Cheap Xenon
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 285
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From: Minnesota
They look great to me, havent noticed any difference, so far I'm very happy, guess we'll have to see how long they last before I can really determine if its worth the 15 bucks or not.. I would suggest getting them, but keep your old ones to replace the new ones when they burn out.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,472
Likes: 4
From: Ohio, USA
I put the SilverStars in my '96. I love them. The color temp is pretty nice, they look close in color to 4100K HID, although the light output is about the same as a non-tinted halogen. I'm not trying to fool anyone into thinking I'm running an actual arc-discharge system, but wanted the nicest halogens available (when I switch on my fogs or high beams I can really see how much whiter the SilverStars are.) Besides not losing light output, (like the Hipers I had for one day), they run on standard 55W (some Asian brands run on 85W to attempt to make up for heavy tint, another reason I ditched the Hipers). The SilverStars look especially nice through the projectors. I've seen them on reflector-type headlights (my friend put them on his Explorer after envying mine), and they don't appear quite as white when the beam isn't concentrated through a projector lens. Unfortunately, I don't think they make them yet in H7 (I think that's what the 97-01's use). I've heard good things about Eurolite, not sure if they make an H7. Be patient, Sylvania keeps rolling out new sizes of SilverStars, though.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,879
Likes: 4
From: Kaliforniastan
What I mean is that MOST aftermarket lights are TINTED and usually put out less ACTUAL LUMENS then a new set of Halogens. Also, Halogens degrade over time so if you have an original set of Halogens in your '93, if you put in brand new anythings, it will look brighter...but in reality, you are putting out LESS light than stock.
Also, brands like Koito (Toyota/Lexus OEM manufacturer), PIAA, Sylvania, Raybrig, Vestec, etc. are all HIGH QUALITY manufactureres. These "eurolite", Nokia, and other cheapie brands are just that...cheap. Made cheap to be sold cheap.
A good set of Halogens cost $50-$100 pair. If you can't afford that, then you can't really afford a Lexus. Seriously, Honda Civic owners buy $15 bulbs....
And don't believe that "Xenon" crap. Unless it has a Ballast and a HID bulb (NO FILAMENT in a HID BULB), it's just HALOGEN no matter what the packaging claims.
Also, brands like Koito (Toyota/Lexus OEM manufacturer), PIAA, Sylvania, Raybrig, Vestec, etc. are all HIGH QUALITY manufactureres. These "eurolite", Nokia, and other cheapie brands are just that...cheap. Made cheap to be sold cheap.
A good set of Halogens cost $50-$100 pair. If you can't afford that, then you can't really afford a Lexus. Seriously, Honda Civic owners buy $15 bulbs....
And don't believe that "Xenon" crap. Unless it has a Ballast and a HID bulb (NO FILAMENT in a HID BULB), it's just HALOGEN no matter what the packaging claims.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 928
Likes: 0
From: Florida
There is a HUGE difference between Fake Xenon wannabe cheap bulbs and real HID Gas Charged Xenon setups.
Fake Blubs:
The Blue tint on fake xenons filters out all but Blue light, so it actually makes it MUCH MUCH harder to see, especially in bad weather conditions. Because of the BLue tint, they get much hotter and burn out much faster than even regular halogens.
These fake blubs will also melt your wiring harness, because they use MUCH more power to operation.
HID System (Real Xenon)
Uses a Gas discharged blub with no coil. They Opperate at 35watts (as opposed to 65-100watt fakes). They use an igniter system to spark the gas. They Last about 3000 hours+ as opposed to 300hours. They burn more than 3 times brighter than fake bulbs and stock hals.
Fake Blubs:
The Blue tint on fake xenons filters out all but Blue light, so it actually makes it MUCH MUCH harder to see, especially in bad weather conditions. Because of the BLue tint, they get much hotter and burn out much faster than even regular halogens.
These fake blubs will also melt your wiring harness, because they use MUCH more power to operation.
HID System (Real Xenon)
Uses a Gas discharged blub with no coil. They Opperate at 35watts (as opposed to 65-100watt fakes). They use an igniter system to spark the gas. They Last about 3000 hours+ as opposed to 300hours. They burn more than 3 times brighter than fake bulbs and stock hals.
Last edited by 2Lexus430s; Jun 21, 2002 at 12:25 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 928
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Eurolite blubs WILL melt your harness!!! I had several sets of them on my 1996 GS300 and I had to replace the harness about 4 times per side...
They might work ok for a while, but after about a month or 2 they will start to burn your plug up and go on and off.
Save the money and get the real $400 kit, OR
GET THE CATZ ZITA kit.. its the poor mans HID kit...
It uses ballasts to increase the power on the lights, but does it safely.
They might work ok for a while, but after about a month or 2 they will start to burn your plug up and go on and off.
Save the money and get the real $400 kit, OR
GET THE CATZ ZITA kit.. its the poor mans HID kit...
It uses ballasts to increase the power on the lights, but does it safely.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 928
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From: Florida
Originally posted by blux
They look great to me, havent noticed any difference, so far I'm very happy, guess we'll have to see how long they last before I can really determine if its worth the 15 bucks or not.. I would suggest getting them, but keep your old ones to replace the new ones when they burn out.
They look great to me, havent noticed any difference, so far I'm very happy, guess we'll have to see how long they last before I can really determine if its worth the 15 bucks or not.. I would suggest getting them, but keep your old ones to replace the new ones when they burn out.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
oh well, I'm only keepin em for a while, theres no way I'm spending 400 to get brighter bulbs, I dont care that much, I just wanted a different color. I bet you soon there will be HID upgrade kits for under $100 within the next couple of years. Might as well wait.
* (about this light socket thing, you think they would warn you about this when you bought the bulbss...theres going to be a hell of a lot of people replacing there sockets )
* (about this light socket thing, you think they would warn you about this when you bought the bulbss...theres going to be a hell of a lot of people replacing there sockets )
Last edited by blux; Jun 21, 2002 at 05:36 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,724
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
Make sure you do not touch those bulbs. I did by accident and the bulbs burned out in about two months. the next pair I put in have been fine and I have not had any problems with them. Buy them from the ricers and you'll get a better deal.
Originally posted by blux
* (about this light socket thing, you think they would warn you about this when you bought the bulbss...theres going to be a hell of a lot of people replacing there sockets )
* (about this light socket thing, you think they would warn you about this when you bought the bulbss...theres going to be a hell of a lot of people replacing there sockets )
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 928
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Isn't your headlight mod just as important as say a Tire Mod?
YOu get a HID kit to drastically improve night time driving, Bad weather driving, and improves the look of the car, and does it safely.
You get Better Tires to improve Traction, stopping, going.
Its alot better to spend $400.00 on lights that will help you in several way rather than spend $400.00 on Altezzas, or Aftermarket Speakers, or other stuff like that. That stuff only replaces functional components.
YOu get a HID kit to drastically improve night time driving, Bad weather driving, and improves the look of the car, and does it safely.
You get Better Tires to improve Traction, stopping, going.
Its alot better to spend $400.00 on lights that will help you in several way rather than spend $400.00 on Altezzas, or Aftermarket Speakers, or other stuff like that. That stuff only replaces functional components.