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My full review of the Auxito Q16 9004 LED headlight bulbs for our Volvo 740/940 and 240s

This is the curent Auxito Q16 series 9004 LED bulb listing:
https://www.auxito.com/products/9004-led-bulbs

Listed as 10,000 lumens per bulb (20,000 per pair and that should be high beam), 6,000K cool white light, 50 watts (again 100W per pair and that should be average low/high beam). That's over 3 times the brightness using the same kind of wattage as the ultra-bright Philips X-tremeVision halogens and 4-5 times the brightness that many of us are likely driving around with in our standard halogens that put out less light as they age. Yeah, yeah, Bill, I know you don't trust manufacturers specs when it comes to LEDS, but even if it's 3/4 the advertised lumens, it's well worth the upgrade.

Check out the favourable reviews on their website, including a 240 owner.

These are listed as CANBUS compatible. In some applications a CANBUS bulb may flicker or cause radio static and need a CANBUS adapter, but in my 940s there's no hint of a flicker or static. They may or may not ocasionally upset the bulb out sensor. If that becomes a problem then remove the bulb sensor and carefully wrap a 16 gauge solid copper wire jumper between the left and right headlight pins (56bL and 56bR) to disable the headlight sensor circuit then re-insert the bulb sensor in the relay tray.

Note that there was a previous Auxito 9004 model with offset rows of SMDs, that's still available in their supply chain. The Q16 has two rows of SMDs, exactly side by side, so be sure to look for that in the ad pics to know it's a Q16 bulb. The beam pattern of the Q16 bulb is apparently better than the previous design. They previous ones were a bit less bright at 7,500 lumens and a slightly harsher 6,500K cold white. Also, compared to other brands, the bulb housing is exactly the same as the halogens, so fitment is not an issue, plus the cooling fan is internal at the front and not attached at the back, so our huge reflector housings should be more than adeqaute for allowing good cooling and not needing to run the fan on max all the time or turn down the power and brightness to keep the internal temperature within range.

As I've mentioned, the Q16 beam pattern is reasonably close to that produced by a 9004 halogen, with a reasonably good horizontal cutoff definition, but not as well defined as a halogen. The hot spot is a little higher than it should be, so the headlights will need to be aimed a little lower if you don't want to get flashed at (soon as I did that I've had less flashes at me). Note that the DOT aiming spec does not call for a dipped beam angle at the height of our headlights, but if you dip it like the DOT specs for a slightly higher placed headlight then you'll get flashed at a lot less often and still have tons of visibility distance down the road (ref. https://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/aim/aim.htm).

Note that there's a minimal vertical dark line created by the wafer, which some oncoming motorists may mistakenly assume is four bulbs coming at them, so you may get flashed that your high beam is on even if they aren't blinded. Contrary to some of your previous comments, the Q16 bulbs are a fixed housing and not rotatable (there's no need) and there's no baffle in the 740/940 standard North American headlights that can be removed, but I don't know about the 240s.

Note that you have to buy it from the Auxito.com North American distributor website to get their 2 year warranty. There's currently a 10% discount code and free worldwide shipping. If you buy it through any of their authorized (or unauthorized) resellers then they provide whatever shipping and warranty they want.

Note that you can get the exact same bulbs direct from China from their Auxito webstore on Aliexpress for less than half the Auxito.com price, with free shipping and a no hassle, 90 day warranty (free return shipping label). For those kind of savings, that's where I've bought both of my sets and they arrived promptly with no problems, now 4 months in use. If you buy them from other sellers on Aliexpress (or places like eBay or Walmart.com) then you're taking a much bigger chance.

The Auxito bulbs come very nicely packaged in a proper foam lined box along with a pair of white cotton gloves for handling and a reasonably decent instruction sheet, but no additional specs other than what's on their website.
--
Dave -still with 940's, prev 740/240/140/120 You'd think I'd have learned by now






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New Best LED Bulbs for crappy US crappy DOT 9004 Ford crappy housing in 240 (B.B.?)
posted by  kittysgreyvolvo subscriber  on Tue May 28 07:26 CST 2024 >


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