Interesting fact on lighting

***EKam*** · 05-13-2003, 12:16 AM

http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/headlamp-faq.htm

The lumens rating for a low-beam Polargs HIR bulb is VERY CLOSE when comparing to Philips 6000k Utions HID bulb (1850lm vs 2000lm)

boroEF · 05-13-2003, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by EKam
http://faq.auto.light.tripod.com/headlamp-faq.htm

The lumens rating for a low-beam Polargs HIR bulb is VERY CLOSE when comparing to Philips 6000k Utions HID bulb (1850lm vs 2000lm)

so what does that mean? can u put it in boro terms please

***Phi*** · 05-13-2003, 12:55 AM

Here's some links Ekam sent me with more info about HIR

http://www.gelighting.com/na/downloa...techsheet1.pdf
http://www.westcoastlighting.com/pdf/hirxl.pdf

Some background info;
After hearing that HIR was offered as stock lighting on Camrys overseas and doing some research Ekam and I have been hitting up stores around town trying to gather some info.
As usual, there is alot of confusion surrounding these bulbs. It turns out that they vary in quality and authenticity just like Xenon gas filled "superwhites".
So far, we've concluded the the pear shaped glass and lack of coating is a good sign that the product is authentic. Not to mention price variance ($25-$120)

BenG · 05-15-2003, 06:20 PM

I've been trying to do some online research on HIR bulbs, and can't seem to find any major manufacturer that sell them or have info about them online. The only manufacturer I've found is Polarag. I've never heard of them before, but i'm doing some researching them soon. Who makes the HIR bulbs that you guys are finding?

***EKam*** · 05-15-2003, 06:27 PM

Polarg is a Japanese company that makes (xenon) bulbs, so far they're the only one that makes authentic HIR bulbs (they look exactly like the one shown in GE website).

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/ord-L...lb-1-14351.htm

They're going for $120 in Pacific Mall, you want to give it a try?

BenG · 05-15-2003, 06:31 PM

Actually, I really do want to get them. I don't know if our domestic 2002 Camry has HIR bulbs, but after driving my mom's car, I can't even see that my Gen3's headlights are on. The only thing holding me back right now is that i'm afraid that they might melt the headlamp housing...can't afford new ones right now since I've got new wheels, tires, and alarm system on the way.

***EKam*** · 05-15-2003, 06:38 PM

If you've read the lighting FAQ, it says that HIR is 45% more efficient than traditional halogen bulbs. According to this theory, I think there shouldn't be any issue with heat (since increasing the wattage was the ONLY cheap way to increase the performance of the bulb). It's using same amount of wattage, but it's more efficient therefore it's brighter.

And don't buy these, I believe these are fake (also available in Pacific Mall).

http://www.intakeone.com/Light_bulbs...inumWhite.html

BenG · 05-15-2003, 06:42 PM

I did read the FAQ....I didn't really think about the efficiency tho...I still have the image of my buddy's civic headlamp all deformed from his aftermarket lights.....*shudder*

I take it that you are basing your judgement on the 'fake' HIRs on the shape of the bulb, right?

***Phi*** · 05-15-2003, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BenG

I take it that you are basing your judgement on the 'fake' HIRs on the shape of the bulb, right?

yup..I call it the "funky pear shape"

RedruM · 05-15-2003, 06:57 PM

how bout HIR
compared to HID

are they jus as annoying if driving towards an equipped vehicle or are they more like the cheap ass xenon gas filled bulbs???

***EKam*** · 05-15-2003, 06:58 PM

Also this is interesting...

http://www.lighting.philips.com/foru...es/38920.shtml

"It's on Herman's FAQ. HIR (halogen infrared reflecting) technology has been around in industrial bulbs for years, but GE applied it to headlight bulbs around 1998. The "big deal" about HIR is that it captures a portion of the infrared (heat) light from the bulb filament and reflects it back to the filament, causing it to burn brighter, with no additional power increase or apparent reduction in bulb life. The actual light output from a 65W HIR1 is close to that of a 100W bulb (for real, and not PIAA-type hype), but still only uses 65W."

***EKam*** · 05-15-2003, 06:59 PM

Wow Japanese testing the Polarg HIR bulb!

http://www2.nsknet.or.jp/~kaiki/ae-1/database/bulb/

***EKam*** · 05-15-2003, 07:02 PM

Hmm...

http://www.lighting.philips.com/foru...es/36536.shtml

"HIRs need very specific glass capsule shapes and geometry in order to reflect wasted heat energy back onto the filament. A dual filament version is unlikely to be able to be an HIR design. If you look at the GE and Harrison-Toshiba HIR bulbs, you will see that important capsule design."

http://www.lighting.philips.com/foru...es/34290.shtml

"I had a friend send back from Japan a set of 9005 HIR bulbs made by Polarg. As someone else had posted previously, the light output is close to an overwatt bulb, maybe around 90 watts. (The ones that I have are rated at 65 watts.) I replaced a set of Philips Premiums with these, and they seemed to put out significantly more light than the Philips. I don't know what the life span is, nor do I know the color temperature. After messing around with all the blue / superwhite bulbs, I came to the same conclusion as everyone else to stick with clear bulbs."

***EKam*** · 05-15-2003, 07:17 PM

IPF also makes HIR bulb, but they're $110USD for the pair.

http://www.ipf.co.jp/catalog/halogen.html#HIR

***EKam*** · 06-15-2003, 11:48 PM

Got a pair of the polargs.

It's the right beam pattern (won't screw it up like most HID retrofits).

Oh and one very interesting thing that I found out is that it has a US Patent number on the bulb (think the company that designed it = GE).

Couldn't show any pics cuz my headlight is dirty. But yea light is definitely more intense than before.