Clear indicator bulb review

[Okibi]

(Obviously these are purely a cosmetic modification.)



Many years ago I bought the latest and greatest in indicator bulbs from Osram and did the “clear headlight mod” on my NB8A.





These have always had a bluish tinge but I still prefer them to OEM.
Ryan aka Green_Comment recently put some Philips SilverVision in his Ford Focus which got me looking at the current bulb technology.
Based on the product image of the “Diadem Chrome” on the Osram website they appeared “clearer” than Ryans photos of the Philips.
When the Osram Diadem Chrome bulbs arrived they were vastly different from their product image on both the Osram website and the Seller’s add.
The Osram website contains a claim that "Only amber when operating, at other times almost invisible".





The difference was so dramatic that I emailed Osram to ensure I hadn’t received fakes.
“..I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that has been caused. I would like to assure you that the products that you have received are genuine OSRAM lamps.

Unfortunately, the picture, an illustration, does not satisfy your needs and I do apologize for that. However, I am very confident that in purchasing OSRAM globes you are receiving the most innovative technology available...”

Steve Graves
Business Development Manager
Automotive Aftermarket
OSRAM Australia Pty Limited
s.graves@osram.com


The seller had used photographs supplied and modified by Osram.




I asked Steve how their product compared to the Philips SilverVision, he failed to answer my question but spat out some typical marketing speil about the company and nothing about the technology for the Diadem Chrome bulb, it was interesting to read:

“..When it comes to the automotive division, OSRAM is the world’s number one in automotive lighting, making 3 million automotive bulbs a day. Over 50% of all cars have OSRAM bulbs fitted as standard..”

I decided to order a set of the Philips bulbs, the website has the following product image



I already knew from Ryans photos the Philips bulbs also had an orange tint but I decided to see if they were an improvement on the Osrams.

Here’s some comparison photos, as you can see neither the Osram or the Philips look as clear as their product images would suggest.





I decided to put the SilverVision into the SE.



Different isn’t as dramatic as in the red NB



Another bulb to consider is the Silvatec

http://www.performancecreations.co.uk/ekmps/shops/performance123/images/bu343s-new.jpg

[M1474]

I bought these on eBay from a UK seller.



Haven't installed them yet but I have a feeling they will be invisible. I just hope they actually flash orange when called upon.

[Okibi]

They look like the ones I saw on a VW forum and as long as they blink orange and are bright enough then they look like the best option, please let us know how you go.

I should have taken a photo with one OEM bulb and one aftermarket so we could compare the brightness. Might do that later.

[Mr Morlock]

these Philips and Osram bulbs have been around for a long time- certainly at least 10 years on my recollection. Brightness is going to be the same. These bulbs are there for the aesthetics- OEM do not use them as far as I am aware because of cost - used on Focus?? Performance between Philips and Osram is probably going to be much the same but one thing is almost certain and that is how do you test it scientifiically. You can look up service life etc. What was a factor some years ago with amber bulbs was the coating peeling off after X hours . Osram and Philips are definitely the best bulb makers provided they have not sent them to some Chinese maker. The bulb base also tells you quite a bit about the bulbs- like when they were made / what plant etc but you will not be able to decipher the code. They code the bulbs so that if an OEM or a component maker has a problem the bulb batches can be traced and checked. Sometimes a fault is known and may have occurred in just one shift. You should get a good life out of them considering they are not continually lit and do not get very hot.

These bulbs should be readily available in Au- Bursons stock and sell Philips.

Personally I would not be bothered making a change but some people seem to think these things are important.

[Okibi]

.. Many years ago I bought the latest and greatest in indicator bulbs from Osram...

these Philips and Osram bulbs have been around for a long time...

Yup

(Obviously these are purely a cosmetic modification.)....

.. These bulbs are there for the aesthetics- ...

Yup, well they're there as a safety feature, the less orange appearance is for aesthetics.

..OEM do not use them as far as I am aware because of cost - used on Focus?...

That would be a fair assumption, yes Ryan used the same make and model of bulbs in his Focus.

Do you have an affiliation with Bursons?

M1474's silver bulbs do look better than both the Osram and the Philips but i've read that some are not as bright the Osram/Philips/OEM so i'd be interested to get his opinion.

The difference is negligible on the SE but on an early NB you can remove the orange lens and fix that cross-eyed look.

[Hjt]

Morlock owns Bursons & the entire Australian auto industry.

[Mr Morlock]

no affiliiation with Bursons though they are far more a supplier to the Trade than some of the others . You cannot help but notice that Burson's are distributors for Philips.

Insofar as a t/s bulb of the type mentioned a description from a cat says "Interference coated signal globe producing Amber light only when activated. Ideal for all silvered headlights with colourless lamp lenses".

[93_Clubman]

To the tune of 'We Love Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos & Holden Cars', let's all sing 'We Love Bursons, dealers, libraries & OEMs...'

[taminga16]

To the tune of 'We Love Football, Meat Pies, Kangaroos & Holden Cars', let's all sing 'We Love Bursons, dealers, libraries & OEMs...'

Paul, I am suprised and a little taken aback by this.
Greg.

[bootz]

I think this would be a perfect led application.

[TieNN89]

But now which the light is actually flashing which one is brighter? And how do the colours compare?

The reason I ask this is because I've used two types of orange indicator bulb and one wasn't as bright and one of them looked more washed out than the other

[M1474]

@Okibi:

I bought these for my forester headlight retrofit but it takes wedge style bulbs.

I have an NA so they're of no use in there but send me a PM if you want to try them in your NB.

[Mr Morlock]

It seems a pointless exercise to me to consider whether one of these styling globes is brighter than another. Look at the description of the product ie designed to flash amber behind a clear lense.

[Okibi]

If an indicator isn't bright enough then it's a safety hazard.

[TieNN89]

It seems a pointless exercise to me to consider whether one of these styling globes is brighter than another. Look at the description of the product ie designed to flash amber behind a clear lense.

Why would it be pointless?

Now if you were to get these bulbs put into your car and the bulb isn't that bright then the chances are higher for the person behind you not seeing that your indicating (depending on if you selected that option for your car) the direction you wish to take.

Unless you like people smashing into you