aftermarket bulbs:color temperature and usable light output
eckoman_pdx
01-18-2004, 07:13 AM
Many people like the look of HID's, but don't want to pay the cost. Other's believe that the "higher wattage output" listed on many aftermarket bulbs prodives more light. There are many reasons people swap out headlight bulbs for something else. Despite the commen occurance of this, however, there are many facts people are not aware of when it come to light bulbs.
First off, I will discuss the meaning of "color temperature," as well as how it effects light output. We all have seen those "Simulated HID" aftermarket bulbs out there. They promise us a "simulated HID look and output" and list color temperatures as that can climb upwards of 8500K. With headlights, K refers to the color tempature. So 5,000K = 5,000 degree's Kelvin (K= degree's Kelvin, another temputure scale, 0 degree's Kelvin is absolute zero, the coldest possible temp, the temp where all movement of molecules stops). So, a 5,000K headlight has a lower color temp than a 7,000K headlight. First off, this means it burns a little cooler. The difference in the temperature produces the change in color, as well as a change in usable light. In general, the higher color temperature headlights have LESS usable light. The color output at 7000K or 8000K might look cool with it's purplish look, but the usable light output is less than a bulb burning at 5000K or 4000K. Of course, this means the road doesn't appear as bright with these bulbs, since the color temp throws out less usable visable light. This is why the output you see in terms of lighting up the road is MUCH worse with bulbs that burn at high color temperatures, like 7000K or 8500K bulbs. A friend once bought a pair of 8000K bulbs. I tired to talk him out of it. He put them in, and the light output was AWFUL! The usable light from low beam that lights up the road was cut drastically down, and the high beam was much less efficient. Luckily, it blew out after a few days, and a 4000K set was installed. It didn't look "as cool" but the visable light output was far better than those high color temperature "high wattage bulbs" he had in previously. Many people exprience this loss of light output when bulbs with a high color temperature are installed, like "Simulated HID" bulbs. Most of the time, the legal color limit is around 5200K, and there is a good reason for this. This isn't the sole reason that this color temp is chosen as the general legal limit, but it is something to consider. With that increased color output of higher color temperature bulbs, comes reduces light output, even if the bulb is a "high output bulb." I would suggested a color temp NO HIGHER than the PIAA Super Plasmas, which is around 5130K. It's a whitish-blueish/purple tint, it looks good, and the light output is MUCH BETTER than the higher color temp bulbs. I find it a good medium better visable light output and color temp.
This brings me to a second point. A lot of people just view PIAA bulbs as high priced and overrated. An important thing to remember when purchasing these aftermarket bulbs is the higher wattage and higher color temperature both lead to the bulbs burning out much quicker. This is a problem many people experience. High output bulbs burn out in a matter of months. However, it is here that PIAA is more than just an overpriced bulb. PIAA bulbs generally carry a 1 year warrenty with them. This means that if you purchase a PIAA bulb and one or both burn out before the 1 year period is up, grab your receipt. Take the bulb and receipt to the place of purchase and exchange it for a new one. That one year warrenty with PIAA bulbs is great, just make sure to check that the shop before you buy it from honors this warrenty. There is one shop here that won't honor any warrenties. Needless to say, that is a shop to aviod.
Besides the PIAA Super Plasma's I mentioned above, the PIAA Extreme White bulbs are good too. They burn at around 4300K, so it's mostly a whiteish light. It should have a little more visable light output than the Super Plasmas, though the color isn't as pretty (it's still a nice white though). I would recommend one of these. I would recommend that the 5130K PIAA Super Plasmas (if they are available in your bulb type) if you want the blueish purple color without the loss of visable light you get with the cheaper bulbs (that can run as high as an 8000k or more color temperature). Just remember, the higher the color temp, the less light is visable as helpful light output on the road. That's why those 8500K bulbs lite the road like crap.
One of the factors that scares people away from qaulity bulbs like PIAA is the price. When you factor that the cheap brands only last maybe 3 months or so (an have no warrenty), at $30 a set, that can come to more than $90 a year. This is more money in the end than a set of the PIAA's with the one year warrenty cost up front. And of course, save the recipt, and your good for a year with the PIAA's.
Remember that all bulbs are not created eqaul, and that color temperature directly affects visable light output. This is why the lower color temperature bulbs light up the road better. A good bulb like the PIAA's will help the light output a lot. Another trick that can sometimes help (especially when you have projecotrs with an H3 low beam) is aiming the lights a little high. However, only aim a little high, and only do this if you don't mind upsetting other drivers.
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First off, I will discuss the meaning of "color temperature," as well as how it effects light output. We all have seen those "Simulated HID" aftermarket bulbs out there. They promise us a "simulated HID look and output" and list color temperatures as that can climb upwards of 8500K. With headlights, K refers to the color tempature. So 5,000K = 5,000 degree's Kelvin (K= degree's Kelvin, another temputure scale, 0 degree's Kelvin is absolute zero, the coldest possible temp, the temp where all movement of molecules stops). So, a 5,000K headlight has a lower color temp than a 7,000K headlight. First off, this means it burns a little cooler. The difference in the temperature produces the change in color, as well as a change in usable light. In general, the higher color temperature headlights have LESS usable light. The color output at 7000K or 8000K might look cool with it's purplish look, but the usable light output is less than a bulb burning at 5000K or 4000K. Of course, this means the road doesn't appear as bright with these bulbs, since the color temp throws out less usable visable light. This is why the output you see in terms of lighting up the road is MUCH worse with bulbs that burn at high color temperatures, like 7000K or 8500K bulbs. A friend once bought a pair of 8000K bulbs. I tired to talk him out of it. He put them in, and the light output was AWFUL! The usable light from low beam that lights up the road was cut drastically down, and the high beam was much less efficient. Luckily, it blew out after a few days, and a 4000K set was installed. It didn't look "as cool" but the visable light output was far better than those high color temperature "high wattage bulbs" he had in previously. Many people exprience this loss of light output when bulbs with a high color temperature are installed, like "Simulated HID" bulbs. Most of the time, the legal color limit is around 5200K, and there is a good reason for this. This isn't the sole reason that this color temp is chosen as the general legal limit, but it is something to consider. With that increased color output of higher color temperature bulbs, comes reduces light output, even if the bulb is a "high output bulb." I would suggested a color temp NO HIGHER than the PIAA Super Plasmas, which is around 5130K. It's a whitish-blueish/purple tint, it looks good, and the light output is MUCH BETTER than the higher color temp bulbs. I find it a good medium better visable light output and color temp.
This brings me to a second point. A lot of people just view PIAA bulbs as high priced and overrated. An important thing to remember when purchasing these aftermarket bulbs is the higher wattage and higher color temperature both lead to the bulbs burning out much quicker. This is a problem many people experience. High output bulbs burn out in a matter of months. However, it is here that PIAA is more than just an overpriced bulb. PIAA bulbs generally carry a 1 year warrenty with them. This means that if you purchase a PIAA bulb and one or both burn out before the 1 year period is up, grab your receipt. Take the bulb and receipt to the place of purchase and exchange it for a new one. That one year warrenty with PIAA bulbs is great, just make sure to check that the shop before you buy it from honors this warrenty. There is one shop here that won't honor any warrenties. Needless to say, that is a shop to aviod.
Besides the PIAA Super Plasma's I mentioned above, the PIAA Extreme White bulbs are good too. They burn at around 4300K, so it's mostly a whiteish light. It should have a little more visable light output than the Super Plasmas, though the color isn't as pretty (it's still a nice white though). I would recommend one of these. I would recommend that the 5130K PIAA Super Plasmas (if they are available in your bulb type) if you want the blueish purple color without the loss of visable light you get with the cheaper bulbs (that can run as high as an 8000k or more color temperature). Just remember, the higher the color temp, the less light is visable as helpful light output on the road. That's why those 8500K bulbs lite the road like crap.
One of the factors that scares people away from qaulity bulbs like PIAA is the price. When you factor that the cheap brands only last maybe 3 months or so (an have no warrenty), at $30 a set, that can come to more than $90 a year. This is more money in the end than a set of the PIAA's with the one year warrenty cost up front. And of course, save the recipt, and your good for a year with the PIAA's.
Remember that all bulbs are not created eqaul, and that color temperature directly affects visable light output. This is why the lower color temperature bulbs light up the road better. A good bulb like the PIAA's will help the light output a lot. Another trick that can sometimes help (especially when you have projecotrs with an H3 low beam) is aiming the lights a little high. However, only aim a little high, and only do this if you don't mind upsetting other drivers.
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Silverbolt
01-18-2004, 03:30 PM
Out of curriousity, what is the temperature of a stock, regular bulb?
Heres another idea. Lets discuss the top, most popular and most talked about bulbs and compare them. You talked about the two PIAA bulbs.. and I'm really liking how the plasma ones sound. Now how does that compared to the ones SilverY2Kcivic is always talking about? Whats the teperature on that one?
If we can, lets try to go as far as making a list of good manufactures, their websites, and even pictures to show color. I'm just trying to think of info I wish I had access to if I was a newb.
Heres another idea. Lets discuss the top, most popular and most talked about bulbs and compare them. You talked about the two PIAA bulbs.. and I'm really liking how the plasma ones sound. Now how does that compared to the ones SilverY2Kcivic is always talking about? Whats the teperature on that one?
If we can, lets try to go as far as making a list of good manufactures, their websites, and even pictures to show color. I'm just trying to think of info I wish I had access to if I was a newb.
Silverbolt
01-18-2004, 03:44 PM
Sylvania Silver Star bulbs will be brighter than your stock/factory bulbs. Plus they are 50 state DOT legal, and since they are stock wattage, they won't burn out prlike most hyperwhites will. I run SilverStars on my Civic. :cool:
Apearently, Matt endorces SilverStar :D So whats the deal with these bulbs?
Matt, for some reason, when I read the quote.. I can picture you standing next to your car and saying that... finishing it with a big smile and a thumbs up... like some kind of commercial. lol
Apearently, Matt endorces SilverStar :D So whats the deal with these bulbs?
Matt, for some reason, when I read the quote.. I can picture you standing next to your car and saying that... finishing it with a big smile and a thumbs up... like some kind of commercial. lol
eckoman_pdx
01-18-2004, 11:49 PM
I have never been able to get a picture to come out completly true to the look of a bulb in real life. Even the pictures on the manufactors websites that compare their look to stock arn't enitrly true to real life (though some do a decent job keeping it close). If I am ever able to get true to life picture of the Super Plasma, I will post it. Unlilke Cheap high outpout bulbs that operate at a higher wattage, PIAA's actually operate at stock wattage too (like Silverstars). PIAA uses what it calls "XTRA Technology" to raise the equivently output of the bulbs to that of the cheaper "high output bulbs" without actually runnig high wattage. Silverstar is Sylvania's HID simulated bulbs. They are not "high output" like some, or "high output eqivelent" like PIAA, but the color temperature is low, around 4000K. They operate at stock watts, like PIAA does. The added brightness with the PIAA's and the Silverstars has to do with increases lummans (light output) and not increased wattage. This is why they say "55watts= 85 watts brightness, for example. Silverstars actually do increase wattage a bit to increase lumens. For example, the stock 9007 uses 55watt low and 60 watt high beams. The Silverstars are 60watt low and 70watt high. PIAA doesn't increase the wattage at all, but uses it's patented "XTRA technolgy to increase the lumans and output without raiuseing wattage. PIAA was around long before Sylvania released the Silverstar. The PIAA's light the road a little better, IMO. The Silverstars light the road well too, I pefer PIAA's myself. Still, I find Silverstar has a lot of hype. A lot of people read up and assume that ALL lights operate non-street legel, burn at a higher wattage, etc. This is just not true. PIAA's lights, similer to the silverstars, have been out for years. Another example of this is their new "turn signal bulb." In Oregon, for exampe, a white turn signal bulb is clear. Automotive Vehcile code states a front turn signal must be white, yellow, or amber. The SIlverstar signal bulb claims "get the bulb look off of a white bulb, but when it turns on. it shines a brillent, amber light. Get the look of a white bulb with a legel amber light." To me, that's hype, since white front turn signals are legel in both oregon and washington (rear turn signals must be red or amber, however). The Silverstars arn't easy to find at most stores in an H3, for those of us with projectors. They website lists them as made in an H3 pattern, though I have never seen it. If you have stock bulbs or they make bulbs for your application, they are a good choice. Decent color temperature, nice look. Like I said though, whereas a PIAA Extreme white 9007 my be "55watts low, 65high" watt out put evialalent to "110-120" or simaler, the Sylavnia is not "high output equalient per say, in this regard." The wattage in general is raised a bit to get more lumens, though not as much as cheap bulbs raise it get achive this. Another example of this is the H3 bulb. Stock wattage is 55 watts. The PIAA Super Plasma runs at 55watts, but the light output (light output is meseasured in lumens) is equivlent to what a started 85 watt bulb would rpoduce. PIAA achives the lumen output of a started 85 watt bulb with 55 watts. SIlverstar does this to a certain extent too, but the Silverstar website states the "max wattage" an H3 will have is 68 watts. The wattage is raised a bit to achive the higher lumens (though as I stated above, less than cheap bulbs). This is why I say I find the silverstars a bit hyped, since most people claim their is NO increased wattage produced. Look at the chart of lumans and max wattage on the silverstar website, and compare it to the equivilent stock bulb. The stock bulb has less lumans (meaning less light output) and a bit less watts than the silverstar equivlent. As I said, PIAA is able to achive the increaed luman output from the same stock wattage. Either way, this will cause both bulbs to burn a little hotter than stock. PIAA and Silverstar have 2 different ways to achive a similer result. I perfer PIAA. What each person perfers is up to them. The SIlverstars are a low color temp though (4000K), and look decent. For people like me with H3 low beams, they arn't possible. PIAA is a very good alternative. Also, with the H3's, the high output helps, since a lot of H3 housing's used for projectors are the cheaper fog light housing, versus the more expensive driving light housing. H3 is generally a bulb used with driving lights and fog lights. What this means is the beam pattern thrown is wider and not as far as a driving light beam pattern. This is where the higher output bulb and aiming a little high helps, since a fog light pattern in general won't light the road the way we generally expect. The stock color temperature is usually around 3000K, give or take a few hunderd degree's Kelvin. Sylvania Silverstars good, and well below the legel color temp limit. Also, the PIAA Extreme White's are as well. The Silverstars may last longer, due to standard output. However, of the Xenon High Output bulbs, PIAA tends to last the longest, and have the best slection of color temps. If you are really worried though, Silverstars work. I would sitck with these 2. PIAA is the only high output bulb I would recommend. It's hard to show the true color temp look of a bulb in pics. I have several pics of the Super Plasma's, and NONE do it justice. Same goes with the Silverstars. MY best advise is to look for a store that has displays up where you hit the button and it shines the light so you can see it. The Silversat HID aux. lighting kit burns at around 5000K, real close to the Super Plasma's.
As fot Popluar bulb brands.
APC: the APC street legel "extreme white" bulbs burn at 4100K. They are a "high output bulb." They usually outlast the bulbs that burn at a high color temp. I have found 1 year commen with these bulbs. I have not seen an H3 readlily availbe at most places for this bulb (if you have H3 low beam projectors).
PIAA: Has a great color temperature selection. All PIAA bulbs are "high output." Extreme White is their highest color temp bulb available in the most wide selcetion of bulb types. H3 is available in this for people with H3 projecotr low beams. The color temp is a little higher than the APC, 4300K. It lasts a white too. PIAA also has a 1 year warrenty on their bulbs, and is the only manufactorer to offer this. This is very helpful since cheaper high output bulbs are known to blow in sometimes a matter of months. If you buy it, install it and the bulbs blow. Take it back to place to purchase along with the reciept, and exchange it for a new pair (make sure the place you buy it from honors this warrenty). PIAA's Super Plasma bulbs actually have a Color temperature and look closest to HID's. The are around 5000K or so. It is very close to the legel color limit, which in a lot of states is 5200K or so. Still, this means they are usually legel, and look very good. It has more of a whitist /purple bluish tint like High end HID's on Audi and BMW. However, the bulb selction at MOST stores is not very great. H3's are made. You CAN get these in other bulb types, but it may have to be imported from PIAA japan. Check to made sure the warrney is still honored if you have to do that. I know a store around here will honor it with that as well. Of the "high output" bulbs, PIAA tends to have the highest qaulity and last the longest. The color temperatures are nice looking, but generally street legel (low enough they light the road well). PIAA's "high output bulbs provide a higher output light while running at the normal 55watt or 60 watts. The exact output eqivualence depends on the appication, but can range from 55 watts with 85 watts eqivaulent output (Super Plasma H3) to 55/60watts with 125/135watts equilvent output (Extreme White H4).
Sylvania SilverStars: Color temperature is around 4000K or so. Standard Output. These are commenly advertised as "Street-Legel" s all 50-startes. While this IS TRUE, they are not the only brand street legel. The PIAA Extreme Whites are as well, and Super Plasma's are in a majority ot the states (as well as the APC's). However, if you DON'T WANT the "xenon high output" bulbs. This is the one that will have the highest color temperature at standard output. The Silverstar HID drving lights are street legel when run in conjunction with your high beams, and burn are around 5000K. Like PIAA, these bulbs are also reputable. There is no warrenty on them like you typically find with PIAA's, but not being high output, they will almost always last more than a year, so this is not an issue really. For those who want a little whiter light and don't really want high output, these are a good choice. These are harder to find in an H3 bulb type(for people with H3 projectors), but are made.
Nokia (now known a SPW) Bulbs: These bulbs are the typical high output bulb. Low cost, high color temp. This high color temperature, sometimes exceeding 8000K, results in very poor lighting of the road while driving. Also, these bulbs blow VERY quickly. Usually, I have know of these blowing in a matter of weeks.They are not street legel, due to the excessivly high color temperature, and blow out quickly. Even the "high output" doesn't help much with usable light output. JUst lights the road poorly, plain and simple. I won't recommend these bulbs (or similer) under any circumstance. The qaulity is just not good.
I would recommend the following aftermarket bulbs. Depending on the bulb type you need, you amy or may not be able to obtain certian bulbs for your application.
The PIAA Extreme White (4000K in 9000 series bulb, 4150 for H3 & H4 bulbs,high output), Platium Super White (3800K for 9000 series bulbs, high output), and Sylvania Silverstars (4000K, standard output) are ALL SAE and DOT complient. Also, the "Super Extreme White" H4 PIAA has a 4150K low beam and 3950K high beam. The Super Plasma H4 is 5000K low beam, 3800K high beam. The Super Plasma GT-X has a 5000K low beam and 4150K high beam. This has the highest color temp high beam of the complient bulbs. These are sites to the two manufactors I would recommend. The color of daylight is around 5200K to 5400K. Most HID's are somewhere between 4300K and this (the color of daylight).
This site explains color temperature and shows a scale explaining it and bulbs a bit.
http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/BulbsAbout.html
PIAA's web side, the index for the information on the bulbs
http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs.html
This is the Sylvania Silverstar website
http://www.sylvania.com/auto/silverstar.htm
I'll wrap all this up by trying to explain lumans and watts in something a little simpler, house light bulbs. We have all seen a 40 watt light bulb that throws out more light than a cheap off brand 40 watt bulb. This is due to Lumans, the light output the bulb prodives. The higher qaulity bulb produces more light output (lumans) from the same wattage. Now, with the standard bulb, cheaper bulb, you can also get this increased amount to Lumans, but you must raise the wattage (power) the bulb draws to achive this. PIAA is the high qaulity house bulb, increasing lumans at the standard wattage. This achives a luman output (light output) eqaul to what the standard would only achive at a higher wattage. This is where the 55watts=85 watts output comes from. The Silverstars are in between the two. They DO increase lumans without drastically increasing wattage. However, the wattage is increased a bit to achive the lumans. These might be like a 68watt house bulb. It produces more lumans than a cheaper bulb would, though it has to ran at a slightly higher wattage to achive this. Now the reason you want a bulb like this, or the PIAA's, is simple. If your lamp socket is designed for only 60 watts or so, you can't install a 100 watt lamp to increaswe brightness, it will burn out or worse. You must install a bulb that increases the lumans ouput with out drastically increasing the wattage of the bulb (like the Silverstar or PIAA). Also, just like a house bulb, not all bulbs have the same expected hours they will work producing light. The higher qaulity bulbs, like PIAA and Silverstar, will last much longer than a cheaper bulb, where bulb life isn't as much of an issue to the manufactorer. The way these two manufactors go about increasing light output is similer, increase the lumans while trying to aviod having to raise wattage too much.
As fot Popluar bulb brands.
APC: the APC street legel "extreme white" bulbs burn at 4100K. They are a "high output bulb." They usually outlast the bulbs that burn at a high color temp. I have found 1 year commen with these bulbs. I have not seen an H3 readlily availbe at most places for this bulb (if you have H3 low beam projectors).
PIAA: Has a great color temperature selection. All PIAA bulbs are "high output." Extreme White is their highest color temp bulb available in the most wide selcetion of bulb types. H3 is available in this for people with H3 projecotr low beams. The color temp is a little higher than the APC, 4300K. It lasts a white too. PIAA also has a 1 year warrenty on their bulbs, and is the only manufactorer to offer this. This is very helpful since cheaper high output bulbs are known to blow in sometimes a matter of months. If you buy it, install it and the bulbs blow. Take it back to place to purchase along with the reciept, and exchange it for a new pair (make sure the place you buy it from honors this warrenty). PIAA's Super Plasma bulbs actually have a Color temperature and look closest to HID's. The are around 5000K or so. It is very close to the legel color limit, which in a lot of states is 5200K or so. Still, this means they are usually legel, and look very good. It has more of a whitist /purple bluish tint like High end HID's on Audi and BMW. However, the bulb selction at MOST stores is not very great. H3's are made. You CAN get these in other bulb types, but it may have to be imported from PIAA japan. Check to made sure the warrney is still honored if you have to do that. I know a store around here will honor it with that as well. Of the "high output" bulbs, PIAA tends to have the highest qaulity and last the longest. The color temperatures are nice looking, but generally street legel (low enough they light the road well). PIAA's "high output bulbs provide a higher output light while running at the normal 55watt or 60 watts. The exact output eqivualence depends on the appication, but can range from 55 watts with 85 watts eqivaulent output (Super Plasma H3) to 55/60watts with 125/135watts equilvent output (Extreme White H4).
Sylvania SilverStars: Color temperature is around 4000K or so. Standard Output. These are commenly advertised as "Street-Legel" s all 50-startes. While this IS TRUE, they are not the only brand street legel. The PIAA Extreme Whites are as well, and Super Plasma's are in a majority ot the states (as well as the APC's). However, if you DON'T WANT the "xenon high output" bulbs. This is the one that will have the highest color temperature at standard output. The Silverstar HID drving lights are street legel when run in conjunction with your high beams, and burn are around 5000K. Like PIAA, these bulbs are also reputable. There is no warrenty on them like you typically find with PIAA's, but not being high output, they will almost always last more than a year, so this is not an issue really. For those who want a little whiter light and don't really want high output, these are a good choice. These are harder to find in an H3 bulb type(for people with H3 projectors), but are made.
Nokia (now known a SPW) Bulbs: These bulbs are the typical high output bulb. Low cost, high color temp. This high color temperature, sometimes exceeding 8000K, results in very poor lighting of the road while driving. Also, these bulbs blow VERY quickly. Usually, I have know of these blowing in a matter of weeks.They are not street legel, due to the excessivly high color temperature, and blow out quickly. Even the "high output" doesn't help much with usable light output. JUst lights the road poorly, plain and simple. I won't recommend these bulbs (or similer) under any circumstance. The qaulity is just not good.
I would recommend the following aftermarket bulbs. Depending on the bulb type you need, you amy or may not be able to obtain certian bulbs for your application.
The PIAA Extreme White (4000K in 9000 series bulb, 4150 for H3 & H4 bulbs,high output), Platium Super White (3800K for 9000 series bulbs, high output), and Sylvania Silverstars (4000K, standard output) are ALL SAE and DOT complient. Also, the "Super Extreme White" H4 PIAA has a 4150K low beam and 3950K high beam. The Super Plasma H4 is 5000K low beam, 3800K high beam. The Super Plasma GT-X has a 5000K low beam and 4150K high beam. This has the highest color temp high beam of the complient bulbs. These are sites to the two manufactors I would recommend. The color of daylight is around 5200K to 5400K. Most HID's are somewhere between 4300K and this (the color of daylight).
This site explains color temperature and shows a scale explaining it and bulbs a bit.
http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/BulbsAbout.html
PIAA's web side, the index for the information on the bulbs
http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs.html
This is the Sylvania Silverstar website
http://www.sylvania.com/auto/silverstar.htm
I'll wrap all this up by trying to explain lumans and watts in something a little simpler, house light bulbs. We have all seen a 40 watt light bulb that throws out more light than a cheap off brand 40 watt bulb. This is due to Lumans, the light output the bulb prodives. The higher qaulity bulb produces more light output (lumans) from the same wattage. Now, with the standard bulb, cheaper bulb, you can also get this increased amount to Lumans, but you must raise the wattage (power) the bulb draws to achive this. PIAA is the high qaulity house bulb, increasing lumans at the standard wattage. This achives a luman output (light output) eqaul to what the standard would only achive at a higher wattage. This is where the 55watts=85 watts output comes from. The Silverstars are in between the two. They DO increase lumans without drastically increasing wattage. However, the wattage is increased a bit to achive the lumans. These might be like a 68watt house bulb. It produces more lumans than a cheaper bulb would, though it has to ran at a slightly higher wattage to achive this. Now the reason you want a bulb like this, or the PIAA's, is simple. If your lamp socket is designed for only 60 watts or so, you can't install a 100 watt lamp to increaswe brightness, it will burn out or worse. You must install a bulb that increases the lumans ouput with out drastically increasing the wattage of the bulb (like the Silverstar or PIAA). Also, just like a house bulb, not all bulbs have the same expected hours they will work producing light. The higher qaulity bulbs, like PIAA and Silverstar, will last much longer than a cheaper bulb, where bulb life isn't as much of an issue to the manufactorer. The way these two manufactors go about increasing light output is similer, increase the lumans while trying to aviod having to raise wattage too much.
Silverbolt
01-19-2004, 04:35 AM
WOW! Very well done! Looks like I'll be buying PIAA Super Plasma H3 bulbs.
SilverY2KCivic
01-19-2004, 02:57 PM
Apearently, Matt endorces SilverStar :D So whats the deal with these bulbs?
Matt, for some reason, when I read the quote.. I can picture you standing next to your car and saying that... finishing it with a big smile and a thumbs up... like some kind of commercial. lol
haha, we gotta get a pic of that for the site and this thread! :D :loser:
But seriously, I like them because they are brighter than stock yet still a non-damaging so close to stock wattage and they look somewhere between your average OEM halogen, and a PIAA Super White bulb. They light at a 4000K light temp level, though I wonder what that number is when the high beam portion is on since mine seem to gain a bluish tint around the edges of the light patter when I have them in high beam mode. Normal hyperwhites are bluish in low beam and go more white in high beam. SilverStars "at the least the H4's i have) seem to do the opposite which is kinda neat. They won't blow out prematurely like ANY OTHER high wattage bulb will, and IMO they are a more readily available if not cheaper alternative to PIAA bulbs, of which I'd also highly recommend as well if you can get them a good decent price. I actually am wanting to pick up a pair of H4 PIAA Super Plasma GT-X bulbs for my car to see how they are. :cool:
Now about their new line of "turn signal" bulbs... Pics below (the night one actually does them good justice):
http://www.digitalstar.com/phixion/OriginalImages/203444ORIG.JPG
http://www.digitalstar.com/phixion/OriginalImages/203443ORIG.JPG
I also just like you Eckoman, have yet to see H3 style SilverStars for sale at any shop/store that sells Silverstars. I'd have bought some for my fog lights by now if I had... :eek7:
Matt, for some reason, when I read the quote.. I can picture you standing next to your car and saying that... finishing it with a big smile and a thumbs up... like some kind of commercial. lol
haha, we gotta get a pic of that for the site and this thread! :D :loser:
But seriously, I like them because they are brighter than stock yet still a non-damaging so close to stock wattage and they look somewhere between your average OEM halogen, and a PIAA Super White bulb. They light at a 4000K light temp level, though I wonder what that number is when the high beam portion is on since mine seem to gain a bluish tint around the edges of the light patter when I have them in high beam mode. Normal hyperwhites are bluish in low beam and go more white in high beam. SilverStars "at the least the H4's i have) seem to do the opposite which is kinda neat. They won't blow out prematurely like ANY OTHER high wattage bulb will, and IMO they are a more readily available if not cheaper alternative to PIAA bulbs, of which I'd also highly recommend as well if you can get them a good decent price. I actually am wanting to pick up a pair of H4 PIAA Super Plasma GT-X bulbs for my car to see how they are. :cool:
Now about their new line of "turn signal" bulbs... Pics below (the night one actually does them good justice):
http://www.digitalstar.com/phixion/OriginalImages/203444ORIG.JPG
http://www.digitalstar.com/phixion/OriginalImages/203443ORIG.JPG
I also just like you Eckoman, have yet to see H3 style SilverStars for sale at any shop/store that sells Silverstars. I'd have bought some for my fog lights by now if I had... :eek7:
eckoman_pdx
01-19-2004, 03:13 PM
Yea, I have the Super Plasma's. I think you'll Super Plasma GT-X matt. If you have H3's at all, I'd recommend PIAA. If you have a bulb that is an H4 or a 9000 series, it's a toss up I guess, depending on what your goals and needs are for a light bulb, etc. I still like the way PIAA's look better, so that's what I use. Also, similer to what you said about the silverstar's, the PIAA's are stock wattage, so they don't burn out prematurly in a few months and ruin things, etc. That, of course, is why they have a warrenty. I have the Super Plasma's, and I love them. As for the silverstar turn signal. I know in oregon, as I stated above, you can have a white turn signal in front, so those are not necessary. If you want the white look bulb, you can buy a white turn signal. The bulb itself reminds me of B1 Hybrid's newer line, where the housing looks like that but the bulb shines a different color when lit (white, amber, red, blue, etc). What can I say though, even my 1157 turn signals are Extreme White PIAA's, lol. Like I said though, I checked the DMV manuals up here, and it's legel to have either a white, yellow, or amber turn signal in front.
SilverY2KCivic
01-19-2004, 09:52 PM
From what I've read in some of the CVC (Cali VC) literature that's online, we are allowed ONLY either amber or clear bulbs for the front corner markers/turn blinker bulbs. I had Polarg M14's for mine for almost 2 years and not a single problem with cops reguarding them, even when flashed in their face. They DID have a problem with my superwhite Polarg sidemarker bulbs however and told me they could only be amber color. That was just once from a CHP officer, but she only gave me a verbal warning about it, and it wasn't the reason she pulled me to begin with. But once I got my CTR housings, I wanted a totally seemless and original JDM look to things, so I opted for SilverStar all around at the front (legal but different H4 headlight bulbs, and amber color corner blinker and side marker bulbs).
The only H3 bulbs I have are my foglights. They use H3's Right now I have your average Sylvania OEM replacement type H3 bulbs in it. If they made (or I could find) SilverStar version H3's I'd put those in instead. Since the lense glass to the fogs are blue tinted anyways, they give off a pretty near HID look to them, so I'm not so worried about changing them right now. The PIAA S/P GT-X's I can get from Inline Four (http://www.inlinefour.com) for about $65 plus tax, and so because of the such inexpensive price on them, that's the only reason why I'd like to try them out. Plus I'm sure they may be more of the look I'd like to have with my headlights. Also just like SilverStars, the PIAAs are DOT legal as well. ;)
The only H3 bulbs I have are my foglights. They use H3's Right now I have your average Sylvania OEM replacement type H3 bulbs in it. If they made (or I could find) SilverStar version H3's I'd put those in instead. Since the lense glass to the fogs are blue tinted anyways, they give off a pretty near HID look to them, so I'm not so worried about changing them right now. The PIAA S/P GT-X's I can get from Inline Four (http://www.inlinefour.com) for about $65 plus tax, and so because of the such inexpensive price on them, that's the only reason why I'd like to try them out. Plus I'm sure they may be more of the look I'd like to have with my headlights. Also just like SilverStars, the PIAAs are DOT legal as well. ;)
eckoman_pdx
01-20-2004, 08:37 PM
Also just like SilverStars, the PIAAs are DOT legal as well. ;)
Yes, very true. I think I said that in one of my above posts too. That's why those are the only bulbs I really recommend. They are legel, look great, and outlast the cheaper knock-off's people buy so much. Plus, the whole wattage issue, they manage to increease the lumens (light output) with really increasing the wattage too much, if at all (depending on bulb, etc).That's what I have, PIAA Super Plasma's for my low beams. My low beams are H3 projectors. They look great with the Super Plasmas. If you like the look they give you in the H4, I highly recommend the H3's for your fog lights. Plus, it will then further compliment your new H4 super plasmas. I know I have been told by officals they "think" only amber is ok. I hunted down the DMV drivers manual and checked. That's where I found it listed. That's really the only way to fully find the law on such things, look it up. Half the time, the officers arn't really versed in that type of thing. I know up a lot of the time, the "white" light is considered clear. Of course, I don't know how they interprete it in cali. If you ever go back to the whites. get a copy of the code and carry it in your car. Then if anyone says otherwise, you can politly show them where DMV showed you the law said it was alright. I agree though, the amber bulb fits right up the ally of your car's theme, it works for your goals very well. Your car is real clean in that sense.
Yes, very true. I think I said that in one of my above posts too. That's why those are the only bulbs I really recommend. They are legel, look great, and outlast the cheaper knock-off's people buy so much. Plus, the whole wattage issue, they manage to increease the lumens (light output) with really increasing the wattage too much, if at all (depending on bulb, etc).That's what I have, PIAA Super Plasma's for my low beams. My low beams are H3 projectors. They look great with the Super Plasmas. If you like the look they give you in the H4, I highly recommend the H3's for your fog lights. Plus, it will then further compliment your new H4 super plasmas. I know I have been told by officals they "think" only amber is ok. I hunted down the DMV drivers manual and checked. That's where I found it listed. That's really the only way to fully find the law on such things, look it up. Half the time, the officers arn't really versed in that type of thing. I know up a lot of the time, the "white" light is considered clear. Of course, I don't know how they interprete it in cali. If you ever go back to the whites. get a copy of the code and carry it in your car. Then if anyone says otherwise, you can politly show them where DMV showed you the law said it was alright. I agree though, the amber bulb fits right up the ally of your car's theme, it works for your goals very well. Your car is real clean in that sense.
SilverY2KCivic
01-20-2004, 10:31 PM
Here's some interesting bits taken from the Californis Vehicle Code...
24252. (a) All lighting equipment of a required type installed on a vehicle shall at all times be maintained in good working order.
Lamps shall be equipped with bulbs of the correct voltage rating
corresponding to the nominal voltage at the lamp socket.
(b) The voltage at any tail, stop, license plate, side marker or
clearance lamp socket on a vehicle shall not be less than 85 percent
of the design voltage of the bulb. Voltage tests shall be conducted
with the engine operating.
...(1) No turn signal lamp may be combined optically with a stoplamp
unless the stoplamp is extinguished when the turn signal is flashing.
25102. In addition to the lamps otherwise permitted by this
chapter, any motor vehicle may be equipped with lamps on the sides
thereof, visible from the side of the vehicle but not from the front
or rear thereof, which lamps, together with mountings or receptacles,
shall be set into depressions or recesses in the body of the vehicle
and shall not protrude beyond or outside the body of the vehicle.
The light source in each of the lamps shall not exceed two
candlepower and shall emit diffused light of any color, except that
the color red is permitted only on authorized emergency vehicles.
25106. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with lighted white or
amber cowl or fender lamps on the front. Any vehicle may be equipped
with not more than one amber side lamp on each side near the front,
nor more than one red side lamp on each side near the rear. The
light source of each such lamp shall not exceed four standard
candlepower.
(b) Lamps meeting requirements established by the department for
side-marker or combination clearance and side-marker lamps may be
installed on the sides of vehicles at any location, but any lamp
installed within 24 inches of the rear of the vehicle shall be red,
and any lamp installed at any other location shall be amber.
24608. (a) Motortrucks, trailers, semitrailers, and buses 80 or
more inches in width manufactured on or after January 1, 1968, shall
be equipped with an amber reflector on each side at the front and a
red reflector on each side at the rear.
24400. During darkness, every motor vehicle other than a
motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two lighted headlamps,
with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, and,
except as to vehicles registered prior to January 1, 1930, they shall
be located directly above or in advance of the front axle of the
vehicle. The headlamps and every light source in any headlamp unit
shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than
22 inches.
24402. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less
than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches. Driving lamps are lamps
designed for supplementing the upper beam from headlamps and may not
be lighted with the lower beam.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less
than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches. Passing lamps are lamps
designed for supplementing the lower beam from headlamps and may also
be lighted with the upper beam.
24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two
foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution
of, headlamps.
(b) On a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, the foglamps
authorized under this section shall be mounted on the front at a
height of not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches and aimed
so that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity
portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle
projects higher than a level of four inches below the level of the
center of the lamp from which it comes, for a distance of 25 feet in
front of the vehicle.
24405. (a) Not more than four lamps of the following types showing
to the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time:
(1) Headlamps.
(2) Auxiliary driving or passing lamps.
(3) Fog lamps.
(4) Warning lamps.
(5) Spot lamps.
(6) Gaseous discharge lamps specified in Section 25258.
(b) For the purpose of this section each pair of a dual headlamp
system shall be considered as one lamp.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any authorized emergency
vehicle.
I couldn't find any provision that mentions about headlight color emitance, so that's all on the officer or patroling city I think and their interpertation of what's considered legal and not.
You can look up further Cali Vehicle Codes here (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html).
Hope that helps some of you guys out at least with legalities reguarding lights on cars in CA. :cool:
24252. (a) All lighting equipment of a required type installed on a vehicle shall at all times be maintained in good working order.
Lamps shall be equipped with bulbs of the correct voltage rating
corresponding to the nominal voltage at the lamp socket.
(b) The voltage at any tail, stop, license plate, side marker or
clearance lamp socket on a vehicle shall not be less than 85 percent
of the design voltage of the bulb. Voltage tests shall be conducted
with the engine operating.
...(1) No turn signal lamp may be combined optically with a stoplamp
unless the stoplamp is extinguished when the turn signal is flashing.
25102. In addition to the lamps otherwise permitted by this
chapter, any motor vehicle may be equipped with lamps on the sides
thereof, visible from the side of the vehicle but not from the front
or rear thereof, which lamps, together with mountings or receptacles,
shall be set into depressions or recesses in the body of the vehicle
and shall not protrude beyond or outside the body of the vehicle.
The light source in each of the lamps shall not exceed two
candlepower and shall emit diffused light of any color, except that
the color red is permitted only on authorized emergency vehicles.
25106. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with lighted white or
amber cowl or fender lamps on the front. Any vehicle may be equipped
with not more than one amber side lamp on each side near the front,
nor more than one red side lamp on each side near the rear. The
light source of each such lamp shall not exceed four standard
candlepower.
(b) Lamps meeting requirements established by the department for
side-marker or combination clearance and side-marker lamps may be
installed on the sides of vehicles at any location, but any lamp
installed within 24 inches of the rear of the vehicle shall be red,
and any lamp installed at any other location shall be amber.
24608. (a) Motortrucks, trailers, semitrailers, and buses 80 or
more inches in width manufactured on or after January 1, 1968, shall
be equipped with an amber reflector on each side at the front and a
red reflector on each side at the rear.
24400. During darkness, every motor vehicle other than a
motorcycle, shall be equipped with at least two lighted headlamps,
with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, and,
except as to vehicles registered prior to January 1, 1930, they shall
be located directly above or in advance of the front axle of the
vehicle. The headlamps and every light source in any headlamp unit
shall be located at a height of not more than 54 inches nor less than
22 inches.
24402. (a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less
than 16 inches nor more than 42 inches. Driving lamps are lamps
designed for supplementing the upper beam from headlamps and may not
be lighted with the lower beam.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed two
auxiliary passing lamps mounted on the front at a height of not less
than 24 inches nor more than 42 inches. Passing lamps are lamps
designed for supplementing the lower beam from headlamps and may also
be lighted with the upper beam.
24403. (a) A motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than two
foglamps that may be used with, but may not be used in substitution
of, headlamps.
(b) On a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, the foglamps
authorized under this section shall be mounted on the front at a
height of not less than 12 inches nor more than 30 inches and aimed
so that when the vehicle is not loaded none of the high-intensity
portion of the light to the left of the center of the vehicle
projects higher than a level of four inches below the level of the
center of the lamp from which it comes, for a distance of 25 feet in
front of the vehicle.
24405. (a) Not more than four lamps of the following types showing
to the front of a vehicle may be lighted at any one time:
(1) Headlamps.
(2) Auxiliary driving or passing lamps.
(3) Fog lamps.
(4) Warning lamps.
(5) Spot lamps.
(6) Gaseous discharge lamps specified in Section 25258.
(b) For the purpose of this section each pair of a dual headlamp
system shall be considered as one lamp.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply to any authorized emergency
vehicle.
I couldn't find any provision that mentions about headlight color emitance, so that's all on the officer or patroling city I think and their interpertation of what's considered legal and not.
You can look up further Cali Vehicle Codes here (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html).
Hope that helps some of you guys out at least with legalities reguarding lights on cars in CA. :cool:
eckoman_pdx
01-21-2004, 02:50 AM
I couldn't find any provision that mentions about headlight color emitance, so that's all on the officer or patroling city I think and their interpertation of what's considered legal and not.
You can look up further Cali Vehicle Codes here (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html).
Hope that helps some of you guys out at least with legalities reguarding lights on cars in CA. :cool:
That was a very good addtion above to the thread. I know I have talked with people at the Oregon DMV before concerning legel headlight color, and it requires much digging and such to find a mention at all. If I am able to find anything current anywhere, here or cali, I'll post it. So, you CAN have a white fender lamp in cali. Print that out and carry it to show the CHP officer for next time. As has happened to many people I know before, the officer pulling them over and telling them the "color was illegel" was misinformed. I've had that happen before. He as very polite, and having the copy of DMV lighting regulations on hand helped. He said his superiors had misinformed them, and actually thanked me for carrying that in the car and showing it to him. It was rather suprising actually.
You can look up further Cali Vehicle Codes here (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html).
Hope that helps some of you guys out at least with legalities reguarding lights on cars in CA. :cool:
That was a very good addtion above to the thread. I know I have talked with people at the Oregon DMV before concerning legel headlight color, and it requires much digging and such to find a mention at all. If I am able to find anything current anywhere, here or cali, I'll post it. So, you CAN have a white fender lamp in cali. Print that out and carry it to show the CHP officer for next time. As has happened to many people I know before, the officer pulling them over and telling them the "color was illegel" was misinformed. I've had that happen before. He as very polite, and having the copy of DMV lighting regulations on hand helped. He said his superiors had misinformed them, and actually thanked me for carrying that in the car and showing it to him. It was rather suprising actually.
eckoman_pdx
01-21-2004, 04:18 AM
Here is what I could find in the California Vehicle Code on light color. It doesn't list a color temperature though.
CALIFORNIA CODES
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 25950-25952
25950. This section applies to the color of lamps and to any
reflector exhibiting or reflecting perceptible light of 0.05 candela
or more per foot-candle of incident illumination. Unless provided
otherwise, the color of lamps and reflectors upon a vehicle shall be
as follows:
(a) The emitted light from all lamps and the reflected light from
all reflectors, visible from in front of a vehicle, shall be white or
yellow, except as follows:
(1) Rear side marker lamps required by Section 25100 may show red
to the front.
(2) The color of foglamps described in Section 24403 may be in the
color spectrum from white to yellow.
(b) The emitted light from all lamps and the reflected light from
all reflectors, visible from the rear of a vehicle, shall be red
except as follows:
(1) Stoplamps on vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1979, may
show yellow to the rear.
(2) Turn signal lamps may show yellow to the rear.
(3) Front side marker lamps required by Section 25100 may show
yellow to the rear.
(4) Backup lamps shall show white to the rear.
That's all I could find for now, but here's more lighting stuff for cali I found.
25109. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with two white or amber
running lamps mounted on the front, one at each side, which shall not
be lighted during darkness except while the motor vehicle is parked.
On a side note, since I see pics of lots of cars in here from cali with windsheild banners, etc...it seems windsheild banners, etc...are illegel in cali, though it is contrdictory in regards to the side windows. Section a 1 an a 2 state none on side windows, and section b4 says it does not aply to "Side windows which are to the rear of the driver."
26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any
object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied
upon the windshield or side or rear windows.
(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or
material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon
the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view
through the windshield or side windows.
(3) This subdivision applies to a person driving a motor vehicle
with the driver's clear vision through the windshield, or side or
rear windows, obstructed by snow or ice.
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Rearview mirrors.
(2) Adjustable nontransparent sunvisors which are mounted forward
of the side windows and are not attached to the glass.
(3) Signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a
7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed
from the driver, signs, stickers, or other materials which are
displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the rear window
farthest removed from the driver, or signs, stickers, or other
materials which are displayed in a 5-inch square in the lower corner
of the windshield nearest the driver.
(4) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver.
CALIFORNIA CODES
VEHICLE CODE
SECTION 25950-25952
25950. This section applies to the color of lamps and to any
reflector exhibiting or reflecting perceptible light of 0.05 candela
or more per foot-candle of incident illumination. Unless provided
otherwise, the color of lamps and reflectors upon a vehicle shall be
as follows:
(a) The emitted light from all lamps and the reflected light from
all reflectors, visible from in front of a vehicle, shall be white or
yellow, except as follows:
(1) Rear side marker lamps required by Section 25100 may show red
to the front.
(2) The color of foglamps described in Section 24403 may be in the
color spectrum from white to yellow.
(b) The emitted light from all lamps and the reflected light from
all reflectors, visible from the rear of a vehicle, shall be red
except as follows:
(1) Stoplamps on vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1979, may
show yellow to the rear.
(2) Turn signal lamps may show yellow to the rear.
(3) Front side marker lamps required by Section 25100 may show
yellow to the rear.
(4) Backup lamps shall show white to the rear.
That's all I could find for now, but here's more lighting stuff for cali I found.
25109. Any motor vehicle may be equipped with two white or amber
running lamps mounted on the front, one at each side, which shall not
be lighted during darkness except while the motor vehicle is parked.
On a side note, since I see pics of lots of cars in here from cali with windsheild banners, etc...it seems windsheild banners, etc...are illegel in cali, though it is contrdictory in regards to the side windows. Section a 1 an a 2 state none on side windows, and section b4 says it does not aply to "Side windows which are to the rear of the driver."
26708. (a) (1) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any
object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied
upon the windshield or side or rear windows.
(2) No person shall drive any motor vehicle with any object or
material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon
the vehicle which obstructs or reduces the driver's clear view
through the windshield or side windows.
(3) This subdivision applies to a person driving a motor vehicle
with the driver's clear vision through the windshield, or side or
rear windows, obstructed by snow or ice.
(b) This section does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Rearview mirrors.
(2) Adjustable nontransparent sunvisors which are mounted forward
of the side windows and are not attached to the glass.
(3) Signs, stickers, or other materials which are displayed in a
7-inch square in the lower corner of the windshield farthest removed
from the driver, signs, stickers, or other materials which are
displayed in a 7-inch square in the lower corner of the rear window
farthest removed from the driver, or signs, stickers, or other
materials which are displayed in a 5-inch square in the lower corner
of the windshield nearest the driver.
(4) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver.
SilverY2KCivic
01-24-2004, 02:07 PM
I just bought some PIAA Super Plasma GT-X bulbs yesterday. They look pretty nice, but upon testing them out (in my driveway) and comparing PIAA bulb to my SilverStars I'm replacing with the PIAAs, the SilverStars almost seem brighter... I haven't had a chance to go out driving with them yet to see how much better if any they really are. In the meantime I packed the Sylvanias in the box the PIAAs came in and have them in my glovebox. I always carry a spare set of headlight bulbs with me as well as other bulbs. I'll post back with results of the PIAA bulbs. I couldn't beat the $66 price I paid for them though, compared to other shops that retail them for $110+ :cool:
eckoman_pdx
01-25-2004, 02:59 AM
I just bought some PIAA Super Plasma GT-X bulbs yesterday. They look pretty nice, but upon testing them out (in my driveway) and comparing PIAA bulb to my SilverStars I'm replacing with the PIAAs, the SilverStars almost seem brighter... I haven't had a chance to go out driving with them yet to see how much better if any they really are. In the meantime I packed the Sylvanias in the box the PIAAs came in and have them in my glovebox. I always carry a spare set of headlight bulbs with me as well as other bulbs. I'll post back with results of the PIAA bulbs. I couldn't beat the $66 price I paid for them though, compared to other shops that retail them for $110+ :cool:
Yea, I am the same way. I also always carry a spare set of everything (all the light bulbs) in my glove box just in case. If it's not as bright, that's likely due to the raise in color temp, as I mentioned above somewhere. The silverstars are 4000K and the PIAA Super Plasma's 5000+. Not a huge difference, but still. In general, the higher the color temp, the less usable light is left to light the road. It's like with a flashlight. The more color the light has, the less it lights the room (even at the same wattage). This is most likely why it's a little less if it indeed is. If it's less, it's most likely not too much less. I think between the 2 sets, the major main difference is the slightly higher color temp and the color of the light as a result. I know I love the color, so I'll live with it, lol. The PIAA are definatly brighter than any other light throwing out a similer color (non-HID of course), thats for sure.
Yea, I am the same way. I also always carry a spare set of everything (all the light bulbs) in my glove box just in case. If it's not as bright, that's likely due to the raise in color temp, as I mentioned above somewhere. The silverstars are 4000K and the PIAA Super Plasma's 5000+. Not a huge difference, but still. In general, the higher the color temp, the less usable light is left to light the road. It's like with a flashlight. The more color the light has, the less it lights the room (even at the same wattage). This is most likely why it's a little less if it indeed is. If it's less, it's most likely not too much less. I think between the 2 sets, the major main difference is the slightly higher color temp and the color of the light as a result. I know I love the color, so I'll live with it, lol. The PIAA are definatly brighter than any other light throwing out a similer color (non-HID of course), thats for sure.
SilverY2KCivic
01-25-2004, 04:35 PM
Here's what I observed. I was out and about last night driving some local sparsely used unlit roads, so I was able to make good observations with the PIAAs. First and foremost Eckoman is correct that they light at about a 5000K color temp rating. Very differant from the SilverStars I had in. The light output from the Super Plasma GT-X bulbs is the closest to HID I have seen yet in terms of color and look appearance. I'd compare them with Acura TL HIDs running at about half the brightness. But the color is almost exactly the same. I was stopped next to one so that's how I conducted that comparison. With the high beams on they transform into a more white output level of color. They seem to have a blueish/green tint at the edge of the light pattern that I'm not terribly fond of. Still very bright, but definitely NOT any brighter than ther SilverStars. The Silverstars are as bright if not brighter than the PIAAs when in highbeam operation. This could be due to the color temp differance, but maybe not. When the S/S's are in highbeam operation, rather then the light going whiter, they seem to tint slightly BLUER which is opposite of what almost every other bulb does. But I almost liked them better because of that.
As for lowbeam operation each bulb between the S/S's and the Plasma GT-X's they are about equal as far as lumens brightness output. Actually the PIAAs I'd almost go with saying are slightly brighter. Because of the color of the light been emitted from them, they seem to reflect the light back up better off the ground as well as off of road line marks and cateyes, better. When I bought the bulbs, the shop told me I should match a yellow city light bulb with them in my city light sockets to enhance the affect of the GT-X's. I'm thinking of trying that out. rightnow I have Polarg M-4 wedge bulbs in my city light socketsfor my CTR headlights.
As for lowbeam operation each bulb between the S/S's and the Plasma GT-X's they are about equal as far as lumens brightness output. Actually the PIAAs I'd almost go with saying are slightly brighter. Because of the color of the light been emitted from them, they seem to reflect the light back up better off the ground as well as off of road line marks and cateyes, better. When I bought the bulbs, the shop told me I should match a yellow city light bulb with them in my city light sockets to enhance the affect of the GT-X's. I'm thinking of trying that out. rightnow I have Polarg M-4 wedge bulbs in my city light socketsfor my CTR headlights.
eckoman_pdx
01-25-2004, 08:27 PM
Here's what I observed. I was out and about last night driving some local sparsely used unlit roads, so I was able to make good observations with the PIAAs. First and foremost Eckoman is correct that they light at about a 5000K color temp rating. Very differant from the SilverStars I had in. The light output from the Super Plasma GT-X bulbs is the closest to HID I have seen yet in terms of color and look appearance. I'd compare them with Acura TL HIDs running at about half the brightness. But the color is almost exactly the same. I was stopped next to one so that's how I conducted that comparison. With the high beams on they transform into a more white output level of color. They seem to have a blueish/green tint at the edge of the light pattern that I'm not terribly fond of. Still very bright, but definitely NOT any brighter than ther SilverStars. The Silverstars are as bright if not brighter than the PIAAs when in highbeam operation. This could be due to the color temp differance, but maybe not. When the S/S's are in highbeam operation, rather then the light going whiter, they seem to tint slightly BLUER which is opposite of what almost every other bulb does. But I almost liked them better because of that.
As for lowbeam operation each bulb between the S/S's and the Plasma GT-X's they are about equal as far as lumens brightness output. Actually the PIAAs I'd almost go with saying are slightly brighter. Because of the color of the light been emitted from them, they seem to reflect the light back up better off the ground as well as off of road line marks and cateyes, better. When I bought the bulbs, the shop told me I should match a yellow city light bulb with them in my city light sockets to enhance the affect of the GT-X's. I'm thinking of trying that out. rightnow I have Polarg M-4 wedge bulbs in my city light socketsfor my CTR headlights.
You have the Super Plasma GT-X, correct, not the regular Super Plasma? The Regular Super Plasma high beam is "Super White" 3800K (low beam 5000K). The GT-X didn't list the color temp high beam but says "Xtreme White High Beam." Xterme White PIAA's low beam is 4200K, and the High beam is 3950K. It is most likely in between there. The blueish/green tint may be due to the purple coating on the top half of the GT-X bulb, when combined with the light output. I am sure that's partically why it's there. I believe the Silverstars are 4000K for both. I suspect with more lumens shining through, they shows more color due to the increaed brightness, tha's you notice it. Also, since the color temp is already around there, the color temp won't drop, so you won't experience the whiting of the light due to the dropping of the high beam to around 4000K. Also, the max wattage of your silverstars on high beam is 72 watts. I am guessing the slightly higher wattage also increases the color output you noticed at that color temp, since you have increaed light output due to the increased lumans of being on high beam.
As for lowbeam operation each bulb between the S/S's and the Plasma GT-X's they are about equal as far as lumens brightness output. Actually the PIAAs I'd almost go with saying are slightly brighter. Because of the color of the light been emitted from them, they seem to reflect the light back up better off the ground as well as off of road line marks and cateyes, better. When I bought the bulbs, the shop told me I should match a yellow city light bulb with them in my city light sockets to enhance the affect of the GT-X's. I'm thinking of trying that out. rightnow I have Polarg M-4 wedge bulbs in my city light socketsfor my CTR headlights.
You have the Super Plasma GT-X, correct, not the regular Super Plasma? The Regular Super Plasma high beam is "Super White" 3800K (low beam 5000K). The GT-X didn't list the color temp high beam but says "Xtreme White High Beam." Xterme White PIAA's low beam is 4200K, and the High beam is 3950K. It is most likely in between there. The blueish/green tint may be due to the purple coating on the top half of the GT-X bulb, when combined with the light output. I am sure that's partically why it's there. I believe the Silverstars are 4000K for both. I suspect with more lumens shining through, they shows more color due to the increaed brightness, tha's you notice it. Also, since the color temp is already around there, the color temp won't drop, so you won't experience the whiting of the light due to the dropping of the high beam to around 4000K. Also, the max wattage of your silverstars on high beam is 72 watts. I am guessing the slightly higher wattage also increases the color output you noticed at that color temp, since you have increaed light output due to the increased lumans of being on high beam.
SilverY2KCivic
01-26-2004, 03:45 AM
You have the Super Plasma GT-X, correct, not the regular Super Plasma? The Regular Super Plasma high beam is "Super White" 3800K (low beam 5000K). The GT-X didn't list the color temp high beam but says "Xtreme White High Beam." Xterme White PIAA's low beam is 4200K, and the High beam is 3950K. It is most likely in between there. The blueish/green tint may be due to the purple coating on the top half of the GT-X bulb, when combined with the light output. I am sure that's partically why it's there. I believe the Silverstars are 4000K for both. I suspect with more lumens shining through, they shows more color due to the increaed brightness, tha's you notice it. Also, since the color temp is already around there, the color temp won't drop, so you won't experience the whiting of the light due to the dropping of the high beam to around 4000K. Also, the max wattage of your silverstars on high beam is 72 watts. I am guessing the slightly higher wattage also increases the color output you noticed at that color temp, since you have increaed light output due to the increased lumans of being on high beam.
Yeah, it's the S/P GT-X that I have and not the regular or GT version S/P PIAAs. The GT-X's are rated at 5000K lowbeam, and a 4500K highbeam, so a bit higher than the original Super Plasmas. The Silver Stars i was unaware as still being a higher wattage than stock. On the bulb base (the metal ring at the bottom) they say 55/60w and so I figured they were stock. They are also advertised as being stock, but since Sylvania is an OEM manufacture, they probably let them run at a slightly higher than stock wattage rate but know exactly how much more OEM parts can handle before having any noticeable problems. I never had a single problem with my Silver Stars though. Just wanted to try out and see what the PIAAs were like, and I really like them a lot! Very pleased. :cool:
Yeah, it's the S/P GT-X that I have and not the regular or GT version S/P PIAAs. The GT-X's are rated at 5000K lowbeam, and a 4500K highbeam, so a bit higher than the original Super Plasmas. The Silver Stars i was unaware as still being a higher wattage than stock. On the bulb base (the metal ring at the bottom) they say 55/60w and so I figured they were stock. They are also advertised as being stock, but since Sylvania is an OEM manufacture, they probably let them run at a slightly higher than stock wattage rate but know exactly how much more OEM parts can handle before having any noticeable problems. I never had a single problem with my Silver Stars though. Just wanted to try out and see what the PIAAs were like, and I really like them a lot! Very pleased. :cool:
eckoman_pdx
01-27-2004, 12:18 AM
Yeah, it's the S/P GT-X that I have and not the regular or GT version S/P PIAAs. The GT-X's are rated at 5000K lowbeam, and a 4500K highbeam, so a bit higher than the original Super Plasmas. The Silver Stars i was unaware as still being a higher wattage than stock. On the bulb base (the metal ring at the bottom) they say 55/60w and so I figured they were stock. They are also advertised as being stock, but since Sylvania is an OEM manufacture, they probably let them run at a slightly higher than stock wattage rate but know exactly how much more OEM parts can handle before having any noticeable problems. I never had a single problem with my Silver Stars though. Just wanted to try out and see what the PIAAs were like, and I really like them a lot! Very pleased. :cool:
I got those numbers (wattage) for the silverstars directly off their website. They listed the max wattage of each appication, for both low and high beams. That was the max wattage of the high beam they listed for your lights. It's not like it's a big deal, like it is with cheap bulbs. I wouldn't trip pver that with them, or PIAA. Both they and PIAA know what they are doing. Yea, I like the Super Plasmas a lot too. I am very pleased with them. I've had them for awhile now, and I love them.
I got those numbers (wattage) for the silverstars directly off their website. They listed the max wattage of each appication, for both low and high beams. That was the max wattage of the high beam they listed for your lights. It's not like it's a big deal, like it is with cheap bulbs. I wouldn't trip pver that with them, or PIAA. Both they and PIAA know what they are doing. Yea, I like the Super Plasmas a lot too. I am very pleased with them. I've had them for awhile now, and I love them.
SilverY2KCivic
01-27-2004, 02:25 PM
I got those numbers (wattage) for the silverstars directly off their website. They listed the max wattage of each appication, for both low and high beams. That was the max wattage of the high beam they listed for your lights. It's not like it's a big deal, like it is with cheap bulbs. I wouldn't trip pver that with them, or PIAA. Both they and PIAA know what they are doing. Yea, I like the Super Plasmas a lot too. I am very pleased with them. I've had them for awhile now, and I love them.
I just noticed that on Sylvania's website after I read you mentioning about it. They must have just changed them and I have the crappier versions, because mine are 60/55w rating and that's how they used to be advertised as. :banghead: Waiting till things are refined is always better I guess, lol! Anywho I'm going to be replacing my POS foglights with some Sylvania Xenarc X1010 HID fog lights that have a color temp rating of 5400K! :eek: That's pretty darn nice for a true HID lamp, not to mention they retail from Sylvania direct for $300! I think they should complement my PIAAs quite nicely, plus i can tend to do a bit of remote road driving where having as much light as you can is very essential. Also they consume less power which is good if like me you run a couple of audio amps. Just of note, with my PIAA GT-X bulbs and my 55w generic fogs, one of my friend's I was out cruising with last night mentioned to me that with my highbeams on, I was lighting up practically the whole canyon. Not really, but it just shows how much noticeably brighter these lights are in comparison to others. Sure PIAA is expensive, but in the end I think it was a very wise and worth while decision to buy and install them. :cool:
I just noticed that on Sylvania's website after I read you mentioning about it. They must have just changed them and I have the crappier versions, because mine are 60/55w rating and that's how they used to be advertised as. :banghead: Waiting till things are refined is always better I guess, lol! Anywho I'm going to be replacing my POS foglights with some Sylvania Xenarc X1010 HID fog lights that have a color temp rating of 5400K! :eek: That's pretty darn nice for a true HID lamp, not to mention they retail from Sylvania direct for $300! I think they should complement my PIAAs quite nicely, plus i can tend to do a bit of remote road driving where having as much light as you can is very essential. Also they consume less power which is good if like me you run a couple of audio amps. Just of note, with my PIAA GT-X bulbs and my 55w generic fogs, one of my friend's I was out cruising with last night mentioned to me that with my highbeams on, I was lighting up practically the whole canyon. Not really, but it just shows how much noticeably brighter these lights are in comparison to others. Sure PIAA is expensive, but in the end I think it was a very wise and worth while decision to buy and install them. :cool:
eckoman_pdx
01-27-2004, 03:39 PM
I just noticed that on Sylvania's website after I read you mentioning about it. They must have just changed them and I have the crappier versions, because mine are 60/55w rating and that's how they used to be advertised as. :banghead: Waiting till things are refined is always better I guess, lol! Anywho I'm going to be replacing my POS foglights with some Sylvania Xenarc X1010 HID fog lights that have a color temp rating of 5400K! :eek: That's pretty darn nice for a true HID lamp, not to mention they retail from Sylvania direct for $300! I think they should complement my PIAAs quite nicely, plus i can tend to do a bit of remote road driving where having as much light as you can is very essential. Also they consume less power which is good if like me you run a couple of audio amps. Just of note, with my PIAA GT-X bulbs and my 55w generic fogs, one of my friend's I was out cruising with last night mentioned to me that with my highbeams on, I was lighting up practically the whole canyon. Not really, but it just shows how much noticeably brighter these lights are in comparison to others. Sure PIAA is expensive, but in the end I think it was a very wise and worth while decision to buy and install them. :cool:
Yea, I agree. PIAA may cost more money, but when you look at what you are getting in return, it's not so expensive, by comparision. I've seen those Xenarc HID Fog lights with the 5400K color temp. I have the exact same idea you did, pair them with the PIAA SUper Plasma (as your regular lights). The Xenarc HID Auxillary lights look really nice, they'll look really good combined with the PIAAs.
Yea, I agree. PIAA may cost more money, but when you look at what you are getting in return, it's not so expensive, by comparision. I've seen those Xenarc HID Fog lights with the 5400K color temp. I have the exact same idea you did, pair them with the PIAA SUper Plasma (as your regular lights). The Xenarc HID Auxillary lights look really nice, they'll look really good combined with the PIAAs.
Redline8K
02-23-2004, 12:28 PM
I've been looking around for super plasma's for the integra (9005,9006) but the only ones available are imported from japan which means no US warranty and are they street legal here(must be a reason why PIAA doesn't sell them in the US)? Are they worth the trouble and extra price or should i just buy silverstars or another version of PIAAs? What do you recommend I should get?
eckoman_pdx
02-27-2004, 04:04 AM
I've been looking around for super plasma's for the integra (9005,9006) but the only ones available are imported from japan which means no US warranty and are they street legal here(must be a reason why PIAA doesn't sell them in the US)? Are they worth the trouble and extra price or should i just buy silverstars or another version of PIAAs? What do you recommend I should get?
Hmm, well, I have ran into shops that will warrenty it those Super Plasma's as well before. I don't know if autofreak will warrenty them, but they do carry them. The shop I know that will warrenty it is from pdx...since all PIAA products have the 1 year warrenty they say, they warrenty it regardless, it just may take longer to get a replacement pair in. I assume not all shops are like this though, so check around. They still should be legel, as the color temp is all the same. I am not sure as to why they aren't sold here. The PIAA extreme whites will have the warrenty for sure, though I seriously perfer the Super Plasmas. If you are really sketchy on the whole Super Plasma thing, the PIAA Extreme Whites (these will have the warrenty) or the Silverstars will work. As for the Super Plasmas, I'd try to find a place that will warrenty the 9005 and 9006 from Japan. As I said, I know of a shop locally that will. Just make sure to ask the shop and talk with them before you buy. Good Luck.
Hmm, well, I have ran into shops that will warrenty it those Super Plasma's as well before. I don't know if autofreak will warrenty them, but they do carry them. The shop I know that will warrenty it is from pdx...since all PIAA products have the 1 year warrenty they say, they warrenty it regardless, it just may take longer to get a replacement pair in. I assume not all shops are like this though, so check around. They still should be legel, as the color temp is all the same. I am not sure as to why they aren't sold here. The PIAA extreme whites will have the warrenty for sure, though I seriously perfer the Super Plasmas. If you are really sketchy on the whole Super Plasma thing, the PIAA Extreme Whites (these will have the warrenty) or the Silverstars will work. As for the Super Plasmas, I'd try to find a place that will warrenty the 9005 and 9006 from Japan. As I said, I know of a shop locally that will. Just make sure to ask the shop and talk with them before you buy. Good Luck.
Mhj63
03-22-2004, 10:11 PM
Silvania Silverstar. The best by far. I've tried alot of differnt bulbs. Go to the website check out the lumins and all the other specs.
eckoman_pdx
03-24-2004, 12:32 AM
Silvania Silverstar. The best by far. I've tried alot of differnt bulbs. Go to the website check out the lumins and all the other specs.
Check out the PIAA Super Plasma's also. SilverY2KCivic has had both of them, the Slverstars and Super Plasmas. Re-read this thread to get his opinions on the difference. Both of them are good. The ONLY lights I'll ever recommend are PIAA lights or the Silverstars. Of course, I suppose I explained all that at the start of the thread, lol.
Check out the PIAA Super Plasma's also. SilverY2KCivic has had both of them, the Slverstars and Super Plasmas. Re-read this thread to get his opinions on the difference. Both of them are good. The ONLY lights I'll ever recommend are PIAA lights or the Silverstars. Of course, I suppose I explained all that at the start of the thread, lol.
avpart3
03-24-2004, 03:59 PM
I just copped my silverstars last week and I'm happy with my results
SilverY2KCivic
03-24-2004, 10:03 PM
Silvania Silverstar. The best by far. I've tried alot of differnt bulbs. Go to the website check out the lumins and all the other specs.
Have you tried PIAA S/P GT-X yet? Having used both (with the PIAA GT-X being my currently used bulb), I'd have to say PIAA Super Plasma GT-X hands down, for my preferance at least. Just as bright as Silver Stars, but with a more true (the truest actually) HID look around. Slight purple tint at low beam, with a more blueish tint at high beam. Silver Start is an actual higher wattage bulb, but not by much since they make OEM and they KNOW what a factory car can and can't handle. Their high beam is 72w if I remember correctly. A more powerful bulb by technicality, but the PIAA's XTRA technology that their bulbs incorporate is the closest thing to a high power (+90w) bulb that I have yet seen to date out of a stock wattage application. I'd have to say that the PIAA get my mark over the Sylvainas, unless you're in the rain... ;) Then the lower temp color of the Silver Stars will excel over the 5000k temp color output of the PIAA GT-X's.
Have you tried PIAA S/P GT-X yet? Having used both (with the PIAA GT-X being my currently used bulb), I'd have to say PIAA Super Plasma GT-X hands down, for my preferance at least. Just as bright as Silver Stars, but with a more true (the truest actually) HID look around. Slight purple tint at low beam, with a more blueish tint at high beam. Silver Start is an actual higher wattage bulb, but not by much since they make OEM and they KNOW what a factory car can and can't handle. Their high beam is 72w if I remember correctly. A more powerful bulb by technicality, but the PIAA's XTRA technology that their bulbs incorporate is the closest thing to a high power (+90w) bulb that I have yet seen to date out of a stock wattage application. I'd have to say that the PIAA get my mark over the Sylvainas, unless you're in the rain... ;) Then the lower temp color of the Silver Stars will excel over the 5000k temp color output of the PIAA GT-X's.
whiteracer
04-01-2004, 02:14 PM
man, i just can't seem to run away from this site... :banghead:
Silverstars :thumbsup:
Actual HID's from XenonDepot: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Silverstars :thumbsup:
Actual HID's from XenonDepot: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
SilverY2KCivic
04-02-2004, 04:48 AM
man, i just can't seem to run away from this site... :banghead:
Silverstars :thumbsup:
Actual HID's from XenonDepot: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Damn David, you running HID's now? I'm jealous! lol :eek:
Hit me up on AIM sometime, man. :cool:
Silverstars :thumbsup:
Actual HID's from XenonDepot: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Damn David, you running HID's now? I'm jealous! lol :eek:
Hit me up on AIM sometime, man. :cool:
eckoman_pdx
04-11-2004, 03:36 AM
man, i just can't seem to run away from this site... :banghead:
Silverstars :thumbsup:
Actual HID's from XenonDepot: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Ahh, HID's...I need some of those...
Silverstars :thumbsup:
Actual HID's from XenonDepot: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Ahh, HID's...I need some of those...
S.C
05-27-2004, 12:51 AM
I got a PIAA Super Extreme White 4200k low/ 3950k high for $50. Hehe, I got that cheap because my cuz friend has a shop, and he hook me up. Man, it looks so good and clear. However, I discover there is a water blance inside the lens. Should I make it to center or some other position? When I turn on the high beam, there are many lines of light appeared on the ground which in front of the bumper . It this normal, or should I move the lens around to make it disappear?
SilverY2KCivic
05-27-2004, 10:06 PM
I got a PIAA Super Extreme White 4200k low/ 3950k high for $50. Hehe, I got that cheap because my cuz friend has a shop, and he hook me up. Man, it looks so good and clear. However, I discover there is a water blance inside the lens. Should I make it to center or some other position? When I turn on the high beam, there are many lines of light appeared on the ground which in front of the bumper . It this normal, or should I move the lens around to make it disappear?
I'd say play around with it and see.
BTW, $50 is an average price I've seen for those PIAA bulbs, I got my Super Plasma GT-X's for $65. ;) I've seen places selling them for as much as $130!!!
I'd say play around with it and see.
BTW, $50 is an average price I've seen for those PIAA bulbs, I got my Super Plasma GT-X's for $65. ;) I've seen places selling them for as much as $130!!!
eckoman_pdx
05-28-2004, 05:16 AM
I'd say play around with it and see.
BTW, $50 is an average price I've seen for those PIAA bulbs, I got my Super Plasma GT-X's for $65. ;) I've seen places selling them for as much as $130!!!
You got a pretty good price on those for $65, I usually see them @ $75-$85 around here, though I think I saw them for $65 once, though that might have been the regualr Super Plasmas. I have seen them as high as $130 before too, although I believe those are the ones imprted from Japan when they cost that much (i.e, 9005, etc...ones PIAA USA typically sell).
BTW, $50 is an average price I've seen for those PIAA bulbs, I got my Super Plasma GT-X's for $65. ;) I've seen places selling them for as much as $130!!!
You got a pretty good price on those for $65, I usually see them @ $75-$85 around here, though I think I saw them for $65 once, though that might have been the regualr Super Plasmas. I have seen them as high as $130 before too, although I believe those are the ones imprted from Japan when they cost that much (i.e, 9005, etc...ones PIAA USA typically sell).
SilverY2KCivic
05-28-2004, 05:49 PM
It's funny, Iwas hanging out with one of my buddies the other night, and we both got on the freeway, but I hit a red light just before the ramp, and so had to catch back up to him once on the freeway. Anyways, he was telling me that as I came up to him, he thought my car was a Porsche or something with HIDs because of how my PIAA GT-X bulbs look. Then as I passed next to him, he realized it was only me, and something with HIDs. :p This is how true to HID color these bulbs are.
S.C
05-28-2004, 08:34 PM
The truth is it just a civic! How ironic haha
SilverY2KCivic
05-29-2004, 04:23 AM
The truth is it just a civic! How ironic haha
Umm yeah, point there was about the BULBS in use, not the car... :uhoh:
Umm yeah, point there was about the BULBS in use, not the car... :uhoh:
S.C
06-02-2004, 01:35 AM
Hey guys now you can check my light out in my signature.
eckoman_pdx
06-04-2004, 08:20 PM
S.C., the Super Plasma and Super Plasma GT-X's look alot more like Real HID's than the ones in your sig. You might think SilverY2Kcivic is exaggerating, but he is not. They really do look THAT much like a real HID, and this is why I recommended them as one of my choice recommended blubs when I authored the thread awhile ago. Unlike the cheap bulbs which briefly look like HID's but blow out very quick, these provide a real ture HID look, last awhile (they don't burn out like cheap blulbs), plus they do it all at a legel color temperature. To top it all off, PIAA's have a 1 -year warrenty, so if they do blow out within a year, you can exchange them for a new set/blub, as long as you save the receipt.
As SilverY2Kcivic said, the point wadn't what TYPE or car he had, the point was the bulb looked like a TRUE HID, when in fact, it was not ture HID's. This is the point of the whole thread actually, and was the reasonI wrote it. There are many misconceptions about bulbs, qaulity, color temp, longevitiy, legality, and HID look. This thread was started to answer these questions and give memebers a place to look and learn about bulbs, which are often an overlooked and misunderstood product by many people. Many people think all bulbs (even within the same company) are the same, and the truth is they are not. Even if the 2 bulbs by the same company are both qauilty, they can rpovide a very different look, as is shown when comparing your PIAA's to SilverY2Kcivic's or mine.
As SilverY2Kcivic said, the point wadn't what TYPE or car he had, the point was the bulb looked like a TRUE HID, when in fact, it was not ture HID's. This is the point of the whole thread actually, and was the reasonI wrote it. There are many misconceptions about bulbs, qaulity, color temp, longevitiy, legality, and HID look. This thread was started to answer these questions and give memebers a place to look and learn about bulbs, which are often an overlooked and misunderstood product by many people. Many people think all bulbs (even within the same company) are the same, and the truth is they are not. Even if the 2 bulbs by the same company are both qauilty, they can rpovide a very different look, as is shown when comparing your PIAA's to SilverY2Kcivic's or mine.
S.C
06-04-2004, 08:57 PM
Actrually, the Super extreme white is the bulb I want. The bulb is inexpensive, brighter than most of the stock bulb, reliable (PIAA), and accessible under my rush for a more visibility blub which I got it 3 hrs after I thought about a new blub cuz my cuz friend owned a shop. So it suited me, and the look of HIB will be a + for me, but it is optional.
Btw, my post will be a future refrence for the later viewers as a compare of Super Plasma and Super Plasma GT-X with Super Extreme White.
Btw, my post will be a future refrence for the later viewers as a compare of Super Plasma and Super Plasma GT-X with Super Extreme White.
eckoman_pdx
06-04-2004, 09:48 PM
If the HID look isn't super important to you, the PIAA Extreme White bulbs and the Sylvania Silverstars are both good, reliable bulbs, as I mentioned on the first page. However, only the PIAA's have the warrenty (though I've never heard of an issue with the silverstars). You can't go wrong with a PIAA though, in that sense. Plus, unlike those "high wattage bulbs" cheaper companies manufactor, they won't fry anything...which is always a plus.
SilverY2KCivic
06-05-2004, 04:39 AM
Definitely not near as good loking as they are in person, but definitely a different color/look than the Super Xtremes. My PIAA GT-X inside my genuine CTR headlight housings (corner bulb is SilverStar signal bulb)...
http://img76.photobucket.com/albums/v231/phixion/HIDlook.jpg
http://img76.photobucket.com/albums/v231/phixion/HIDlook.jpg
S.C
06-05-2004, 09:51 AM
Nice, it really looks like a BMW. If my bulb burn after a year, I will gonna try this.
SilverY2KCivic
06-06-2004, 12:19 AM
Now you can see why my buddy thought that they were the real deal. ;)
eckoman_pdx
06-06-2004, 03:08 AM
S.C., for the record, SilverY2KCivic is dead-on...it may look like the real deal in the pics, it may look nice in the pics, but the pics don't do them justice. The look MUCH better, as well as more like the real deal, in real life. The pics still give a good idea though, and they still look pretty real in the pics, so it gives you a good point of reference. I've run nothing but PIAA Super Plasma's for my headlights since around 2002.
tilly42069
06-14-2004, 07:19 PM
Don't waste your time with crap bulbs. If you want color, brightness, color flicker, and better light output your only opition is REAL O.E.M H.I.D lights and projectors. They are not that expensive, if you compare buying a whole bunch of crap, cheap bulbs. Check out WWW.HIDFOURM.COM. They have a lot of cheap H.I.D.parts.
eckoman_pdx
06-15-2004, 06:25 PM
Don't waste your time with crap bulbs. If you want color, brightness, color flicker, and better light output your only opition is REAL O.E.M H.I.D lights and projectors. They are not that expensive, if you compare buying a whole bunch of crap, cheap bulbs. Check out WWW.HIDFOURM.COM. They have a lot of cheap H.I.D.parts.
If you'd read the entire thread, you'd see that was the point...DON'T BUY CRAP BULBS...in fact, this is what I am explianing on the first page, as well as what is good, what to look for, how color temp effects output, about lumans, etc.
Now, HID conversions are not legel in some areas (like cali), unless it's the entire OEM assembly, and that can be too spendy for some. For those people, and for others, bulbs are a viaable option, as long as they buy good bulbs. The bulbs SilverY2Kcivic and I have recommeneded ARE NOT CRAP. PIAA and Silverstar bulbs are anything but crap, plus PIAA's have a 1 year warrenty. If you buy crap bulbs, you replace theem often, plus you fry your headlights due to the high wattage, and it ends up costing a grip. If you buy a good set of PIAA's or Silverstars, they will last you awhile, and you won't run up the costs as you would with cheap bulbs.
I am not knocking HID's, it's just for some they are not an option. For the people who can't afford them or are in an area where HID conversions arn't legel, the information explained in the start of this thread can help make sure they realize not to buy cheap crappy high wattage bulbs. It helps explain to them what to look for when buying and recommends some good bulbs to choose from.
If you'd read the entire thread, you'd see that was the point...DON'T BUY CRAP BULBS...in fact, this is what I am explianing on the first page, as well as what is good, what to look for, how color temp effects output, about lumans, etc.
Now, HID conversions are not legel in some areas (like cali), unless it's the entire OEM assembly, and that can be too spendy for some. For those people, and for others, bulbs are a viaable option, as long as they buy good bulbs. The bulbs SilverY2Kcivic and I have recommeneded ARE NOT CRAP. PIAA and Silverstar bulbs are anything but crap, plus PIAA's have a 1 year warrenty. If you buy crap bulbs, you replace theem often, plus you fry your headlights due to the high wattage, and it ends up costing a grip. If you buy a good set of PIAA's or Silverstars, they will last you awhile, and you won't run up the costs as you would with cheap bulbs.
I am not knocking HID's, it's just for some they are not an option. For the people who can't afford them or are in an area where HID conversions arn't legel, the information explained in the start of this thread can help make sure they realize not to buy cheap crappy high wattage bulbs. It helps explain to them what to look for when buying and recommends some good bulbs to choose from.
SilverY2KCivic
06-17-2004, 01:26 AM
Amen to that eckoman_pdx. Also of note, unless your headlight housing is MADE from the factory for HID, then it isn't going to project the light from an HID kit correctly, thus causing blindingly bright light, an improperly aimmed light beam, and will attract more attention by cops, of where here in CA where I live, aftermarket HIDs are now illegal anyways, and is absolutely means for them to give you a nice fat ticket.
BTW, REAL OEM HID doesn't exist for US Hondas exception of the S2000 as that's the ONLY USDM Honda that ever came from the factory with HID. Most Acuras however have an HID option, but if you're getting an Acura, you'd be already getting that HID option, and not springing for a CHEAP immitation tue HID kit. ;) Misleading a consumer won't gain anyone more sales. :rolleyes:
Lastley, HID's are out of the budget of many people, and defeats the purpose of this thread. Preach on about HID's elsewhere, this is to inform people about the best HALOGEN bulb options out there, not HID.
BTW, REAL OEM HID doesn't exist for US Hondas exception of the S2000 as that's the ONLY USDM Honda that ever came from the factory with HID. Most Acuras however have an HID option, but if you're getting an Acura, you'd be already getting that HID option, and not springing for a CHEAP immitation tue HID kit. ;) Misleading a consumer won't gain anyone more sales. :rolleyes:
Lastley, HID's are out of the budget of many people, and defeats the purpose of this thread. Preach on about HID's elsewhere, this is to inform people about the best HALOGEN bulb options out there, not HID.
Buzz1167
07-25-2004, 08:52 PM
Great website, its for cameras, but it tells alot about the theory of color temperature, and has some cool pictures and java applets.
http://www.olympusmicro.com/primer/photomicrography/colortemperature.html
Hth
http://www.olympusmicro.com/primer/photomicrography/colortemperature.html
Hth
S.C
07-25-2004, 09:41 PM
Nice link, it explain it all. And teach u some photographic stuffs.
glennbtw
09-30-2004, 04:22 PM
from what i have read, both the silverstars and the piaas are good headlights. i have a friend that can get me a set of piaa bulbs for around $50 or so, or i could buy the silverstars online for around $30. which ones are reccomended for the price that i can get them at?
eckoman_pdx
10-01-2004, 12:19 AM
from what i have read, both the silverstars and the piaas are good headlights. i have a friend that can get me a set of piaa bulbs for around $50 or so, or i could buy the silverstars online for around $30. which ones are reccomended for the price that i can get them at?
I prefer the PIAA's, though neither is a bad choice. Both SilverY2Kcivic and I run PIAA Super Plasma's (he runs the Super Plasma GT-X, I run the regular Super Plasmas). Before he ran the PIAA's he ran silverstars. I would perfer the PIAA's myself, and th Super Plasmas or Super Plasma GT-X would be my choice. Also, which PIAA's is it he says he can get you for around $50 a set? If thats the price for a set of Super Plasmas, jump on it.
I prefer the PIAA's, though neither is a bad choice. Both SilverY2Kcivic and I run PIAA Super Plasma's (he runs the Super Plasma GT-X, I run the regular Super Plasmas). Before he ran the PIAA's he ran silverstars. I would perfer the PIAA's myself, and th Super Plasmas or Super Plasma GT-X would be my choice. Also, which PIAA's is it he says he can get you for around $50 a set? If thats the price for a set of Super Plasmas, jump on it.
locusto03
10-08-2004, 02:50 AM
Hmmm...
I currently run Silverstar low beams (9006) and have been considering getting some PIAA's... either the Xtreme White Plus or the Super Plasmas (maybe GT-X).
The color of the light doesn't really matter to me much... just the brightness.
I am wondering if you guys have any recommendations as to whether or not I should get some PIAA's or just stick w/ my Silverstars.
Also, I am finding it quite difficult to find any pictures of some PIAA's lighting up the road.
Would it be possible for anybody to post some pix of the light of the Silverstars on the road, in addition to some PIAA's?
This would be very helpful to me, and I'm sure many others would appreciate this also.
Thanks in advance.
I currently run Silverstar low beams (9006) and have been considering getting some PIAA's... either the Xtreme White Plus or the Super Plasmas (maybe GT-X).
The color of the light doesn't really matter to me much... just the brightness.
I am wondering if you guys have any recommendations as to whether or not I should get some PIAA's or just stick w/ my Silverstars.
Also, I am finding it quite difficult to find any pictures of some PIAA's lighting up the road.
Would it be possible for anybody to post some pix of the light of the Silverstars on the road, in addition to some PIAA's?
This would be very helpful to me, and I'm sure many others would appreciate this also.
Thanks in advance.
eckoman_pdx
10-08-2004, 04:20 AM
Hmmm...
I currently run Silverstar low beams (9006) and have been considering getting some PIAA's... either the Xtreme White Plus or the Super Plasmas (maybe GT-X).
The color of the light doesn't really matter to me much... just the brightness.
I am wondering if you guys have any recommendations as to whether or not I should get some PIAA's or just stick w/ my Silverstars.
Also, I am finding it quite difficult to find any pictures of some PIAA's lighting up the road.
Would it be possible for anybody to post some pix of the light of the Silverstars on the road, in addition to some PIAA's?
This would be very helpful to me, and I'm sure many others would appreciate this also.
Thanks in advance.
So you don't care about color output, correct? You don't care how they look, you just want to see better? Although you'l may see a little better with certain PIAA's, I don't know if it's worth the extra $$ to you since you already have silverstars (both are far better than stock). If you were looking for a pair and hadn't bought any yet, I'd say look into PIAA. I myself would spend the money and get PIAA's (Super Plasmas), but thats me. Now I could be wrong, but I believe the Super Plasma in a 9006 and 9005 is more spendy than in some other bulb types ($115 or so vs $70 for H3, H1, H4 (9007), etc), so if moneys an issue Extreme White PIAA's or Silverstars might be more up your alley. You might want to look into all this.
SilverY2KCivic runs PIAA Super Plasma GT-X's now, but he run Slverstars before that (I think he keeps em in the glove box now as spares)b. I am pretty sure he prefers PIAA, as do I. Silverstars, though, are a good light if you arn't going with PIAA. I have tried to get a good picture in the past of my PIAA's, and what they'll light up at night (They do light up A LOT). However, my camera flash always seems to mess this up. Maybe I'll try a digital camera and see if thats better.
Also, hit up SilverY2KCivic, he might have a picture or 2, hit him up with a PM and ask.
Sorry I don't have a good pic to post up right now.
I currently run Silverstar low beams (9006) and have been considering getting some PIAA's... either the Xtreme White Plus or the Super Plasmas (maybe GT-X).
The color of the light doesn't really matter to me much... just the brightness.
I am wondering if you guys have any recommendations as to whether or not I should get some PIAA's or just stick w/ my Silverstars.
Also, I am finding it quite difficult to find any pictures of some PIAA's lighting up the road.
Would it be possible for anybody to post some pix of the light of the Silverstars on the road, in addition to some PIAA's?
This would be very helpful to me, and I'm sure many others would appreciate this also.
Thanks in advance.
So you don't care about color output, correct? You don't care how they look, you just want to see better? Although you'l may see a little better with certain PIAA's, I don't know if it's worth the extra $$ to you since you already have silverstars (both are far better than stock). If you were looking for a pair and hadn't bought any yet, I'd say look into PIAA. I myself would spend the money and get PIAA's (Super Plasmas), but thats me. Now I could be wrong, but I believe the Super Plasma in a 9006 and 9005 is more spendy than in some other bulb types ($115 or so vs $70 for H3, H1, H4 (9007), etc), so if moneys an issue Extreme White PIAA's or Silverstars might be more up your alley. You might want to look into all this.
SilverY2KCivic runs PIAA Super Plasma GT-X's now, but he run Slverstars before that (I think he keeps em in the glove box now as spares)b. I am pretty sure he prefers PIAA, as do I. Silverstars, though, are a good light if you arn't going with PIAA. I have tried to get a good picture in the past of my PIAA's, and what they'll light up at night (They do light up A LOT). However, my camera flash always seems to mess this up. Maybe I'll try a digital camera and see if thats better.
Also, hit up SilverY2KCivic, he might have a picture or 2, hit him up with a PM and ask.
Sorry I don't have a good pic to post up right now.
potsdamcartel
10-24-2004, 10:09 PM
can anyone tell me if yellow fog lights are better than white? i have researched but have found no concrete evidence on which type are better. many say they are, many say they aren't. i keep getting conflicting answers from forum users and researchers.
can someone tell me from experience which ones work better in fog/snow? i don't care about how they look, i only care about performance.
here are some sites i've used regarding my question: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy99/phy99xx4.htm
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF5/593.html
http://lists.off-road.com/pipermail/m-class/msg11853.html
thankz
can someone tell me from experience which ones work better in fog/snow? i don't care about how they look, i only care about performance.
here are some sites i've used regarding my question: http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy99/phy99xx4.htm
http://www.gi.alaska.edu/ScienceForum/ASF5/593.html
http://lists.off-road.com/pipermail/m-class/msg11853.html
thankz
kcg795
02-15-2007, 05:55 PM
I work at Fred Meyer as a cashier. We do sell the GE Nighthawk and the GE Nighthawk Sport bulbs. The "Sport" has the blue tint on them. Sometimes I will get those through my line. I'll ring them up and bag them, then I'll say "You sure you want blue bulbs? The tint really reduces the light output quite a bit." So far, I've been successful at talking them out of it. I told them to get the regular Nighthawks instead and explain that the blue tint is just gonna cause more glare in poor weather conditions.
digimark
01-02-2008, 01:31 PM
Has anybody here tried these bulbs from this place?
They claim that their bulbs are similar in output to the Osram Silverstar bulbs but cheaper. Just wondered if anybody had tried them.
http://www.autowirez.co.uk/h4-cool-blue-headlight-bulb-c-1-p-1-pr-77.html
They claim that their bulbs are similar in output to the Osram Silverstar bulbs but cheaper. Just wondered if anybody had tried them.
http://www.autowirez.co.uk/h4-cool-blue-headlight-bulb-c-1-p-1-pr-77.html
eckoman_pdx
02-04-2008, 02:36 AM
Has anybody here tried these bulbs from this place?
They claim that their bulbs are similar in output to the Osram Silverstar bulbs but cheaper. Just wondered if anybody had tried them.
http://www.autowirez.co.uk/h4-cool-blue-headlight-bulb-c-1-p-1-pr-77.html
I am not in Europe, but over here in the states, Sylvania (Osram is parent company) makes those Cool Blue bulbs. Here, they are a little higher color temp than the regular bulbs...but they are a lower color temp than Silverstars and PIAA. I prefer PIAA's over the cool blue here in the states, but if you don't want to spend Silverstar or PIAA money (or can't afford it), I think they are certainly nicer than the standard OEM replacement bulbs. I've ran the Cool Blue in 2 different cars vs OEM replacement, and I liked them better. I still like PIAA's/Silverstars better, but those aren't always an option due to the price.
I've never used the Osram Silverstars, but from what I read, they are better, I hear they last longer (longer rated life) than the US spec silverstars. I'll have to look that up at some point and see what I can find.
I hope I was some help:)
They claim that their bulbs are similar in output to the Osram Silverstar bulbs but cheaper. Just wondered if anybody had tried them.
http://www.autowirez.co.uk/h4-cool-blue-headlight-bulb-c-1-p-1-pr-77.html
I am not in Europe, but over here in the states, Sylvania (Osram is parent company) makes those Cool Blue bulbs. Here, they are a little higher color temp than the regular bulbs...but they are a lower color temp than Silverstars and PIAA. I prefer PIAA's over the cool blue here in the states, but if you don't want to spend Silverstar or PIAA money (or can't afford it), I think they are certainly nicer than the standard OEM replacement bulbs. I've ran the Cool Blue in 2 different cars vs OEM replacement, and I liked them better. I still like PIAA's/Silverstars better, but those aren't always an option due to the price.
I've never used the Osram Silverstars, but from what I read, they are better, I hear they last longer (longer rated life) than the US spec silverstars. I'll have to look that up at some point and see what I can find.
I hope I was some help:)
awdrifter2
04-08-2008, 02:52 AM
Has anyone been able to find how much lumen the PIAA 9005 bulbs puts out? I don't really believe those 55w=80w bs. If it's really that bright, they would probably publish the lumens rating right? So far I'm using modded Sylvania Xtravision 9005 in my low beam, they puts out 1700 lumens and only cost $10 per bulb. But the downside is their expected life are only 350hrs.
akboss
06-23-2009, 01:24 PM
Silverstar Ultra bulbs are half the price of PIAA and work just as well. No need to buy anything else.
eckoman_pdx
07-25-2009, 03:10 PM
Silverstar Ultra bulbs are half the price of PIAA and work just as well. No need to buy anything else.
US Spec Silverstar and Silverstar Ultra's also last a heck of a lot shorter lifespan wise than most PIAA bulbs (though there are some PIAA bulbs with shorter life than Silverstar Ultras.
I'm not bashing the Silverstars, but I wanted to point out some people may not like the shorter lifespan, and in the end, since you have to replace the bulb sooner, costs even out at the very least.
Also, PIAA's always had a 1 year warranty, something Silverstars don't have. There's more to a purchase than just price:wink:
US Spec Silverstar and Silverstar Ultra's also last a heck of a lot shorter lifespan wise than most PIAA bulbs (though there are some PIAA bulbs with shorter life than Silverstar Ultras.
I'm not bashing the Silverstars, but I wanted to point out some people may not like the shorter lifespan, and in the end, since you have to replace the bulb sooner, costs even out at the very least.
Also, PIAA's always had a 1 year warranty, something Silverstars don't have. There's more to a purchase than just price:wink:
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