Is it just mine or is the light cast out from the 990 lens about as useful as a candle?

Philips X-treme Vision is your friend

When I got mine it was poorly adjusted and blinding other road users on dipped beam (I've no idea how it managed to pass the MoT test before I bought it like that) but after adjusting it to the correct alignment it's been fine and illuminates the road reasonably well, though any more candlepower wouldn't hurt so I might check out the alternative mentioned above if a bulb needs replacing.