Osram D2S 5000K CBI's

[ctdogman]

Hi all, I finally decided to get these bulbs after railing against them. You can read about these bulbs (and my posts!) at hidplanet.com. I ordered them from TRS. Anyhow, here is my post & review from that site, hopefully it will provide some info & insight to any of you considering purchasing these bulbs. Here goes: Had them installed on Monday, today is Friday, so I've had the bulbs 5 days, have about a grand total of 2.5 hours on them, if that. They are the D2S variety, are in my totally stock C6 Audi A6. Here is my impression thus far: 1) They work just as well as the regular Philips D2S that are in my wife's 3G Acura TL (also a totally stock car). Meaning, they offer the same illumination, not less.That itself impressed me right away, I thought for sure with the increased kelvin there would be a sizable loss of lumens. But happily, that is not the case. 2) 5000K!!!! Well, they for sure are getting pretty white pretty quick, even with the low hours I have on them. And yes, I read the article about how Mercedes is now using these bulbs, citing some obscure study about whiter (more blue) offering safety benefits at night. Blah, Mercedes (as well as Audi) also supply their cars with Continental tires, if you've never experienced Continental tires first hand, google them and you'll be flooded with people complaining what sh!tty tires they are. And they are, they came on my Audi. Ok, back to the CBI's 5000k. I have to admit that so far, I really like the whiter (more blue) light. I'll be taking a long trip this weekend, with a lot of night driving, so I'll report back next week with my extended night time driving impression. 3) Price. Well, that depends on the individual. I'm a working class guy, so every penny counts. That being said, based on the not losing lumens, plus the whiter (bluer) color that so far I am liking (supposed to get even whiter from what I've read from other users here), the bulbs, in my opinion, are worth the cost. So, are they "better" than regular Osram or Philips D2S bulbs? Objectively, no. Then again, they are not worse, either. Instead, they are a viable option for replacing your D2S bulbs with something different.

[ctdogman]

Hi all,

Ok, I've had the bulbs a little over a week, and have about a total of six hours on them. I like these bulbs a lot, I love the whiter (bluer) color! It looks sharp, and is a nice upgrade from the 4300k color. The lumens are just as much as a 4300k bulb, but the 5000k adds a nice color that (totally in my opinion) does make night driving a little more relaxing, and a bit more fun! Again, just my opinion (I'm not a lighting scientist or engineer) these bulbs are worth the $$$. I would buy another pair if I needed to, with no hesitation.

I'll post again in a week or so when the bulbs get more use & colorshift more.

[ctdogman]

Finally had a chance to try these bulbs in the rain at night, am happy
to report they work very well. Meaning, they perform just as well as a
4200k D2S bulb. These bulbs are the real deal, they are not just tarted up
tuner toys. Coupled with the whiter output over a comparable D2S bulb, I'm really liking these
Osram CBI's.

[Lazydog]

Originally Posted by ctdogman

5000K!!!! Well, they for sure are getting pretty white pretty quick, even with the low hours I have on them. And yes, I read the article about how Mercedes is now using these bulbs, citing some obscure study about whiter (more blue) offering safety benefits at night.

Glad to hear that you like the bulbs. I was also thinking of going brighter with my bulbs.

Blah, Mercedes (as well as Audi) also supply their cars with Continental tires, if you've never experienced Continental tires first hand, google them and you'll be flooded with people complaining what sh!tty tires they are. And they are, they came on my Audi.

I would have to disagree with you about Continental tires. I have them and have no issues with them. They grip well on wet surfaces. What complaint do you have personal with them, not what you have read?

3) Price. Well, that depends on the individual. I'm a working class guy, so every penny counts. That being said, based on the not losing lumens, plus the whiter (bluer) color that so far I am liking (supposed to get even whiter from what I've read from other users here), the bulbs, in my opinion, are worth the cost.

I would be interested in how many actual hours you get out of them. that will tell if the price is right.

[ctdogman]

Here are the lifespan specs from the Osram Europe site:

CBI-

Lifespan Lifespan B3 1500 h
Lifespan Tc 2500 h


Osram 66240 4200K D2S-

Lifespan Lifespan B3 2000 h
Lifespan Tc 3000 h


As Osram's own data shows, there is the loss of 500 hours when using the CBI's.

[ctdogman]

Have about 15 hours on my CBI's and I like them a lot.
I really like the white output.

Do these bulbs help me see better? No. They are rated at 3200 lumens,
the same as a typical OEM D2S bulb.

The benefit of these over a no-name 5000k bulb is you get the white output
without sacrificing lumens as is typical with a higher Kelvin bulb.

Now if only my windshield didn't have thousands of nasty scratches,
and my headlight lenses didn't have millions of scratches,
I might be even more impressed. Am seriously thinking of replacing
my windshield, the scratches are so bad that in direct sunlight,
or at night when a car approaches, the glare is un-freaking real.

[ctdogman]

Ok, have about 30 hours on the bulbs, so they're fully broken in. This will be my last post on them, hopefully my impressions will help anyone deciding to purchase these bulbs or not. Here goes:

1) Are they worth the cost premium over standard 4200-4300k Osram or Philips bulbs? No.

2) Is the light output really "whiter". Yes, because they run at 5000k.

3) Do they make seeing at night better? Not at all.

4) Do they make seeing at night any worse? No, because they run at 3200 lumens, same as the stock 4200-4300k bulbs.

5) Does the 700-900+ kelvin increase make a big improvement in how "white" the light output looks, meaning the aesthetics? No. You'd be hard pressed to tell the difference, it is there, but very slight.

6) Do I regret buying these bulbs? No. They are fine bulbs.

In closing, these Osram 5000k CBI's are very good bulbs. If anyone decides to get them, you will not be disappointed, as long as you have realistic expectations of the bulbs performance. I've read a lot about these bulbs in many other forums, and some people who bought these bulbs believe the bulbs have almost supernatural abilities, and make light where there was none before! I'm here to tell you, that hasn't happened, and ain't gonna happen. So, regardless if anyone purchases these bulbs or not, always remember to ONLY buy OEM Philips or Osram bulbs, stay away from cheap aftermarket garbage, and happy & safe motoring!