New CR-V Owner with Headlight Lighting Questions

[Runninlow3]

Hello everyone...I just purchased a new '12 CR-V EX-L w/navi.
I'm hoping I can get some help/info/opinions in regards to the factory headlights...I'd like to upgrade the headlights to a whiter and possibly brighter bulb. I'm also considering an HID kit. The questions I have are:

If I upgraded the bulb with the same stock wattage for a whiter bulb, what brand/type are others using?
If I upgraded to a slightly higher wattage bulb, what brand would you use?
When upgrading to a higher wattage, has anyone experienced overheating/melting of the harness? And if so, has anyone used a heavy duty harness extension to protect the factory harness?
If I were to upgrade to a HID kit, what brand(s) is everyone using and would recommend?

One more question...I'd like to upgrade my foglight bulbs to a yellow bulb...what brand/type would you recommend?


Thanks in advance for all your info!

[JustinTime]

I have a lot of experience with bulb replacement on multiple year CRVs. I have found these to be the BEST bang for your buck. I really have never looked back after settling with the OSRAMs. Make sure you get THESE and not the Sylvania's in the US. They are not the same! Pricing is fantastic, and these guys ship to US!

http://www.powerbulbs.com/us/product...r-h4-two-bulbs

[Runninlow3]

Thanks for sharing the link.
Given your experience with these bulbs, do they have a whiter, nicer look to them?
Is visilibity bettter?
How long do they tend to last you?
And, do you have any overheating issues with the harness?

Thanks!

[JustinTime]

They are VERY VERY white. but not blue, which is shy I like it. As white as it gets. I dont like the stock yellowish tint of bulbs. You will like the crisp white, they're perfect.
Visibility is vastly superior than stock on all my vehicles: Fit Spot, 02 CRV and 13 CRV. Again, they dont disappoint, which is why I have been using them for 6+ years!
They tend to last between 2-4 years for me. But this is the first time I use them on a vehicle with DRL, so we'll see. Still, even if they last 1 year, well worth it. At $25 a pair, who cares?! They are much safer/brighter than stock.
Lastly, they are same wattage as stock bulbs, so have never had a problem with heat or harness.

Thanks for sharing the link.
Given your experience with these bulbs, do they have a whiter, nicer look to them?
Is visilibity bettter?
How long do they tend to last you?
And, do you have any overheating issues with the harness?

Thanks!

[JustinTime]

Double post

[PNutts]

Thanks for the info. There is a forum member that recommends Philips X-treme Vision. They are more expensive and claim to throw out 100% more light. I was thinking about buying a pair but now I'll look into the OSRAMs.

[genep]

Amazon sells a GE Nighthawk bulb that I installed for the wife. She said that it was an improvement. I think that the reflector design is the main culprit in the CR-V lighting problems.

[JustinTime]

I don't know what people are complaining about to be honest. With the stock bulbs, I felt the lighting was mediocre, but on par with my 2002 CR-V.

Then I upgraded the bulbs to the OSRAMs as per above post, and the brightness is increased substantially. Furthermore, low beams are outstanding (better than my past 3 Hondas), while the high beams are 'fine' now. No problems with the beam pattern on high (or low) for me... the high beam does cast still some light on the road ahead of me, NOT ALL UP like some people seems to describe. 2013 EX-L built in Canada.

[Runninlow3]

Thanks for the info JustinTime, based on your experience and info, I'll be ordering a pair of the Osram headlights bulbs. My previous car had factory HID which was a big difference from the stock headlights of my new CR-V. The 'crisp white color & brighter' you describe sounds just like what I'm looking for!

[JustinTime]

No problem. Get them from my link since they free ship to us in 3-4 days. Awesome.

If you get from elsewhere be careful as not all are the same, even with similar names.


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