Newly Released: Philips D2S X-tremeVision +50% Xenon Bulb

[Phatty McPatty]

Phillips has introduced the world's first +50% (performance) xenon bulb, the D2S X-tremeVision (model # 85122XVS1). Just like the similar "plus"-type (ultra high efficacy) halogen offerings (technical explanation here), these should be legitimately more intense ("brighter") than standard HID bulbs. But because they're new, I haven't been able to find much info on them except this PDF.

The following is from an automotive lighting expert I polled:

CCT [correlated color temperature] is specified as 4800K (vs. nominal 4100K to 4300K depending whose numbers you like for the standard D2). My guess is the "+50%" claim is probably based similarly to those claims for high-spec halogen bulbs: tighter focus, higher luminance, and running at the high end of the allowable luminous flux specification so that you get up to 50% greater intensity at the high-intensity zone of the beam pattern. [Unlike high-spec halogen bulbs,] I don't think lifespan would be materially less. It would surprise me if this is a lameware product that doesn't live up to the claims; Philips doesn't generally do that.

The downside is that I haven't found any vendors in the US. They're for sale in a few places in Europe (for example on

Amazon in Germany

Amazon in Germany

). And none of the international merchants I've found are willing to ship to the US.

Anyway, when I see something new, I'll update!

[MuranoDriver]

Sounds great if it's legit.