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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95
Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 05:23 Go to next message
mike miller   United States
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
Senior Member
This looks like a good deal:

<http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=0301600118>

I have not bought any... yet. Any comments?


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106514 is a reply to message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 05:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mschultz is currently offline  mschultz   United States
Messages: 113
Registered: September 2010
Location: Maple City, MI
Karma: 0
Senior Member
These are definately a bargain basement price. I have a pair of these on one of my classic cars. The pattern of the light is certainly better then standard lights. But the Hella lenses defusion is old school and there are better ones out there. But they can run 4 to 5 times the money. Also the face of these are flat, which is fairly common in the modern lights, so don't be surprised by that. So, before you start a shelf of lights you tried and then found something better, do your research. Here is some interesting reading by a person I consider the expert in automotive lighting. He is an engineer in this field and developed a company around it. Lots of free reading and improvements you can make to your lighting. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/
Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106522 is a reply to message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 08:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Mike,

This is what I run on my Harley, the bulb in the center is replaceable AND
you can get ones that are a hell of a lot brighter than the 60/55W!

Speaking of which you need a relay kit to run the brighter bulbs, anyone got
the part number / source for them?

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Mike Miller
Sent: Tuesday, November 23, 2010 5:24 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95



This looks like a good deal:

<http://busdepot.com/details.jsp?partnumber=0301600118>

I have not bought any... yet. Any comments?
--
Mike Miller



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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106524 is a reply to message #106522] Tue, 23 November 2010 08:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Patrick Flowers is currently offline  Patrick Flowers   United States
Messages: 195
Registered: February 2004
Karma: -24
Senior Member
Rob,

I've had good luck with the relays from the local auto parts store.
AutoZone, Advance, etc. Pretty sure you have similar stores down under.
They're generic, but so far have given good service and cheap enough.

Patrick

On Tue, November 23, 2010 9:35 am, Rob Mueller wrote:

> Speaking of which you need a relay kit to run the brighter bulbs, anyone
> got the part number / source for them?
--
GMCnet Listmaster
'73 CanyonLands
Tyrone GA

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Patrick Flowers
GMCnet Listmaster
'73 CanyonLands
Tyrone, GA
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106528 is a reply to message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 09:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Jim Wagner is currently offline  Jim Wagner   United States
Messages: 339
Registered: February 2004
Location: Brook Park, Oh
Karma: 0
Senior Member
LMC Truck has a complete kit to convert the headlights. Simple plug in.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=71

Jim Wagner
Brook Park, oh
Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106531 is a reply to message #106522] Tue, 23 November 2010 11:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
idrob is currently offline  idrob   United States
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
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Senior Member
Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 06:35

Mike,

This is what I run on my Harley, the bulb in the center is replaceable AND
you can get ones that are a hell of a lot brighter than the 60/55W!


Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie



Sorry about being grumpy here, yes, you can get higher wattage bulbs, and blind everyone coming at you. Ah, but I can see, to hell with them.

End of grump


Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106536 is a reply to message #106531] Tue, 23 November 2010 11:24 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

"Blinding" is NOT a function of wattage,
but of poor optical design of the lens
and/or incorrect aiming.


* * * * * * * * * * * *
* D C "Mac" Macdonald *
* Amateur Radio K2GKK *
* USAF & FAA, Retired *
** Oklahoma City, OK **
* * "The Money Pit" * *
* * ex-Palm Beach, 76 *
* * * * * * * * * * * *



* "An unarmed man can but flee *
* from evil. Evil can NEVER be *
* overcome by flight FROM it." *





> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: profmail@wildblue.net
> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:09:14 -0600
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95
>
>
>
> Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 06:35
> > Mike,
> >
> > This is what I run on my Harley, the bulb in the center is replaceable AND
> > you can get ones that are a hell of a lot brighter than the 60/55W!
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Rob M.
> > USAussie
>
>
> Sorry about being grumpy here, yes, you can get higher wattage bulbs, and blind everyone coming at you. Ah, but I can see, to hell with them.
>
> End of grump
>
> --
> Rob Allen
> former owner of '76 x-PB
> _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106538 is a reply to message #106531] Tue, 23 November 2010 11:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WD0AFQ is currently offline  WD0AFQ   United States
Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.
Karma: 207
Senior Member
Rob, I got my relay set for the GMC from LMC. The one on the vdub, I built myself using what Patrick said, from O Reily. Easy to build or cheap to buy already made up from LMC.
Dan


3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer
Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106539 is a reply to message #106536] Tue, 23 November 2010 11:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMC_LES is currently offline  GMC_LES   United States
Messages: 569
Registered: October 2009
Location: Montreal
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I have used the Bosch 7" lights in several of my previous cars. Most of the time they were installed with higher wattage bulbs and relays. The results were absolutely amazing as far as illumination of the road ahead.

For those of you worried about bothering the opposing traffic. It would only happen if you left the high beams on. The European lenses have a special pattern on low beam that
Cuts off the light above a certain height. The low beam also directs more light to the right side of the road. This reduces the risk of the brighter bulbs affecting oncoming traffic. On high, the light is focused forward often lighting up the signs for over a mile ahead.

As far as finding a 7" headlight with better lens technology, I bet that you would have a very hard time as 7" lights are rarely used in new mass produced vehicles anymore, so there is little reason to invest/improve on a low demand item.

Les Burt
Sent from my iPhone

On 2010-11-23, at 12:24 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
> "Blinding" is NOT a function of wattage,
> but of poor optical design of the lens
> and/or incorrect aiming.
>
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * *
> * D C "Mac" Macdonald *
> * Amateur Radio K2GKK *
> * USAF & FAA, Retired *
> ** Oklahoma City, OK **
> * * "The Money Pit" * *
> * * ex-Palm Beach, 76 *
> * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
>
>
> * "An unarmed man can but flee *
> * from evil. Evil can NEVER be *
> * overcome by flight FROM it." *
>
>
>
>
>
>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>> From: profmail@wildblue.net
>> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:09:14 -0600
>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95
>>
>>
>>
>> Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 06:35
>>> Mike,
>>>
>>> This is what I run on my Harley, the bulb in the center is replaceable AND
>>> you can get ones that are a hell of a lot brighter than the 60/55W!
>>>
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>> Rob M.
>>> USAussie
>>
>>
>> Sorry about being grumpy here, yes, you can get higher wattage bulbs, and blind everyone coming at you. Ah, but I can see, to hell with them.
>>
>> End of grump
>>
>> --
>> Rob Allen
>> former owner of '76 x-PB
>> _______________________________________________
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Les Burt Montreal 1975 Eleganza 26ft A work in Progress
Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106543 is a reply to message #106539] Tue, 23 November 2010 12:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mlincoln is currently offline  mlincoln   United States
Messages: 107
Registered: August 2006
Location: Salt Lake City
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I had H4s on an old Saab years ago and they were wonderful, compared with DOT. Even the 55/60 W H4 bulbs seemed to be a big improvement over stock, although one can of course put in higher power versions with a relay. The H4s have a sharp cut off pattern and I found that, after proper alignment and when standing 50-100 yards ahead of the car, simulating an oncoming driver, they were no more--and perhaps even less--distracting than a regular bulb setup. In practice I did not get flashed by oncoming drivers. Of course HID lights would be the best improvement, but they might be awfully hard to fit, and these H4s would at least allow one to drive more safely on moonless nights whilst fitting the stock brackets.

Best regards, Mike
HID on the Porsche, Saab, and Acadia, but looking through a glass, quite darkly, when driving the GMC after dusk (1978 Coachman CK Royale)




On Nov 23, 2010, at 12:49 PM, Les Burt wrote:

> I have used the Bosch 7" lights in several of my previous cars. Most of the time they were installed with higher wattage bulbs and relays. The results were absolutely amazing as far as illumination of the road ahead.
>
> For those of you worried about bothering the opposing traffic. It would only happen if you left the high beams on. The European lenses have a special pattern on low beam that
> Cuts off the light above a certain height. The low beam also directs more light to the right side of the road. This reduces the risk of the brighter bulbs affecting oncoming traffic. On high, the light is focused forward often lighting up the signs for over a mile ahead.
>
> As far as finding a 7" headlight with better lens technology, I bet that you would have a very hard time as 7" lights are rarely used in new mass produced vehicles anymore, so there is little reason to invest/improve on a low demand item.
>
> Les Burt
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 2010-11-23, at 12:24 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Blinding" is NOT a function of wattage,
>> but of poor optical design of the lens
>> and/or incorrect aiming.
>>
>>
>> * * * * * * * * * * * *
>> * D C "Mac" Macdonald *
>> * Amateur Radio K2GKK *
>> * USAF & FAA, Retired *
>> ** Oklahoma City, OK **
>> * * "The Money Pit" * *
>> * * ex-Palm Beach, 76 *
>> * * * * * * * * * * * *
>>
>>
>>
>> * "An unarmed man can but flee *
>> * from evil. Evil can NEVER be *
>> * overcome by flight FROM it." *
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>>> From: profmail@wildblue.net
>>> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:09:14 -0600
>>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 06:35
>>>> Mike,
>>>>
>>>> This is what I run on my Harley, the bulb in the center is replaceable AND
>>>> you can get ones that are a hell of a lot brighter than the 60/55W!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Rob M.
>>>> USAussie
>>>
>>>
>>> Sorry about being grumpy here, yes, you can get higher wattage bulbs, and blind everyone coming at you. Ah, but I can see, to hell with them.
>>>
>>> End of grump
>>>
>>> --
>>> Rob Allen
>>> former owner of '76 x-PB
>>> _______________________________________________
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
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List Information and Subscription Options:
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Mike
Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106547 is a reply to message #106543] Tue, 23 November 2010 12:44 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Duce Apocalypse is currently offline  Duce Apocalypse   United States
Messages: 824
Registered: May 2009
Location: Los angeles
Karma: 0
Senior Member

Yes HID lights would be the best upgrade, and being that I'm a bit of a nut in tracking down aftermarket parts, I have found a kit which will fit the GMC with bi-xenon projectors and OEM Phillips components. The kit aint cheap however, but comes with everything you need to retrofit to HID, and are DOT approved

http://www.kbcarstuff.com/6024-7-Round-Bi-Xenon-HID-Headlight-p/xd-6024.htm

They even have a kit for those who have gone to the square lights...

mlincoln wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 12:21

I had H4s on an old Saab years ago and they were wonderful, compared with DOT. Even the 55/60 W H4 bulbs seemed to be a big improvement over stock, although one can of course put in higher power versions with a relay. The H4s have a sharp cut off pattern and I found that, after proper alignment and when standing 50-100 yards ahead of the car, simulating an oncoming driver, they were no more--and perhaps even less--distracting than a regular bulb setup. In practice I did not get flashed by oncoming drivers. Of course HID lights would be the best improvement, but they might be awfully hard to fit, and these H4s would at least allow one to drive more safely on moonless nights whilst fitting the stock brackets.

Best regards, Mike
HID on the Porsche, Saab, and Acadia, but looking through a glass, quite darkly, when driving the GMC after dusk (1978 Coachman CK Royale)




On Nov 23, 2010, at 12:49 PM, Les Burt wrote:

> I have used the Bosch 7" lights in several of my previous cars. Most of the time they were installed with higher wattage bulbs and relays. The results were absolutely amazing as far as illumination of the road ahead.
>
> For those of you worried about bothering the opposing traffic. It would only happen if you left the high beams on. The European lenses have a special pattern on low beam that
> Cuts off the light above a certain height. The low beam also directs more light to the right side of the road. This reduces the risk of the brighter bulbs affecting oncoming traffic. On high, the light is focused forward often lighting up the signs for over a mile ahead.
>
> As far as finding a 7" headlight with better lens technology, I bet that you would have a very hard time as 7" lights are rarely used in new mass produced vehicles anymore, so there is little reason to invest/improve on a low demand item.
>
> Les Burt
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 2010-11-23, at 12:24 PM, D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Blinding" is NOT a function of wattage,
>> but of poor optical design of the lens
>> and/or incorrect aiming.
>>
>>
>> * * * * * * * * * * * *
>> * D C "Mac" Macdonald *
>> * Amateur Radio K2GKK *
>> * USAF & FAA, Retired *
>> ** Oklahoma City, OK **
>> * * "The Money Pit" * *
>> * * ex-Palm Beach, 76 *
>> * * * * * * * * * * * *
>>
>>
>>
>> * "An unarmed man can but flee *
>> * from evil. Evil can NEVER be *
>> * overcome by flight FROM it." *
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
>>> From: profmail@wildblue.net
>>> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:09:14 -0600
>>> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 06:35
>>>> Mike,
>>>>
>>>> This is what I run on my Harley, the bulb in the center is replaceable AND
>>>> you can get ones that are a hell of a lot brighter than the 60/55W!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>> Rob M.
>>>> USAussie
>>>
>>>
>>> Sorry about being grumpy here, yes, you can get higher wattage bulbs, and blind everyone coming at you. Ah, but I can see, to hell with them.
>>>
>>> End of grump
>>>
>>> --
>>> Rob Allen
>>> former owner of '76 x-PB
>>> _______________________________________________
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> List Information and Subscription Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

_______________________________________________
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73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
[GMCnet] Rectangular Headlight Improvements (Was: RE: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95) [message #106564 is a reply to message #106531] Tue, 23 November 2010 13:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

Some P.O. of "The Money Pit" already did the conversion
from round to rectangular halogen sealed beam lamps.

While I haven't driven the beast at night yet, I suspect
that there are similar improvements to be made for these
headlamps.

Does anybody out there have any suggestions?


* * * * * * * * * * * *
* D C "Mac" Macdonald *
* Amateur Radio K2GKK *
* USAF & FAA, Retired *
** Oklahoma City, OK **
* * "The Money Pit" * *
* * ex-Palm Beach, 76 *
* * * * * * * * * * * *



* "An unarmed man can but flee *
* from evil. Evil can NEVER be *
* overcome by flight FROM it." *





> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: profmail@wildblue.net
> Date: Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:09:14 -0600
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95
>
>
>
> Robert Mueller wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 06:35
> > Mike,
> >
> > This is what I run on my Harley, the bulb in the center is replaceable AND
> > you can get ones that are a hell of a lot brighter than the 60/55W!
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Rob M.
> > USAussie
>
>
> Sorry about being grumpy here, yes, you can get higher wattage bulbs, and blind everyone coming at you. Ah, but I can see, to hell with them.
>
> End of grump
>
> --
> Rob Allen
> former owner of '76 x-PB
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist

Re: [GMCnet] Rectangular Headlight Improvements (Was: RE: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106565 is a reply to message #106564] Tue, 23 November 2010 13:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cbwoodsr is currently offline  cbwoodsr   United States
Messages: 1063
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I'll swap with you... Rolling Eyes


CBWood
77 Kingslay
MWC OK
ONLINE PARTS PROGRAM
www.GMCMHParts.com

Re: [GMCnet] Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106567 is a reply to message #106536] Tue, 23 November 2010 13:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
idrob is currently offline  idrob   United States
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
Senior Member
k2gkk wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 09:24


"Blinding" is NOT a function of wattage,
but of poor optical design of the lens
and/or incorrect aiming.




I only partially agree with you. Yes poor aiming will cause blinding, but the optics of the Bosh headlights in question is simply not up to controlling the light output from higher wattage inner H4 bulbs.

I have used european stile headlights on many 7" round applications over the years. They are a wonderful improvement but unless aimed virtually perfectly and in a rig with constant ride height control, and you are not in the oncoming car and happen to be going up hill with the sharp cutoff of the oncoming rig's lights rising above your windshield, they can be great. But a higher wattage inner bulb is going to cause much more "blinding" than the standard 55/60 watt H4. That is unavoidable in real world installations.

BTW I prefer CIBIE 7" lights to the Hella's for better optical control, but the Hella's are reasonably good. The price of $45 for a set is wonderful.


Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106574 is a reply to message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 15:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
WayneB is currently offline  WayneB   Canada
Messages: 233
Registered: July 2008
Location: Ontario, Canada
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Sounds like a great deal on some good headlamps.

I ran a pair of those Bosch Halogen Lights for over 10 years in my 1971 Trans Am, replacing the stock GM Guide Power Beams as they were rendered pretty useless at speeds over 100mph at night.

The only drawback that I have seen with the European 7" headlights with the separate bulbs, is that the steel rear reflectors can corrode in humid and damp climates (the Cibies and Carrellos are especially prone to this)


1976 23' GMCII By Explorer
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106575 is a reply to message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 15:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mschultz is currently offline  mschultz   United States
Messages: 113
Registered: September 2010
Location: Maple City, MI
Karma: 0
Senior Member
OK, I sent off the original question to Daniel Stern, the auto lighting expert and this is his quite lengthy, but practically everything you may need to know about what is out there for lighting. At least for anyone who may be interested. And yes they are Harley lights, now discontinued. Read on:

Thanks, MS -- I appreciate the referral! Please feel free to pass along the below-

The Bosch 7" H4 headlamps that are available at a variety of vendors lately for about $22 apiece are not, in fact, European-code headlamps. They are US-spec motorcycle headlamps, surplus from when Harley-Davidson stopped using this lamp on their US-market big bikes in 2004. Leaving aside for the moment the fact that these headlamps do not comply with _any_ performance standard for car/truck/bus use (neither the US code nor the rest-of-world European ECE code) and leaving aside for the moment the large performance differences amongst various major brands of (actual) European-code H4 7" round headlamps, there is a large objective (only kind that matters) performance difference between the US motorcycle variant and the European ECE variant of the Bosch 7" round H4 headlamp. The low and high beam optics are different, and the performance of the motorcycle unit is objectively and substantially inferior. This does not necessarily have to be the case; it is possible to create a very high-performing headlamp that complies simultaneously with ECE and US motorcycle beam specs. Such lamps have been made in the past by various companies. However, that is not the choice Bosch made.

The Cibie 7" H4 headlamp is the best one in current production, going by objective performance. It costs triple what the Bosch motorcycle surplus units are going for, but lighting is one of the many realms in which one gets what one pays for.

Whatever replaceable-bulb headlamp installed, bulb selection is paramount to the headlamps' safety performance; there is a great deal of hyped-up junk (e.g., Sylvania Silver Star, PIAA, anything advertised as producing "whiter" light or "Xenon blue", etc.) flushing around in the bulb market, too. Circuit quality is likewise crucial to beam performance no matter what lamps are installed; see http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html . And headlamp aim is the single most important factor in headlighting safety performance; a piss-poor lamp aimed properly gives better safety performance in most cases than a good lamp aimed incorrectly. See http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.html .

I would certainly pick the Bosch motorcyle headlamp over any of the enormous variety of off-brand junk flushing around the internet if I had to pick either/or, but if my choice was not thus constrained I would pick neither. If I needed a good, cheap 7" round headlamp, I would immediately pick the only sealed beam worth having, the GE Night Hawk H6024NH -- about $18 apiece from amazon.com by typing H6024NH in the search box. It is not a _great_ headlamp, but it is a very good cheap headlamp, objectively considerably better than the Bosch motorcycle unit, and as I say it is the only sealed beam worth messing with; that goes for the other sealed beam sizes as well. This is because the Night Hawks are the only sealed beams made on new(ish) tooling. All the others from GE, and all of them from Sylvania and Wagner, are made on decrepit tooling that was in need of replacement years ago.

At the far other end of the scale is the _one_ legitimate, legal, well-made, high-performing HID headlamp that can be made to fit a 7" round application. It is the ValeoSylvania XE7 (not the XE7R, you want the XE7):
http://www.xesighting.com/products.html . That's about a thousand bucks' worth of headlamps that'll take sheetmetal modification to fit and make the vehicle look like it needs a bra, but they work very well. They incorporate the same Valeo BiXenon projector used in a good number of high-endy vehicles from Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, and VW.

There are a few LED options. The one from Truck-Lite is legal, but that's all it is. Very poor beam performance. The one from Speaker—not the model 8100, which is quite weak, but the #8700—is a good deal better than the one from Truck-Lite; it's got more sophisticated optics, but it's not up to HID performance levels despite the HID-like cost.

It should go without saying (but doesn't, so I'll say it): "HID kits" in halogen-bulb headlamps or fog/auxiliary lamps (any kit, any lamp, any vehicle no matter whether it's a car, truck, motorcycle, etc.) do not work safely or effectively, which is why they are illegal. See http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/Hid/conversions/conversions.html .

More info, just ask!

Best DS ( dastern@torque.net )
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106577 is a reply to message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 15:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Duce Apocalypse is currently offline  Duce Apocalypse   United States
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Those HID kits on that site look just like the ones the xenon depot is selling but XD has them cheaper and its a complete kit with OEM ballasts and wire harness, as well as free shipping. If I had 9 bills to drop on lights that would be the kit I'd get...

73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106600 is a reply to message #106512] Tue, 23 November 2010 22:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RadioActiveGMC is currently offline  RadioActiveGMC   United States
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Appreciate the link, these are exactly what I was looking for and the price is right!
I can buy HID kits cheap wholesale so these are perfect!


***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia- Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106616 is a reply to message #106600] Wed, 24 November 2010 14:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Duce Apocalypse is currently offline  Duce Apocalypse   United States
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To which kits are you referring? Are they the same kits Xenon Depot sells with Phillips or Bosch components? Or the china knock-offs which are all over evilbay? Its mostly the projector housings I'm interested in. How much cheaper can you get them for?

MrRadioActive wrote on Tue, 23 November 2010 22:58

Appreciate the link, these are exactly what I was looking for and the price is right!
I can buy HID kits cheap wholesale so these are perfect!

[I]


73 Canyon Lands, (a.k.a. The Yellow Submarine) West Los Angeles CA
Re: Bosch European H4 Headlights - PAIR $44.95 [message #106618 is a reply to message #106512] Wed, 24 November 2010 15:24 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
RadioActiveGMC is currently offline  RadioActiveGMC   United States
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Chinese knockoffs. The only poor thing about the chinese units are the instuctions. I've sold many of them to friends (they are not anywhere near my normal electronics product line we sell just items a distributor sells and I can get at will and have got for a few friends who wanted them at a good price) and have had zero failures or defects. But the instructions make little to no sense and are mis-spelled, weirdly written and useless at times!
Im not on the forum to pedal anything I sell, for me however being to buy them wholesale helps me save a few bucks. I ordered the product mentioned in this thread since I wanted to add the HIDs and the price is right. Not saying Im not willing to help people but honestly rather not get involved in selling products here thats not a part of my normal product line.


***"Gettin There"-1973 23' Sequoia- Michael, Onans smell, "Go solar/wind power!"
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