[lcarocha]

The low beam on one of my PIAAs bulbs went off yesterday. I checked the bulb and the filaments throughly and found nothing bad with them (both high beam and low beam filaments are complete and making contact were they are supposed to), the gas is there because the high beam would light and bla bla bla.

I already mailed PIAA and told them all this althought I guess I will receive an answer saying that their warranty does not cover bulbs (at over USD 75 a pair it should even cover acts of God).

Problem is, I want to get some bulbs that light as good as the PIAA's (since 85% of the roads here have no light) without the blueish ricer color and without having to shove out another USD $80 for a pair of bulbs that would last only 2 years.

If you think a bulb that last only 2 years is good, think again, I have a pair of Hellas that work as DRLs, they see the triple the use I gave to the PIAAs and they are still working fine.

I've read here and in other forums that Silverstars are just as good and are cheaper, but I'd like to hear your opinions on the subject, mostly from previous PIAA owners who changed brands.

Sorry for the testament and thanks.

 

[Toysrme]

Silverstars > PIAA's. 1/2 the cost and the same light output.
European Silverstars are 10-15% brighter than US spec ones also if you can find them making them the brightest halogen bulb you'll find at a stock wattage.

 

[ToyotaMan1281]

I have silverstars they work great. better then the stockers.

 

[CamNub]

I remember reading a long long time ago (like when i first joined) that PIAA's are great but they have no life. They'll burn out in like 1/2 a year - 1 year.

 

[mistamatrix]

Silverstars don't last long either. I got 10mths out of the pair I put in my lowbeams. :thumbdown

 

[Toysrme]

^ still have a pair that were low beams for 5 months driving overnight, and still are my highbeams.

The problem with lights is that noone is smart enough to clean them with rubbing alchohol right before they go in the housing. No complaints over lifespan here.

 

[jhbhatia]

PIAA's have great output. My silverstars (KNOCK ON WOOD) are on their 2nd year already. i don't leave my low beans on during the day and i don't have drl's so that pretty much saves the usage on them. PIAA are great, but the they don't last long. Silverstarts are great cus they last longer than PIAA's, but a few have had diminished lives. I loved PIAA before, but i'd take silverstars (or even slyvania coolblues') over PIAA due to pricing anyday!

 

[lcarocha]

Yeap, PIAAs are USD 80 a pair and I've seen Silverstars for as low as USD 40 per pair so I guess that 2 sets of Silverstars would obviously outlive any single set of PIAAs

I wonder what the marketing people over at PIAA are thinking about, it would look like they havent studied their competition in awhile. They are loosing customers BIG TIME since this isn't the first forum where I've seen people choose Silverstars over PIAA based strictly on a pricing decision since they work and last almost exactly the same.

 

[87Camry5Speed]

My '87 Camry's Silverstars live on in my sister's '92 Escort (both take 9004's)

One of the bulbs is a year old, the other is two, and both burn equally brightly. Lifespan is not as big a problem with Silverstars as it is made out to be. Whoever busted out the rubbing alcohol idea was right- you want those puppies good and clean going in! Remember never to touch the glass part of the bulb- the oils from your skin get on there and (I think this is somewhat right) the light won't diffuse properly, causing the bulb to overheat.

Steve

 

[lcarocha]

Yeap.... I never handle any halogen bulb by the glass tube but by the metal base. Alcohol is a must, just in cas.

 

[ryuji16]

2 yrs on my silverstars with moderate usage. used the alcohol, still shine as bright as the first day i got them. i wish my headlights would adjust correctly though, so the beam would be even. silverstars deserve a big :thumbup: