at night because of it.

I also wear driving specs so I know what you mean about oncoming traffic. 
Both of my cars have fiercely bright headlights, which is great for me but not great for others. They also both have Full Beam Assist, which means that they dip when the sensor sees the actual oncoming headlights, whereas I tend to dip just a split second before I see the actual headlights. This function can mean that when approaching a blind bend, you can momentarily blind oncoming traffic for just a split second. For this reason I'm not a particular fan of this function, but others love it. The irony is, if I'm sat behind an older car that thinks I'm on full beam, when I overtake them they stay on full beam to blind me in return, not realising that the cars fitted with super bright headlights are also fitted with some serious anti-dazzle features. Their attempts to blind me just make my mirrors go darker. 

when i worked in germany mid nineties my boss gave me a pair of night driving glasses & they were good. not only did they prevent dazzling but in fog the distance & clarity was enhanced. a couple of weeks ago i spotted an advert for some so i sent for them. i dont do a lot of night driving but i wore them for a 60 ml journey a few nights ago & they were ok. also if one needs glasses for driving they fit quite easily over your specs . not tried them in fog yet though.

[TheBoy]

My issue at night isn’t the illumination from my lights. It’s being blinded/dazzled by other people. Me and wifey both wear spectacles and she was having same issue. She just had eye test and bought new glasses with anti glare. She reckons they’ve improved things dramatically. I’m going to have to buy some cos it’s got to the stage I’ll avoid driving at night because of it.

I also wear driving specs so I know what you mean about oncoming traffic. 
Both of my cars have fiercely bright headlights, which is great for me but not great for others. They also both have Full Beam Assist, which means that they dip when the sensor sees the actual oncoming headlights, whereas I tend to dip just a split second before I see the actual headlights. This function can mean that when approaching a blind bend, you can momentarily blind oncoming traffic for just a split second. For this reason I'm not a particular fan of this function, but others love it. The irony is, if I'm sat behind an older car that thinks I'm on full beam, when I overtake them they stay on full beam to blind me in return, not realising that the cars fitted with super bright headlights are also fitted with some serious anti-dazzle features. Their attempts to blind me just make my mirrors go darker. 

when i worked in germany mid nineties my boss gave me a pair of night driving glasses & they were good. not only did they prevent dazzling but in fog the distance & clarity was enhanced. a couple of weeks ago i spotted an advert for some so i sent for them. i dont do a lot of night driving but i wore them for a 60 ml journey a few nights ago & they were ok. also if one needs glasses for driving they fit quite easily over your specs . not tried them in fog yet though.

Do they somehow remove the wires on those stupid windscreens with stupid elements in them?  That would be beneficial.

[Doctor Gollum]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

[TheBoy]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

Indeed. But at the time, nobody could call out a better option.

[Doctor Gollum]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

Indeed. But at the time, nobody could call out a better option.

Like working AC

[Andy B]

....
Do they somehow remove the wires on those stupid windscreens with stupid elements in them?  That would be beneficial.

They're hardly noticeable these days .... 

[TheBoy]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

Indeed. But at the time, nobody could call out a better option.

Like working AC

Eh? Is my AC not working?

[TheBoy]

....
Do they somehow remove the wires on those stupid windscreens with stupid elements in them?  That would be beneficial.

They're hardly noticeable these days .... 

Ignoring my car for a minute, many Fords have them, and even the brand spankers that Enterprise make my use, they are clearly visible to me all the time, and worse at night as you get that slightly distorted glare off them.

Don't like 'em.  Thought I'd get used to 'em, but haven't in over 2.5yrs.

[Andy B]

....
Do they somehow remove the wires on those stupid windscreens with stupid elements in them?  That would be beneficial.

They're hardly noticeable these days .... 

Ignoring my car for a minute, many Fords have them, and even the brand spankers that Enterprise make my use, they are clearly visible to me all the time, and worse at night as you get that slightly distorted glare off them.

Don't like 'em.  Thought I'd get used to 'em, but haven't in over 2.5yrs.

I have to say I've only driven a few cars with a heated windscreen. The last one was a few months back, a brand new Fiesta and thoug I could them from the outside when I looked, when driving, I couldn't see them. Maybe it was cos I was concentrating on that 3rd pedal ..... 

[Doctor Gollum]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

Indeed. But at the time, nobody could call out a better option.

Like working AC

Eh? Is my AC not working?

Apart from quick defrosting, a heated screen is a poor alternative to using air con properly 

[Kevin Wood]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

Indeed. But at the time, nobody could call out a better option.

Like working AC

Eh? Is my AC not working?

Apart from quick defrosting, a heated screen is a poor alternative to using air con properly 

Screen clears easily enough with the PTC heater in the XE and no horrible glare at night.

[TheBoy]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

Indeed. But at the time, nobody could call out a better option.

Like working AC

Eh? Is my AC not working?

Apart from quick defrosting, a heated screen is a poor alternative to using air con properly 

AC works fine, and is always on, as you would imagine.

 

[Doctor Gollum]

If you will insist on driving a Ford... 

Indeed. But at the time, nobody could call out a better option.

Like working AC

Eh? Is my AC not working?

Apart from quick defrosting, a heated screen is a poor alternative to using air con properly 

AC works fine, and is always on, as you would imagine.

 

Wasn't a jibe at you particularly, more a general observation that, at this time of year, people switch off the aircon and complain that the screen mists up...

No shit, you've just turned off the drier...