Sylvania Silverstars -- forget it

[Yousuf Khan]

The Sylvania SS are kind of a gimmick bulb. With
the blue tint they give the simulated HD look;
that tint robs some of the output, tho, so
they're built to burn more amps to make up for
the loss. Running hotter gives a shorter service
life.

Osram Silverstar's have a clear capsule, don't
simulate HD bulbs, last as long as a regular
halogen, and seem better than OEM for a lot of
folks. I've been able to get them on eBay,
shipped, for less than the Sylvania SS at the
local store.

So are you saying that Osram SSes are lower current than their Sylvania
SS siblings? Why would they name them the same thing with such basic
design differences?

Yousuf Khan

 

[CompUser]

So are you saying that Osram SSes are lower current than their Sylvania
SS siblings?

I am.

Presumably the Sylvanias are burning hotter/at
higher wattage to make up for starting out in the
hole (having to overcome the cheesey "wannabe-
HD" tint),compared to clear-capsule bulbs.

Why would they name them the same thing with
such basic
design differences?

Heck if I know. Anyone know any Osram/Sylvania
marketing types?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Heck if I know. Anyone know any Osram/Sylvania
marketing types?

Hi,

I don't know any marketing types, but they've got a FAQ at
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerPro...formance/Silverstar/FrequentlyAskedQuestions/
that might answer some questions.

BTW, a comment was made about the Silverstars using more current, thus
shortening their life. This appears to be incorrect: check the ratings
sections, and the voltage/current requirements are the same as several
other models. Life expectancy is probably more closely related to the
materials used.

Rick

 

[bigjim]

Try the osram silverstars. Not as bright as sylvania SS way better than
stock and have lasted well over 1.5 years and still working. Try
www.suvlighting.com

 

[nobody >]

Try that one again......

I'm running the Sylvania Silverstars on my OBW. When I bought them there
were a number of aftermarket bulbs on display. The Cool Blues were next
to the SilverStars as well as blisterpacked generic H1 bulbs. There was
no visible blue tint on the SSs, and having a known clear cheapie right
next to it was a good comparison.

As for the SSs...
I can't say that there was any huge difference as I'd just bought the
car and one side was burnt out when I bought it -- no previous
experience. I did have one burn out in three days tho.

Now it's my turn to admit to being "not so bright". The RH Silverstar
burnt out after less than 3 months use. I replaced it today and it DOES
have a blue tint. I looked at new ones at the store in passing and the
tint *is* very light. It gets darker after use.

That's the last of Silverstars for me (except the remaining LH bulb goes
in the junkbox as a road spare). The *first* LH bulb lasted all of 3
days. It wasn't my greasy fingers that killed it either; I spent years
repairing projectors - I *know* bulbs.

I'm now using the XtraVisions; will see how that pans out.

FWIW; someone else mentioned a different cutoff for the XVs. That's
highly unlikely unless the filament is mounted off the focal center. The
only way the cutoff points could change otherwise is to physically
change the reflectors built into the headlight housing.