Osram H11 Nightbreaker

[Bobmws]

Has anyone used the Osram H11 Nightbreaker bulbs from Powerbulbs?

[lkraus]

I was wondering how they get "90% more light" from a 55W bulb. I found an interesting discussion at candlepower.com. They claim the original Night Breaker may have a relatively short life, though some sites are mentioning an updated version using 60W and a 50% longer life?

As a possible alternative, these have gotten some good reviews.

The H11 base looks like an automotive style. Most recent BMW bikes use an H7 bulb.

[tommcgee]

Has anyone used the Osram H11 Nightbreaker bulbs from Powerbulbs?

I've used several of the so-called high output bulbs and there is only minor difference between them, usually color temperature is the only noticeable diff. If you want really high output, go for the 55 watt HID kit.

[IDisposable]

If you want really high output, go for the 55 watt HID kit.

Agreed, for low-beams, the right move at the right price is the DDM Tuning 55W HID dual lamp kit. I got mine for $50 and it's a huge improvement on my R1200RT.

Sadly, I think their website is a victim of Sandy's power outages at the moment, but the contact information I have on file is:

DDM Tuning
7171 Ronson Road, Suite A
San Diego, CA 92111
Phone: Order Status: 714.901.5080
OEM Parts: 858.715.1641
General Inquiry & Tech Support: 858.633.2020

You DO NOT want to use HID bulbs for the high-beam as they have a non-trivial warm-up time. You're better off with an Osram or something for that.

[GSAddict]

Watts are Watts - lots of snakeoil and overpriced lamps.
Read more here:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...lbs/bulbs.html

[98lee]

Watts are Watts - lots of snakeoil and overpriced lamps.
Read more here:

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...lbs/bulbs.html

Did you even READ the link you posted?

Read the section on Bulb Description and Ratings.

Look at H4 60/55 and then at H4 +50 60/55.

Same watts but 15% more lumens (more light).

Osama Siverstar H4 60/55 are noticeably brighter than standard (or even Sylvania Silverstar) H4 60/55 bulbs.

No snake oil. Don't step in the Ufda. Read the details.

[GSAddict]

Did you even READ the link you posted?

Read the section on Bulb Description and Ratings.

Look at H4 60/55 and then at H4 +50 60/55.

Same watts but 15% more lumens (more light).

Osama Siverstar H4 60/55 are noticeably brighter than standard (or even Sylvania Silverstar) H4 60/55 bulbs.

No snake oil. Don't step in the Ufda. Read the details.

Granted, his is the only one that I know of and have used that is.
The rest are basically all the same was my point

[98lee]

Both the link you posted and the Candlepower link that klaus posted point out that the blue tinted bulbs, while putting out "whiter" light, actually put out LESS light than equivalent clear bulbs. That's where the real snake oil is. That's what they were both knocking.

[GSAddict]

Lumen output decreases with age.
Simply replacing the lamp after a couple of years will noticeably improve night time visibility.
This applies to Filament lamps as well as HID's.

[98lee]

Hey, there are a lot of things that decrease with age, but I'm not ready to be replaced!

[GSAddict]

Hey, there are a lot of things that decrease with age, but I'm not ready to be replaced!

There are little blue pills for that!

[lkchris]

Has anyone used the Osram H11 Nightbreaker bulbs from Powerbulbs?

I'm surprised to read there's a BMW motorcycle that uses an H11 bulb.

This is a single filament bulb, so if we're talking headlights there will be another bulb for high (or another for low) nearby. Lots of room used up by the H11's big plastic connector, I'd think.

I've got yellow H11s in my SUV foglights and I maybe thought foglight applications were about it for H11s.

Nightbreakers are rated 100% more light IIRC and I've remained cautious regarding them.

My standards are +50% for low beams and +80% for high beams and they work great and have proved reliable. This is Phillips stuff and I think they've now replaced their +80 with +100 so we'll see.

The best thing is to buy from Europe and not from PepBoys. Some sellers of Europe stuff on Amazon, however.

65W bulbs are illegal BTW.

[tommcgee]

65W bulbs are illegal BTW.

As are HIDs, but nobody is enforcing the laws.

[Bobmws]

I'm surprised to read there's a BMW motorcycle that uses an H11 bulb.

This is a single filament bulb, so if we're talking headlights there will be another bulb for high (or another for low) nearby. Lots of room used up by the H11's big plastic connector, I'd think.

I've got yellow H11s in my SUV foglights and I maybe thought foglight applications were about it for H11s.

Nightbreakers are rated 100% more light IIRC and I've remained cautious regarding them.

My standards are +50% for low beams and +80% for high beams and they work great and have proved reliable. This is Phillips stuff and I think they've now replaced their +80 with +100 so we'll see.

The best thing is to buy from Europe and not from PepBoys. Some sellers of Europe stuff on Amazon, however.

65W bulbs are illegal BTW.

Thanks Kent,
that's the info I was looking for. application is my Camry,probably should have posted in Campfire. There were some indications the HID conversion wasn't working well with the stock projectors, but I've since learned differently, will be using a Phillips conversion, for it, and the 9005 Osrams for the high beams.
BTW, I have a DDM HID in my K bike low beam that works great!

[CarlNH]

I use the Nightbreakers on my bike and on my car. There is definitely a difference in light output. It's not huge but every little bit counts when you're an old guy :-) On my K75 I get a year out of a bulb so, yes, lifespan is shorter than for a standard bulb.