Harbor Freight bulb review

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  • 15Michaeljoseph
    E30 Mastermind
    • Aug 2013
    • 1693

    #1

    Harbor Freight bulb review

    I know I know... Hazard Fraught shit sucks. Okay. Forget it for a moment.
    Couple months ago, my local store was selling off all their Road Shock Super-White H4 headlight bulbs for like a buck a piece. I currently run Hella H4 conversion buckets, so I bought two of these bulbs. however, I also recently picked up a set of US Ellipsoids, with plans for HID. so last night I put my new Harbor freight H4 bulbs in my hellas, because I won't be able to use these bulbs with the ellipsoids, so rather than waste them in the meantime, might as well use em till they die.

    I was skeptical of the packaging claims: '100% street legal' 'closer to color of actual sunlight' 'Xenon look'. And with the overall quality of most of the store's other products, I didn't expect much. maybe just a standard replacement bulb, only with a blue coating.

    Let me just say, I have to post pictures at some point because words arent worth much, but... holy hell. they're for real. these things, no lie, look like a 5000k HID kit. they don't seem any BRIGHTER than my old bulbs.... but they are definately wayyy WHITER. they look really good, both inside and outside the car, and the difference between old and new bulb is very noticable. also, because the bulbs have blue glass, they give the headlight bucket a blue-eye look during the day from the right angle, but it looks kinda neat.
    Furthermore, at $1 apiece, i would be happy if I get 2 months out of them. That said, they also carry these same bulbs in a 9006, which i think is what the ellipsoids take. they usually sell these bulbs for like 6 or 7 dollars a piece, but honest to god they do work as advertised. Granted I have used them for just one night, so I can't attest to their longevity or anything else, but I would reccomend this product any day. I'm very impressed.

    I will post pics soon, and also update when one burns out.


    --Mike
    (OO=[][]=OO) For Life
  • TimeMachinE30
    No R3VLimiter
    • Jun 2014
    • 3749

    #2
    Most of the stuff on the the shelves is made in the same factory overseas... I would not be surprised if it performed as well as others.
    ACS S3 Build / Dinan 5 E34

    Comment

    • ELVA164
      R3V Elite
      • Dec 2011
      • 4861

      #3
      Just remember tinted bulbs will always be dimmer than clear ones. I know what you mean about the blue-eye look, though; my 2002 had bulbs like that and it was a cool look. I only use clear bulbs now though.
      Interested in vintage cars? Ever thought about racing one? Info, photos, videos, and more can be found at www.michaelsvintageracing.com!

      Elva Courier build thread here!

      Comment

      • 15Michaeljoseph
        E30 Mastermind
        • Aug 2013
        • 1693

        #4
        Just wanted to weigh in after one month... I'd say I've driven at night at least 5/7 days a week since installing these bulbs, and so far, no issues to report. they're still awesome. I have ellipsoids waiting to go in, and maybe I'll pick up a pair of the 9006's to see if they're as good, when the time comes.


        --Mike
        (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

        Comment

        • Das Delfin
          R3VLimited
          • Sep 2014
          • 2293

          #5
          in4 difference in visibility between hella conversions and US ellips


          it's a Kenny Powers quote on wheels

          Comment

          • 15Michaeljoseph
            E30 Mastermind
            • Aug 2013
            • 1693

            #6
            Harbor Freight bulb review

            Well as far as beam cutoff goes, e-code headlights have that tick up at the passenger side, so saying that I use the same bulbs, I'll be losing that. that being said, the ability to run an HID kit seriously changes things. In fact, that's the whole reason I picked these up, considering my h4's are 20 years old and still in better condition (minimal pitting) than the ellipsoids i have waiting to go in. So that'll be a factor too. The US ellipsoid output appears to be basically two flat lines, that illuminate even the 'corners' that h4's seem to miss.
            Anyway, the next step for me is going to be picking an HID kit... far too many options as far as brands and color, and I'm even hung up on whether to get 35 or 55 watts, so I have to do more research on that.

            We'll see how the HF 9006 performs in the ellipsoids, and maybe I won't even bother with HID :)


            --Mike
            (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

            Comment

            • agent
              Vice Grand Pubaa
              • Mar 2010
              • 7960

              #7


              I went with 35w Premium 43000k HID lows and LED highs for my ellipsoids. It's perfect IMO - the cutoff seems just right, the lows are the same color as the Xenons in my E39 and the LED highs are amazing.
              Originally posted by kronus
              would be in depending on tip slant and tube size

              Comment

              • Mo Brighta
                E30 Addict
                • Mar 2010
                • 424

                #8
                9006 vs HID vs HIR options

                Originally posted by 15Michaeljoseph
                We'll see how the HF 9006 performs in the ellipsoids, and maybe I won't even bother with HID :)
                --Mike
                You may want to consider HIR options, using the upgrade 9012 HIR from Philips. Basically they offer the advantages of plug-in simplicity, tungsten filament reliability, plus the increased output of an HID - or at least closer to it.

                There are advantages in a well-designed light / reflector unit. Elipsoids were an improvement over simple reflectors, especially sealed beam and H4 reflectors. Those try to produce both high and low beam output patterns, but really don't do very well at either - compared to a single purpose low like elipsoid / CSR / BiFocal low beams.

                Maybe this is why so many newer vehicles are driven with all available lights turned on at all times - basically, it's because their lights are inadequate and they NEED auxiliary lighting to even have a prayer of seeing what's in front of them ... that is, if they are even looking.

                The 9012 HIR lamps are about twice as bright as stock lamps, and with a little tweak to the flange, fit right into the elipsoid lights. They are stock wattage, clear glass, white light, not some blue tinted glass that makes your brain think it's white.

                HIR means Halogen Infrared Reflector, referring to the coating inside the lamp that reflects heat from the filament back onto itself to raise its temperature without increasing power consumption. They glow brighter, making more light. Quite clever, very bright, plug in simple, reliable.

                You might consider this as an option between your Hella H4 lights and an HID setup (which occasionally are problematic, I hear). BMW calls out HB3 for high (9005 standard, 9011 HIR), HB4 for low (9006 standard, 9012 HIR) in their US elipsoid low / reflector high setup.
                Andy says "Be Seen, and Not Hurt!"
                Lighting Upgrades front and back for 2002, E3, E9, E10, E12, E21, E23, E24, E28, E30, E32, E36, E39, and more.
                Tail Light Improvements keep them off your tail.
                Headlight protection saves headlights from breakage.

                Comment

                • 15Michaeljoseph
                  E30 Mastermind
                  • Aug 2013
                  • 1693

                  #9
                  Andy, you are the man!! The lighting expert! Smarter than any Daniel Stern. I will definately look into an HIR... it sounds like an interesting concept. I'll take a look when i get to my computer


                  --Mike
                  (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

                  Comment

                  • phenryiv1
                    No R3VLimiter
                    • Jul 2009
                    • 3246

                    #10
                    Originally posted by agent
                    http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=323967

                    I went with 35w Premium 43000k HID lows and LED highs for my ellipsoids. It's perfect IMO - the cutoff seems just right, the lows are the same color as the Xenons in my E39 and the LED highs are amazing.
                    I am trying to go the same route but no reply from the seller.
                    Patrick Henry

                    1989 325iC build: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=316880


                    Comment

                    • agent
                      Vice Grand Pubaa
                      • Mar 2010
                      • 7960

                      #11
                      Originally posted by phenryiv1
                      I am trying to go the same route but no reply from the seller.
                      I will see him this weekend and let him know to check his messages.
                      Originally posted by kronus
                      would be in depending on tip slant and tube size

                      Comment

                      • phenryiv1
                        No R3VLimiter
                        • Jul 2009
                        • 3246

                        #12
                        Originally posted by agent
                        I will see him this weekend and let him know to check his messages.
                        Good deal. His kits are well-liked amd I always prefer to keep my money in the community.
                        Patrick Henry

                        1989 325iC build: http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=316880


                        Comment

                        • 15Michaeljoseph
                          E30 Mastermind
                          • Aug 2013
                          • 1693

                          #13
                          Harbor Freight bulb review

                          well I looked at some HIR options... pretty cool stuff. However factoring costs and such, I'm thinking I'm probably going to end up going big with a 55w HID kit, most likely a 5 or 6k kit because of the wattage-washout.

                          Also: The HF bulbs are still going strong, still beautiful color and brightness.


                          --Mike
                          (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

                          Comment

                          • Klug
                            E30 Modder
                            • Sep 2011
                            • 804

                            #14
                            How does the amperage compare to the standard halogen H4 bulbs? Back in the day when I was young and stupid (12 years ago at 16), I used aftermarket bulbs in my Montero Sport- and they pulled more power than normal and ended up melting my fusebox. Curious if you measured what the HF ones are pulling
                            555Garage - Kingston, PA

                            '13 BMW e70 X5 35d
                            '95 BMW e34 525i
                            '92 BMW e30 325i S52 Vert (Quade the Vert)
                            '92 Range Rover Classic
                            '90 Range Rover Classic
                            '89 BMW e30 325i Coupe (The DIRTY30)
                            '81 VW MK1 Rabbit Caddy Diesel
                            '76 Honda CB550K Cafe/Brat
                            '67 Pontiac LeMans
                            '24 Model T Depot Hack
                            ....And a bunch of Motobecane, Puch, Garelli, Batavus and Honda 49cc-78cc Mopeds...

                            Comment

                            • 15Michaeljoseph
                              E30 Mastermind
                              • Aug 2013
                              • 1693

                              #15
                              Originally posted by Klug
                              How does the amperage compare to the standard halogen H4 bulbs? Back in the day when I was young and stupid (12 years ago at 16), I used aftermarket bulbs in my Montero Sport- and they pulled more power than normal and ended up melting my fusebox. Curious if you measured what the HF ones are pulling
                              I haven't measured anything, but they're a regular old 12v, 55w bulb... Nothing's melted, no fuses 'poped', still working fine. basically they're just a blue tinted regular H4.


                              --Mike
                              (OO=[][]=OO) For Life

                              Comment

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