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Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:47 pm

which are the better round headlights (for the early 1980s grills or for the outer units on the SA grills)?

IS the Hella better than the Bosch or vice-versa?

Thx

Wed Feb 10, 2010 1:34 pm

Not sure if the bus and vanagons use the same 7in lamps, but check out Westypop's write-up on the first page of this bay window thread. Very informed comparison.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=383293&highlight=hella+bosch

BTW...there's a guy selling the bosch on ebay for a great (1/2 retail) price. Bought a pair for my bus. hint: worth making an offer on two.

Wed Feb 10, 2010 4:35 pm

I'd also like to hear more about this topic. The link above sounds like good advice. I had 5.75" Hella H4s on a BMW and loved them. I just ordered a set of 7" Bosch e-codes from BD (somehow thought they were Hellas) and am wondering if it was a smart buy or not.

Wed Feb 10, 2010 11:27 pm

Supposedly, the very BEST H4 size lights are Cibie's. I went with the Hella H4's because I figured (correctly, it turned out) that they were OEM on German Vanagons. But the Cibie's are supposed to be pretty darn impressive.

Best!

Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:16 am

I have a set of Bosch and Hella. Of the two I like the Hella better.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:35 am

I had cibie's on my bus. they were excellent. Everything else has been a bit of a let down.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 11:51 am

Whats wrong with the Sylvania 7" sealed beam Halogen's ? What is the difference between those and the Bosch/Hella bulbs.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:05 pm

RCB wrote: Whats wrong with the Sylvania 7" sealed beam Halogen's ? What is the difference between those and the Bosch/Hella bulbs.

Dude, you have been living under a rock? The Sylvania sealed beam isn't much better than driving along with a flashlight out your window. The H4 upgrade is a straight drop in and improves your light 20 fold. I have used both Hella and Bosch and prefer the Bosch. It has thicker glass that sits a little more proud. Light output seems about the same for both.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 3:37 pm

otiswesty wrote: RCB wrote: Whats wrong with the Sylvania 7" sealed beam Halogen's ? What is the difference between those and the Bosch/Hella bulbs.

Dude, you have been living under a rock? The Sylvania sealed beam isn't much better than driving along with a flashlight out your window. The H4 upgrade is a straight drop in and improves your light 20 fold. I have used both Hella and Bosch and prefer the Bosch. It has thicker glass that sits a little more proud. Light output seems about the same for both.

Actually, my fellow dude...Im one of those Reptilian's you hear about on Art Bell's radio show. Hey man.....theirs no place like home, one rock is just as good as the next rock :lol:

I know that the H4 is a direct drop in bulb, but dont you have to install a heavy duty switch and a little beefier wires than those on the stock 80's Vans.

Unlike most of my Reptilian brothers and sisters I dont do much night time roaming and I dont flick wandering flies outa the air...Im a vegetarian.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:47 pm

I like my Hella, for me Hella are better randywebb wrote: which are the better round headlights (for the early 1980s grills or for the outer units on the SA grills)?

IS the Hella better than the Bosch or vice-versa?

Thx

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:19 pm

RCB wrote: I know that the H4 is a direct drop in bulb, but dont you have to install a heavy duty switch and a little beefier wires than those on the stock 80's Vans.

It's not necessary to install relays & new wires to use H4s, but it's an excellent idea to do so even if you stay with your stock lights. Light output will be improved and you'll avoid melting your headlight switch.

Of course, it just gets better if you use H4s.

Thu Feb 11, 2010 9:21 pm

Wellington wrote: I have a set of Bosch and Hella. Of the two I like the Hella better.

I just ordered a set of the Bosch ones from Bus Depot for my Westy, and I have Hellas in the carat already. I'll compare them when everything's installed.