Sylvania SilverStar vs PIAA

[hcmiller92]

I have a PIAA H-4 Extreme White Plus lamp in my RT and am very happy with the light output vs. the stock H-4. It cost $40. I just put an H-4 SilverStar in my Vulcan cruiser and can't tell the difference between it and the PIAA. It only cost $20 at my local auto parts box store.

 

Can anyone cite any objective differences between the two, like output, color temp, longevity, that augers in favor of the PIAA?

 

Thanks,

Curt

[DavidEBSmith]

No.

[TMH]

I've heard more complaints about the (US) SilverStar's having a short life than I have about the PIAA's. Although I did just have to replace a burned-out PIAA in my LT. Replaced with a standard bulb for $10. When I need more light, I just flick the PIAA 550's on, and may install a HID (low beam) at some point in the future.

 

There is a guy who frequents the LT Board who sells Philips Vision Plus bulbs, which I THINK are the better (European) model (not sure). I just bought one of his H1's for the GS. He also sells H4's for $23. About 4 items down on this link:

http://motogear4you.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=5

 

Tom

[hcmiller92]

Thanks, guys. That confirms what I thought. I know longevity is an issue but, depending on how long they do last, I think it's worth the tradeoff for the extra light.

 

Curt

[DEF]

Quit messin' with those hot, old fashioned, short-lived yellow incandescent bulbs...install HIDs.

[RightSpin]

Curt,

 

The whole "white-light," "xtreme-white," blue-tinted bulb business is nothing but marketing hype. The PIAA Xtreme White bulbs produce less visible light than standard hologen bulbs of the same wattage.

 

Check out this link or do your own side-by-side comparison. Anything with a tint will produce less light.

[powerman]

re:

Check out this link or do your own side-by-side comparison. Anything with a tint will produce less light.

check out his discussion on relays (left hand side), see reduction of lumen output due to voltage. It goes to show you that reducing voltage drop and maximizing the voltage to the bulb is probably more important to get the highest light output than the particular bulb.

[SageRider]

Also, when comparing "European" bulbs to U.S. "DOT" bulbs, the Lumens on the European bulbs will be higher for the identical bulb as they are tested at a higher voltage than the DOT bulbs.

[DEF]

Thanks, guys. That confirms what I thought. I know longevity is an issue but, depending on how long they do last, I think it's worth the tradeoff for the extra light.

 

Curt

 

If you want longevity, high light output, low power consumption, less heat and better conspicuity, switch to HIDs. They can't be beat!

[hcmiller92]

Curt,

 

The whole "white-light," "xtreme-white," blue-tinted bulb business is nothing but marketing hype. The PIAA Xtreme White bulbs produce less visible light than standard hologen bulbs of the same wattage.

 

Check out this link or do your own side-by-side comparison. Anything with a tint will produce less light.

 

Well, that's interesting, but my eyes see differently. The visibility between either the PIAA and SilverStar and standard halogen is like night and day out on the road. I've been working in a darkroom for 40 years so my rods and cones and all that stuff are very sensitive to light color, quality and intensity.

[steveknapp]

If you've been working in a darkroom then you should get the idea that filtering out some yellow light to make the bulb appear "white" is just that. Removing some light.

 

There are bulbs that have the increased output without the filtering. These are the eurospec VisionPlus bulbs. (www.autobulbs.co.uk is my supplier of choice). Cheaper too.

[Jake]

Well, that's interesting, but my eyes see differently. The visibility between either the PIAA and SilverStar and standard halogen is like night and day out on the road. I've been working in a darkroom for 40 years so my rods and cones and all that stuff are very sensitive to light color, quality and intensity.

Due to my quirky set of rods and cones (mine were shaped by genetics, but hey, if 40 years in a darkroom will help, I'm willing ) I'm very sensitive to that annoying blue light. Therefore they might be percieved has having more conspicuity, but they don't put out any more light intensity than the equivalent non-filtered bulb. Are you wanting to see, or be seen?

[TNT]

I have had SilverStar in my F-150 High Low and fog for over two years now! I like it so much I'm now putting them on my RT. I have the low beam in and MAN. I will now put them into the high beam aswell as in my FF50s!!! Yep I like them.