Product: Philips Crystal Vision Halogen headlamps
Specs: H4 CV 12V 60/55W
Price paid: Rs.750/-
Company Claims:
- Halogen headlamp range for performance upgrade
- UV block quartz glass used
- High color temperature output
- Directly interchangeable with originally equipped products
- 4300K stylish white light output enables driving with confidence
- Better reflections of road-markings and road-signs
- Provide total protection for headlamp reflector
- Complementary side light for total headlighting upgrade included in the package
My Comments:
I was looking for an upgrade to my existing headlight bulbs for some time now. After checking out
www.powerbulbs.com it seemed that the Philips vision plus were the best bet. After seeing many Octavia’s with their headlight reflectors hazed over due to higher output bulbs, I was sure that I did not want 100/90W bulbs. So the Philips range of bulbs, which claimed 50% more light, seemed the ideal solution.
However, as I found out, its very hard to find original Philips bulbs in Mumbai, as all the shops I went to only sold some unheard of unbranded bulbs that would probably not last long and damage my headlamp reflector with its heat output. Luckily T-bhp's N_C had just got the number of a guy who imports Philips bulbs, so I got in touch with him. He recommended the Diamond or Crystal vision series, as they gave out even better light. But, they would only be available after a month.
So last weekend, I finally got my hands on a set of Crystal Vision’s, along with the free pilot lights that came in the package (nice!). The Diamond vision series has a blue output, and is claimed to have a bit more power, however I did not want a blue glow, so I chose the white light of the crystal’s.
Fitting them on was a 10-minute affair, and the difference in the output colour was immediately apparent, even in daylight (as you can see from the photo’s). The white pilot lights added to that clean, pure white look.
On trying them out in the night however, I was left a bit disappointed initially. The beam spread is the main problem, as it has a very focused pattern aimed at the centre and doesn’t spread very wide at all. That means the sides of the road are not well lit, atleast that’s how it appearing in the city with the surrounding street lights serving to difuse the light further. A dark road would really show the spread more accurately, but if you’re looking for a wide spread, these bulbs are not for you.
One thing I did notice was the way the white light really reflects off the street markings well. The white lines on the road stood out more prominently, and these lights seemed more effective when it was raining for some reason.
So, would I recommend them? Although they really improve the look of the car with the pure white output, I was really disappointed with the beam spread. Luckily the Skoda has really good fog lights that compensate for the crystalvision’s weak points. If you have the (slim) chance, try them out on your car first to see their spread as it may suit different vehicles.
Pros: High quality construction, free pilot lights a bonus, reasonable price in India (they cost US$40 abroad, so we are getting them for half price!!), good lighting of street markings/signs and good in adverse weather.
Cons: Very narrow and focused beam, does not light up the sides of the road. Doesn’t seem to have “30% more power” than the OE bulbs.
The packaging:
1) Front
2) Rear
3) Difference in bulbs. Old OE bulbs on right, new Crystal's on left with their pilot lights.
4) OE headlight colour.
5) CrystalVision headlight colour.
6) Difference in light between the two.