GE Nighthawk Platinum - Anyone used them?

[hightech]

I tried searching for this info already and could not find any feedback, so I created a seperate thread for this.

I have an 09 Civic and find the stock lights to be pretty poor. I would like something brighter and was considering the GE Nighthawk Platinum. Has anyone used this and are they any good?

I tried the Sylvania Silverstar on my other car (02 Camry) and it was bright but only lasted 8 months (got my $$ back from Canadian Tire tho). I know that HID is the best, but I suspect it will be costly and complex to change (i.e. bulbs, reflectors, etc.)

Also, should I change the LOW and HIGH beam bulbs together to get the best effect, or is running 2 different sets ok?

All suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks

[Speedv1]

I went to the Nighthawks and I find them fantastic. I'd estimate a 30% increase in performance. You could go to a market-based car guy and probably find the 'True Brights' or whatever, which are yes, brighter, but aren't illegal (from what I've been told).

I personally changed all of mine, but I oddly had a burnt out high and low beam.. so rare chance there. Honestly I'd just change them when you need to.. Obviously do both highs or lows (like do in pairs), but all four isn't necessary..

[TT333]

My dad used to use these in his truck, and they were... alright.

I use PIAA bulbs, they are amazing.

[l69norm]

....I have an 09 Civic and find the stock lights to be pretty poor. I would like something brighter and was considering the GE Nighthawk Platinum. Has anyone used this and are they any good?....

These are really expensive for what you get. See "hot deals" for Philips XP bulbs or OSRAM Nigtbreakers. They are really well reviewed and are about $35 a pair:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/10-off-headlight-bulbs-powerbulbs-com-x-treme-power-night-breaker-uk-795893/

The European version of the GE Nighthawk Platinum got bad reviews:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/243166/plus_50_bulbs_ge_megalight_ultra.html
http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_673/car_photo_336667_7.jpg

"Hungarian-built Ultras are the latest incarnation of the MegaLight range from GE, and claim 90 per cent more light. We struggled to find that in the tunnel, and the bulbs’ chances were further hampered as our sample lacked penetration at 75 metres."

The Canadian ones are made in Mexico and I didn't find any professional reviews yet as they aren't sold on the US market yet.

[hightech]

These are really expensive for what you get. See "hot deals" for Philips XP bulbs or OSRAM Nigtbreakers. They are really well reviewed and are about $35 a pair:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/10-off-headlight-bulbs-powerbulbs-com-x-treme-power-night-breaker-uk-795893/

The European version of the GE Nighthawk Platinum got bad reviews:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/243166/plus_50_bulbs_ge_megalight_ultra.html
http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/images/front_picture_library_UK/dir_673/car_photo_336667_7.jpg

"Hungarian-built Ultras are the latest incarnation of the MegaLight range from GE, and claim 90 per cent more light. We struggled to find that in the tunnel, and the bulbs’ chances were further hampered as our sample lacked penetration at 75 metres."

The Canadian ones are made in Mexico and I didn't find any professional reviews yet as they aren't sold on the US market yet.

l69norm,

Thanks for the info and reviews. Unfortunately, my car takes the 900x series of bulbs and I do not believe I can just change the lights and keep the existing housing.

I wish my car took an H series bulb because they are more choices available.

[l69norm]

l69norm,

Thanks for the info and reviews. Unfortunately, my car takes the 900x series of bulbs and I do not believe I can just change the lights and keep the existing housing.

I wish my car took an H series bulb because they are more choices available.

Philips XP are also available in 9006/9007 ($40 US a pair):
http://www.suvlights.com/product_info.php?products_id=100

Philips Vision Plus +50 were the best before XP came out. They are $25 US a pair and are available in 9004/5/6/7
http://www.suvlights.com/product_info.php?products_id=99

I would first make sure that you are getting full battery voltage your stock bulbs. It's not unusual to lose 1-2VDC in the OEM stock wiring harness. You might have 13V at the battery, but only 11 V at the bulbs. That's about a 30% loss in brightness right there. It's fixed with a heavy duty wiring harness, about $30.

If your civic takes 9006 bulbs (1000 lm), you can easily modify a 9005 bulb (1700 lm) to fit which gives you about 70% more light for about $20/pair. The downside of the 9005 mod is bulb life. It's about 300 hours life for 9005 vs. about 1000 hours life for 9006

The brightest bulbs would be Toshiba 9012 HIR2 bulbs (1700 lm) which can be easily modified to fit and are about the same brightness as 9005, but as long as 9006 (1000 hours). About $50 a pair. As production has stopped, they are getting hard to find.

9012 vs 9006:

http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/l69norm/th_HIRNov2007017.jpg (http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/l69norm/?action=view&current=HIRNov2007017.jpg)....http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/l69norm/th_HIRNov2007037.jpg (http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/l69norm/?action=view&current=HIRNov2007037.jpg)....http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/l69norm/th_HIRNov2007009.jpg (http://s234.photobucket.com/albums/ee149/l69norm/?action=view&current=HIRNov2007009.jpg)

[hightech]

Philips XP are also available in 9006/9007 ($40 US a pair):
http://www.suvlights.com/product_info.php?products_id=100

Philips Vision Plus +50 were the best before XP came out. They are $25 US a pair and are available in 9004/5/6/7
http://www.suvlights.com/product_info.php?products_id=99

Thanks for the links. Are these brighter and better then the Nighthawk Platinum? Also, can these work with my existing wiring or do I need to get new wires?

[l69norm]

Thanks for the links. Are these brighter and better then the Nighthawk Platinum? Also, can these work with my existing wiring or do I need to get new wires?

The Philips XP and VP bulbs did very well in a recent big European test:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/243109/bulbs_we_test_30.html

I would do the 9005 thing in my edited post above as it takes about 30 mins. In regards to wiring, see my edited post above. If you don't use overwattage bulbs, you could use stock wiring however check the voltage at the bulbs.

As an alternative, some Princess Auto stores are selling Narva Range Power +30 bulbs for about $7 a pair (YMMV). They are the same as other +30 bulbs like regular GE Nighthawk ($40 a pair) and Sylvania Xtravision ($25 a pair)

[Billa-786]

Well I have had the Nighthawk Platinums on for more than 1 week.

The light output is definitely more, but I am not sure if they are close to being as bright as they are advertised.

I went with these because they work out to be 49.99 after Ct gift card and also come with a 1 year replacement warranty from CT. The Sylvannia ones burnout rather quickly from what i have read.

If you can afford a bit more, I'd go with PIAA bulbs.

[KevC]

I think the brightest halogens out now are the Philips X-Treme +80%. I'll replace my factory bulbs with those when I get some disposable income...

[maniacshopper]

has the op considered HID. I know a shop that sells the kit for $95, includes bulbs, harness, ballasts. pm me if your interested, no I do not sell them. I just installed them on one of my integra's. Difference between HID and halogen was huge. I'd suggest 6k bulbs.

add: that's tax in.