PIAA Light Bulbs

Richy · Post by **Richy** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:21 pm

hello guys

was thinking to buy a set of PIAA HB4 lights...but realise there are two similar types:

1. PIAA Spark Blue 7500k
2. PIAA Spark 8000

would anybody know the difference between the two (i know in theory the 8000k one should be slightly whiter than the 7500k)...or which one is better... are they both street legal??

cheers

Richy[/img]

Richy · Post by **Richy** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 5:52 pm

here are the pics

Post by **BorepYano** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:41 pm

isnt it the higher the number the more blue it is?

i.e. 4000 is basically white, 6000 is "white" which kinda looks like it's slightly blue, 8000 has a very noticible blue tint to it... 12000 or something like that is purple...

these r for your head lights right?

if they r HIDs, then dont u need the rest of the stuff that goes with it? (i.e. the HID kits that johnny ran a couple group buys on)

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:48 pm

Neither are street legal.

Do you want bulbs for looks, or for performance (ie good lighting?)

Richy · Post by **Richy** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:31 am

both are not HID....just some xenon gas filled bulbs..for the main lights

and i just want the look mostly, as long as performance is at least equal or better than the standard ones, i m alrite..

i m using Narva Artic Blue at the moment, they are basically crap...dont seem to be much whiter than any standard one....

if neither are "legal", may be i need a 6000k one??

btw, whats the highest "k" bulb u can use for street??

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 9:50 am

There is no defined Kelvin rating for the street. It depends on the other features of the bulb - cutoff, ADR testing, etc. Most if not all of the asian lights actually have ADR approval and are technically illegal.

But the important thing to note is that blue lights generally only offer equal(and usually worse) visibility compared to standard bulbs. They reduce the light output by absorbing the non-blue (yellow) spectrum of the bulb and convert it to heat.

Standard bulbs have a Kelvin rating of around 3200Â°K. The Arctic Blues are 4000Â°K - brighter and whiter, but in terms of actual projection the distance is not much better. As as you continue to go up, distance will decrease. Note that once you get over 6000Â°K, the colours start getting pretty crazy, blue moving towards a purple output.

Best bulbs if you want blue are probably Philips Crystal Vision (4300Â°K). Bit expensive but they rock.

Richy · Post by **Richy** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:12 pm

thanks kd

will forget the PIAA bulbs then...if not legal...

just wondering... the crystalvision with 4300k...is it much better than the Narva Artic Blue...as there is only 300k difference on paper...

u know just wanna make sure its worth to spend the $ for crystalvision as i already spent $55 for the stupid Artic Blue...

Cheers

FTO-101 · Post by **FTO-101** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:45 pm

I got the PIAA plasma spark blue in my FTO and i think they look great but if you want a lower rating globe instead of 7500k go for the philips vision bulbs they look awesome

Richy · Post by **Richy** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:18 am

umm....just read autobarn ad. on Wheels....they said Philips Crystal Vision ...for off road use only....

anyone please confirm....??

kid_dynamite · Post by **kid_dynamite** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 12:13 pm

Yeap the CV's do not have ADR approval. Philips VisionPlus and BlueVision are the only two in the Philips range which are approved for street use.

But like I said earlier, you're going to have trouble finding a blue light that is. That being said, coloured light generally aren't a problem to the authorities unless they are stupidly off-colour.

Richy · Post by **Richy** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 1:37 pm

thanks kd
in that case, i might try the PIAA Spark blue (if all are not legal anyway)...and seem that a few people here are using it..

cheers

Boris · Post by **Boris** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:01 am

I had PIAA bulbs originaly, they were not bad. But they blew. sigh.

If you want performance go with the PIAA, if you want looks go to the US ebay and get a set or two of colour bulbs, they have purple/blue/yellow, for only like maybe 20AUD a set. The PIAA ones were better vision wise ofcourse but not that much.

Early last year I got a set of yellow bulbs, and they looked sweet! I had the whole JDM yellow look happening

But last month after about 8+ months of use one of the bulbs gave up

So now I probably will get another set of yellow ones.