My bulb recently burnt out and was looking for the regular Silverstar bulb that I had in it before and found something new that caught my eye called Silverstar ULTRA("For ultra night vision"). When I got home I installed it right away and went for a drive at night. I must say, it does what it's advertising. The regular Silverstar one says 30% better lighting over a regular bulb, and the ULTRA is 10-20% better over the regular Silverstar bulb. I definitely saw a difference, and it looks to have a wider and have more distance range, very nice on dark roads, and the same wattage as my old one(60/55W).
Very much worth the extra $10 bucks over the regular Silverstar bulb. I paid $30.
If somebody wants, I can take some pics to compare lighting in low beams but not in high beam since that's what went out(I ride with my high beams on mostly, even in the day sometimes). I think this bulb really shows it's stuff when it's on high beams though.
Here's a pic of the packaging and my old bulb on the left. The new ULTRA bulb has a gold tip instead of a silver tip like you see on my old one:
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/defthopeswell/DSC01173.jpg)
of course we want pics!!
Alright I'll wait till it get dark and take some.
is the entire length of that bulb tinted blue?
I put two of these high beams on my old Buick and the difference is astounding. Def gonna get one for the GS.
Quote from: galahs on November 10, 2009, 06:07:49 PM
is the entire length of that bulb tinted blue?
Yes it is, but it doesn't look blue when it's on, maybe slightly if you look in detail.
Low beam on regular Silverstar bulb:
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/defthopeswell/DSC01183.jpg)
Low beam on Silverstar Ultra bulb:
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/defthopeswell/DSC01181.jpg)
Like I said my high beams is the one that burnt out so I couldn't compare, but that where I think made the difference between the two. I could definitely notice a difference on seeing each side of the side walk and more distance between the two. Like it says on the regular Silverstar packaging: 30-35% over a regular bulb, and for the Sillverstar ULTRA: 40-50% over a regular bulb. That's a 10-20% difference over the regular Silverstar.
yea well wed be able to see that if you would post some pics already! :thumb:
ok you posted the pics literaly 2 seconds before i said that post ^
we need the exif on the photos to make sure the same settings applied on both pictures. If one is even slightly more exposed than the other, then the comparison is moot.
....unless it's tagged to the photo and Chrome doesn't pick up exif data....
I did move the bike to the middle of the street to try to get some real life shots, but failed Then I tried putting it back to the same spot it was in my driveway, but I kinda forget where the bike was, so I'll take some new ones. Sorry guys, please be patient, I have to go switch out bulbs.
tinting all the bulb blue usually reduces light output, but makes it appear whiter.
I use Philips Xtreme Power. They supposedly make 80% more light than Philips standard bulb and are again at the same wattage (50/55W)
Osram also has a 90% globe but I forget its name atm.
(http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/883/h420xtreme.jpg) (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/h420xtreme.jpg/)
Ibrought out my tripod to keep the camera in the same spot for both shots, and left the handle bars in the same spot when switching bulbs and aken both pics.
Silverstar bulb(Low beam):
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/defthopeswell/DSC01190.jpg)
Silverstar ULTRA bulb(Low beam):
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/defthopeswell/DSC01193.jpg)
Quote from: galahs on November 10, 2009, 09:20:01 PM
tinting all the bulb blue usually reduces light output, but makes it appear whiter.
I use Philips Xtreme Power. They supposedly make 80% more light than Philips standard bulb and are again at the same wattage (50/55W)
Osram also has a 90% globe but I forget its name atm.
(http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/883/h420xtreme.jpg) (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/h420xtreme.jpg/)
Next time I'll try the Phillip ones or spend $250 for the HID kit, but for now I'm happy with what I got :thumb:
+1 for the Phillip Extereme........a huge improvement
IMO the ULTRA actually looks dimmer and LESS white that the regular.
Quote from: gregvhen on November 10, 2009, 10:35:52 PM
IMO the ULTRA actually looks dimmer and LESS white that the regular.
The top pic is the regular Silverstar and the bottom pic is the ULTRA.
Yeah they look pretty much exactly the same :dunno_white:
When I got my philips xtreme bulbs I tried to photograph the difference in light output but it just didn't show up.
But there definitely was a huge improvement.
As I do alot of night riding, I rate it as the 2nd best upgrade I have done behind upgrading the front springs.
HID is where it's at.
I've been rocking HID's on my R6 bikes for 4 years now... well worth the investment.
It might not be the biggest difference but from what I see in the pic is it covers a little for surface, not alot, it's whiter, and there's a little more lighting on the sides and top.
In Low beams, a 10% difference over the Silverstar and 20% difference in high beams. Like I said, I think this bulb shows it's stuff in high beams which I use all the time.
Sorry can't compare high beam settings because that's the one that burnt out.
I don't think it was in my head, I ride this bike all the time at night. I was definetily seeing more on the sides and top instead of just the street. It actually made me look up because I was seeing trees I haven't seen before at night, lol.
Quote from: GSrookie500 on November 11, 2009, 11:49:24 AM
Like I said, I think this bulb shows it's stuff in high beams which I use all the time.
Sorry can't compare high beam settings because that's the one that burnt out.
That makes no sense :cookoo:
Sure it does... when using the Ultra bulbs, the high beam shows the most "positive change". Since his old bulb's high beam filament burned out, he can't show a comparison to his claim.
Still... at $30 a pop, I'd rather spent $40-$60 on an HID kit that lasts up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb. For twice the price, you get 10 times the length of use and MUCH more light output.
Quote from: GSrookie500 on November 10, 2009, 08:50:03 PM
Low beam on regular Silverstar bulb:
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/defthopeswell/DSC01183.jpg)
Low beam on Silverstar Ultra bulb:
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/defthopeswell/DSC01181.jpg)
Like I said my high beams is the one that burnt out so I couldn't compare, but that where I think made the difference between the two. I could definitely notice a difference on seeing each side of the side walk and more distance between the two. Like it says on the regular Silverstar packaging: 30-35% over a regular bulb, and for the Sillverstar ULTRA: 40-50% over a regular bulb. That's a 10-20% difference over the regular Silverstar.
a real first hand account of something that works well- with pictures that aren't shaky, over/under exposed, and aligned similarly. wow.
this, with only 106 posts here on gstwins. great !
THANK YOU
Quote from: annguyen1981 on November 11, 2009, 05:07:25 PM
Sure it does... when using the Ultra bulbs, the high beam shows the most "positive change". Since his old bulb's high beam filament burned out, he can't show a comparison to his claim.
Still... at $30 a pop, I'd rather spent $40-$60 on an HID kit that lasts up to 10 times longer than a standard bulb. For twice the price, you get 10 times the length of use and MUCH more light output.
From what I read on here, the HID kit are $250.
ive seen some kits for 50-70
Quote from: gregvhen on November 11, 2009, 07:36:37 PM
ive seen some kits for 50-70
If you seen that, please post a link. I think ALOT of ppl are interested in HID's here, including myself.
Any H4 kit would work.
Here's an auction for TWO ballast and TWO bulbs. Therefore, you can split it between two GS members with the F model.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Slim-Xenon-Kit-H4-3K-HB2-HB1-HB4-9145-H7-6K-8000K_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4a9c2e2a6eQQitemZ320447851118QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Keep in mind, the H4 bulb is normally a hi/lo bulb. The H4 bulb in that auction is only the low beam. But with the light output increase, you don't really need the hi beam.
There ARE H4 HID bulbs with both hi and lo functions... they just cost a little more.
GET THIS ONE INSTEAD!!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HID-H4-6000K-Xenon-Conversion-Kit-Eclipse-00-03-04-05_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a467e094QQitemZ230391537812QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
This kit includes the same TWO ballast and TWO bulbs. The H4 bulbs in this auction ARE hi/lo. and it's only $46 shipped!
:cheers:
That's $23 per bike. About the same price as Sylvania's regular bulbs... and cheaper than the Ultra bulbs
if you guys are going HID keep it in the 3200-5100k range (Daylight). Dont fall into the the trap that 1200000000k is brighter. That means more blue.
blue is harder on the eyeswhen it comes to night vision... and puts out less lumens so you actally get a crappier output.
But hey, everyone is a ricer at heart and don't realize the blue you see on BMW/Audi/higher end cars actually comes from the light being refracted over a cutoff shield in a projector housing. The light output is still white.
Quote from: psyber_0ptix on November 12, 2009, 06:23:53 AM
if you guys are going HID keep it in the 3200-5100k range (Daylight). Dont fall into the the trap that 1200000000k is brighter. That means more blue.
blue is harder on the eyeswhen it comes to night vision... and puts out less lumens so you actally get a crappier output.
But hey, everyone is a ricer at heart and don't realize the blue you see on BMW/Audi/higher end cars actually comes from the light being refracted over a cutoff shield in a projector housing. The light output is still white.
3000k is the bright yellow. It's designed for bad weather situations. I've used 3000K on my two R6's and it's awesome.
6000K is where the last "white" is... 8000K has a SLIGHT blue tint to it.
But you're right about the light output. The higher the K, the lower the lumens.
WOW That's awesome.
WAIT!!!!
I was assuming that you had the FAIRED version... I don't know what bulb you need if it's a naked version!!!!
That's the one, just a H4 bulb for naked GS's
Ok. cool. I just thought of that AFTER you saw those auctions. I didn't wanna be responsible for you buying the wrong bulb. lol
So did you buy one of those yet?
I installed one of these last night to replace a Phillips H4.
I guess it is brighter...maybe...if I turn my head the right way...or perhaps if I was in a mine shaft?
:dunno_white:
Looked about the same to me.
Xealot... are you talking about the Sylvania? I do believe the "better" perception is just that... a perception. I think it's the way the filaments are slightly moved that gives the light beam a more "spread" look, but the light OUTPUT (lumens) is still the same.
That's why HID is the way to go if you want more lumens output. The only thing is that the bulbs DO change the light beam... so they MIGHT blind on-coming drivers. It all depends on the brand kit and what housing you put it in.
Quote from: annguyen1981 on November 14, 2009, 09:21:42 AM
Xealot... are you talking about the Sylvania? I do believe the "better" perception is just that... a perception. I think it's the way the filaments are slightly moved that gives the light beam a more "spread" look, but the light OUTPUT (lumens) is still the same.
Yeah, I installed a Sylvania ULTRA while troubleshooting my bright light issue.
I want to put about 10,000 miles on this bike and then sell it stock to someone else learning to ride. Don't really want to invest too much money in it (HID, LCD, etc.). Hell, I rarely ride at night and wouldn't really care that the bright doesn't work except I have a DMV motorcycle safety inspection coming up in a few months.
I agree with annguyen. Just save your money for an HID kit. I made a thread a while back on my Dominator headlights with a single HID kit.
I was going to make a shield to reduce glare but I am a lot more visible with a bit of glare and it has saved me a few times when cars tried turning in front of me.
Also, on the freeway when lane sharing, it makes me more visible and cars move out of the motorcycle line when they see me coming. This hardly ever happened before.
The light is a lot smaller than the stock 7" so the glare is minimal.
I bought my single kit for about $40 a couple years ago.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v120/katfish/GS500/HIDandLEDGauges.jpg)
Yeah I guess now since I seen the HID kits on ebay, I wish I waited, but oh well I need a bulb fast and I just decided to try something new while I was at the auto parts store. I'll go to HID's when this bulb burns out or when I have some more money.
Although, I have noticed more cars are flashing me on the street when they're coming towards me. I used to get that once in awhile with the old bulb.
Wow... that was a dumb question on my part.... I didn't realize YOU were the OP of this thread. lol Of course, you're not gonna go buy an HID kit right after you buy those bulbs. lol
It's all good. Now I know what to look for next time.