SilverStar Ultra
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Boston
2006 C280 4Matic
SilverStar Ultra
Anyone tried the new SilverStar Ultra bulbs? They're supposedly 20% brighter and whiter than the regular SilverStar bulbs (Sylvania says they're the best on the market, of course).
Anyway, for a non-HID guy like myself, I'm looking for the brightest halogen out there and this seems to be it.
BTW...they may be new to the market since I can't find them for sale anywhere.
Anyway, for a non-HID guy like myself, I'm looking for the brightest halogen out there and this seems to be it.
BTW...they may be new to the market since I can't find them for sale anywhere.
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Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 70
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From: Boston
2006 C280 4Matic
Will do.
I'd rather have HID, though. But I don't have the time to upgrade my light housings to projectors (don't have the $$ either!).
I've come "this close" to purchasing an HID kit to install in my reflector housings but I thought twice. I'm afraid that the beam pattern will be all wrong.
I'd rather have HID, though. But I don't have the time to upgrade my light housings to projectors (don't have the $$ either!).
I've come "this close" to purchasing an HID kit to install in my reflector housings but I thought twice. I'm afraid that the beam pattern will be all wrong.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
Some people claim to sell Silverstar Ultra Headlamps lamps on Ebay, but I have never seen them. There are Silverstar Ultra fog lights. No. 9006ST
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 pretty much limits H7 headlamps lamps to 65 watts.
There are people selling Silverstar lamps cheap on Ebay, usually from the far east. These lamps are branded Osram, and do not have the blue interference coating seen on the US market "Sylvania Silverstar" lamps. The US part number is H7ST. US spec lamps have a color temp. of 4000 K, close to standard HID lamp color temp. of 4300 K. The European spec lamps (64210SVS) have a color temp of 3000 K, closer to standard halogen lamps.
H3 and H4 lamp bases can be fitted with 100W lamps (off road only), but I have not seen a lamp for H7 base (PX26d) that is larger than 65 W in a 12 volt lamp. 24 volt truck lamps are 70 W.
Anakin14, you are smart to resist the urge to buy HID "adapters" for your H7 housings. They all have terrible beam patterns, and throw less light on the road. That is determined by measurement with a photometer, not the subjective opinion of people who have eyeballed a pair.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 pretty much limits H7 headlamps lamps to 65 watts.
There are people selling Silverstar lamps cheap on Ebay, usually from the far east. These lamps are branded Osram, and do not have the blue interference coating seen on the US market "Sylvania Silverstar" lamps. The US part number is H7ST. US spec lamps have a color temp. of 4000 K, close to standard HID lamp color temp. of 4300 K. The European spec lamps (64210SVS) have a color temp of 3000 K, closer to standard halogen lamps.
H3 and H4 lamp bases can be fitted with 100W lamps (off road only), but I have not seen a lamp for H7 base (PX26d) that is larger than 65 W in a 12 volt lamp. 24 volt truck lamps are 70 W.
Anakin14, you are smart to resist the urge to buy HID "adapters" for your H7 housings. They all have terrible beam patterns, and throw less light on the road. That is determined by measurement with a photometer, not the subjective opinion of people who have eyeballed a pair.
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
I'm using phillips diamond vision 5000k bulbs. they seem to be what I am looking for.
another cheaper $20 offer is Street Glow's H7s, they run about 4000-4500k and they are pretty bright.
another cheaper $20 offer is Street Glow's H7s, they run about 4000-4500k and they are pretty bright.
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Edmonds... good bye SD
i have the basic silverstars (were new to market last year) and i find them to be obnoxiously bright when my g'friend is driving behind me. I LOVE THEM!...
but if they have a new version 20% better... looks like i will have to get Ultras for my low beams, and move the silverstars to my high beams.
ALSO... i noticed after i lowered the car, my beam pattern did not shine far enough ahead, so i raised it, to a higher level.. higer than the stock level... and that 2 minute adjustment improved my visibility and sight 200%. that black line only 40 feet ahead is now a 100+feet ahead. its a MUST DO! (just dont go too high [on the left] towhere your blinding oncomming traffic.
but if they have a new version 20% better... looks like i will have to get Ultras for my low beams, and move the silverstars to my high beams.
ALSO... i noticed after i lowered the car, my beam pattern did not shine far enough ahead, so i raised it, to a higher level.. higer than the stock level... and that 2 minute adjustment improved my visibility and sight 200%. that black line only 40 feet ahead is now a 100+feet ahead. its a MUST DO! (just dont go too high [on the left] towhere your blinding oncomming traffic.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Boston
2006 C280 4Matic
I've been emailing Bruce at Brightheadlights.com and he tells me that he'll be getting in some H7 SilverStar Ultra bulbs and the new Philips Super Whites in the next few weeks. According to him, the Philips are even brighter/whiter/longer lasting than the SilverStar Ultras.
I know that no halogen bulb will ever compete with HID, but I would like to equip my Benz with the best possible halogens out there.
Check these bulbs out...Philips has these new tricolor bulbs - NightGuide. Weird, I don't think I'll be buying them. http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/...nightguide.php
I know that no halogen bulb will ever compete with HID, but I would like to equip my Benz with the best possible halogens out there.
Check these bulbs out...Philips has these new tricolor bulbs - NightGuide. Weird, I don't think I'll be buying them. http://www.nam.lighting.philips.com/...nightguide.php
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: SF East Bay
"Double Stuff" SOLD | Nor*Cals "Pesky Audi"
NEVER GET STREET GLOW!!!! I've had multiple pairs [on purchased, 2 replaced by factory warranty. burned out inside 6mo and DIDNT have DRL]. The worst lights ever. Granted they give off a cool white, but for the length of life, not even close to being worth it or the hassle to get a replacement from the factory
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 490
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From: Canada
05 CLK 500 cab
I'm using Silverstars (bought in the UK) in my high beams. They are brighter, but they'll likely burn out quicker than regular bulbs. There's no free lunch in the lighting world. They don't give any real benefit on low beam, where the forward illumination is limited by the beam pattern.
