HID Alternative - Silverstar zXe
09-23-2014, 04:56 PM
#41
Senior Member
I haven't been on the forum for a while due to workload so apologize off the bat.
I don't have the funds right now to go through a good HID upgrade and wanted to provide some feedback on a potential alternative.
Just two weeks ago I purchased a pair of the Sylvania Silverstar zXe headlight bulb replacements after one of my Recon headlight replacements burned out in 9 months. I felt the test would be worth it since I was heading out on a long drive to Phoenix and would have a great test in both city and dark highway driving.
My first impression t night, quite frankly, blew me away. We all now the stock headlight bulbs $uck. The Recon replacements were a little better but provided very little satisfaction and were barely better than stock.
I have to admit the first impression the night before leaving of the zXe's BLEW ME AWAY. WAY BETTER downrange vision and pretty darn good side lighting as well. While I'd really like to have a high quality set of HIDs, these zXe's will definitely suffice in the meantime.
The road was lit up quite nicely and everything from road striping to signs, to general lighting far exceeded my expectations. Downfield lighting was at least a 1/4 mile if not more and the lane striping looked like an airfield runway.
I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE ZXE BULBS FROM SYLVANIA. They definitely were what I was looking for as an interim solution, or even a long term solution if you don't want to spend the bucks for high quality projector HIDs.
I highly recommend these bulbs for anyone else out there that can't afford the HID upgrade for the time being and desires much better performance from their headlights.
I'd love to hear from anyone else having experience with these headlight buld replacements.
I don't have the funds right now to go through a good HID upgrade and wanted to provide some feedback on a potential alternative.
Just two weeks ago I purchased a pair of the Sylvania Silverstar zXe headlight bulb replacements after one of my Recon headlight replacements burned out in 9 months. I felt the test would be worth it since I was heading out on a long drive to Phoenix and would have a great test in both city and dark highway driving.
My first impression t night, quite frankly, blew me away. We all now the stock headlight bulbs $uck. The Recon replacements were a little better but provided very little satisfaction and were barely better than stock.
I have to admit the first impression the night before leaving of the zXe's BLEW ME AWAY. WAY BETTER downrange vision and pretty darn good side lighting as well. While I'd really like to have a high quality set of HIDs, these zXe's will definitely suffice in the meantime.
The road was lit up quite nicely and everything from road striping to signs, to general lighting far exceeded my expectations. Downfield lighting was at least a 1/4 mile if not more and the lane striping looked like an airfield runway.
I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE ZXE BULBS FROM SYLVANIA. They definitely were what I was looking for as an interim solution, or even a long term solution if you don't want to spend the bucks for high quality projector HIDs.
I highly recommend these bulbs for anyone else out there that can't afford the HID upgrade for the time being and desires much better performance from their headlights.
I'd love to hear from anyone else having experience with these headlight buld replacements.
09-23-2014, 05:20 PM
#42
Senior Member
I've had the zXe's in my 11' for over a year now still as bright as the day I bought them. Wish they made the fog light the same to match the color but the yellow works fantastic off-road and in bad weather. Recommend these to anyone looking for new lights.
09-23-2014, 06:40 PM
#43
Super Moderator
I had ZXE's. Bought them off a member here used, and I loved them. Pure white light, and it seemed to be bright! I even bought a brand new pair after one went, so I got to see first hand on how bright these bulbs are brand new, zero hours of use.
...Until I did some research. I found out that they aren't the greatest of bulbs. They'll put out a white light, yes. But visibility, they kind of suck. I found out that people said Philips Xtreme vision bulbs had good visibility. I went online to get a set myself to see if they were true. I payed about $20 for a brand new pair, and I am surprised. They don't have as white of a light, but they sure do have a longer and better visibility range. That brand new set of ZXE bulbs I bought? Yeah, I sold it after owing it 10 days. Think I sold it for about $25 or $30 shipped.
I wouldn't suggest ZXE's. You'll be wasting your money and time. Get a set of Philips Xtreme visions that are cheaper, last longer, and let you see better. Search it up, you'll see my point.
By the by, I don't know about any of y'all, but I received an email a bit ago. Someone is pulling a class action suit against Sylvania for misrepresentation of their automotive bulb's longevity and visibility. After seeing the comparison for myself, I can easily see why.
...Until I did some research. I found out that they aren't the greatest of bulbs. They'll put out a white light, yes. But visibility, they kind of suck. I found out that people said Philips Xtreme vision bulbs had good visibility. I went online to get a set myself to see if they were true. I payed about $20 for a brand new pair, and I am surprised. They don't have as white of a light, but they sure do have a longer and better visibility range. That brand new set of ZXE bulbs I bought? Yeah, I sold it after owing it 10 days. Think I sold it for about $25 or $30 shipped.
I wouldn't suggest ZXE's. You'll be wasting your money and time. Get a set of Philips Xtreme visions that are cheaper, last longer, and let you see better. Search it up, you'll see my point.
By the by, I don't know about any of y'all, but I received an email a bit ago. Someone is pulling a class action suit against Sylvania for misrepresentation of their automotive bulb's longevity and visibility. After seeing the comparison for myself, I can easily see why.
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twotoilets (09-24-2014)
09-23-2014, 08:08 PM
#44
Senior Member
ya its just like the halogen bulbs you put in the lights on your house. finger oils will heat up and burn a very fine hole in the glass and there goes the bulb. the bulb maker don't tell you this because thay want you to touch them and be back in a year to buy new ones (product turn over)
to the OP nice find and thanks!
to the OP nice find and thanks!
09-24-2014, 02:38 AM
#46
Senior Member
I've had my Silverstar Ultras in my truck since I bought it. I've had the same bulb in for almost 3 years with daily sometimes twice daily use. I bought a replacement set over a year ago expecting the ones I have to fail but they haven't. My only complaint is that the color level (I think thats what its called) is a tad bit too bright. They seem to project light far but doesn't have much useable light like the regular Silverstars since they run a more yellow color.
Now you guys have me interested in trying this new bulb but still have to wait for this set and the replacement set to go.
Now you guys have me interested in trying this new bulb but still have to wait for this set and the replacement set to go.