disappointed in sylvania silverstar ultras?

[jeff618]

I found a great alternative to silverstar ultras. Liked them but got tired of them burning out so fast and having to change them so often. Found solux bulbs that have increased performance (80% brighter, natural daylight color of 4600k, high contrast, longer beam, etc.) but also maintain the longer life hours similar to standard halogens (which translates to 2x-4x longer than ss ultras). I replaced low-beam, high-beam and fog lights and really like them a lot - I can see much better and my eyes don't get as tired at night. So far, so good...

[xGS]

Originally Posted by jeff618

I found a great alternative to silverstar ultras. Liked them but got tired of them burning out so fast and having to change them so often. Found solux bulbs that have increased performance (80% brighter, natural daylight color of 4600k, high contrast, longer beam, etc.) but also maintain the longer life hours similar to standard halogens (which translates to 2x-4x longer than ss ultras). I replaced low-beam, high-beam and fog lights and really like them a lot - I can see much better and my eyes don't get as tired at night. So far, so good...

Is it your experience that the solux bulbs last longer than the silverstar ultras or is that merely what the manufacturer claims?

[hkellogg]

I don't know why people bother with silverstars and those other supposed high output halogen bulbs...HID kits are so cheap and plug and play so much clearer even if it is in a reflector housing. I had HID in my old gmc jimmy and the light output was crazy I would never use halogen bulbs again

[n2da2nd]

Originally Posted by hkellogg

I don't know why people bother with silverstars and those other supposed high output halogen bulbs...HID kits are so cheap and plug and play so much clearer even if it is in a reflector housing. I had HID in my old gmc jimmy and the light output was crazy I would never use halogen bulbs again

I know, right! Some people are saying "Unless it's projector housing, I won't put HID in my car." Come on, what do these people think the Lexus IS350 and Acura TL (old model) have in the housing. It's HID with reflector housing, people Putting in HID is all about aiming properly. The average price for the Sylvania bulbs is around $20-$30 with no warranty. Once they burn out, you have to pay for another pair. On the other hand, HID kit is only $40 and comes with 2+ years warranty; and they don't burn out that often. Do the math, people

[samc]

I agree totally with the exception to the halogen housing part. But either way kits are so cheap these days that it would be stupid not to do it. And basically these kits are plug and play so again stupid not to do it.

Also how are these "ultra" ones? I had sylvania silver stars (regular) in my old car and I noticed the light output was reduced from oem osram bulbs. Sure it was white light but it wasn't worth the reduced lighting.

Originally Posted by hkellogg

I don't know why people bother with silverstars and those other supposed high output halogen bulbs...HID kits are so cheap and plug and play so much clearer even if it is in a reflector housing. I had HID in my old gmc jimmy and the light output was crazy I would never use halogen bulbs again

[Wolfman_matt]

Somewhat of a newbie to HIDs. Where is the best place to get a kit and what manufacturer do you use? Thanks Matt

[jeff618]

Originally Posted by xGS

Is it your experience that the solux bulbs last longer than the silverstar ultras or is that merely what the manufacturer claims?

That is the big question, however I've used Eiko bulbs before and they are very straight-shooting about their marketing claims. Also there's a link to the solux website that shows in previous solux applications (commercial and industrial), the solux bulbs last an insanely long time. The fact that Eiko is only stating that they'll be equal to standard halogens I believe is an understatement to the potential they may last. But, long story long, I won't really know until a year or so from now.

Originally Posted by hkellogg

I don't know why people bother with silverstars and those other supposed high output halogen bulbs...HID kits are so cheap and plug and play so much clearer even if it is in a reflector housing. I had HID in my old gmc jimmy and the light output was crazy I would never use halogen bulbs again

It is a well known fact that HID kits in the wrong lens housings create glare (I can't remember the technical term...possibly halos?) which are extremely annoying and DANGEROUS to other drivers. If you research it enough, every responsible person who switches to HID gets new factory HID housings and the kit to avoid blinding other drivers. Thus far, I am very, very happy with my poor man's solux solution.

Originally Posted by n2da2nd

I know, right! Some people are saying "Unless it's projector housing, I won't put HID in my car." Come on, what do these people think the Lexus IS350 and Acura TL (old model) have in the housing. It's HID with reflector housing, people Putting in HID is all about aiming properly. The average price for the Sylvania bulbs is around $20-$30 with no warranty. Once they burn out, you have to pay for another pair. On the other hand, HID kit is only $40 and comes with 2+ years warranty; and they don't burn out that often. Do the math, people

Again, if you read enough, its well known that even the manufacturers' have drastically changed the OEM engineering on factory installed HID lighting systems due to the problems the first few generations presented. 2011/2012 factory installed HID systems are drastically different from systems 1-3+ years ago. It really comes down to courtesy of other drivers.

Originally Posted by samc

I agree totally with the exception to the halogen housing part. But either way kits are so cheap these days that it would be stupid not to do it. And basically these kits are plug and play so again stupid not to do it.

Also how are these "ultra" ones? I had sylvania silver stars (regular) in my old car and I noticed the light output was reduced from oem osram bulbs. Sure it was white light but it wasn't worth the reduced lighting.

As to your first paragraph...see my comments above. As to your question...Silverstar Ultras are the brightest and burn out the fastest. According to their scale on the package, they last about 25% of the time that standard halogens last. Then as you go down the line, they're not as bright but they last longer: Silverstars last longer than silverstar ultras and Xtravision last longer than silverstars and standards last longer than xtravision. The solux bulbs I mentioned have been tested and specified to last as long as standards yet they're also spec'ed-out to be 80% brighter. So, I'll keep you posted, but so far I love them.

[americanpolice]

your first paragraph...see my comments above. As to your question...Silverstar Ultras are the brightest and burn out the fastest. According to their scale on the package, they last about 25% of the time that standard halogens last. Then as you go down the line, they're not as bright but they last longer: Silverstars last longer than silverstar ultras and Xtravision last longer than silverstars and standards last longer than xtravision. The solux bulbs I mentioned have been tested and specified to last as long as standards yet they're also spec'ed-out to be 80% brighter. So, I'll keep you posted, but so far I love them.[/QUOTE]


So how are the bulbs?

[94eg!]

Jeff618 knows his stuff. If you don't believe him, just get in a different car and have someone drive behind in your car at night. With HID's in a halogen headlight, the glare is rediculous. This is because the light is emitted form a different location on the bulb itself vs a halogen bulb, and light is therefore reflected in undesired directions (like upward into the eyes of others). This is also why your output seems so much better with your ghetto HID bulb install. It's like your driving around with your high beams on ALL THE TIME!

The proper way to do it is to install an HID headlight with reflector/projector into your OEM headlights. It's called a retro-fit. Either way the headlight has to be specifically designed for the bulb.

This is how your HID's should project onto your garage from a distance:



This is what your drop-in HID's look like on your garage wall. As you can see the cuttoff is pretty much non existent:

[americanpolice]

sorry my question was actually directed to Jeff.

4 months later, how are the bulbs holding up and are you satisfied with their performance? separately, surprised u changed the fog lights. any warping from the high heat there?

can u post some pics of your lights, with views facing the car and facing the road? i'm impressed with what i've read about the eiko clearvision supreme.

[jeff618]

Originally Posted by americanpolice

your first paragraph...see my comments above. As to your question...Silverstar Ultras are the brightest and burn out the fastest. According to their scale on the package, they last about 25% of the time that standard halogens last. Then as you go down the line, they're not as bright but they last longer: Silverstars last longer than silverstar ultras and Xtravision last longer than silverstars and standards last longer than xtravision. The solux bulbs I mentioned have been tested and specified to last as long as standards yet they're also spec'ed-out to be 80% brighter. So, I'll keep you posted, but so far I love them.

So how are the bulbs?[/QUOTE]

Originally Posted by americanpolice

sorry my question was actually directed to Jeff.

4 months later, how are the bulbs holding up and are you satisfied with their performance? separately, surprised u changed the fog lights. any warping from the high heat there?

I replied to your private message on this. 6 months and no problems at all with performance nor heat. I like them and I'm happy with the purchase. More details in the private message.

Originally Posted by 94eg!

Jeff618 knows his stuff.

Thanks.