Long story short: I am unimpressed.

Long story long:

A while back, I decided to upgrade my reverse lights and wanted to see what all of the hype was about these silverstar bulbs. So, I hopped in the truck and drove down to Autozone and bought a package of silverstar reverse bulbs (cant remember the bulb number).

I drove around with them in my glove box, and a couple weeks later (tonight) I decided to take the initiative to put them in and I have to say I see no noticeable difference. I put one in and looked at the back of the truck and aside from being maybe sliiiiiiightly brighter, there was no difference, they were not even any whiter. I plan on putting in some auxiliary back up lighting whenever time and funds allow.

I only saw the comparison while parked underneath a street light and I have yet to see them in pitch black, but I feel like anyone who had a notable improvement in their reverse lighting after putting in silverstars was probably just due to having a new bulb.

I don't mean to be cynical, but I guess i was just expecting better. I'm only out 7 bucks so I'm not upset, but if anyone is considering doing this switch I would say save your money.

 

you were expecting to use the stock reverse lights to provide light when backing up

time for auxiliary reverse lights

 

aggie..I can definately see where you coming from.If you still have your old bulbs...perhaps take one of those SS bulbs out and replce it with a stock bulb and go somewhere it is pitch black and try to notice the difference. Going with a Aux back-up light system is probably the way to go. I installed I believe..the PIAA extreme white bulbs for my reverse lights and i could tell a difference...not like 100% or even 50% but I did notice a difference. And they look cool....they're blue. I actually walked out of the store today with the *** end of the truck pointing in my direction and thought to my self....damn I digg those lights...U can def. see them shining through the lens without them on. I'm assuming the SS bulbs have that....chrome kinda look to them which i think look bad ***, I have them up front (signals) and really like the look. But in your case if your looking at REALLY blinding some dude or trying to back your way out of ditch..ha ha...then def. go with a aux setup. I'm thinking about it too!!!!!!

 

yeah the factory reverse light setup is pretty weak. it works but i dont want to end up in a tight spot some night and not be able to see when my only option is to back up.

sometime down the road i am gonna get a drop hitch and attach some auxiliary back up lighting to it.

i saw a tahoe once on the internet that had HIDs installed in their reverse lights... maybe that could be a good option for me

 

I put LEDs in mine. You can't really get any brighter than stock in the stock revernse light housing, but the LEDs are super white and sexy looking.

HIDs is stupid. Most HID bulbs take 30 seconds to warm up to full brightness, in which time your are done reversing.

 

Just need some OEM HID bulbs. Friend's 09 A3 uses D3S bulbs, and they warm up almost immediately. They don't even have halogens for flash to pass.

Once I get some money, I'll get some reverse LEDs. I'm going more for a whiter look (I know, I'm a ricer ) while trying to maintain near stock output levels. I figure you need aux lighting if you want anything brighter than stock.

 

Reverse lights in trucks suck anyways. Look at your surrounding area before backing up is you only option. I have reverse LED bulbs which only light up the background well enough when there is snow, and I have 20% tint all around. How do I back up with no problem? Know you background first

False, if you were going pure blue or purple then true

 

Yeah I have 5% tint on my back glass so that doesnt help anything when trying to see to back up lol.

and as cool as backup LEDs look, i cant see them being helpful and throwing light very far. i do, however, plan on putting LEDs in my bed light just for appearances sake

 

I have the reverse sensors, so I don't even look behind me a lot of the time when backing up. :o

 

thats putting ALOT of trust in your backup sensors man.

probably would be a good idea to glance backwards... you know for little kids and stuff...

 

Thanks for throwing 'ha ha I have a Lariat & you don't beech!' in my face

 

I have nothing helpful to contribute other than,
saying that this made me laugh.

 

x2! The Leds I have in the reverse socket suck! They look badass cause they're really white, but that's about it. Like mSaLL150 said I rely on the sensors. Lol

 

Which ones do you have?

 

Mirrors are your friend