Has anyone tried these Phillips +130% light bulbs in parabolic headlights?

I would like better headlights. Projector HID would be ideal but I am not sure I am willing to invest the time into fitting them, as well as not being too fond of how this looks so I am considering upgrading light bulbs.
Currently I feel my high beams are fine, but low beams aren't too great during highway driving.

I've just fitted these in my 380, to replace the blown Philips +100%.

They are a decent improvement on the +100% and a mile better than standard bulbs.

I haven't used the +130s, but my experiences with the +50s, +80 and +100 Philips bulbs have been great - I say go for it.

I haven't used the +130s, but my experiences with the +50s, +80 and +100 Philips bulbs have been great - I say go for it.

+1 same here.

My 100s are definitely better than standards. They do blow quicker though. And Im going to guess - the higher the number, the quicker they blow... Though good lighting is not a place you try to save a few dollars.

Thanks guys, I wasn't sure if these were better than standard as I have heard that given the bulb size there is only so much light they can put out, and that these claims are nothing but gimmicks.

Thanks guys, I wasn't sure if these were better than standard as I have heard that given the bulb size there is only so much light they can put out, and that these claims are nothing but gimmicks.
I went from OEM bulbs to +50 Philips (the old "Power2Night" globes) in my old parabolics and the difference was noticeable. I've had HIDs for a while now but my dad and brother have run +80s and +100 Philips in their cars and have commented on the improvement also.

A little irrelevant but I installed +90 Narva globes (or thereabouts) in my 380. Again, I could notice the extra light. It's not night and day (no pun intended) but it's definitely noticeable.

They may be a little gimmicky though in the sense that "+130" is the increase in light output at the brightest point (if I recall correctly). It's not that there is a 130% increase in light output on the whole (i.e. the total output measured in lumens) compared to standard bulbs.

Still worth it though if you don't want to go down the HID path.

Just a note of caution... If you occasionally peruse those "$2+" shops all over shopping centres these days you might chance upon H1 and H4 bulbs that are either clear or have a blue tint. They are packed in nice clear plastic cases and their blurbs say that they output extra light. They usually cost about $7 a pair in one case.

Well, in the case of these things, Caveat Emptor (look it up if you didn't do Latin at school). A mate bought two sets for the two Commodores in their family fleet. Both sets blew after a month and the light output was identical to standard bulbs, save for a bluish tinge (he bought the tinted ones). Stick to brand names and steer clear of junk shop bulbs and internet purchases (lots of fakes).

I was considering either the Phillips Xtreme Vision or the Osram Nightbreakers which are very comparable. In the end the Phillips bulbs are marginally more expensive and supposedly last longer (these high performance bulbs tend to have a shorter life).

I assumed that +130% meant 130% more light than the dullest H1/H7 light bulb in existence. As mentioned though the low beam is a bit poor for highway driving as it doesn't illuminate far enough to avoid animals etc

A quick bit of research suggests that most of the super-duper bulbs will emit around 10-20% more light than a standard bulb.

For what it's worth, a regular 55w halogen bulb will emit around 1600 lumens of light, whereas a 35w HID kit will emit around 3000-3500 lumens of light.

You have to keep in mind too that the standard parabolic reflector housing simply isn't very good. Better bulbs will assist but for a significant improvement you really want to look at a projector retrofit, simply because this completely bypasses the standard reflector housing.

Another option to consider is to install upgraded wiring and relays to your current parabolics. The small wiring used in Magnas results in a decrease in light output. Even without resulting to over-wattage bulbs you should notice an improvement there also, however it's your call as to whether it would be worth it (especially compared to the cost of HIDs).

HID parts are very cheap these days, in fact replacing both the high and low beam bulbs will cost roughly the same as a bi-xenon projector fit.
My dilemma is that projectors look pretty bad in those headlights, and the effort involved of DIY

Just remember HIDs retrofits in existing headlights are also illegal in all states - unless they are auto levelling, have washers etc.

HID parts are very cheap these days, in fact replacing both the high and low beam bulbs will cost roughly the same as a bi-xenon projector fit.
My dilemma is that projectors look pretty bad in those headlights, and the effort involved of DIY

There isn't really a lot of effort, you just need to ask the right person and ask the right questions. Looks are highly dependent on the type of shroud used.

Doesn't look too bad... lol

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x112/micpea/IMAG1325_zpsvdo3xbfl.jpg (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/micpea/media/IMAG1325_zpsvdo3xbfl.jpg.html)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x112/micpea/IMAG0051_zpsa2vwgszq.jpg (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/micpea/media/IMAG0051_zpsa2vwgszq.jpg.html)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x112/micpea/IMAG1183_zps66fpiywr.jpg (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/micpea/media/IMAG1183_zps66fpiywr.jpg.html)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x112/micpea/IMAG0864_zpswzjl24dr.jpg (http://s184.photobucket.com/user/micpea/media/IMAG0864_zpswzjl24dr.jpg.html)

Just remember HIDs retrofits in existing headlights are also illegal in all states - unless they are auto levelling, have washers etc.
If you stick to 4300k (or possibly 5000k) bulbs they'll be indistinguishable from OEM HID/projector setups.

Googled RDA Lights - as I think all states have to comply with their rules.... Be prepared for you eyes to bleed - but I think so far as your replacement lights are not moved, deleted, added to, or altered in their projection path (vertical or horizontal) you are OK

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2013C00238

My 100s are definitely better than standards. They do blow quicker though. And Im going to guess - the higher the number, the quicker they blow... Though good lighting is not a place you try to save a few dollars.

changing both headlight bulbs in TW can take half a day: a good reason to fit a bulb that lasts a long time!

How would HID bulbs in the stock lights without proctors work?
Would these create more light?
I understand the HID cutoff won't be there but it may be a small price to pay overall

With the HID's I was told you also need to fit a leveling mechanism to ensure if you load up the boot you don't blind other road users.

Anyone else heard this?

Some personal experiences with 'improving the headlights'. Some years ago the shops started to have lamps available that claimed improved lighting.
I blew a light one day and bought one.
In a while I noticed opposing cars flicking their highbeam when I was on low and I noticed other cars coming towards me that shifted down were still too bright for me. On top of that other light after light were blowing on my car. I figured maybe that there was some fundamental incompatibility that screwed a lot up. Maybe not. I'm not an electrician.
After realigning the lights, in the end I reverted to stock. Lights stopped blowing and I seemed to annoy other cars less plus over time other cars stopped annoying me. I put it down to a fad wrongly implemented that in the end was just annoying and a waste of time and money.
As I live where a lot of driving is over hills a lot there are many times when irresopective of lamp alignment the headlights will shine too bright into car unless on low so a too bright light properly aligned is still a nuisance even when on low.

HID's in factory reflectors are a bad idea, they produce far too much glare, you may be happy with the extra light output but your headlights will be a harzard to other motorists.

Either, upgrade the factory wiring using relays as said earlier, fit the +130% globes, or fit projectors with HID's, these are the sensible ways to do it.

With the HID's I was told you also need to fit a leveling mechanism to ensure if you load up the boot you don't blind other road users.

Anyone else heard this?

Not exactly, If you were to fit them in factory reflectors that would be a good idea but no one will go to that effort, and secondly with projectors no you don't need a self levelling feature, however you can get self levelling projectors.

Not exactly, If you were to fit them in factory reflectors that would be a good idea but no one will go to that effort, and secondly with projectors no you don't need a self levelling feature, however you can get self levelling projectors.

Thanks that explains it better. I didn't realise that the leveling mechanism could be built into the actual light.

I want to upgrade the brightness, low beam is pretty average. I did the globes in the driving lights but there has been a crackdown on using them....

Another option to consider is to install upgraded wiring and relays to your current parabolics. The small wiring used in Magnas results in a decrease in light output. Even without resulting to over-wattage bulbs you should notice an improvement there also, however it's your call as to whether it would be worth it (especially compared to the cost of HIDs).

Have you heard or seen that its a noticeable improvement? Im guessing I just grab a good thick wire and connect it to the battery and the globe and see if I notice the light get brighter? Or is there a better way of testing it out?