Osram and Philips Headlamp Bulbs?

[axxeman]

People, I am certain that many of you will have, or currently still do, used these higher "Night Breaker" type bulbs.  What's your opinion on their longevity?  Personally, I don't think that they are great value and find that they tend to blow, for me, at the start of a journey, upon switching on.  Now, maybe I am just unlucky but they really don't seem to last anywhere near the dimmer "normal" ones.

Thoughts?

Greg

[shtu]

Used them in a few different cars, never had to fit a replacement.

Worth being incredibly fussy when installing them.

[boop]

I have used Nightbreakers forever and never experienced premature death of them.

[evdama]

My first set of Nightbreakers lasted well over 55k of potholes.
The extra expense is cheap given the improvement gained.
Previous to those I tried the Ring equivalents and they lasted a month.

[Tree]

I normally see a year out of them, around 25-30k

[evdama]

There's different grades so this will have an impact on longevity 

You don't get owt for nowt

Osram

Mine were the Silver type

[shtu]

Also - buy from reputable sellers. Fakes are a problem.

[axxeman]

Some interesting replies there.  The Osram are rated for circa 400 hours and the Philips 450.  I have never tried to log how long mine have lasted with respect to night driving BUT suffice to say that most of my hours (>80%) are in the dark so maybe I get the allotted 400.  What I do know is a) Do not touch the glass when handling AT ALL and b) They HATE voltage fluctuations.  My charge circuit in my Connect went loopy one night and they both blew within 2 miles.

I complained and returned them to Philips HQ and they tested them and quite correctly identified failure through over-voltage.  The irony was that they still sent me a new pair!

Thanks for the input.  I am sorely tempted to try the Osram 200s (Philips 130s in at present).