A friend of mine wants to replace the halogens in his CRV. He asked me what the best bulb to get was, but I don't know much about halogen bulbs. I suggested an HID kit, but he wants to stick with halogen.
I've heard about HIR, Phillips and Silverstar, but I don't know what the latest opinions on them are. I did some research, and it seems like European spec bulbs are brighter than north american ones, but I don't know which bulb to get or where to get it.
He doesn't care about making the lights look like HID or anything, just wants them bright so he can see the moose on the road.

Suggestions would be appreciated.

thank you

 

Telling your friend to go with a HID kit is the wrong method.

Putting a HID kit in a halogen headlight housing is stupid because it's completely unsafe
A halogen headlight is designed for a halogen bulb. HID bulbs have a completely different output pattern, the bulbs are usually longer.
HID bulbs in reflector housings cause a LOT of glare to oncoming traffic, blinding people that have to come towards you.

In short, don't do it.

HIR bulbs are very good, but they're mainly best for high beams. Although they don't glare as much as a HID kit, they still glare more than regular halogen. you could probably get away with it being in your low beams though. I've never tested it. HIR bulbs are pretty expensive too.

As far as REGULAR halogen bulbs go, honestly, they're not all THAT different. I'd go with a pair of sylvanias. Or go with a bulb that does NOT have that stupid blue coating on it. That just cuts down output and is 100% for looks.

 

Well that goes to show how little I know about headlights then. So your suggestion is to just go to the closest auto parts store, pick a bulb that fits ( preferably sylvania ) and carry on with life. Doesn't matter what you get, it's all the same?

 

Some may disagree with me, but after having my own retrofitting business and doing a LOT of work and research on lights, that's my conclusion, yes.

Don't get me wrong, if you buy a 5$ bulb from ebay, it won't last long. Mainly the fluctuations are lifespan, not lumens. Some bulbs put out more lumens than others, but to the average driver, it won't be noticeable.

My suggestion, if your friend is willing to dish the money for HIR bulbs, i'd say try that. I'd be curious to see what he thinks of it. I've read about them, and they have very good reviews. If he doesn't want to do that, i'd just go get some sylvanias from advanced / pep boys / etc.

Bulbs only start becoming a factor when you go HID (the right way).

If he ever decides to get a HID kit in his halogen reflectors... either A) Shoot him (and yourself for recommending it) in the face. or B) PM me and I'll fill you guys in on retrofits, the advantages, and the process. I'll even do one for you for a good price.

Or make your way over to hidplanet.com. There's a boat load of information there. You can even learn enough to do a retrofit yourself.