Compare Headlight Bulb Brightness

I can’t tell by the photo all that matters is what you see and feel is best from the drivers seat.

Right side appears brighter to me. The center zone has more glare than the spot on the left.

I agree, the right side in the picture looks brighter to me…

What’s the question now? You have headlights. They’re of similar brightness. I don’t think you have a problem. And if you do, blurry pictures posted to internet forums won’t fix it or provide a basis for anyone to make a judgment about whether or not there is a problem.

Looking at both images, to me, the headlights aren’t aimed correctly.

Tester

2 Likes

Not enough difference to notice and they’re out of alignment, as noted above.

1 Like

Sounds like the right hand side is the brighter side. I also thought this while taking the pics. But I knew the new bulb was installed on the right so felt my judgement might be biased. Will install the second Philips bulb on the driver’s side. Will get the bulb alignment checked as well.

1 Like

The bulbs dim over time. Replace the left one or switch them and see if the brightest is on the left.

I concur with Tester’s comment about a problematic headlight aim. . Right side seems aimed too high. Or left side too low. Presuming car is level and the wall’s lines are level. The best aiming method is make/model/year-dependent, so suggest to use a shop, but to get an approximate idea

Just a comment but right side headlights are aimed higher. Than the other to take in the side of the road. Left are aimed lower for on coming traffic.

Like I said though I use the silver star or whatever they are called for the brightest light. If they aren’t around $50 they may not be as good.

1 Like

Looking at your pictures, I’m still convinced she didn’t turn on the headlights.

That left one is plenty bright.

Altogether I gave the new Philips VisionPlus bulb about 3 weeks to “age” before I took the pics. The marketing on them is “up to 60% brighter” but I think it’s more like 5-8% brighter than standard (see link). I did consider the
SilverStars and other premium bulbs but the online reviewers were complaining about the short lifespan. So to achieve a “balance” of brightness and life best to go with a middle of the road bulb. Anyone see Blade Runner lol ? The bulb that burns twice as bright…

Also, I did mull over the possibility of her turning on the DRLs instead of the low beams but finally dismissed it. We started out driving at dusk but were seriously delayed getting home so it was good and dark out for at least an hour. No way I’d mistake DRLs for the real thing.
https://www.bulbfacts.com/halogen-bulbs/reviews/philips-visionplus-vs-oem.html

Also, I thought this was a great chart for anyone trying cut through the marketing claims on headlamp bulbs:

You should not have to turn on the DRL , that is automatic in most vehicles . Do your actual headlights come on at dusk or do you need to turn the lights on .

I think that what ever her vehicle is just has better lights.

I am well over two years with my silver star bulbs. I found that the socket can deteriorate maybe due to a hotter bulb. This can make you think the bulb is bad but is a connection failure with the socket.

Agreed. My car is 20 years old and I’m sure headlights, like everything else, have advanced over that time for the newer cars. My Camry (04) has a DRL On/Off switch that I just leave in the on position. As for headlights, I have to turn those on at night manually.

Bulbs dim over years, not weeks. The left one might be dimmer because it is 20 years older than the new one. The new one would have to be the equivalent of the older one to make a valid comparison.

Maybe you wouldn’t with a car you’re familiar with,
I drive a semi, 90% of my driving is at night, You would be surprised at the number people I see at night driving their new to them car with just the DRL’s on, I know the car is new to them because of the temp plates. I also know it’s the DRL’s because of no tail lights.

Phillips bulbs $25 at Menards. Silver star, $50 at Walmart. Just sayin.

As for timelines, I’ve had the Camry about 5 years. So dusk I might be fooled by the DRLs, but not in darkness. Also, the left one is about a year old. At the top of the thread I explained that I purchased a new set of Eagle Eye aftermarket headlamps from Rock Auto last year. Then got the comment from my friend that they look dim. Then put in just one Philips bulb, let it age a few weeks, and compared it to the 1 year old aftermarket bulb that came with the new Eagle Eye headlamp assembly. I’m hoping to get a little more night visibility by doing the alignment you guys recommended.