| catzx6 |
| Ms. Catz called me at work today to tell me that our right headlight blew when she started the X this morning. I have read that people were getting about a year out their SilverStars, and was hoping we'd be more fortunate. Nope. At least I kept the original bulbs (never touched the bulb removing or re-installing), so that saved a couple of bucks. I won't be using SilverStars again. Now I gotta' save up for some HIDs. |
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| phins2rt |
| Yep. HIDs are the way to go. You won't know how you got along without them. |
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| TheWorm |
I don't get the beef...They flat out say on their site that the avg life expectancy is a year. Not fantastic longevity, but they're honest about it and will replace free of charge if they burn out earlier. And, IMO, they're great non-HID lights.
quote:
What is the life expectancy of SilverStar?
The life expectancy of a SilverStar halogen light source is dependent on the driver’s use of the lights, which vary by season, time of day and number of miles driven. We estimate the SilverStar halogen lights to have a life span of up to one year under average driving conditions.
http://www.sylvania.com/auto/sstar_faq.htm |
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| mlkeller |
...and that's how long mine lasted, too. So, they expect folks to spend $40-50/year for those things! Wish I had realized that when I got them...:rolleyes:
Well, just got my tracking number for the HIDs, won't be a problem anymore! :cool: |
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| catzx6 |
quote:
Originally posted by TheWorm
I don't get the beef...They flat out say on their site that the avg life expectancy is a year.
I know, I know. I just hardly ever have to replace standard halogens. I mean like one bulb in five years. Wishful thinking. I really did like their light output and color. |
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| TheWorm |
Don't get me wrong...real HIDs will be superior to everything else. Compared to the dim yellow OEM bulbs, I've been very happy w/the SilverStars.
$40/yr just on bulbs ain't fun...but I keep managing to find other ways to spend the $400 an HID kit would cost.
I'm not entirely objective, either...I've been lucky (knock on plood) as we're comin' up on 2yrs on our SilverStars... |
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| RonH |
So, can anyone explain just why these things only last a year compared to the seemingly unlimited life of a standard halogen??? (I say unlimited because I can't remember the last time I had to replace an OEM headlight.) Since they are the same wattage as OEM ... is it simply the coating on the bulb?
Even though I went HID on the X, I still have Silverstarts on the Ody, the X's foglights, and the ZX headlight. My big concern is losing the headlight on the ZX .. it's on all the time, and it's 1 of 1 headlights. Considering all I'm reading, I may go ahead and swap it back to OEM. :rolleyes: |
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| hopeitsfriday |
| I find that the PIAA bulbs last alot longer than the sylvania ones. The PIAA extreme whites also have better color, better performance and draws less power. Unfortunately they dont fit in the MDX's fog lights, only in the low and high beams. The draw back is they cost about 3 times as much, I guess you get what you pay for. |
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| Northern_MDX |
My silverstar just died tonight, after only 4 months :mad:
The sad part is that I only logged about 4k miles, due to the lack of snow this year and only 1 lousy skiing trip :crying:
The prices of HID have come down quite a bit, that's the plus side. |
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| perk |
quote:
Originally posted by Northern_MDX
My silverstar just died tonight, after only 4 months :mad:
The sad part is that I only logged about 4k miles, due to the lack of snow this year and only 1 lousy skiing trip :crying:
The prices of HID have come down quite a bit, that's the plus side.
I've been absent from the site for many months until today. Is xenondepot.com still the best way to go on HIDs? And what is the going price of MDX upgrade to HID these days? |
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| Rick_James |
Guys.
I think I am going to get some SilverStars for my 01 MDX.
Which model #'s are the one's to get?
(for headlights, not fogs)
Thanks |
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| dj-mdx2 |
quote:
Originally posted by Rick_James
Guys.
I think I am going to get some SilverStars for my 01 MDX.
Which model #'s are the one's to get?
(for headlights, not fogs)
Thanks
9006 for the lows, 9005 for the highs. H11 if you upgrade to 2004 headlight housing for the lows. I ordered from Hoen, so we'll see if it lasts as long as Silverstars. |
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| Rick_James |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
9006 for the lows, 9005 for the highs. H11 if you upgrade to 2004 headlight housing for the lows. I ordered from Hoen, so we'll see if it lasts as long as Silverstars.
Thanks, also do U see any quality differences between Hoen -vs- silverstars? |
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| ScoobyT |
quote:
Originally posted by dj-mdx2
9006 for the lows, 9005 for the highs. H11 if you upgrade to 2004 headlight housing for the lows. I ordered from Hoen, so we'll see if it lasts as long as Silverstars.
Great choice . Had them since February , still going strong.None of that cheesy blue hue, and almost twice as bright. Try AMBULBS.com. |
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| EXCALIBUR |
For those of you not quite ready to step up to HID's, you might try Philips BlueVision bulbs as an alternative to the Silverstars. I've been running Philips BlueVision bulbs in my MDX...lows, fogs, and highs for 3 years now. So far so good.
Read on...
Available in a twin pack with free Philips Blue Vision W5W side light bulbs, the Philips Bluevision Ultra Headlight upgrade bulbs offer the distinct xenon HID light look with a subtle hint of blue... and they have just been awarded Blue Bulb Category Best Buy in the 2005 Auto Express Bulb Test!
The Phillips Bluevision xenon head light bulb replicates the xenon HID High Intensity Gas Discharge System fitted as standard to more and more of today's prestige and performance cars.
The new and improved design means the Blue Vision bulb burns at 4000 Kelvin which provides a light much closer to natural daylight. The lamps recreate daylight driving conditions at night therefore contributing to safety and performance.
These head light bulbs are also EC37 approved for use in Europe and are completely interchangeable with existing lamps. Most car headlamp bulb sizes are available including: H1, H3, H4, H7, 9005 HB3, and 9006 HB4 fitments.
Philips Blue Vision xenon head light bulbs are also ideal for Motorbikes giving you a distinctive look on the road, making you seen.
Here is Auto Express's verdict: "For the first time, here is a blue bulb worthy of our Best Buy award; the Philips gets very close to the +30% offerings. If you must have the xenon look, this Blue Vision Ultra is the best of those tested." |
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| dj-mdx2 |
Rick,
Can't differentiate between Silverstars and Hoens since I've only had the latter. Seems pretty bright and white with the faintest hint of blue. There's been several threads on this topic if you do a search, though.
Excalibur,
How blue are the Philips bulbs? and have you had the same set for 3 years running? |
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| EXCALIBUR |
dj-mdx2,
Yes, I've had the same sets of Philips BlueVisions running in my lows, fogs, and highs for the last three years. They are not really that bluish, but definitely cast a whiter light than the Sylvania Superstars. You might check out K-Mart. That's where I got mine.:29:
Check this out: Philips BlueVision Bulbs |
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