Sylvania Silver Star ZXE's

[NeedForSwede]

Originally Posted by Saabeh

Thanks for blinding everyone else on the road.

But when you buy HIDs and "don't aim them," no one got blinded right? lol

[saab9000jy]

I have used philips x treme power bulbs for over a year now and they are great. Almost twice as bright as the stock bulbs I had. They are not the cold color temperature "blue looking" light. I just noticed they just introduced an even better bulb, the philips x-treme vision.

[Saabeh]

Originally Posted by NeedForSwede

But when you buy HIDs and "don't aim them," no one got blinded right? lol

Don't understand the question. Projector housing vehicles for the most part, have an automatic aiming system, or it is static.

Originally Posted by saab9000jy

I have used philips x treme power bulbs for over a year now and they are great. Almost twice as bright as the stock bulbs I had. They are not the cold color temperature "blue looking" light. I just noticed they just introduced an even better bulb, the philips x-treme vision.

So what were the measured light output (in lumens) before and after you added your overly expensive bulbs? Do you realize how ridiculous "twice as bright" is? Its very difficult to make a measurable difference in light output on a "standard" bulb if the wattage stays the same.

[saab9000jy]

Ok, I did not measure the exact light output with a meter. I don't really care to be that scientific and stick my headlight into a integrating sphere to measure the total lumens. I noticed a distinct difference in out the front "usable" light. Also, Why is it hard to measure a difference in light output only based on wattage? These new high output bulbs use a thinner filament that allows them to be more efficient than the "old" bulbs. Because of the thinner filament, lifespan is usually decreased. It's a trade off. If you want me to be alot more technical I can. I have many years experience as a EE working with high power LED's for lighting.

[Saabeh]

Originally Posted by saab9000jy

If you want me to be alot more technical I can. I have many years experience as a EE working with high power LED's for lighting.

Your many years of experience led you to believe you saw "almost twice" as much light? it doesn't matter how many advanced design elements you want to bring to the table, the majority factor of light output (in this situation) is bulb wattage. Filament bulbs can only be so efficient.

Remember, I said it was difficult to get more light with the same wattage, not impossible. All of these fancy ideas (thinner filament, etc) are not going to net more than a 5% increase in usable light. I am not willing to pay the absurd prices Sylvania thinks are reasonable.

As an electrical engineer, do you think it would be more efficient to apply a projector/HID combination to exemplify your prowess as a lighting guru? Saying you think shitty Sylvania blubs work incredibly well, then stating your experience as an EE doesn't automatically make them worth a damn.

[saab9000jy]

Listen Pal, the reason I only have 13 posts even though I have been a member here since 2006 is because people like you. I was simply offering my personal experience with the philips bulbs. Argue with someone else, I need not waste my time.

[Saabeh]

Originally Posted by saab9000jy

Listen Pal, the reason I only have 13 posts even though I have been a member here since 2006 is because people like you. I was simply offering my personal experience with the philips bulbs. Argue with someone else, I need not waste my time.

All I am asking is for someone to produce documentation of one bulb being physically brighter than the other. Sylvania doesn't, they just state "50% increase in efficiency!"

[saab9000jy]

If I have time I will actually get a measurement.

[Aikmanson]

Originally Posted by Saabeh

Your many years of experience led you to believe you saw "almost twice" as much light? it doesn't matter how many advanced design elements you want to bring to the table, the majority factor of light output (in this situation) is bulb wattage. Filament bulbs can only be so efficient.

Remember, I said it was difficult to get more light with the same wattage, not impossible. All of these fancy ideas (thinner filament, etc) are not going to net more than a 5% increase in usable light. I am not willing to pay the absurd prices Sylvania thinks are reasonable.

As an electrical engineer, do you think it would be more efficient to apply a projector/HID combination to exemplify your prowess as a lighting guru? Saying you think shitty Sylvania blubs work incredibly well, then stating your experience as an EE doesn't automatically make them worth a damn.

I agree with all of this. I don't see how a more efficient filament is going to make a same wattage bulb 50% more efficient. I have used silverstars in the past, and have I noticed a difference? Sure, the light was "whiter" and appeared to be brighter, possibly because of this. Could I see any better to justify paying 60$ a set, with the bulbs blowing every 6 months? Not a chance.

Threw in a 60$ set of HID's, aimed, and called it a day.

[saab9000jy]

A quick measurement with my lux meter at the hotspot of the beam shows the regular bulb at 51000 lux and the philips extreme power at 97000 lux. These measurements were taken with the key on and car not running. There would be an increase in lux for both bulbs with the car running due to increase in voltage. Both types of bulbs are specified as same consumed wattage. I did not measure the actual current/voltage going to bulbs to calculate actual used watts/power. If I remember correctly, the philips extreme power bulbs were advertised as 90% brighter than standard bulb. The increase of 46000 lux validates the 90% advertised claim. Again, this was a very quick measurement and simply shows the increase in brightness with the philips extreme power bulb I see with my eyes. I see philips has a new extreme vision bulb claiming 100% increase in light output at same wattage.

[saab9000jy]

Also, those sylvania silverstars with the blue coating on bulb are junk. The coating on those bulbs actually decreases usable light output to achieve the high color temp.

[snowsaab]

well then...this thread is fun aint it?



i have a el cheapo HID kit in my vert that was passed on from my hatchback.

im ran 6k in the hatch. now im running 8k in the vert, on original ballasts!! 4yrs strong (knocking on wood). i will never ever waste my time with those blue tinted halogeons. i did once and i realized its all just a joke, spend the 50 bucks on a legit HID system and amaze yourself.

with it aimed right they are bomb ass. i never have issues with other drivers on the road either. aiming is KEY.