Sylvania Silverstar Bulbs??

[Brad94SC]

has anyone ever used these? they look good enough, but seem to be expensive - just wondering if anyone has any feedback on them

sylvania (http://www.sylvania.ca/auto/silverstar.htm)

[1BADSC]

I have them in my cars. They are not blue tinted, they are a very bright clear white light. There is no yellow tint like with standard halogens. I did not notice any more viewing distance, however, everything within the viewing distance is illuminated more. Look online for them. I found some for 20 buck for two. Or you can pay 40 bucks for two at most auto parts stores.

[Digitalchaos]

I currently have these in both my TJ Wrangler & my '93 SC. In my opinion they are remarkable in both appearance and function. The Jeep utilizes glass headlamps so they are clear. If you look straight on at the bulb, it has a definate HID color tone to it. The glow it casts to the streets & surrounding objects is slightly blue green, but mostly very white. Roadsigns, markers, light objects objects, car paint, and other surrounding matter has a true-tone appearance in this light, as if it were being looked at in daylight. Also I have noticed reflective objects like signs can be seen from further away. The lights are also noticeably brighter than conventional Halogen, the glow is very obvious on wet road & under city street lights. It also illuminates reflective objects in fog & rain.

I personally emailed Silvania reguarding the life of these bulbs as knowing they are burning at a higher temperature to acheive their output due to the Xenon gas, I figured there might be some compromise. They responded & said the life expectancy is something like 85% that of a normal bulb. The bulbs are almost a year old in the Jeep.

However, if your goal is simply to achieve greater light output & not the altered appearance (I personally reguard & like the look), then you may find that the Silvania extra visions or equivalent GE competition is just as bright. The reason being that both these bulbs have Xenon gas impregnated with the Halogen gas to achieve a greater light output by allowing higher burn temperature. I think the only real difference between SilverStar & Xtra vision may be the coating on the silverstar, which gives it its appearance w/o reducing light output. So if you don't care how it looks, the Xtras may be a cheaper alternative for 15 dollars a bulb. Understand that this statement is not fact however, just my theory.

One last thing, it is imperative that your headlamp lenses are clear, NOT yellow. The yellow discoloration of my headlamps alters output significantly so that there is a slight reduction of light, and a major change in appearance. They almost look like regular bulbs with yellowed lenses! I have seen them in other Thunderbirds w/ similar style lenses that were clear, however, so I know their performance in a good lense on this car.

I believe others may recommend the PIAA competition bulbs as well.. they seem to be similar or better according to those who have used them. Just be sure not to exceed stock wattage with stock wiring!

Thats all; I figure pretty soon the price of these bulbs will go down, probably December or January.

[rookie94sc]

I had some but then I purchased a set of MTec 4,350K Hyper whites and prefer them as they're cheaper and higher output.

[1BADSC]

Digitalchaos can you post some pictures of your lights, because i have them in two of my cars and see absolutley no blue tint to them at all, only bright white.

[Jeremy_K]

I have silverstars in my xr7 and i am very pleased with them. like mentioned above. they don't have the cheap ricer blue light look. they are a nice clear white light. you really notice the difference when you switch between the high and low beams. i only have them in my low beams for right now. when i turn the brights on , you can tell the difference between the yellow light and the white light. i have absolutely no yellowing on my lenses so they work well for me.

[Digitalchaos]

1BADSC, unfortunately I am unable to do so. However, the tint I notice is mainly from the glass headlamps in the Jeep. Also its not so much the brightest part of the beam as it is the edges. This is especially noticeable when parked next to a car with convetional headlights shining against a building.

I definitely agree with the distinct lack of yellow coloring.. this could be the blue I am percieving. Also I share the observation that the beam itself does not travel further than regular headlights, but illuminates objects from a further distance. I also noticed it is brighter along the range of the beam.

[Jeremy_K]

they cut under fog better and improve visibility on dark wet roads from my observation.

[1BADSC]

Digitalchaos, yeah that is what I was thinking. The glass bulbs in the jeep may have more area for the tint to show up. Where the composite lights are too small of a surface area to give off a blue tint. :)

[Deep6]

I bought a "beater" Saturn SC2 for the wife and I threw the glass housing silverstars in it.

I've noticed that the light is Sharper and whiter than the stock halogens. I'd like to characterize the color as being "Electric White". They are NOT blue and any hint of blue in them is only a hue.

I have been able to make out road markings better with them. Especially to the stock halogens in my T-bird and my plastic housings that are becoming "frosty".

For the exorbinent cost of true HID systems, I'd say that a Silverstar system will give you 90% of what you want.... "the look". For those of you who have upgraded to higher wattage wiring, it would be great to get higher wattage silverstars. Or possibly upgrade to the "Catz Zeta" lighting system.

[Brad94SC]

well, I figure with a 97 front end conversion coming in the very near future (hmmmm crystal clear headlights) I want some bulbs that will give me as close the HID as possible.

And I thought it was a good way to blow the $50 gift certificate to the local auto parts store that I got :)

[rookie94sc]

Here's the MTec's I still have the Silver Stars if someone wants me to go out and to a comparison shot (one mtec one ss)

http://www.sccoa.com/member/images/hansen24.jpg

[Digitalchaos]

rookie94sc; if you don't mind I would like to see that comparison shot. The lights you have posted look interesting.

Thanks!

[1BADSC]

Better check with you local DMV, Most will fail your inspection for blue tinted headlights unless the company has sent a fax of the verification of Motor Vehicle safety requirement #108. I had to fight with them for failing a customer of mine who had blue tinted lights installed. Sylvania cool blues, Phillips, and Wagner Lazer Blues are the only blue tinted lights that are street legal (that i am aware of). The silverstars are white, so you have nothing to worry about.

[Brad94SC]

thanks for all the info guys, and the pic, Josh


now I just have to find Mtec bulbs north of the border!