I have know the so-called "Xenon" H4/H3 bulbs to be a whole lot of hype -- essentially regular yellow halogens with blue-stained glass to raise the color temperature.

About a week ago I purchased a small flashlight that claimed to have a Xenon bulb. (The bulb itself is tiny, and uses lithium photographic batteries.) Naturally I did not believe it, but since I needed a rugged flashlight, I bought it anyway.

Well, this little, 4 inch-long flashlight produces incredibly white, bright light (bright enough to reveal my blood vessels and nerves when pressed against my hand). Surely there must be some plug-in headlight bulbs that are similalrly effective(?).

My research points to PIAA, but are there others?

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

That much I know, but it does not explain the flashlight I have.

Even though it is called "Xenon" it is apparently a mini halogen -- like a standard househol torchiere (sp?) lamp. Perhaps because the bulb and halogen tube (if that is indeed what is used) are so tiny, the light is white rather than yellow? I don't know.

It certainly is not 20-40K volts (uses 2 photo lithium batteries as I said) is moderately inexpensive (about $20) but its tiny bulb produces the brightest light I have seen from any equivalent-sized light source (and gives off quite a bit of heat).

Police and other law enforcement personnel uses these very extensively, by the way.

My assumption is that no one has adapted them to automotive use yet.

__________________
2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

------------------------------------
Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

http://www.************************/ProductPage.aspx?ProductName=Xenon+Bulb+Conversion+Kit&productid=106925&producttype=10

As Performance Products says: "Xenon Lights for 9004 bulbs work on low beam only and you will lose high beam capability on these models, but with our Xenon Light Bulb Kit you'll probably never need your high beam lights again."

Also, they will trigger a "bulb out" indicator because they draw lower current than stock.

Finally, the position of the bulb in your reflector will change and will not produce the proper beam pattern. I've heard from some (credit to those who can still be honest with themselves after spending much $$$) that the beam is actually worse than HO halogen bulbs because of it.

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Dean Albrecht
"Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way!"E500 owners motto