opinions on the sylvania silverstars

[Jester1994]

Hey guys, I've had silver stars since about last spring, I noticed a difference right away and they were nice. However, I recently had headlight issues and had to replace my Lamp out module since my headlights stopped working at random times and then one went out completely. I don't think my headlights are peforming as well as they used to before, has anyone ever had a problem with lights dimming down a bit or noticing that the light performance isn't what it used to be? I think on eof my high beams in flickering so I think that light might be going, so maybe I'll just get a new set of silverstars and se ehow they work. Any ideas?

 

[JohnnyO]

Dudes in the Taurus forum I belong to (the wife has one) swear up and down that a hi-perf #9007 wiring harness from Summit is a big help and you really get the most out of the Silverstars with it. Haven't tried that myself though. Costs about $36 IIRC.

I have them in both vehicles, we like them. Well, I pulled them out of the Ranger yesterday, it's getting traded Monday for a new Sport Trac.

I also have Silverstar parking/turn signals in the Taurus. I wouldn't say they're any brighter than stock but they look mostly clear/blue until you turn them on. With the stock clear lenses they look a lot better. If that's worth the $20, that's up to you.

 

[aldive]

HD wiring harnesses make a world of difference.

I have one from http://www.suvlights.com/

 

[Oversquare]

so, i'm kinda confused. Why would someone need an upgraded wiring harness? What does it do better than the stock harness?

-B

 

[scribsac]

Taking the advice of many people in this message board, I went ahead and bought the Silverstars as well for something like $42.00 out the door. Honestly, I didn't notice too much of a difference in terms of the bulbs' brightness in comparison to the stock bulbs. However, I did notice an immediate difference in the color. This whiter color at first seemed to me to project a thinner (for lack of a better word) brightness than those less white. But after driving for a week or so now, especially out in the country, I am really starting to appreciate these bulbs. No, they are not tremendously different, but they are an improvement, and if you have very little money like me to invest into projection lights or something, these are a great buy.

 

[JDGREEN8513]

so let me get this straight?? Say I am convinced into buying silverstars I should buy 9005's for low 9006 for high. I was wondering what I should buy for the fog lights. Thanks?

 

[Rodeo Joe]

You need the 9007, just one bulb for low and high.

Joe

 

[Bill Kemp]

Heres an artical that explaines why a harness is needed. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html
Basicly to get brighter lights.

 

[ExplorerSportNu]

Heres an artical that explaines why a harness is needed. http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/relays/relays.html
Basicly to get brighter lights.

DAMN, nice article

 

[sonik]

Daniel Stern knows what he's talking about. Everyone should see what he has to say about the Silverstars. Check out the bottom of http://www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/bulbs/blue/good/good.html I've heard him call them a "piece of junk" and "garbage" elsewhere.

 

[cybercreeper]

does anyone know? these replace your stock light right? so when you put the high beams on it will also do highs and lows or is it just lows?

 

[Bill Kemp]

9007 Is both high & low beam in one light bulb.
I know D.S. thinks blue tinted bulbs like SS & PIAA are POS and he's probably right that there is more light comming from a ExtraVision bulb. But I like the color of the SS & PIAA and W/fogs & driving lights there is plenty of light even for an old guy like me.

 

[cybercreeper]

thanks for the info...

 

[mctoy]

Daniel Stern Lighting (sonik's post above) is right...55 watts is 55watts! I just returned from back to back testing the stockers with the Silverstars. And B4 going any further, let me say I WANTED BRIGHTER LIGHTS!!! Brought my wife (non-driver) along as an unbiased witness. She didnt know one from the other prior to the test. We drove country Hwy's in Alabama so as not to have anyone elses headlights "Helping out".
We both agreed that the 1st set (Silverstars) were whiter....not necessarily brighter. She did say "These are the new ones right?" Then remarked that the "colors" of stuff just dosent look right. I noticed as well that the yellow center lines appeared "greenish/white" (They did a good job of lighting up about the same area/distance as the stockers tho' in my opinion) Went home, exchanged lights and drove the same 16 mile loop. She said "I like these alot better". I have to agree. I like the natural color of "stuff" as my wife put it, and since the S.S do not give any extra DISTANCE I cant justify the $40 investment in them. They look cool when used with clearcorners, but I think it would be (about the same) $$$ more wisely spent on upgraded wiring harness (Larger wire gage, + and -) to get full amperage to the lights, THEN if that combined with adjusting the stockers is still not enough, perhaps buying some higher wattage ie: Sylvania 65W/80W bulbs. Just an honest opinion from a guy that has to budget every $ that goes into my rig.....
I REALLY wanted the S.S.'s too!

 

[coliniscool]

I had silverstars on my previous car, a 944 porsche, and they kicked the crap out of the old halogens, but then again those were probably on the car since it rolled off the lot.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

SilverStars are awesome. That's all I have to say. I replaced our brand new '05 Honda Odyessey's headlights to SilverStars. Attached is a pic. The left is stock and the right is the SilverStars.

 

[hvac man]

I love mine. In my opinion they are the best replacement bulb you can buy in the price range and the color is totaly white which helps if you have problems driving at night such as my self.

 

[mctoy]

Just a quickie, and not to flame or start an argument, but as noted above by myself (Average consumer with heavy electronic background) and the Daniel Stearn (Lighting expert) link....55watts on low beam and 65watts on high is what the Silverstars produce. That is the same wattage (Power electronically) as the stock bulbs, and most replacements for that matter. Further, the reason they are "Street legal" in the U.S. is because the D.O.T. has regulated the Mfr's to limit the brightness of headlamps to 55/65 watts. The light produced by them is WHITER, not BRIGHTER. In other words, they seem brighter to the eye because of the color. D.Stearn went on to say that they may even be less bright than the stockers, due to the fact that the bulbs are essentially 'painted' blue to FILTER OUT part of the light spectrum. If you want truely BRIGHTER lights (ie; more distance) you MUST increase the wattage (power) of the bulbs, or increase the available current to and from the bulbs through the use of larger conductors (Wires). Phillips used to make a 70/80 bulb....Dunno if it is still available tho.

 

[Nitrous SSC]

Just a quickie, and not to flame or start an argument, but as noted above by myself (Average consumer with heavy electronic background) and the Daniel Stearn (Lighting expert) link....55watts on low beam and 65watts on high is what the Silverstars produce. That is the same wattage (Power electronically) as the stock bulbs, and most replacements for that matter. Further, the reason they are "Street legal" in the U.S. is because the D.O.T. has regulated the Mfr's to limit the brightness of headlamps to 55/65 watts. The light produced by them is WHITER, not BRIGHTER. In other words, they seem brighter to the eye because of the color. D.Stearn went on to say that they may even be less bright than the stockers, due to the fact that the bulbs are essentially 'painted' blue to FILTER OUT part of the light spectrum. If you want truely BRIGHTER lights (ie; more distance) you MUST increase the wattage (power) of the bulbs, or increase the available current to and from the bulbs through the use of larger conductors (Wires). Phillips used to make a 70/80 bulb....Dunno if it is still available tho.

This is so true and something alot of people don't understand. Thats why instead of spending 45$ on headlight bulbs that work fine I spent 55$ for 4 100 watt roof rack lights. On my Mustang I upgraded to 80w/100w and 130watt H3's in the fog lights. All with custom heavy duty wiring harnesses.

If you want more light you need to upgrade your harnesses and get more wattage. I never did this on my X cause it was just easier/cheaper to add lights.

 

[aldive]

A HD wiring harness will allow the SilverStars to really ligh up.