Best Fit
Readers looking back at one of the early Amazon LED kits that helped prove emitter placement and beam pattern mattered more than generic lumen claims.
Legacy Test Snapshot
- Version 1.0 results: 4380 reflector low lux and 7580 high-beam lux per bulb.
- 4-star low-beam pattern rating with 62 glare lux in the original measurement format.
- 6050K color, 97°F running temperature, 28 dB fan noise, and 3-year warranty.
Legacy data note: This review is based on the original BulbFacts version 1.0 test bench. The original Philips version later became unavailable, and these results are not directly comparable to the current LED chart scale.
When we first started searching Amazon for highly rated and popular LED kits, the Lightening Dark was not in our initial group of 10 products. It was added as number 11, almost as a backup, and that turned out to be fortunate because it outperformed the rest of that early group in a big way.
The Lightening Dark kit used a special LED pattern that tried to mimic a halogen bulb. That made it a strong candidate for reflector housings originally designed around halogen filament placement, where many LED kits struggle.
Many early Amazon LED kits used a similar centered, protruding LED design. That could create a bright spot, but not necessarily where the reflector wanted the light source to be. By comparison, the Lightening Dark's LEDs were arranged in a row and recessed into the holder, closer to the halogen geometry.
Because of the high intensity, there was still some scatter, but it was much less messy than many standard LED kits from that test group. If you are looking at reflector upgrades, this review is a good reminder that the physical emitter layout matters as much as output.
Reflector Style Headlight Test Results
The original Lightening Dark stood out by combining unusually high reflector output with a beam that was still controlled enough to use.
In the original version 1.0 reflector test, the Lightening Dark Philips LED measured 4380 lux per bulb on low beam. At the time, that was roughly 172% brighter than the stock halogen reference, or about 2.7 times brighter.
The next closest product in that early Amazon group was far behind, which is why the Lightening Dark made such a strong impression in 2018. It was one of the first budget-ish LED kits we tested that showed how dramatic the upgrade could be when the emitter layout worked well.
Beam pattern was rated 4 stars in the original test format. Halogen was treated as the 5-star reference, so 4 stars meant the beam had very good cutoff and control, especially considering how bright the kit was.
Glare measured 62 lux in the original 8-inch glare measurement position. The old article still advised re-aiming the headlights after installation, since the beam could appear a few inches higher than the original halogen pattern.
High-Beam Output And Driving Impressions
The low-beam reflector result was the headline, but high beam was also a major improvement over stock.
Installed into high beams, the Lightening Dark measured 7580 lux per bulb in the original facts block. The old article described this as about 114% brighter in the hotspot than halogen, or a little over twice the output.
That high-beam result required a small rotation adjustment to get the best hotspot. This is a useful lesson for LED retrofits: clocking can make a real difference, even when the bulb itself is strong.
The road-use photo from the original article showed the kind of visibility jump that made this kit exciting in 2018. It was bright enough to compete with more expensive name-brand kits at the time, while costing around $52.
The original recommendation was specific to the Philips TX1860 version, not the later CREE revision. The CREE version was driverless and had a perfect beam in later testing, but there were other kits that beat it in brightness.
Color, Temperature, Noise, And Fitment
The original Lightening Dark had modest heat, very low fan noise, and a rotatable design that helped tune the beam.
30-min temp
Fan noise
Lightening Dark Kelvin
Lightening Dark reflector low beam
The Lightening Dark tested at 6050K, landing in the cool-white range that was common for LED kits from that era. It was whiter than halogen without going as blue as some of the more extreme LED products.
Running temperature measured 97°F / 36°C, with fan noise measured at only 28 dB. That is extremely quiet compared with many later fan-cooled LED kits.
The bulb was rotatable in 5-degree increments, used a 33 mm heat sink, and had an external removable driver. The original facts block did not list a wattage value, so that remains N/A here rather than filling in a guess.
The kit used six LEDs per bulb, a flat direction layout, fan cooling, and carried a 3-year warranty. Lifespan and CANBUS details were not part of the original facts block, so those are also listed as N/A.
Value And Final Thoughts
In 2018, this was an unusually strong reflector LED value. Today, it is best treated as an important historical review.
Coverage
At the original price of about $52, the Lightening Dark Philips LED kit was an incredible value in its test group. It compared well against higher-end kits and beat many early Amazon LEDs by a wide margin in reflector low-beam output.
The biggest takeaway was not just that it was bright. It was that the LED placement helped the reflector do its job. That lesson still applies to current LED kits: a brighter bulb with poor source placement can perform worse than a more thoughtful design.
The original Philips version later became unavailable, and newer LED kits have since moved the market forward. Use this page as legacy test context, then compare current products on the modern chart before buying.
This product is no longer listed in the current BulbFacts LED product data. This review remains available for reference; check the current LED recommendations for newer tested options.
Full Test Details & Facts For Lightening Dark Philips LED
Legacy version 1.0 bench measurements. These values are preserved for article history and are not directly comparable to the current LED chart scale.
Beam Output
- Reflector low beam lux
- 4380 per bulb
- High beam lux
- 7580 per bulb
- Low beam increase
- +172% versus stock in original test
- High beam increase
- +114% versus stock in original test
- Lumens per kit
- N/A
- Wattage
- N/A
Beam Quality
- Low beam pattern rating
- 4 stars
- Low beam glare lux
- 62 at 8 in
- Tested Kelvin
- 6050K
- Lifespan rating
- N/A
- DRL / high-beam dimmable
- N/A
- Warranty
- 3 years
Hardware
- Running temperature
- 97°F / 36°C
- Rotatable
- Yes, 5° increments
- Heat sink size
- 33 mm
- Noise
- 28 dB
- LEDs per bulb
- 6
- Direction
- Flat
Electrical And Fitment
- Driver type
- External, removable
- Cooling type
- Fan
- CANBUS compatible
- N/A in legacy facts
- Radio frequency interference
- N/A
- Original price context
- About $52
- Version note
- Philips TX1860 version, not later CREE revision
Facts listed above are based on BulbFacts version 1.0 testing processes at the time of this review. See how we test for current procedures and use the current LED chart for modern product comparisons.