Replacement HID lamps - Osram or Philips? Does it make a difference.
08-07-2007, 09:24 AM
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Replacement HID lamps - Osram or Philips? Does it make a difference.
My OEM lamps were Osram Xenarc. I'm planning to get new lamps since mine are obviously aging. Light output is noticeably down. Has anyone noticed a difference in color or light output between the 2 brands?
08-07-2007, 09:34 AM
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spent many an hour researching and stfa'ing this, osram tend to burn yellower, philips
tend to burn whiter and bluer
philips stock 4300k's are 85122's
i went with philips 85122+ since after 100+ hrs it burns @ 5000k
got pics if u want, ygm me
the 6000k's are 150$+ more and a bit ricey for my tastes
philips stock 4300k's are 85122's
i went with philips 85122+ since after 100+ hrs it burns @ 5000k
got pics if u want, ygm me
the 6000k's are 150$+ more and a bit ricey for my tastes
08-07-2007, 09:40 AM
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actually, they use slightly different salts and gasses
<b>Here are some interesting tidbits about different brands and color temps:</b>
<i>You may see I have referred to the most popular HID capsule as "4100/4300". This is because Philips claims their capsule outputs light at 4300k, but the color is actually closer to 4100k when measured. The exact measurement is 4250k. You may see 4100 or 4300 listed on websites. Again, the important thing is that they are true Philips or Osram/Sylvania capsules.
<b>Some info on the difference between Philips and Osram/Sylvania capsules.</b>
Both are rated at 4100k and 3200 lumens (+/- 250 lumens) so they should look identical, correct? In actuality, the salts used are slightly different. The Philips bulbs end up being slightly whiter, meaning it has a higher blue component and lower yellow component. The Osram/Sylvania capsules have less blue and more yellow. Some people claim these are softer on the eye, but this is subjective since everyone's eyes are different. Again, the importance is getting a name-brand capsule.
An update on the new 3000k "Flash Yellow" capsules from Philips; Philips is now producing a 3000k HID capsule. This coloring is a brilliant yellow, much along the lines of the infamous PIAA "Ion Yellow". If you have read my All About Headlamps bulbs article, you'd know that the yellow color doesn't give better visibility. The only advantage these have going is that they put out many more lumens than standard halogen. I have been unable to find the exact specs on light output. I'd steer clear of these.</i>
<a href="http://www.team-integra.net/sections/articles/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=973">source</a> via google.
<i>You may see I have referred to the most popular HID capsule as "4100/4300". This is because Philips claims their capsule outputs light at 4300k, but the color is actually closer to 4100k when measured. The exact measurement is 4250k. You may see 4100 or 4300 listed on websites. Again, the important thing is that they are true Philips or Osram/Sylvania capsules.
<b>Some info on the difference between Philips and Osram/Sylvania capsules.</b>
Both are rated at 4100k and 3200 lumens (+/- 250 lumens) so they should look identical, correct? In actuality, the salts used are slightly different. The Philips bulbs end up being slightly whiter, meaning it has a higher blue component and lower yellow component. The Osram/Sylvania capsules have less blue and more yellow. Some people claim these are softer on the eye, but this is subjective since everyone's eyes are different. Again, the importance is getting a name-brand capsule.
An update on the new 3000k "Flash Yellow" capsules from Philips; Philips is now producing a 3000k HID capsule. This coloring is a brilliant yellow, much along the lines of the infamous PIAA "Ion Yellow". If you have read my All About Headlamps bulbs article, you'd know that the yellow color doesn't give better visibility. The only advantage these have going is that they put out many more lumens than standard halogen. I have been unable to find the exact specs on light output. I'd steer clear of these.</i>
<a href="http://www.team-integra.net/sections/articles/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=973">source</a> via google.