Bright White Headlamp Bulbs

Post by **rmmagow** » 20 Oct 2011, 11:31

Hi All,
I am thinking to try a pair of hi intensity bright white bulbs in my 98 V70. I'm not wanting to go the 70+ dollar route with relays etc, all I want to do is see if the bright H7 type bulbs help some. Any downside to this? Looks like they cost from 15 to 20 a pair and would just replace what I have in there now. Do they really help? I do a lot of night driving on fairly isolated back roads. First accessory I bought for my car was a deer whistle to give you an idea of how brighter lamps would help too.
Thanks

Post by **jblackburn** » 20 Oct 2011, 12:14

I have Silverstars in my S70, and they DEFINITELY help.

There was a whole huge debate about whether or not they're gimmicky crap, but whatever - I'm pleased with them.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=31709

Post by **rmmagow** » 20 Oct 2011, 12:28

Thanks! I'll give them a shot. Anything gotta be better than what I've got.

peacock · Post by **peacock** » 20 Oct 2011, 14:41

a great addition to the lower life bulbs is changing your headlight switch to allow for fully off operation. this will let you keep them off during the day and extend there life span.

ChiNorm · Post by **ChiNorm** » 20 Oct 2011, 14:59

I have been very pleased with the PIAA bulbs. These bulbs do wear with time, I replace every 3 years or so.

Billc1015 · Post by **Billc1015** » 20 Oct 2011, 17:41

I bought a HID conversion for my 850 from a guy on ebay. I did not need any relays with this kit. You can even use this with the daytime running lights on your V70 since the supplied voltage to the headlights is the same. The sellers name that I bought from is orangemika. He sells the kits for around $36 with free shipping.

---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=40.284834,-75.287230

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 20 Oct 2011, 19:54

Billc1015 wrote:I bought a HID conversion for my 850 from a guy on ebay. I did not need any relays with this kit. You can even use this with the daytime running lights on your V70 since the supplied voltage to the headlights is the same. The sellers name that I bought from is orangemika. He sells the kits for around $36 with free shipping.

But...Have you driven TOWARD your car since you went HID?
Man, those thing can be utterly blinding in the wrong housings.
And we have the wrong housings. I run Sylvania SilverStar Ultras.
They make a significant difference and mine last for years.
And I DO run my headlights at all times...Cheap insurance!

Billc1015 · Post by **Billc1015** » 20 Oct 2011, 20:45

It's not so much the housings as the proper aim. Any type of bulb can blind oncoming traffic if the lamps are aimed wrong. I have still been blinded by halogens when they were in cars that had the lamps aimed too high.

Papas850 · Post by **Papas850** » 21 Oct 2011, 11:23

I agree with the Sylvania SilverStars, they dont seem to last me long but I still buy them for the amount of light they produce. I havent tried the SilverStars Ultras yet, but they may have better filaments in them and last longer.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 21 Oct 2011, 11:35

Billc1015 wrote:It's not so much the housings as the proper aim. Any type of bulb can blind oncoming traffic if the lamps are aimed wrong. I have still been blinded by halogens when they were in cars that had the lamps aimed too high.

The difference is that HIDs and halogens do NOT emit light the same way, therefore the pattern is automatically screwy if you use the HIDs in a regular housing. You should have projector style housings for HID lights.