H7 Nightbreaker Unlimited or Laser?

[Bertie Wooster]

As per the title, just a quick question: on an H7 bulb (dip beam on a w220), which would be better, the Nightbreaker Unlimited or the Laser?

Was just about to order D2S bulbs Andrew thought it best to physically check the fitting. So glad I did! Turns out I've got H7's!

Also, could anyone please confirm that the round glass lens on the dip beam (05 facelift) is meant to be opaque?

Best
Bertie

 

[LostKiwi]

Philips Extreme +130 is my preference.

 

[Bertie Wooster]

Philips Extreme +130 is my preference.

Now, that's just confusing the issue!
Seriously though, I did have a look at these ones. Are they the model you've got?
Such a mine field of marketing babble and sketchy claims by manufacturers! Still, I'm assuming I'll see a big difference from the standard GE H7s no matter what a pick.

Best,
Bertie

 

[PSDCampervan]

I just ordered http://ali.onl/qPn after watching https://youtu.be/y3Lvp795o-U Fingers crossed, I'll report back when they arrive & I install them.

 

[Craiglxviii]

OP.

The Nightbreaker range are the industry leaders for pumped-up lamps so I would recommend them.

There is no increase in luminous flux density between the Unlimited and Laser, both put out 2000lm

 

[LostKiwi]

Now, that's just confusing the issue!
Seriously though, I did have a look at these ones. Are they the model you've got?
Such a mine field of marketing babble and sketchy claims by manufacturers! Still, I'm assuming I'll see a big difference from the standard GE H7s no matter what a pick.

Best,
Bertie

Yes they re the ones.
I find them just a little brighter and whiter than the nightbreakers.

 

[LostKiwi]

I just ordered http://ali.onl/qPn after watching https://youtu.be/y3Lvp795o-U Fingers crossed, I'll report back when they arrive & I install them.

May be different laws in the US but they're illegal in Europe.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Yes they re the ones.
I find them just a little brighter and whiter than the nightbreakers.

I just checked the Philips datasheet for their Xtreme +130. They're 1500lm vs the 2000lm of the Nightbreaker Unlimired.

 

[flowrider]

I have both Nightbreaker Unlimited's and Lasers, i dont see any difference between them.

 

[LostKiwi]

I just checked the Philips datasheet for their Xtreme +130. They're 1500lm vs the 2000lm of the Nightbreaker Unlimired.

Interesting. They (130s) definitely seem brighter in use. I had Lasers in the 210 then went to the Racing Vision then back to the Lasers then to 130s (all in the past 6 months).
The RVs were definitely brightest and whitest but they do have a very short lifespan (one went in 3 months which is why the swap arounds).

 

[flowrider]

Interesting. They (130s) definitely seem brighter in use. I had Lasers in the 210 then went to the Racing Vision then back to the Lasers then to 130s (all in the past 6 months).
The RVs were definitely brightest and whitest but they do have a very short lifespan (one went in 3 months which is why the swap arounds).

My NB Unlimiteds have been in the ML for 2 years so far. I have them for dipped and main beam.

 

[LostKiwi]

I did have Rally Visions in low beam (and they were definitely best) and Lazer high beams. I now have 130s low beam and Lazer high.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Interesting. They (130s) definitely seem brighter in use. I had Lasers in the 210 then went to the Racing Vision then back to the Lasers then to 130s (all in the past 6 months).
The RVs were definitely brightest and whitest but they do have a very short lifespan (one went in 3 months which is why the swap arounds).

Please excuse my typos, I'm using iPhone and Autocorrect is... interesting sometimes!

Yes, it's odd how subjective things like brightness are isn't it. And don't forget that different people will perceive different brightness at various colour temps differently to each other 5% of the time too...

 

[Craiglxviii]

Rally H7 have a nominal 2000lm output...

 

[Bertie Wooster]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Got a set of Nightbreaker Unlimited arriving tomorrow, so I'll fit them and report back.
Defo appreciate the wealth of advice offered. This forum is some place!

Best
Bertie

 

[Chrishazle]

I have UL's on dipped and Laser on mains, replacing NB+ on both. The UL's are great, and are on full time as I have no DRL's, not sure about the Lasers as I seldom drive at night on main beam - and when I did last night in fog the offside one was firing high and left even though I'd been very careful (so I thought) getting the metal tab on the bulb between the plastic alignment tabs. Refitted the bulb today, but have yet to test it. Not yet convinced that the lasers are better than the NB+ they replaced, let alone the ULs!

 

[Bertie Wooster]

And they're in!

Well, the new bulbs arrived first thing this morning and, after waiting for a break in the weather, I found five mins to put them in. For anyone who's never done this on one of these cars, it couldn't be easier. Definitely not a case of needing a main stealer!
Anyway, the result is... wow! I probably should have taken a side by side photograph for comparison, but the impending rain meant I was inclined to hussle along. I now have bright, crisp dips, which are much more in line with what I'd expect of the car. I dare say they even look a bit more modern than the older, yellowed bulbs they've replaced.
Final score: £14 from Amazon.
Thanks chaps for all the advice. As always, it's appreciated.

Best
Bertie.

 

[Chrishazle]

The headlight bulbs on my car are also pretty easy to change, although it's a bit awkward seeing where the locator tab goes for the main beams (it goes right at the top, but you can't see into the holder without an angled mirror!). It's the side and parking lights that are a PITA, you need gynaeacologists fingers and 3 UJ's instead of a wrist! Been having fun with LED's recently so have had plenty of practice changing them (and in one case dropping the LED into the headlamp housing, visible but unreachable!).

 

[JimM]

I fitted Philips Xtreme Vision +130% (to daughter's Kuga) and one died last week after only 2-3 months.

I have a pair of Ring Xenon Ultima +120% in my S Type which are much brighter than the original halogen H7 and have been in for over 2 years.

Ring now have +130% 100% Xenon-filled bulbs too, but I've not tried them.

For HIDs I've just replaced my old probably original D2R bulbs with LUNEX for £23 per pair, amazingly bright and very clear light across the road now and for well over 30 metres ahead. It was just a diffuse haze before and very short verge lighting even on dark country lanes.

I had no idea how bad my old bulbs had become over the years. They looked scorched with white opaque deposits on the bulb glass.

Look for my "Dim HIDs" thread for details and photos.

.

 

[Botus]

thought I'd give an update on a set of bulbs I got....

Ring 80w HID Xenon look 4000k H7 Bulbs. In pitch black where a nice much whiter look, very much like the colour of xenons. But in use with any other ambient light you struggled to notice if they were even working. Strangely ends up dimmer than a Std H7 halogen.... !!! worse still left bulb dead within 2 weeks, (got my money back) right bulb now dead within 5 months

It gets more dangerous, at the time I fitted those headlamp bulbs (Christmas), I fitted a set of Ring T10 LEDs I got from Halfords (costing £10), both of these have now flailed so the right (drivers side) had no illumination at all.

Manufacturers are peddling absolute trash these days, my advice is leave the originals alone, they will probably last for another 10 years and a glow worm is better than no worm !!!