IKON HEADLAMPS! Axed my own feet!

gaurav_diavolo · 14th November 2008, 23:43

Hi guys,

Well, I had broken my headlamp because of the car cleaner's stupidity. Now here i was in a spares store searching for a headlamp for my Ikon. I was told that a Lumex headlamp (set of 2) would cost me 3400 and same imported from China would cost 2800. I saw both of them, their being identical purchased the Chinese one.

Now, the fitting was perfect, quality terrific....but to my surprise 90/100 bulbs are not providing sufficient lighting even in city, leave highway alone. I bought new philips bulbs with the headlamps too (so gave away old 55/60 something bulbs to my cousin for his Ikon, so can't test the lights again.). Guys, is this because of pathetic rather miserable illumination from Chinese lamps or did I buy some low power 90/100 bulbs of Philips. I paid 180 bucks for this bulb.

Can anyone in that case suggest me the best possible 90/100 bulb set (got the cutout installed for this upgradation), or have I ruined it all because of the Chinese lights. In Lumex I had 55/60 bulbs which were giving better lighting then what is now (is it that I had some better quality bulbs before...no clue). Totally clueless guys, please help. My highway trips are very unsafe with these lights.

Thank you all! - Gaurav

Path_Finder · 15th November 2008, 00:42

My first suspicion is on the Chinese HL assembly. Looks may be same, but the reflector may not be of the same quality. If you have the earlier broken unit, try checking this out.
Bulb part – can’t really comment from your description. Best it to buy from a reliable source.

Steeroid · 15th November 2008, 00:47

Gaurav

I know it is easy to lecture after the event, but was Rs.600 really worth taking that chance? If its chinese it should be half-price to take a chance with it - if the difference is not that much, it really isnt worth trying.

Akshay1234 · 15th November 2008, 01:38

did you also get relays and upgrade your wiring or just put in 100/90w bulbs?

toiingg · 15th November 2008, 08:21

Your lights are not focussed properly. Please get that checked. There is a thread on this forum regarding that, go thru it.

Shashank.A · 15th November 2008, 09:44

When you say Chinese, do you mean Lumax China or is there any brand name of that ?

1. Check the focus of lights.
2. Ensure that holders are proper and wiring is done properly with relay and all.
3. Change the bulbs, I am using Philips Rally 90/100, and they are simply lovely. Cost around Rs.300 for a pair.

If all this does not work, then you have axed your own feet

aamir_subzero · 15th November 2008, 11:53

No issues man. just try and get your headlight focussed properly , you could do it at home itself al you need is the tool. also ikon has 3 ways of fitting the bulb. three positions in which you could clamp on the bulb .play around with that a little ,set the beam to what you need and am sure you will feel much better . please do buy better quality bulb, a 90/100 bulb should cost you anywhere between 300-500 bucks.trust me its worth it .

The_Warrior · 15th November 2008, 12:00

If you have not installed the relay, then please do it ASAP or your Battery is going to drain out much faster and after the installation of the relay if the lighting does not improve then buddy you have been duped.... if it is chines then most probably it is the reflectors in the head lamp which are at fault...

gd1418 · 15th November 2008, 13:38

Gaurav, I ditto what Santosh said... In hindi here they say - "mehenga ek baar roye aur sastaa baar-baar roye"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeroid

Gaurav

I know it is easy to lecture after the event, but was Rs.600 really worth taking that chance? If its chinese it should be half-price to take a chance with it - if the difference is not that much, it really isnt worth trying.

Shashank.A · 15th November 2008, 13:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by gd1418

Gaurav, I ditto what Santosh said... In hindi here they say - "mehenga ek baar roye aur sastaa baar-baar roye"

Mehenga Roye Ek baar, Sasta Roye sau Baar

gd1418 · 15th November 2008, 17:44

Ooops..sorry for the misquote. Thanks Shashank for posting the correct saying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shashank.A

Mehenga Roye Ek baar, Sasta Roye sau Baar

Arpit · 15th November 2008, 21:34

Hey Gaurav, as Akshay rightly pointed out, did you get the 90/100 lamps fitted with a Relay or did you just replace it with the Stock Bulbs.

gaurav_diavolo · 16th November 2008, 02:35

Guys, the relay was fitted from before and the lights are well focused. Its just that the lights are not even half sufficient. Are there different types of 90/100 wattage bulbs....can someone suggest me the best one. Only the best will do I suppose......and yes, i saw everything else in the Chinese lights but u see difficult to check the reflection in the shop

And since both were same, I immediately bought!

kuttapan · 16th November 2008, 06:15

@Gaurav - In all probability, the reflectors of the Chinese lights are not good at focussing the beam. Don't think the bulb is the issue, but you can confirm by switching bulbs from a friends car.

drpullockaran · 16th November 2008, 08:31

As far as possible do not use chinese parts for critical applications in any product including toys for children.

As far as computers is concerned try gettting a Taiwanese made product and use Chinese stuff as a last resort. Easier said than done as Chinese products have flooded the market.

14th November 2008, 23:43	#1
gaurav_diavolo BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaipur Posts: 148 Thanked: 91 Times	IKON HEADLAMPS! Axed my own feet! Hi guys, Well, I had broken my headlamp because of the car cleaner's stupidity. Now here i was in a spares store searching for a headlamp for my Ikon. I was told that a Lumex headlamp (set of 2) would cost me 3400 and same imported from China would cost 2800. I saw both of them, their being identical purchased the Chinese one. Now, the fitting was perfect, quality terrific....but to my surprise 90/100 bulbs are not providing sufficient lighting even in city, leave highway alone. I bought new philips bulbs with the headlamps too (so gave away old 55/60 something bulbs to my cousin for his Ikon, so can't test the lights again.). Guys, is this because of pathetic rather miserable illumination from Chinese lamps or did I buy some low power 90/100 bulbs of Philips. I paid 180 bucks for this bulb. Can anyone in that case suggest me the best possible 90/100 bulb set (got the cutout installed for this upgradation), or have I ruined it all because of the Chinese lights. In Lumex I had 55/60 bulbs which were giving better lighting then what is now (is it that I had some better quality bulbs before...no clue). Totally clueless guys, please help. My highway trips are very unsafe with these lights. Thank you all! - Gaurav
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 00:42	#2
Path_Finder BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 622 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	My first suspicion is on the Chinese HL assembly. Looks may be same, but the reflector may not be of the same quality. If you have the earlier broken unit, try checking this out. Bulb part – can’t really comment from your description. Best it to buy from a reliable source.
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 00:47	#3
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Gaurav I know it is easy to lecture after the event, but was Rs.600 really worth taking that chance? If its chinese it should be half-price to take a chance with it - if the difference is not that much, it really isnt worth trying.
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 01:38	#4
Akshay1234 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 10,265 Thanked: 12,317 Times	did you also get relays and upgrade your wiring or just put in 100/90w bulbs?
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 08:21	#5
toiingg BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 639 Thanked: 266 Times	Your lights are not focussed properly. Please get that checked. There is a thread on this forum regarding that, go thru it.
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 09:44	#6
Shashank.A BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 484 Thanked: 10 Times View My Garage	When you say Chinese, do you mean Lumax China or is there any brand name of that ? 1. Check the focus of lights. 2. Ensure that holders are proper and wiring is done properly with relay and all. 3. Change the bulbs, I am using Philips Rally 90/100, and they are simply lovely. Cost around Rs.300 for a pair. If all this does not work, then you have axed your own feet
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 11:53	#7
aamir_subzero BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 39 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	No issues man. just try and get your headlight focussed properly , you could do it at home itself al you need is the tool. also ikon has 3 ways of fitting the bulb. three positions in which you could clamp on the bulb .play around with that a little ,set the beam to what you need and am sure you will feel much better . please do buy better quality bulb, a 90/100 bulb should cost you anywhere between 300-500 bucks.trust me its worth it .
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 12:00	#8
The_Warrior BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Travelling Most of the time!!! Posts: 130 Thanked: 23 Times	If you have not installed the relay, then please do it ASAP or your Battery is going to drain out much faster and after the installation of the relay if the lighting does not improve then buddy you have been duped.... if it is chines then most probably it is the reflectors in the head lamp which are at fault...
	() Thanks

15th November 2008, 21:34	#12
Arpit BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: NOIDA Posts: 50 Thanked: 6 Times	Headlamp Relay Hey Gaurav, as Akshay rightly pointed out, did you get the 90/100 lamps fitted with a Relay or did you just replace it with the Stock Bulbs.
	() Thanks

16th November 2008, 02:35	#13
gaurav_diavolo BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jaipur Posts: 148 Thanked: 91 Times	Guys, the relay was fitted from before and the lights are well focused. Its just that the lights are not even half sufficient. Are there different types of 90/100 wattage bulbs....can someone suggest me the best one. Only the best will do I suppose......and yes, i saw everything else in the Chinese lights but u see difficult to check the reflection in the shop And since both were same, I immediately bought!
	() Thanks

16th November 2008, 06:15	#14
kuttapan Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,155 Thanked: 22 Times View My Garage	@Gaurav - In all probability, the reflectors of the Chinese lights are not good at focussing the beam. Don't think the bulb is the issue, but you can confirm by switching bulbs from a friends car.
	() Thanks

16th November 2008, 08:31	#15
drpullockaran BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: ERNAKULAM Posts: 962 Thanked: 385 Times	Keep off chinese parts As far as possible do not use chinese parts for critical applications in any product including toys for children. As far as computers is concerned try gettting a Taiwanese made product and use Chinese stuff as a last resort. Easier said than done as Chinese products have flooded the market.
	() Thanks