I heard that there is such lightbulb out there, made by NARVA (from Germany). I have seen the box, it is labeled "XENON lightbulb" and it retails for only $21.95. Is this possible? Does anyone know if it is a REAL xenon lightbulb? If it is, I am surprised it so cheap...

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., Sunroof, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17" "Tethys" alloys

Nothing to be excited about. Like the "xenon" lamps sold here in the US, it's just a halgen lamp. None of the "xenon" lamps I've tried (I've tried a few) are as good as the Philips Vision Plus, which remains the benchmark for halogen output at the moment.
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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)

Oh, I am not excited about tem as I am not particularly favorable to Xenon lights. I have had some customers inquire about them (they thought that they were the real deal) and I was trying to explain to them that I did not think they were real xenon lights. I even saw the lightbulb and it had a filament inside, I have heard that xenon lightbulbs do not have a filament inside them. I also explained to them that if they only cost $21.95 per, then a lot more people would be getting them when the full upgrade costs at least $700.

One of them is still pretty keen on getting them so I will probably tell them to get the Philips Vision Plus. Do you know who sells them and for how much? Pep Boys?

Yannis
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2001 V70 T-5M, Classic Red/Graphite Lthr., Sunroof, Cold Weather, Dolby Surr. Sound, Rear Spoiler, 17' 'Tethys' alloys

Because of the high output (and, generally, the lack of E-code light patterns) the sale of Vision Plus is restricted to Europe. They cost $40/pr including shipping at www.autolamps-online.com. Takes about a week for them to arrive.

Without an upgrade to E-code lenses, available separately, or a useful hybrid, a high percentage of the extra light ouput will be wasted as a diffuse glow which will light the branches and sky overhead and bother oncoming drivers.

Vision Plus (50% higher output) and E-codes are what I'm running now, and that's probably the best anyone can do without going to HID. Best US halogens I've used to date are Sylvania XV with 20% better output, but they make almost no difference in my 92 940 with DOT headlights (they were great in my 94 945T which had a ECE-DOT hybrid lens). For the 92, I added Hella Micro DE foglights which help out tremendously.

I saw 9007's in Autozone yesterday for $20ea and claiming whiter light. They didn't appear filetered, but the plastic base makes me suspicious of higher output - more output usually means more heat.




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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)

>Without an upgrade to E-code lenses, available separately, or a useful hybrid, >a high percentage of the extra light ouput will be wasted as a diffuse glow >which will light the branches and sky overhead and bother oncoming drivers.

David, just curious, with the VisionPlus minus the E-code lenses, was there still a small improvement in night vision? Also, do you have DRLs on? Just curious how long these bulbs last. Thanks.
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Brian M. - 1998 S70GLT, 1998 S70, 1991 Maxima SE

There was a noticeable improvement before E-code lenses were attached, but the improvement was *dramatic* after the lenses were attached.

For DRL's, I wired my foglights for independent operation, and use those as DRL's.
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(98 S70 T5SE misc mods, mostly lighting) (92 940GLE)

.

It's just a regular halogen, filled with xenon. It is no brighter then any other halogen. It may be of better quality, i.e. Philips Vision Plus, but it is not a REAL high intensity discharge xenon lighting system.