Silverstar Ultra? - Page 2

2002 2WD Edge · #16 12-05-2010, 10:53 PM

Notice they recommend replacing them each year! Halogens do dim over time and replacing them each year would avoid that and make it very unlikely you will have one burn out in use.

http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...skedQuestions/

Most of us can't be bothered or are too cheap to do that though. But if you want to maintain a vehicle very well you may choose to do that along with changing fluids and such at recommended intervals. I think the 150 hr life sounds way off.......probably get at least 2 yrs out of them using them more than the average driver. But if you think of the money spent on gas/insurance/etc./yr..new halogen bulbs a year aren't that bad of an expense. Most of the other bulbs are available in LL (Long Life) versions..aren't too much..and spares can be kept in the vehicle along with the few tools needed to change them.

richarddhoward · #17 12-05-2010, 10:58 PM

I ran ultras in my GMC for 4 years before I had to replace one. They never seemed to dim, but that could just be a part of never noticing it because you just get used to them. And I run with head lights on almost all the time. rain or shine

tykluss18 · #18 12-05-2010, 11:27 PM

I'm thinking the silverstars, It seems I should be satisfied, plus the HID swap seems a little harder to do. I'f I don't like them i'll go with HID and re-gift them hehe. christmas is comming up afterall...

FoMoCo · #19 12-05-2010, 11:34 PM

its not that HID is harder to do, its just that our headlights are not designed for HID's

TenSilver · #20 12-06-2010, 04:39 AM

I've decided to get a set and give them a try. The Ultra's are on sale at Advance Auto.

tykluss18 · #21 12-06-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FoMoCo

its not that HID is harder to do, its just that our headlights are not designed for HID's

yea. i think i want to do some hellas behind a billet grille too which would look better with halogen bulbs

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how much are they online at advanced auto?

wahvtec · #22 12-06-2010, 06:08 PM

hids work fine and install just as easy as a light bulb other than mounting ballast with a proper kit. The places people go wrong is getting any color brighter than 6500k. BMW and similar automakers use 4000 which is solid white. Start adding stupid colors and you lose the lights ability to penetrate the darkness. I prefer hids and have had sets in 3 of my vehicles and installed plenty. As long as you choose a quality 55w kit and mount the ballast where they wont see excessive heat or water you wont have any problems.

richarddhoward · #23 12-06-2010, 06:13 PM

The other thing you want to think about is how bright you would go with the HID's, you get to bright and they suck horribly in snow, and well frankly, I drove in snow the last two years, I would rather have the Sylvannia's.

SkyYYZ · #24 12-06-2010, 06:34 PM

I used the Silverstars 2 trucks ago in my F150. Hated them in the rain cuz they didn't seem to do jack sh*t, but otherwise great bulbs for usual night driving.

wahvtec · #25 12-06-2010, 08:51 PM

i just think that 4500k hids with a proper 55w ballast has to be brighter than sylvania silver stars due to the ballast. More energy more light output. I think most of the bad stigmas toward hids come from using improper bulb temperatures and faulty installs. Most people who talk to me about hids say they want 8-10k temperatures for hte bright blue effect but ill be the first to admit in snow rain or wet conditions they suck which is why NO manufacturers use them. Luxury manufactures use half that temp for white light similar to silverstars with more energy. Most also incorporate projectors to help them have a better beam. With three different type of projectorless headlights ive had better results than any halogen bulbs ive used. And theres plenty. My body who works at advanced selling these also gets the same customer feedback

tykluss18 · #26 12-07-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wahvtec

i just think that 4500k hids with a proper 55w ballast has to be brighter than sylvania silver stars due to the ballast. More energy more light output. I think most of the bad stigmas toward hids come from using improper bulb temperatures and faulty installs. Most people who talk to me about hids say they want 8-10k temperatures for hte bright blue effect but ill be the first to admit in snow rain or wet conditions they suck which is why NO manufacturers use them. Luxury manufactures use half that temp for white light similar to silverstars with more energy. Most also incorporate projectors to help them have a better beam. With three different type of projectorless headlights ive had better results than any halogen bulbs ive used. And theres plenty. My body who works at advanced selling these also gets the same customer feedback

I want between 4000 and 5000 but no more than that. and if i run the 55w can't it melt the plastic lenses i have now? and how do the HID's work without projector lenses on rangers?

Ranger Kid · #27 12-07-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OscarMike

FWIW: Any lights that are white or blue suck donkey nuts at dawn and dusk... it has to be PITCH BLACK out for them to light up well. They do light up decently when its completely dark, but if there is a small shred of light at all they suck.

umm.
wrong?

wahvtec · #28 12-07-2010, 06:29 PM

As long as the hids are of the right bulb size you will have no issues with melting..UNLESS you decided to nightshade, tint, or fog your headlights. The tint will cause it to absorb heat so on and so forth bad idea anyway. And In the three cases that ive used hids without projectors i have been very happy with the improvement of light and had fine light patterns

2006FX4lvl2 · #29 12-07-2010, 09:04 PM

I just installed the ultras, and I like them a lot! Super bright and wide beams Especially when youre driving on the pitch black roads, its like turning on daylight. They seem normal when there is streetlights or other headlights, but I can see the road reflectors better. I did the headligts and the driving lights,both was about $100 at pepboys

seanpugs1990 · #30 12-07-2010, 09:07 PM

i bought silverstar ultras not even 2 weeks ago and installed them on my truck and i returned them the next day... they are a little bit whiter but not worth the money im gettin 8000k HIDs within the next month... perhaps christmas gift from myself... do yourself a favor man and save ur money