Headlight Battle: Silvania Silverstars Vs. GE Nighthawks

[ricebike]

Hey! Happy New Year, Niconauts... the start of the year, we got the flu from the in-laws... so I wasn't on here quite as often...

NE Ways...

Ok, I was browsing thru the Walmart automotive section for clearance items but struck out of cheapo oil (all they had were the CRAP/APC products & some other minor stuff). After picking up a dozen SuperTech oil filters, I spotted a “new” product: the GE Nighthawk headlamp bulbs.

Well, I was intrigued since they were somewhat cheaper than Silverstars. Plus, I also noted that there wasn’t a blue tint on the bulbs; they were clear!

I looked @ the box & it doesn’t say anything special to warrant me buying them on the spot. I went home to keep this item in the back of my mind for a future upgrade to my wife’s 95 honda accord.

Nighthawks info

well, WHOOP de DO! The capsules are filled w/ XENON-mix? gas instead of Silverstars’ old-technology HALOGEN gas…

Quote » Using a robust filament and a refined, xenon gas composition, Nighthawk produces an average 30 percent more luminance than GE's standard lamps. [/quote]Silverstars

So, Silverstars’ rely on that coating on the capsules to produce a “whiter light” --BOOOOOOoooooooooo!-- while the European Osrams don’t have a coating. (click on the FAQs link on the right of that website link I provided-- FAQ # 3)

Now, more info of XENON Vs. HALOGEN bulbs:

http://www.al-lighting.de/index.php?id=984

apparently this bulb isn’t in the chart to compare it’s effective service life on this following link: http://www.mvlc.info/tech/xenon_analysis.html

Ok, my search skillz are limited; if other NICOnauts have used this 1st-hand or have any other info about this (ie a coupon or something for me to buy them cheaper) please add to the discussion.

Thanks in advance!

Modified by ricebike at 4:06 PM 1/16/2006
Modified by ricebike at 4:10 PM 1/16/2006

[phleb]

Never used them but from checking out your links I might go pick up a pair. These look pretty good.

[szh]

Consumer Reports (of all places) had a recent comparison between the two and the GE Nighthawk came out on top.

Tempting to try a set on my wife's Acura ... might do it soon.

Z

[574-240sx]

Maybe I should try these next time. My silver stars seem to burnout every year or so.

[driverdriver]

I have silverstars in the J, Nighthawks on the Jeep and conventional factory bi-Xenons in the Acura.

The factory Xenons in the Acura are best.

The Nighthawks in my view are a bit better than the silverstars but not by much. All are infinitly better than conventional halogens. I live in a rural area with plenty of wildlife. Since switching to silverstars/nighthhawks I can see more and never have to switch on my high beams for night time driving on very dark roads.

[DriftingJesus]

EDIT BY Moderator: unnecessary images removed. Please stay on topic.

and as for the automotive type I vote for the Silverstars

Modified by DriftingJesus at 3:22 PM 1/16/2006

[StrangeLove]

You're a dumbass

Edit: I have no real input on this subject
Modified by pills at 2:05 AM 1/17/2006

[DriftingJesus]

why you being such a salty *****?

[Joe]

ok children

this was a decent discussion that was ON TOPIC. no more dragging threads into the gutter. thanks.

i loves me some hot scantaly clad women, but not when it is bringing a decent thread down into the toilet.

[phleb]

I couldn't find those headlight at the local wal-mart. Might have to try one in San Antonio. And to driftingjesus, I like the first ones better.

[NSR_s30]

Just get H.I.D's

[sensibleS13driver]

I had 1 silverstar die this winter. My friend had both die on his wrx. They suck. Not THAT nice, and inconsistent brightnesses.

[Joe]

you guys should try PIAA

their xtreme white plus' rule, very white light and they have a 1 year warranty.

[phleb]

Honestly the ones that I've seemed to like the most are the Cool blue ones, I think sylvania makes em. I put them in my moms crv and love them, nice and bright for the driver. And give off that nice blue look.

[ricebike]

DD, thanx for your input!

ya, I don't think Nighthawks are pure Xenon gas in the capsules... HIDs uses Xenon, but cost of that system over plug-n-play bulbs is not cost-efficient for me. maybe for other people who don't have to spend $ on more important things...

sensible,

thanks for your input on your 1st hand experience on the lifespan. What did the package of the silverstar's lifespan warranty say? I didn't get to read that... & they're site is too vague; it provides an 800 # instead...

to postwhores/off-topic discussions: I don't mind u guys- it's what makes NICO unique from the others... whore it up just don't go EMO in here... "bwahlalahamminadabbadabbadingdong" (Fall out boys)

PS: send deleted pics of this thread to ricebike @ iwon.com (my spam email) so I can see what i've missed!

[ricebike]

Honestly the ones that I've seemed to like the most are the Cool blue ones, I think sylvania makes em. I put them in my moms crv and love them, nice and bright for the driver. And give off that nice blue look.

I, don't care for blue look, unless they're actually a performance upgrade... I got sylvania's Xtra Vision series on my car since the Nighthawks don't have H6054 sealed beams yet... I did that replace 1-side-first-comprarison & yep they put out a wider beam of light & they're on my car for a couple o years now...

[skydragoness]

you guys should try PIAA

their xtreme white plus' rule, very white light and they have a 1 year warranty.

1-year warranty. Hahah. Of course, that's how long my PIAA Extreme's lasted then I moved on...

[ricebike]

I just went to wallyworld to get some diapers for kids...

stopped by & didn't see any warranty on the Silverstars on the box...

However, I saw a small section of Xenon capsules... XQ cyberwhite by Navigator

claims 98% Xenon gas inside (what's the other 2%- Nitrogen?)

Can't find any info on these suckers online (priced @ $16.83)

Nighthawks (~$27)Silverstars (too much $)