JRADTX

Hello-
For getting brighter low beams without that artificial blue-tint I've been looking at either
-- PIAA STARWHITE Halogen 9006 bulbs with color value of 3800K 51w=100w brightness
OR
-- KOITO WHITEBEAM Halogen 9006 bulbs with color value of 3770K 55w=100w brightness

Then I read a comment from "gp1200x" and started reading about these HIR (Halogen Infrared Reflecting) bulbs 9012 (replaces 9006 low beam) Write-up sound interesting - have any of you tried them?

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

HIR bulbs are the real deal. You'll get almost 2x more output (1850 lumens vs 1000 lumens) than regular halogen. Best part of all, its power consumption is no more than that of a regular halogen bulb.

With those higher power coated bulbs, they'll run a lot hotter (can cause housing to melt) and you'll most likely have to run upgraded wire harness. With the HIR, no need to upgrade. I believe all you have to do is modify the base just a bit, but nothing that takes a rocket scientist to do.

parula

I've been looking into Sylvania SilverStar which claims White light.
http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...ce/Silverstar/
FAQs here: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...skedQuestions/
no mention of overheating that I see.

Anyone with experience with these?

Fern

Hey Parula,

I replaced the stock bulbs on my RX last month with Sylv. Silverstar and altho I can't comment on durability, I can say they are 100% better than stock.

Keep in mind stock bulbs were still original on my 1999 RX tho...

Major improvement in visibility at night...

Kept the stock bulbs just in case one burns out (until I have the opportunity to replace with another sil. star.


There is a lot of hipe on the new Sylvania Silverstar Ultra which apparently last 30% longer than standard silverstars here's the link
http://www.sylvania.com/AboutUs/Pres...rStarUltra.htm

Cheers,

Fern

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I've had silverstar before. They only appear brighter because of the whiter color. Any bulb that has color coating on the outside while being based on regular halogen technology will not give any more output than a regular bulb.

parula

Fern, thks, I am going to get the Ultra for my high beams, have HID for lows.
Also need them for a couple other cars, I am really tired of that old halogen yellowish light.

Whatever will provide more visible lght works for me whatever the temp of the bulb and technology, if they have found a way to get more apparent light out of the bulb that's great!

amiricon

So these light bulbs http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sylva...spagenameZWDVW

will work on my RX300 without any modifications? Just take out the stock head lights and stick these in and screw them in? And it's THAT much better?

parula

make sure that is the right size, check the Sylvania consumer products site for a list of autos/bulb sizes. That starting bid is pretty GOOD, they are $44 at PepBoys yesterday with a sale/rebate til 12/23 I think of $15: net ~30 per pair.

amiricon

I haven't been able to find out which model works for a 2001 Lexus RX300. Anyone know which one would work for my car? I keep calling around and looking on their site but haven't found an answer yet.

parula

Sylvania bulb site: http://www.sylvania.com/ConsumerProd...lacementGuide/

amiricon

Okay, so the SU's are the best ones out? Better than the ST's and so on?

gp1200x

SStars do not put out the amount of light that the HIRs do...not even close.... For maximum light (and it is white light) without stressing wiring and without going to HIDs, use the HIR1 9011 (65watt high beam) and place it in both the high and low beam locations and the fogs too!. Simply modify the base tabs and this bulb will fit in all three locations (at least on a 99RX with 9005 and 9006 bulbs). I rarely get flashes even with the high beam in the low beam location since the reflector cuts out the top of the light beam. This setup gives me more light that the SStars ever did. But be careful trimming the tabs, you get one shot at it so it has to done correctly. Easy to do however. The 9011 HIR1s are usually on Ebay. Toshiba was the best brand but now others are making them. They have lasted longer than my SStars ever did!....about $25 each though! I have used these on six cars....no heating or melting problems yet... I also created direct wiring to the buls with the Summit kits....for about $40, so it has full intensity from the battery itself using the previous light sockets as the relay inputs. Works well but I have no DLRs ....keep them on if you want that still.

HIRs are around, reflect part of the light back inwards and heat the inside of the bulb to higher temperatures which gives it a whiter light. Heat remains inside the bulb and since it is only 65W, there is not enough wattage to melt anything even with standard wiring.

gp1200x

I used to have links to a cople of great sites for ordering bulbs, explanations etc. Lost most but here is start..
http://www.danielsternlighting.com/p.../products.html

One site rated all those OEM 9005/9006 bulbs,,,and rated the GE KnightHawks as producing more light than the SStars and about half their price. I tried both before using the HIRs and I did not see a noticeable difference between the SS and GE KnightHawks...however the GE seemed to have a much longer life. The original SS really SUCK for long life. If you use your lights a lot, expect 20K on a set!! That's what I averaged on those suckers....Sylvania set me a free set once when I complained about it...poor quality materials ...or they are made that way to boost their sales!!

ReLexin

if you want brighter headlight buy a HID kit.

turbo1

Thought I needed a wiring harness, but no. I used small clipping pliers and a file.
The Toshiba bulbs are virtually identical in every regard to the 9005 and 9006 bulbs EXCEPT for extremely minor differences in the shape of the mounting flanges. HIR bulbs have a double-wide top ear on the plastic bulb base to comply with a law that requires different bulbs to have different bases. This extra-wide plastic top ear can be easily trimmed or filed to make the HIR fit the bulb receptacle of an 9005 or 9006. Once the trimming/filing is done, the HIR goes directly into the headlamp and the existing sockets snap on.

A few minutes work with a file or Dremel tool will greatly enhance the usefulness of these bulbs with regard to those cars which might not, strictly speaking, have been designed with these exact bulbs in mind. In fact, it's amazing how simple and easy it is to remove a few square millimeters of soft plastic. You can even trim them with toenail clippers, (please take a series of small "bites" instead of a big chomp). Five minutes, tops, and then these bulbs will fit in any car that takes 9005 and 9006 bulbs. Owners of certain late-model US cars have reported minor problems, easily corrected, with the shape of the vehicle's light housings. The housings never need to be modified in any way, only the bulbs. Please email if you have any questions about specific fit and suitability factors.

http://www.hirheadlights.com/FAQs.htm
http://www.hirheadlights.com/index.htm
http://forums.s-series.org/viewtopic...2a83d271f29a8e