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Chrisj CMA
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« on: June 27, 2009, 10:12:53 AM » |
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Ok......I tried one of them fancy silver star bulbs a while back. It was very bright, but it didnt last very long and I dont like surprises. So I put the OEM bulb back in but never was happy with the color or brightness. I think I found a happy medium...
Well, I was at Wally World last week and it was like 102° in the shade outside so I took my time "browsing" around and I found a bulb I hadnt seen before.
Its called XTRAVISION 9003/H2/H4 by Sylvania. It costs half as much as the silver star one and its plenty bright. Last night Judy and I came home from the coast at night and I was well pleased with the "whiteness" and the brightness from shoulder to shoulder and depth of vision was greatly improved.
On the back it lists the grade for brightness and durability
A standard bulb (OEM eq) gets one bar for brightness and four for life
the silver star gets four bars for brightness and one for life
the XTRA gets three for brightness and two for life.
We shall see how long this one goes
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« Last Edit: June 27, 2009, 10:19:42 AM by Chrisj CMA CR3M »
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T.P.
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« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2009, 10:37:09 AM » |
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YEP! I had 1 bulb go out on the Interstate last night and made a trip to Wallyville. came home with the same bulbs as you. yes it will be interesting to see how long they last.  |
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"Well you can call me T, or you can call me P, or you can call me T.P. but you doesn't hasta call me Toilet Paper"
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Ghillie
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« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2009, 11:23:00 AM » |
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I replaced the OEM on mine almost three months ago with the Sylvania bulb you are using. It is a lot better light than what I had. How long should we be expecting a good bulb to last?
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When the people fear government, there is tyranny. When government fears the people, there is liberty.  |
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PharmBoy
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« Reply #3 on: June 28, 2009, 02:13:10 AM » |
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I have had the Silver Star Ultras in my I/S for 1.5 years, about 16K miles and still going. No one has a clue as to how long any bulb will last. Just get the one that you like and replace it when it doesn't provide light any longer, just like you do at the house...JTL
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A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country. ~Texas Guinan
4th Infantry Tet Vet
99 Interstate
97 Bumble Bee
97 Red & White
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petevenne
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« Reply #4 on: June 28, 2009, 01:30:12 PM » |
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Ditto..Love the Silver Star Ultra's with the starter button bypass mod... Paired a set of Pia driving lights they flood the road with bright white light...
Pete, Concord, NH
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1FAST6
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« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2009, 11:27:33 AM » |
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I know they are pricey, but I put PIAA Extreme White bulbs in my 2000 I/S about 3 years and 50k mi ago. I use a Kisan modulator (after burning out 2 from Comagination) and they still light up the road for almost 1/2 mile at night and make the cagers adjust their mirrors in the day! I love them and will replace with same. I also bought the 1200X Fog Lights and had a bulb burn out after 11 months. They sent a replacement for free, no questions asked! More light is more better!!!  |
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2009, 11:56:34 AM » |
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All the talk about brightness but no report on the wattage of the subject bulb.
I'm "old school" here and never thought you could get something from nothing.
I sat this because wattage is the final arbiter of bulb brightness.
So, the I/S OEM bulb is 45w/45w Both beams are 45 watts. I don't know what's OEM for the other Valkyrie's.
When you compare this bulb to a Silverstar, what is the wattage of the Silverstar.
Same for all the others. If they have a higher wattage rating they ought to be brighter.
Your electrical system has limits as to how big a bulb (wattage) you can safely burn without burning the wires or switches or connections. Also, higher wattage bulbs produce more heat that in turn can melt some of the headlight components, like for instance the bulb enclosure including the lens.
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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1FAST6
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« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2009, 12:31:18 PM » |
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Well, wattage means more heat and more intensity. I was surprised to find how much difference the color of the light makes to the eye. My PIAAs are 60/55W A little more than stock, but very different performance. I'm no lamp engineer, but it seems that what the filament is made of gives the light different characteristics and the whiter the light, the better our eyes can see it. This is from their site:
Rated at 4000K and providing 110watts of light from only 55watts these bulbs will provide a brilliant Xtreme cool white light that will light up road hazards and street signs long before a normal halogen bulb.
All I know is that I can see road signs flashing with my modulator on in full sun and can see at night like it's day. My buddies with STDs always put me up front at night to light the way. I put a Silverstar in my ex's VT600 and it also made a noticable difference. Didn't keep her long enuf to see how long it lasted. As for me, the PIAAs were money well spent!
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Baloo
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« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2009, 03:48:56 PM » |
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When you compare this bulb to a Silverstar, what is the wattage of the Silverstar.
Ricky-D, if I'm not mistaking, the Ultra Silverstar are 45-55W. I have them on my IS and love them. |
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Never ride any faster than your guardian angel can fly...
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