silverstar ultras - FAIL in less than a year!

[toad]

ok, i knew from the packaging that these would last less than my original bulbs and i DO like the brighter, whiter light they provide, but....c'mon!

a couple nights ago i'm pulling into the garage and notice it's dimmer on the driver's side. sure enough, the light is out.

i kept my receipt from when i bought them last december and the packaging(which i still have) says they guarantee them for 12 months. i checked their website where they direct consumers to with warranty issues, but there's NOTHING on there except product info, etc. i sent them an email and hope to hear back early next week.

anyone else have issues with these particular bulbs and if so, did sylvania take care of you?

thanks!

ps. if i could afford some sedan projectors i would get them instead, but for $50 i hoped they would last longer

[Betrivent]

The bulb that burns twice as bright lasts half as long.. :P

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

^ that is exactly the answer

silverstars are brighter because the filament is thinner

they always seem to die in 2 years or less, vs standard bulbs which can go >10 years

you can install them with cotton glove treatment it doesn't matter, they burn out
within a week or two of each other. tried them on my 4runner and was angry about the wasted money

[Betrivent]

It may be a good idea to do a retrofit if you want brighter lights..

[thebarber]

i KNOW i must have said it in one thread or another, but silverstars suck balls.

you're better off getting hid's or staying stock

[bzinn 1]

Mine made it 7 months then passenger went out......honestly only the stock output bulbs seem to last longer than that on any brand I have tried.

[RedRide]

I installed "PIAA Xtreme White Plus H4" bulbs in 2009 and they are still OK.
This includes plenty of of night time use.

Silver Stars are wildly known for not lasting long

[vten]

get the hid's kit for about the same price or maybe cheaper ... make sure you get the one with the AC input or the one kit with a conditioner or anti flicker ...

I bought the super cheap xentec kit without the anti flicker module and installed it on my fiat ...it flickered like a police car ( not that bad) ..lol and you'll be super happy with the result.

been using the ac kit in my yaris for almost a year without any problem.

[Black_griffin6]

Originally Posted by thebarber

i KNOW i must have said it in one thread or another, but silverstars suck balls.

you're better off getting hid's or staying stock

+1

If you want something bright that lasts long, get HID's.

[RedRide]

FWIW...
In some states, after market HIDs are not legal.

[Astroman]

My silverstars are over a year old and work great. I know I'm the exception though. HID conversion is illegal here in WA, but I don't know anyone who's been busted for it.

[enviri]

Originally Posted by RedRide

I installed "PIAA Xtreme White Plus H4" bulbs in 2009 and they are still OK.
This includes plenty of of night time use.

Silver Stars are wildly known for not lasting long

^ditto. I've been using PIAA Southern Star White since early 2009, carried over from 2 cars and they work fine still. worth the money if you dont want HIDs but want the look. JDM Halogens

[jefffullone]

Originally Posted by toad

ok, i knew from the packaging that these would last less than my original bulbs and i DO like the brighter, whiter light they provide, but....c'mon!

a couple nights ago i'm pulling into the garage and notice it's dimmer on the driver's side. sure enough, the light is out.

i kept my receipt from when i bought them last december and the packaging(which i still have) says they guarantee them for 12 months. i checked their website where they direct consumers to with warranty issues, but there's NOTHING on there except product info, etc. i sent them an email and hope to hear back early next week.

anyone else have issues with these particular bulbs and if so, did sylvania take care of you?




thanks!

ps. if i could afford some sedan projectors i would get them instead, but for $50 i hoped they would last longer

Has happened to me like clock work for the past 3+ years. More recently last week. My Ultra's have never lasted a year. This time i contacted Sylvania automotive department which can be found on their website. They were able to see i sent in a rebate for the last pair i bought last December so i didnt have to send in proof of purchase... long story made short, she had 2 new Ultras, and 2 new Ultra foglights shipped 2-day Fedex to my house. A $100 value for "free". Bonus.

[mari]

I use narva rangepower +50 and they are definitely brighter than factory and dont cost a whole lot either.

[JumpmanYaris]

Well give me $100 and ur headlights and my retrofited headlights are urs

[thepartsmancometh]

lots of good tech articles to be found on daniel stern's lighting site. Rangepowers are one of only 4 recommended "blue" bulbs. Sylvania is not.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...lbs/bulbs.html

[mari]

Originally Posted by thepartsmancometh

lots of good tech articles to be found on daniel stern's lighting site. Rangepowers are one of only 4 recommended "blue" bulbs. Sylvania is not.

http://www.danielsternlighting.com/t...lbs/bulbs.html

I saw this on there:

OK, So These Extra-White Bulbs Aren't The Best Choice For Maximizing My Headlamps' Performance. What Should I Get Instead?

For those who want the best possible performance from their headlamps and are more concerned with their ability to see rather than the appearance of their headlamps, the major bulb companies offer optimized bulbs without the light-stealing blue glass. Narva RangePower+50 and RangePower+30, GE Night Hawk, and Philips Vision Plus, and Osram Silver Star are the ones to get.

And pricing isnt that bad from here:
http://store.candlepower.com/h4hb29003bulbs.html

[cali yaris]

The Osram Silver Stars are very good quality bulbs. I use them in my truck.

I also sell NOKYA -- we have a very good customer response and I do warranty them for a full year against failure.

Just a thought: YW vendors (me) help keep the site online.