Alright, there have been a lot of headlight bulb threads on silverstars, PIAAs, Nokyas, umnitza etc. I'm looking to pretty much get a final say in what is "the best" of them or others.

I've looked at colors of bulbs, and like the whiter color rather than blue or purple, but my main priority would probably be something affordable. I mean, if PIAAs are the best, I suppose I'll shell out the $70 to get them, but if Nokyas will work just as well and last longer, I'd much rather pay $20 for em on ebay. I'm also looking for long bulb life and have read that the PIAAs die after a few months.

If you have purchased a bulb not listed here, please post a link to it and post price, how long it has lasted in your max, and anything else important about the bulb.

SilverStars
Nokya's
Umnitzas

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=339947
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....57#post3313257

 

ive had silverstars break, not the bulb the contact tabs, break off in the harness, nokyas have always seemed too cheap looking for me

 

PIAA's are expenisive as hell and nice..but they'll **** the oncoming drivers off bcuz ther so bright...they tend to burn the harness..so thats wat sucks about it

 

In my experience, PIAA is the best for output.
I have had 4 sets of PIAA's in my cars. Various
styles and colors, I liked the Super Plasma GTX
the best, but I am currently running Xtreme White Plus
in my Max right now.

I run with my headlights and fogs on ALL The time
and PIAA will usually last about 8-10 Months, However
they have a 1 year warranty, so just bring them
back and you get a new set, I am on my 3rd Set
after my initial purchase, they are great with their
warranty in my experience.

I've tried the cheaper bulbs (Not Nokya) but they have
the worst light output and only lasted 4 months.
The installation is the Key, you have to be careful and not
bang the bulbs or touch anywhere close to the glass,
if you do, then even the best bulb in the world will burn out in no time.

I would spend the extra money for PIAA's, Even if they
don't last as long as an OEM bulb, the warranty and performance
make it worthwhile for me. (Until I get 02-03 HIDs that is)
Oh, and PIAAs SUCK in the rain. They
really wash out...hence my want for HIDs

Good Luck.

 

Phillips are the best. I recommend Power2Night or VisionPlus.

 

Heads are Phillips Power2Night GT150s

 

H.I.D.s

 

Well duh! That's a givin.

 

What, no pics?

 

PIAA's are overhyped IMO. They have some really high color temperature bulbs, but the higher you go, the worse the light output. This may not be so much of an issue with true HID's, but with halogens, I think it can become a safety concern. If you want show, I vote PIAAs. If you want maximum useable output, I'd go with Silverstars.

 

Philips..... HIDs

 

Phillips ....

 

I have PIAA H4 SUPER PLASMA GT-X
To say I love them, I would lie.
PIAA said that they would give off this purpilish light when in low beam. In reality, the purple is almost never seen and they work almost simulair to the OEM. However, they look incredibly sick when combining with Hybrid dark blue turn lights. Those of you who went to the meets earlier this year remember my max.

 

I don't see what the hype is about Piaa either...

http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=102

With any blue tinted bulb, light output will be diminished. But from the above test, 6 year old one, I guess Piaa is the best choice to lose the least amount of light.

 

to me PIAAS but not woth the price..... I replace them with HID's tired of paying the PIAAS's price........

 

I have H4 PIAA Super Plasma GT-X. It has whiter and brighter light when I park my car next to my friend's with Silverstar. You can see the purple tint even when your lights are off from the reflectors.

 

PIAA obviously... but they're expensive. If your on a budget, heard only good things about silverstars.

 

2003 GLE. Pls recommend best HID Fogs.

 

Helios is popular because its mini H3 kit fits without modification into the 5th gen fogs. And it comes with a lifetime warranty and is on sale for $230 SHIPPED in the groupbuy forum.

 

Thanks. Will check them out.

 

maximum useable output w/ stock wattage would be sylvania xtravisions; they're an oem style yellowish bulb though.

 

Yeah, if you are shopping at American discount auto parts stores. If you want the best light output of OEM style stock wattage bulbs the best are Osram Silverstars, Phillips VisionPlus and GE MegaPlus.

 

i'm didn't think of those bulbs (and admittedly have never heard of the ge megaplus) because none of them fit the 4th gen. i didn't even think they would fit the 5th gen, i thought your headlights were 9007's, but i looked it up and found out differently. i was mostly contradicting the statement that silverstars (i assume txt-1 meant SYLVANIA silverstars) produce the most useable light. if he meant the osrams, i stand corrected

 

Your statement was correct and valid, however incomplete. Osrams are a different animal when it comes to Sylverstars in comparison to Sylvania. They are comparable to the Megalightplus and VisionPlus because they offer more "light" without the tinting that Sylvania Silverstars have.

See, the Europeans know that the American market is quite different than theirs. We buy looks whereas they buy performance.

Here's a good resource

The first two on the top will provide the best performance.

 

Just for an update, I ended up going with the silverstars and am completely satisfied. They give the whiter look I wanted (without looking ricey at all) and give me greater light output.

 

PIAA's are an over priced bulb for something that won't last long, I ended up with silverstars in multiple cars and I've been very happy with them.

 

PIAAs are the bets, i had them in my previous cars and they never burned my harness or never burned out. But now i have HIDS, and piaa can't touch that!!