anybody have any exprerience upgrading these (or similiar)?

they are OK... but i'd really like something brighter with more projection.

i don't really want to do an HID, but if anybody can recommend a solid non-HID bulb, i'd appreciate it.

PIAA makes a replacement superwhite bulb that should fit your needs.

However if you would rather do this on a budget there are a few other options.

GE Night Hawks ( $15.00 - $20.00 each) Brighter than a stock halogen but not as white as a Silverstar.

Sylvania Silverstars ($25.00-$35.00 each) Very bright clean white light, not quite HID bright but nice.

Both are much brighter than a stock halogen because they are a hotter bulb. It is because of this they tend to have a shorter life span.

There are a few others but stay away from colored bulbs, as most of them are for off-road use only. The SilverStar have a light blue tint to the glass which is legal for street use because the blue tint acts like a filter to remove the yellow spectrum of light that makes most halogens appear dull and well....yellow.