I've been using the ultra and like them, but are these any better? Obviously all of these have a shorter life.

I just don't want anything that has that ricer blue type look. Anyone running these?

For $60 im just not sure I'll notice enough of a difference.

 

I've run the regular Silverstar bulbs for years and still like them allot, have the Ultras in my work truck and not that sold on them, they don't seem as bright as the regular Silverstars. My brother has the zXe's in his truck and it is a different type of light. Bright white compared to the yellowish tint of the other two but no noticeable blue tint. I will probably go that route when I can afford to switch out both headlights and fogs.

 

They will be a little whiter, but not any brighter. If you check their website all their bulbs have the same lumens.

 

^^^ Yep.

I'll post this - yet again ...

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...ml#post5120913

Note values for Lumens and MSCP across the board. Note the Kelvin. Then, note the Life - and THEN, note the Cost.

Seems purty clear which bulbs most should run, save fer the myopic nipple-pierced ricer fraternity

Nothing on those charts would be anywhere near blue.

XL my friend, you need a retrofit - more than triple the output with no energy penalty, far longer useful life, far wider and more precise beam pattern, and truly pure white for the asking, if that is yer wish.


MGD

 

^ya that's what I was just searching for.

 

Ol' Bubber be right quick fer an ol' codger, eh yungin'?


MGD

 

I have the zXe H1 bulbs in the lamp housings in the Hella grille, they are much whiter than the SS Ultras.

They are not blue.

The color is mismatched enough to Ultras, that I did not want to fog to headlamps looking that wrong, so I did not change the H13 bulbs.
- SS9145s would almost look like EU foul weather bulbs next to them.

Where the heck are you buying them at ?

Amazon has the H13 two bulb set for $36.93 on Amazon Prime, $ 6.00 more than a twin pack of H13 SS Ultras.

 

FWIW, I've been running Silverstars for a couple of years now. I tried the more expensive Ultras once and didn't notice any improvement so I went back to the Silverstars.

As others have said, if you want real quality light output do a proper HID conversion. Whatever you do don't go the ricer route.

 

I've had all 3. Brightness is only better in high beams(not a big difference) in my experience and also a little whiter as you go up. All are fine but all of mine barely last a year before a high beam goes out. My ZXEs high went out so I went back to ultras.

 

Just like everyone says, it just puts out a whiter light. By no means are they worth $60, and I picked up a new set of them for $35.

I later found out that people were saying the Philips xtreme vision bulbs put out better light. Go them online for around $20 new, and put them in. I pretty much wasted my money on the ZXE's. The philips weren't as white, but I could see better than the ZXE's. Darn things last more than a year also.

I'm also going to add the fact Sylvania has a class action suit against them right now for misrepresentation of their Automotive bulb's performance and longevity. They pretty much had been blatantly lying about it, and I can attest to that. I've had their two "best" headlight bulbs: the Silverstar Ultra, and ZXE versions.

I will finish off with the best advice I can give you again, quoted by our super special awesome, beer loving, and fan favorite MGD...

 

Lol good old MGD lol

 

Oops, honestly thought these lights were brand new. I know the lumens do not change at all, just wasn't sure if the higher color temp would even be noticeable.

Anyone have real world experience comparing the SS ultra, Philips, GE, etc?

I went from 5 year old oems to silverstar, obviously there was a huge difference. Not a fair difference as the originals were much dimmer due to age. After two years of silverstars, I went to ss ultra. Slight difference, but nothing really noticeable.

Here is my truck with ss ultra (about a year ago when they were new in the truck). I do not have fogs.

 

Hey.

I believe our Most Excellent Member 03f15012 stated he has in his formidable post above:

I myself back in the day used GE Nighthawks, which most resemble European Osrams in that the glass envelope has ZERO tint.

Seriously - it's the same Halogen cycle at work here, and notwithstanding shady operating voltage fine-print shenanigins, coupled with the mandated cap on actual wattage, there really are no truly exemplary standouts in the entire group. Subtle color differences, subjective intensity considerations aside. 'Tis the vast discrepancy in bulb life that is most disheartening. However, most pundits maintain that a yearly replacement is prudent in any case, rendering most of that moot.

Just more reason to abandon this path, fill the l'il ceramic piggy wif ca-ching, and invest in something appreciably superior.

good luck
MGD

PS: Thankee to both His Excellencies Timmy and 03f15012 'Ol Bubber be blushin', lol.

 

As you know, I guess I'm on a change all the lights kick. Ha. That said, I figured they'd all be about the same.

When these ultras go, I'll just go back to silverstars.

Actually put a set of those in my girlfriends car last night (9° too) and was impressed. But, to be fair, one bulb was a PIAA and the other was a Wagner. Not sure which one was stock on a 2008 Subaru Legacy, but that Wagner had almost no light output. Obviously why bulbs SHOULD changed in pairs.

 

Hey.

^^^ Indeed I do! By that definition, a retrofit would certainly qualify

Best of luck bud!


MGD