has anyone done a comparison between the sylvania Xtravision bulbs and the Silverstar bulbs? The first claims to be 30% brighter while the second claims to be 20% brighter than most halogens. Any input?

Good question. Maybe you could email Sylvania and find out since their website isn't very clear as to which is brighter. It would seem by the way the describe the Silverstars (which I have on one of my SE-Rs) that they are just one step below true HIDs whereas you are correct that they describe the Xtravision as being 10% brighter as compared to the Silverstars' 20% over other halogens.

If you go purely on packaging (bad way to decide) then the Silverstars would be the better product.

I do like the Silverstars in my Tsuru headlights.

were the silverstar bulbs a significant improvement over the stock bulbs?

Another question I have is about their performance in the rain. We get a lot of it here in Washington, and blue lights just don't cut it at night in the rain. Are the silverstar bulbs really blue or are they still yellow enough for a rainy night?

This is an email I received from Sylvania:

The SilverStar and the Xtra Vision give you the same amount of light.
The SilverStar will give you a white light as opposed to the yellowish
type of light the Xtra Vision gives.

Thank You,

Drew Carter
OSRAM SYLVANIA

Originally posted by purist
were the silverstar bulbs a significant improvement over the stock bulbs?

I thought they were. I have had a number of bulbs in my car including Piaa, Cool Blue, and Nokya. The Silverstars were as bright or brighter than the Piaa for less than half the cost. They are definately brighter than stock bulbs.

Originally posted by purist
We get a lot of it here in Washington, and blue lights just don't cut it at night in the rain. Are the silverstar bulbs really blue or are they still yellow enough for a rainy night?

The Silverstars do not show blue like all those other "HID" looking bulbs. They are bright white with no hint of blue or yellow (at least not that I can see). It work quite well in the rain as I too drive in quite a bit of rain on a yearly basis.

Originally posted by purist
This is an email I received from Sylvania

Thanks for the update Purist. I personally like my headlights as pure white as possible so for the time being, I'll be sticking with the Silverstars.

well I put in the xtravision bulbs today. they have made a nice improvement as well. I suppose the difference between the two is merely color. The only drawback to mine is that they wont match in color to the sylvania HID foglights (hopin' to get those on the car someday soon), whereas the silverstars make a better match.

HID Foglights from Sylvania? Where did you find a listing for those?

I'm in the process of finding matching Hella fog/driving lights to match my Tsuru headlights.

http://www.sylvania.com/xenarc/x1010.htm

try that out. or just go to www.sylvania.com and follow the relevant links to it. they installed 'em on the project civic hatchback in SCC mag. They looked pretty good to me. They are about 400 bones too. Not a bad price. 5400k

:D Where is the best place to purchase the Silverstart bulbs?

Originally posted by purist
http://www.sylvania.com/xenarc/x1010.htm
They are about 400 bones too. Not a bad price. 5400k

I guess it is a good price for HIDs. Too rich for my blood though. I think I'll stick with Hella driving lights since all I do is drive around this damn island.

Originally posted by SERfanatic
:D Where is the best place to purchase the Silverstart bulbs?
Got my pair from the local Checkers.

I got mine from autozone.

I know, I know, this is an old thread.

I was just looking through the archives for information on bulb upgrades and came across this. How many of you out there have tried the xtravision and the silverstars? I know they have the same brightness, but I'm also looking to see which would be the best for the rainy, wet black nights and black roads... rainy season is moving closer.

I like the info I've found on the Silverstars, but not much on what the huge difference is between them and the xtravisions, other than price. The xtravision supposedly has a yellower light, which makes it better for those nasty nights... I think.

If not, I'll just get the Silverstars.

Peace Out,
Mark

I gotta' put my vote in for the xtravision. I haven't tried both but my buddy has the silverstars in his new H2 and they aren't as bright as my xtravisions. They are whiter though.

We get a ton of rain here in Seattle and I wouldn't go with anything other than a regular yellow bulb for the wet roads.

I don't know if this is the case for all xtravision/silverstar bulbs but my xtravisions only last 1 year. If that is the avg life span of both bulb types then that may help your decision.

Well, we don't have quite the same rain as y'all do in Seattle... but are summer thunderstorms can make Noah blush.

Basically, these would be best served for the night drives, through the rain on back country roads. The OEM lights just don't cut it. The xtravisions are 1/2 the price as the Silverstars, so even if they only last for a year, they've got to be better than the stock lights. Then, if I don't like them, I'll get the Silverstars after the xtra's burn out.

Thanks, Purist. This was an old thread, funny how you were the first one to answer my question;).

Peace Out,
Mark