Bulb Suggestions for a NEW CR-V!!

[efl]

Hey everyone --
We just picked a brand spanking new EX-L in Green Tea (which looks kick ass btw).

We are making a trip back to Wisconsin from Colorado in about 10 days and it will be mostly night driving. I am looking for suggestions for replacement bulbs for the ride back since seeing an animal in the road just a few seconds earlier is always a plus. :)

I've looked at PIAA, OSRAM, Phillips and others but am hoping for some real driver experiences and recommendations. Is there a certain type people suggest (include model if possible)? Did you replace just the main headlamps or other bulbs as well? Did you need to replace the harness due to higher wattage? Anything else I should know before I replace them?

Thanks everyone! I will get some pictures up as soon as possible!

Erik

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2008 Honda CR-V EX-L (Green Tea Metallic)

[GoGreen]

Welcome to the forum, efl!

I'm sorry I can't help you with your question, but I just wanted to congratulate you on your new Green Tea Metallic CRV EX-L !
Did you get the Nav?

I ordered mine mid-March, but it won't be available until end of May, so until I take delivery I will have to live vicariously through others who are enjoying their new CRV.

Have fun with the new CRV and watch out for those deer! :eek:

-fellow cheesehead

[Badgerland]

Here is a thread exactly asking about the same thing you are over on the other Honda site:

New Headlight Bulb Debate! - HondaSUV Forums - Discussion forum and bulletin board for Honda CR-V, CRV, Element, Pilot, HR-V owners (http://www.hondasuv.com/members/showthread.php?t=33869)

[efl]

Thanks for your input!

So I read through that thread that was suggested and then of course bounced to a few others based on that one. It seems like people are all over the board on what they like and don't. People seem to be leaning towards the Phillips technology right now but I can't seem to find a US supplier (I'm hoping to get the new bulbs before we start the drive back of course).

The other thing that occurred to me and this is a silly question I know but I don't have the car in front of me.... would I need 2-pair of the new bulbs for hi/low beams or do they just increase the wattage requirement on low beam bulb to create the hi-beam effect? Forgive the ignorance of the question, I'm not a car guy. :)

Anyways -- I guess I have narrowed it down to one of these:

Amazon.com: PIAA 15224 H4 Style Xtreme White 12V 60/55=110/100-Watt Bulb - Twin Pack: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/PIAA-15224-Style-Xtreme-100-Watt/dp/B00067BVDC)
Amazon.com: Sylvania 9003XVBP Xtra-Vision Halogen Headlight Bulb: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-9003XVBP-Xtra-Vision-Halogen-Headlight/dp/B000CO7ARU/ref=pd_bbs_9?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1208540134&sr=8-9)
Amazon.com: Sylvania 9003ST Silver Star Twin Pack High Performance Halogen Headlight Bulb: Automotive (http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-9003ST-Twin-Performance-Headlight/dp/B000CO93RA/ref=pd_bbs_3?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1208540134&sr=8-3)

Any comments?
Thanks!
Erik

p.s. Oh and it is an EX-L (w/out NAV). I looked at the cost and figured I could put in a nicer after market unit when I was ready for it. Though that does mean I miss out on the sweet Honda voice navigation. :)

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2008 Honda CR-V 4WD EX-L (Green Tea Metallic)

[sleeksilver]

I would go with the Osram Silverstars and not the Sylvania produced ones...

I personally think PIAAs are highly overrated and over priced....

[efl]

I've been reading about Osram and looking for the true German made version being important for quality.

Is the guide on this site what I should be looking for in part numbers? Or should I be referencing some European site for their part number?

OSRAM SYLVANIA - Replacement Guide - Start (http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProducts/AutomotiveLighting/LampReplacementGuide/)

Thanks!

Erik

[sleeksilver]

An easy way to see if they are the Osram manufactured bulbs is by looking on the back of the packaging. In the US they are still marketed as the Sylvania Silverstars so you need to be careful.

On the back of the package on the bottom left it will read "Made in Germany" and "Imported from Canada". THESE are the Osram manufactured bulbs that you want. If they say anything other than "Made in Germany" they are the junk ones, walk away.

If you can't find them you can always order from this site with free shipping:

Car Bulbs from Power Bulbs - upgrade xenon car bulbs, headlight bulbs, autobulbs and autolamps from Philips, Osram and Narva. Philips X-Treme Power, Osram NightBreaker, Osram Silverstar and more. (http://www.powerbulbs.com)

Great customer service and fast shipping!

Good luck :)

[ivicr]

i got some lights from passwordjdm and they work really well. i dont know how long they will last being that the crv has daytime running lights.
Password:JDM Halogen Bulbs (H4) | JDM Honda Parts, JDM Honda Engines / JDM Nissan Motor Swaps, Used JDM Parts - Password JDM (http://passwordjdm.com/PasswordJDM-Halogen-Bulbs-H4-P1604C318.aspx)

[t_simmonds]

I have the Osram night Breakers. They are by far the whitest, brightest bulbs I have used. I tried the Silverstar and Silverstar Ultra, as well as the M-Tec bulbs. None of them compare to the Night Breakers.

[Choorel]

I tried to find the nightbreakers. 9003's right? Where did you get them? Are you in the states? Wanna play 20 questions?

[kgf3076]

I just got back from Central America (Honduras to be specific) and CR-V's there use the HID head lamps. I'm seriously contemplating importing a set to replace my stock US units. These assemblies would be correct for the US and should be a direct replacement.

[1sttimer]

Has anyone tried or seen what the Philips X-treme Power bulbs are like? I've been reading some online reviews and they seem to be favoured over the Nightbreakers.

As they are the same price as the Nightbreakers from powerbulbs.com, I am considering purchasing them and was wondering if anyone has experience with these (i.e. light output, longevity, etc.).

Thanks!

[ivicr]

I use the yellow Passwordjdm bulbs and they work great. they even kut the fog a bit more the white lights do.

[t_simmonds]

I tried to find the nightbreakers. 9003's right? Where did you get them? Are you in the states? Wanna play 20 questions?

I bought on ebay. Search for h4 night breaker.

H4 fits 2007 and newer. Not sure what size for earlier models.

[spotpup]

One word of caution. Do not up the wattage. You will have brighter lights, but at a cost. If you use a higher wattage, then two other variables need to adapt. Since voltage can't change, you will be drawing more current which equals more heat which equals melted wires and switches. I melted the harness in a Ford Expedition, and a friend fired three in a truck with daytime running lights. My brother-in-law fried the harness and light switch in his Civic.

I won't put in bulbs rated over mfg specs. Not worth the cost in the long run.

[ROMAN]

One word of caution. Do not up the wattage. You will have brighter lights, but at a cost. If you use a higher wattage, then two other variables need to adapt. Since voltage can't change, you will be drawing more current which equals more heat which equals melted wires and switches. I melted the harness in a Ford Expedition, and a friend fired three in a truck with daytime running lights. My brother-in-law fried the harness and light switch in his Civic.

I won't put in bulbs rated over mfg specs. Not worth the cost in the long run.

I was told about that increase in wattage when I installed
a pair of XENON HID's, but my friend told me that the
ballast that came with it is the one that controls the flow of
electricity and absorbs the power of the current. I've had it
since the beginning and works well for me, and not a
bit of any problem.

[spotpup]

If you have a ballast, then you should be fine. I got into trouble because I just did the old plug and play method and didn't check the wattage on the bulbs. Can anyone post the part#'s for the Honda or 3rd party HID kit? I'd love to have that look on my V