Infiniti7

Which temperature would give you a brighter visibility on the road 4300k or 5000k? Also any good sites recommended to not pay an arm and a leg? Thanks!

PhatherPhish

Any noticeable improvements in visibility between these two temps is going to be down more to lumen output and headlight design than it is color temp. Typically the closer you get to the color temp of the sun (around 5900k) the better the perceived image is because colors will be more accurate to how they look in daylight. This doesn’t mean you are actually able to see better with cooler temp bulbs, just that what you’re seeing will be more color accurate. Keep in mind that higher temp bulbs give off more blue light which has a harder time penetrating fog.

Infiniti7

I do not want the blue light look I want as pure white with most visibility as possible. Which would you go with for that?

PhatherPhish

5500k is considered pure white. 6000k should also be sufficient if you find something with that temp. The light doesn’t begin to look noticeably blue until around 6500k IMO.

ILM-NC G37S

iTrader: (3)

+1 for 5500K bulbs. I have been running Philips 5500K in my G for years with a lot of night driving and have had zero issues with them and am about to replace the set in my Zed/4 with the same. Just get a reputable brand bulb from a reputable retailer and you'll be good to go for quite a while.

This general chart (from google search) shows the different bulb temperatures and their color-tinted output:


The higher (or colder) you go above 6500K the less usable light is output. In inclement weather this prevents a serious hazard. 8000K and above, in rain, and you are practically driving blindfolded. Our eyes are better suited to light in the 4300-5000K range- this is why most headlamps- and definitely fog lamps- are in the sub-4500K range (more warmer, usable light).