Silverstar Headlight bulbs- Are they an improvement? [Archive]

pdxrealtor

01-09-2010, 03:11 AM

I know HID is better, but are the silverstars an improvement over the stock halogen bulb?

On another note-

For those with brush guard mounted FOG lights... can you drive into oncoming traffic with those on? Looking at the PIAA 520 series-

http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-pages/520.html

I know with OEM fogs you can drive with them on,, but most aren't 6" x 2 :D

porschett

01-09-2010, 03:40 AM

Don't even bother!

I bought em, installed em, and threw em out.

Buy the Zenon, the best improvement you'll make!!!!!!

pdxrealtor

01-09-2010, 03:43 AM

"Zenon" ?? Are you referring to an H.I.D. setup or a certain headlight bulb?

lasvegash2

01-09-2010, 04:28 AM

i installed the silverstar ultra but then i bought the piaa extreme white and those were even whiter than the silverstars. i am happy with them. i put the stock in one headlamp and the piaa in the other headlamp and i couldnt believe how yellow the stock bulb is. i just bought the piaa 510 atp which i will be installing tomorrow. they will be going into the stock drl location. i will be running those with my headlamps.

pdxrealtor

01-09-2010, 04:34 AM

Thanks for that info...

Did you happen to note if you could see further with the whiter bulb?

I almost went the route you did with the 510 in the DRL spot, but decided to go with the 520 fog for the brush guard.

I'll use those for driving in the fog, snow, etc... and I'm trying to find a set of rectangular fog lights to do a light bar for the top. That would come in handy at the beach, camping, or up at the mountain in the snow.... just to light things up with the fog lights on the brush guard.

I saw in an old post of one of DRTYFUNs pics with the 510 fog mounted in the DRL slot... looked real good!

lasvegash2

01-09-2010, 04:50 AM

yes i could see better with the piaa's extreme white bulb(9007) http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-9000.html . i got the piaa 510 atp http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-pages/510atp.html ....atp mean a all-terrain-pattern. the light pattern is a blend of a fog and driving light combine. piaa tech support told me that i would be safe running with my headlamps on the street because the driving beam is not as extreme as the 510 driving lamp. i also have this mounted http://hummerpartsclub.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=H&Product_Code=EXT_P1102B&Category_Code=Plus_One_lighting_H2

pdxrealtor

01-09-2010, 04:53 AM

Now that is pretty slick...I like that!

That's nice you can drive with the ATP on. I'm hoping the 520 fogs won't be an issue when I'm driving.

Post up a pic on this thread when you get them mounted.... I'm interested in seeing them.

While you're at it post up that stealth setup you have! :beerchug:

lasvegash2

01-09-2010, 05:01 AM

here you go... http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36113&highlight=light+bar

i will post the pics of the 510's installed this weekend.

twr

01-09-2010, 05:14 AM

hi why pay $70 for piaa bulbs, when you can have a hid kit for $150 that are much brighter than piaa and last longer?

pdxrealtor

01-09-2010, 05:27 AM

Hey Tracy--

My original plan was to have all the lights match... going HID would have just been more than I NEED to spend. I really don't use the fogs much in past experience so I definitely didn't want to go HID on those... when you barely use them why even spend an extra 50 bucks?? That's my logic anyways....

I do think that I will go HID headlights though.

The main reason for the fogs is to light it up while camping, on a trail, beach, mountain... etc... and the rare times when it really is low visibility out...

The light bar is just because it looks cool! :D It will also compliment the PIAA fog lights nicely...,, for the purpose I plan on using them for.... turning off the headlights and using the fogs for extra lighting.

twr

01-09-2010, 05:30 AM

hi that is what i meant hid headlights. I have them and their are the best choice :perfect10s: it took me 45 mins to install them. If it warms up abit its -15 here. i will post a few pictures on sat. I made a set of amber led drl with covers because we have to have them in ontario.

pdxrealtor

01-09-2010, 05:39 AM

Ya I installed a set before on a prior car.... I know it's simple just had to make sure I reallly needed them. Took some posting and reading to figure it out.

Would love to see some pics of yours.... Did you get he digital 55 watters from retro? What temp did you get?

Dam that's cold!

twr

01-09-2010, 06:09 AM

hi i got 35 watt ones from a guy here in ontario and they are 6000k just a touch of blue. I think 8000k have to much blue. The only thing i did was add a peice to the power wire and ground wire, because everything is mounted to the headlight pots so it all moves with the hood when it opens.

twr

01-09-2010, 06:14 PM

Hi here is some pic of hid installed. The ballasts are bolted and wire tied and the harness going to the pass headlight has clips holding it, so no drilling involved. Right side

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee138/tracy588/hummer%20lights/PICT0005.jpg

twr

01-09-2010, 06:17 PM

Middle with the clips holding the harness.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee138/tracy588/hummer%20lights/PICT0008.jpg

twr

01-09-2010, 06:18 PM

Right side.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee138/tracy588/hummer%20lights/PICT0010-1.jpg

twr

01-09-2010, 06:20 PM

Here is a few of my custom drl with them off.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee138/tracy588/hummer%20lights/PICT0002-1-1.jpg

twr

01-09-2010, 06:21 PM

With them on.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee138/tracy588/hummer%20lights/PICT0003-2.jpg

twr

01-09-2010, 06:24 PM

Here is the back of my drl, as you can see they plug in and turn to lock and seal like stock ones.

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee138/tracy588/hummer%20lights/IMG00051-20100109-1205.jpg

pdxrealtor

01-09-2010, 07:10 PM

Thanks for the pictures Tracy! :beerchug:

Nice touch on the DRL :clapping:

twr

01-09-2010, 07:21 PM

Hi no problem. Hids are great, i think its the best way to fix the poor h2 stock lights. I do like my drl one of a kind.

lasvegash2

01-18-2010, 10:49 PM

tracy...where did you get your hid's and do you have a contact info? btw nice install on your hid's.

twr

01-18-2010, 11:33 PM

Hi Scott, you are better off buying them in the usa it will be cheaper for you. I will have a look for you.

twr

01-18-2010, 11:39 PM

hi Scott, here is a link for the right hid 9007 hi/low kit $169 free shipping to you in the usa and lifetime warranty. I think a few guys have used this 6000K kit and he is in the usa. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=350161716803&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

lasvegash2

01-19-2010, 12:26 AM

thanks tracy

twr

01-19-2010, 01:06 AM

your welcome

lasvegash2

01-19-2010, 04:20 AM

tracy, why did you go with 35w and not 55w? i just got a response back from the vendor link you sent me. he told me i could go with either 35w or 55w and can also choose the slim ballast over the regular ballast. which ballast did you go with? thanks.

twr

01-19-2010, 05:33 AM

Hi i have 35 watt kit because i have read the 55 watt ones don't last as long and are just abit brighter. I have bigger ballast because their is only one part to mount and all is internal, where the slim has 2 parts to mount but the ballast is much smaller.

hotstang46`

01-19-2010, 06:07 AM

go 55watt for sure, don't even think about the 35's. I have 35 in my headlights and started with 35 in a custom foglight set up I made. I then tried 55 in my fogs and man....big difference. I just ordered some 55's for the headlights. went 6k btw

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l266/hotstang46/DSC03052.jpg

timgco

01-19-2010, 06:41 AM

I think the Silverstars are fine...for what they are. They are a nice difference between stock and this cheap upgrade. however, the ones Drty has (can;t remember the brand) are bright as can be.

On teh flip side of that, throw in a lower grille 20" LED lightbar and you will have more than you know what to do with....never mind the two 30" or one 50" up top. :popcorn:

pdxrealtor

01-19-2010, 09:20 PM

I've given this a lot of thought (and read a ton!) and am still kicking it around but I will most likely end up with the Silverstars...

The problem with the HID in the Hummer is that the OEM reflector headlights are not made for HID, and do not disburse the light properly. There are "hot spots" everywhere.

While you might see better from inside the car, on the outside you are blinding people because the OEM lenses do not project the light properly.

It's not because it's a reflector lens, it's because that reflector lens isn't made for an HID bulb.

JMO... which is based on tons of reading and tons of pictures.

The_Yeti

01-20-2010, 12:11 AM

I'm happy with my Silverstar Ultra's got them new on ebay for 25 shipped. Sure the HID would be nice but like you say those lamps weren't designed for HID bulbs. Nice pic above though.. do look bright.

porschett

01-20-2010, 02:47 AM

pdxrealtor

01-20-2010, 02:59 AM

Ummmm..... it is true. Plain and simple the Hummer reflector lenses are not made for HID and do not disburse the light correctly. It might look good from the inside, but the outside looks like on big cloud.

Try driving up to a wall and turning on your lights next to a car/truck that has OEM HIDs.... you'll see what I mean.

Perfect example is the picture a few posts up.... look at the dispersion of the light! It's all over the place!

Not saying you haven't been flashed, and I'm not saying you won't see better with a set of HID drop ins...

But I am saying it's technically not legal, not DOT approved. It just doesn't look right to me.

Compare any HID made lens, projector or reflector, to a drop in HID bulb used with non HID reflector and you will see the difference between the two is obvious.

lasvegash2

01-26-2010, 05:04 AM

tracy, i bought and installed the 55w 6k from the website you sent me. great vendor and fast service. i wish i would of done this along with the bluestar along time ago. i cant believe how bright they are compared to the piaa's.

twr

01-27-2010, 12:28 PM

Hi Scott, glad you like the kit you got.

pdxrealtor

02-24-2010, 05:43 PM

I give up... After trying and thinking about all alternatives I bought the HIDs.

A couple reasons I made the decision-

We could barely see a couple that was walking on the side of the road, and whatever the distance was, we should have easily been able to see them, AND their yellow coats! :lame:

We've made two trips to the coast in the last week on two different routes, both dark single lane roads, and while striving to see far enough a head to be safe we are at the same time being blinded by other cars lights, cars- not trucks-. That's just not right. :lame:

Should have just done it in the first place- :raar:

Anyone want some Silverstars?? :crying:

Cesardajr

02-25-2010, 10:36 PM

didnt you just get the silverstars in january?
if you dont want them i'll take them off your hands and give them a try.
send me a pm

pdxrealtor

02-26-2010, 12:16 AM

I do still have the silver stars PM sent.

tcalz06

02-27-2010, 08:10 PM

here you go... http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36113&highlight=light+bar

i will post the pics of the 510's installed this weekend.

Hi,

Have you posted pics of your install? Are those plug and play or did you have to cut wiring?

Id like to improve my DRL's

lasvegash2

02-28-2010, 04:39 PM

no wire cutting. they are the piaas 510's. they are a perfect fit with no cutting. i also used a steel bracket on the backside so they are a solid mount versus just bolting to the plastic. i used the supplied wire and relay and have the trigger wire connected to parking lamps. they are bright but the hid's drown out the light that the piaa's give off.

Cazador

03-05-2010, 06:14 PM

I give up... After trying and thinking about all alternatives I bought the HIDs.

Which HIDs did you buy? Link?

Did you go 35W or 55W?

pdxrealtor

03-05-2010, 06:40 PM

http://www.retro-solutions.com/

I called them and they were very helpful.

I got the 55w kit, 6000k color temp.

porschett

03-05-2010, 07:08 PM

http://www.retro-solutions.com/

I called them and they were very helpful.

I got the 55w kit, 6000k color temp.

7 weeks later? Knew you'd someday see the light :clapping:

pdxrealtor

03-05-2010, 07:11 PM

7 weeks later? Knew you'd someday see the light :clapping:
:fdance: LOL....

YEP!

lasvegash2

03-06-2010, 12:45 AM

pdxrealtor...that is the exact same kit that i got....you will be very happy...

pdxrealtor

03-06-2010, 01:07 AM

pdxrealtor...that is the exact same kit that i got....you will be very happy...

I saw that you got that kit..

When I was talking to the guy at R.S. he mentioned a guy from L.V. had just bought a couple kits, one for himself and one for a ??brother??.. Figured that was you!

Anyways... kit is already installed and is definitely the ticket.

I can barely tell that my fogs are on with the HIDs on. I'm hoping that in really foul weather the fogs will help... that way I can justify the 200 bones and time spent on the install! :D

If not oh well... they'll go nicely with my 8 PIAA 510's light bar! :D :D

porschett

03-06-2010, 01:52 AM

I saw that you got that kit..

When I was talking to the guy at R.S. he mentioned a guy from L.V. had just bought a couple kits, one for himself and one for a ??brother??.. Figured that was you!

Anyways... kit is already installed and is definitely the ticket.

I can barely tell that my fogs are on with the HIDs on. I'm hoping that in really foul weather the fogs will help... that way I can justify the 200 bones and time spent on the install! :D

If not oh well... they'll go nicely with my 8 PIAA 510's light bar! :D :D

Hate to tell you I told you so! lol

So I guess you won't be asking for a check?

Just kidding you, I hope you understand.

As far as your fogs, I think they stick out way too far. When I first mounted mine, they were in the same position. I turned my mounts around and was able to get them behind the protection of the brush bar. Don't know if you're able to do the same with your mounts. Let me know, I can post some pics of how I did mine.

pdxrealtor

03-06-2010, 02:35 AM

Here is a couple more pics after I adjusted the mounts and aimed the properly.

I rotated the mount to bring the lights lower, which in turn means less downward angle needed to adjust the light beam properly, which in turn means closer to the brush guard.

I'd love to see your pics... as I think they still stick out to far.

You can say I told you so.. you were right! :) Pictures just don't display the light as it's seen in person. Regardless- the OEM or silverstar head light setup is horrible.

You can, for now, say you don't owe me a check. The first time I get flashed I'll be sending you my address! :clapping: LOL

52351

52350

twr

03-06-2010, 05:13 AM

hi pdxrealtor, Hate to tell you I told you so! lol TWO

lx4life

12-06-2010, 02:02 AM