Whilst still mulling over whether I should take the plunge and buy some LED bulbs, I thought I would try and measure the output of the various halogen bulbs that I have collected over the years.
I managed to find an App which would load onto my Ipad to create a photographic lightmeter. The idea was to try the various rated bulbs and measure the difference. I had in stock bulbs with Std, +120%, +130% and more recently +150% ratings, all of Halfords manufacture.
The results turned out to be somewhat surprising, in that, whilst there was a difference between the Std bulb and the others, there was no real difference between the other 3 types. This was generally because the light 'hotspot' occurred in slightly different positions, making comparison difficult.
I maintain the the +150% bulb should effectively give 3 times the light of a Std bulb. I know there are others that dispute that logic and i would the question, what would a bulb claiming to give +50% extra give?
Again in my view 1/2 as much again as Std. and +100% twice a Std bulb. However I do accept that this procedure is not entirely scientific, but perhaps it's a bit more accurate than the Mk1 eyeball!!
Iv'e also read somewhere that there are variations between bulbs that are supposedly the same rating.
The net result of all this is, I decided to stay with the +130% bulb, as the 'Hotspot' on dipped beam, was a bit closer to the kerb, making it easier to see.
The only reason I have not yet changed to LED bulbs, is the concern regarding the legality of them for normal use and what the insurance view would be, should there be an incident in the future, maybe our insurance member might like to comment.