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Sylvania Silverstar Ultra

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by wjterry, Jan 11, 2010.

  1. wjterry

    wjterry New Member

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    I am thinking of replacing the stock halogen bulbs in my '10 to Sylvania SilverLight Ultra halogens and was wondering if anyone else has any experience with this particular bulb?
     
    #1 wjterry, Jan 11, 2010
  2. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    The Sylvania Silverlights (Utra or not) are not impressive. While whiter (because of its blue tint), it really does not improve brightness. Any bulb which is tinted blue has reduced light output as the tint actually decreases the visible light spectrum output.

    I also tried the PIAA Xtreme which is a tad brighter than stock. The biggest improvement was with the Osram Night Breaker, but the penalty is its extreme short life (~ six months).
     
    #2 Jon S, Jan 11, 2010
  3. tharvey

    tharvey New Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    I also have the Osram Night Breaker which I purchased from ebay and came from Germany via England. About $50 delivered and although they are whiter probably around the 4000k output they really do very little in comparison to the HID's I installed on my 2009 camry.

    If I were to do it again I would save the $50 on bulbs and spend 150 on digital slim ballast combo unit for about $150 shipped


    Tim
     
    #3 tharvey, Jan 11, 2010
  4. wjterry

    wjterry New Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Thanks for your comments, I appreciate your input.
     
    #4 wjterry, Jan 11, 2010
  5. firepa63

    firepa63 Former Prius Owner

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    The Silverlights have a very short life span. Stay away from them.
     
    #5 firepa63, Jan 11, 2010
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    I was impressed with the Phillips X-Treme Power bulbs. They're definitely brighter than stock. However, do take note that all these bulbs will have a much shorter lifespan than the stock bulb.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Jan 11, 2010
  7. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Remember the process going on inside a halogen lamp every time
    it's on:
    .
    [​IMG]
    .
    from this page. Brighter light == less filament material,
    leading to earlier sputtering down the breaking point.
    My stock lamps lasted over 100K and 5 years, and they never
    actually failed.
    .
    _H*
     
    #7 hobbit, Jan 11, 2010
  8. Manolo1

    Manolo1 New Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    ???
    Road and Track magazine recommends them although they warn of the shorter bulb life but suggest it is a good compromise: better lighting, shorter life.

    It applies to many other things: better brakes, shorter life; better tires, shorter life (handling_performance related ...), etc.

    color temp 4100K vs standard bulbs of 3100K

    applies to Ultra model :mod:
     
    #8 Manolo1, Jan 11, 2010
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Yeah but that's because the X-Treme Power and Nightbreaker bulbs aren't available here unless you buy online. I prefer the X-Treme Power. It's not as white as the Silverstars but a hell of a lot brighter and it lasted just as long.
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Jan 11, 2010
  10. Jon S

    Jon S Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    you can get the Osram Night Breakers from Powerbulbs.com, located in Great Britain... They ship free worldwide and the price is comparable to the Sylvania SilverStars...
     
    #10 Jon S, Jan 12, 2010
  11. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    I agree 100%. I had them in my 4Runner and had to change both bulbs every 6 months.
     
    #11 Judgeless, Jan 12, 2010
  12. mlibanio

    mlibanio Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Total Garbage! I went through three sets and all failed in less than 1 year. I wrote a letter to Sylvania complaining, and I got a polite apology, but they stated that the reduced lifespan of the bulb is indicated on the packaging. Son of a gun, they were right. My stock Toyota bulbs and Chrysler bulbs have been scratched and even dropped, and they work dependably for over 7 years now. I have never had to replace them ever. I am convinced as one poster said that the thinner filaments just do not stand up to last very long. Save your money!
     
    #12 mlibanio, Jan 12, 2010
  13. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Here is a pic of 7 that used to keep replacing lights when they burned out.

    [​IMG]

    Advanced Auto parts would replace them for free. I took that group of 7 back at least 8 times over 10 years.

    The lights do not last long at all.
     
    #13 Judgeless, Jan 12, 2010
  14. mmichaell

    mmichaell Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Dont you all mean "silverstar ultra" and not "silverlight ultra".
     
    #14 mmichaell, Jan 12, 2010
  15. Judgeless

    Judgeless Senior Member

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    It is all bad.
     
    #15 Judgeless, Jan 12, 2010
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Yeah but judging by the responses, I'm sure we all knew what the OP was talking about.
     
    #16 Tideland Prius, Jan 12, 2010
  17. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Re: Sylvania SilverLight Ultra

    Agreed. Silverstars were the same way ;)
     
    #17 F8L, Jan 12, 2010
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