I'm considering buying some PIAA bulbs, but how is the quality & longevity of their products??


Thanks

 

I had a set of PIAA Superwhites and one of the bulbs lasted about 6 months only. Expensive too. I'm going to try Sylvania Silverstars next. I've heard that they're not as good in the rain though.

 

Don't get the Silverstars...they will last the same as the PIAA's. I had some and they probably lasted about 10 months and then one went out.
They look good, but still not worth the $40 every 10 or so months.

 

No, PIAAs are not worth the money.

When you buy PIAA, you're paying for the name.

Get some Philips BlueVisions instead. They can be found at your local auto parts store.

 

PIAA's are worth the money, if you are stupid and touch the glass on the bulb, then of course it is going to blow early. I've had the same set of PIAA's for over 5 years now and they are still just as bright as the day they went in.

 

Its a given that you don't ever, ever touch the glass bulbs with your bare hands. Nevertheless, no matter how careful I put the more expensive bulbs in they just don't last that long. The most reliable ones I have on now are the Philips Coolblues. They're cheap and get the job done although not as bright as I'd like them to be.

 

5 years......

 

Very strange, I've used my PIAA's in 3 different vehicles over the course of 5 years with no problems at all. In fact for 2 days, I drove with the headlight housing smashed and the bare bulb exposed in the rain and the bulbs held up. I've done a lot of research and study on different light bulbs, and PIAA is my fav. Although, Phillips Hi-Visibility are climing up the favorites list fast.

I guess when I bought the PIAA bulbs, they were phenomonal, they had no compitition. Now, they do, Phillips and Sylvania are just as high quality as PIAA, however, the light will dim and change color over time with those, PIAA does not. You can buy 2 Silverstars for about $38 or 2 PIAA for $58. I'd spend the extra 20 and get the PIAA.

 

I have PIAAs as well and love them. Very bright, and I've had them for about a year and a half with no issues.

 

My BlueVisions have never faded or changed colors and I have never had a blown or burnt out bulb.

I just love how everyone has to justify spending $60 on a pair of lightbulbs.

 

I agree I mean, it used to be justifying like $15 on a pair of lightbulbs. That was stretching it.
Autozone carry the bluevisions, clee?

Also, those Phillips Hi-visibility that were mentioned.....how much are they and are they different than the bluevisions?

 

I'll second that

 

PIAA's are very much worth the money. Had mine for 3 years & no problems. PIAA Xtreme White is what I have.

 

no it's not worth it.

 

Check here, not the best quality probably but they are still super white and for 2.99 each with 2.00 shipping you cant beat it.

Autolumination

Also I know that EuroDesignz are pretty decent and they have a lifetime warranty. I am using a pair of purple ED's right now.

 

EDesigns lights are very dim. i had the purple in my millenia s and i couldnt even see with them. they are not bright at all. the color is nice but thats it.

 

i've got a pair of nokya's that i've been running for about 8 months now. the light output is much better than stock, and i can still see pretty decent in rain...

 

anyone every tried mtec? They say that they are comparable to piaa and they give a lifetime warranty.

 

In my opinion PIAA are definitely worth the money. I've used them for years without problems and they've lasted for me. You will get conflicting feedback, no doubt. Some have not had the same good fortune I've had, I'm sure, while others have. Currently, I'm running with the PIAA Xtreme whites for both my heads and fogs. I love them. You'll find the fogs are brighter than the heads with this set up.

 

haha, I had my PIAA's for over a year now, and they own!

People who say PIAA's suck don't obviously know what they're talking about IMO. They are made in japan and their construction is far superior to those other cheap knock-offs you find at autozone, etc.

Also, no offense to anybody, but there are idiots out there who touch the bulb when putting it on. People often don't understand how extremely crucial it is NOT to grease up the bulb with either your hands or whatever else. There was an article on this somewhere, I will find it and try to post the link to it.

Basically, lets say that a particular bulb will last 5 years if put on correctly. Then, lets that very same bulb acquires just a pinhead size grease on itself during installation - that bulb will now last only 5 months. You think that's taking it to the extreme? Think again, the article coveys all this. Gimme a while to find it.........

PIAA's

 

Dumb or not, i didnt know that I'm not suppose to touch bulbs with my hands Noone ever told me about it, so, i might have touched them when putting on (dont really remember)...i just hope they'll last me long enought

 

maybe they burn out from shipping if u order them online...? the people who have had them burn out quickly, did u order them online?

 

I am really impressed with those who have had their bulbs for 5 years. That's like $16 bucks a year...but it's only a few that have had this experience..

 

I had some Silverstars, but didn't get them online.
They were picked up at a local store.

What the crap are you talking about, BOSS? Sylvania and Phillips being a cheap knock off? They are two of the largest bulb producers in the world. That is what Autozone carries.

Of course we know not to touch the bulb. I mean, I used gloves to put mine in.

 

I was wondering about those too.
I saw them a little while back from someone.
Has anyone used these before?.....the autolumination.com ones that is.

 

I tried the mtecs with my heavy duty headlight harness and foglights. Unfortunately they don't last long as well. Lasted less than a month and no, I did not touch the glass! They had a nice bright light and everything matched but were crappy in the rain.

 

I just ordered some of these:



I will let you know what they look like when I get them in there.
They were only $8 with shipping and everything.
Probably just a gimmick, but worth a try.

 

I had PIAA's both in my headlights and 1100 driving lights on my old civic. Out of 5 different bulbs, the PIAA super plasmas lasted almost as long as the catz galaxy whites. 1.5 years.

The $30 sets found at rice shops lasted just about as long and were brighter.

Despite the far superior constuction in japan they are just another bulb with coating on it that reduces light output to mimic real HID. aka rice

 

i just bought some PIAA headlights and fog lights off ebay brand new for about 40 a set and i am very happy with them. especially the fog lights, they look great. the headlights look a lot like silvania(sp) but just a little birghter. i am happy with them.

 

Had my PIAA xtreme white for two years now, went through 3 sets of bulbs in two years previously with auto parts store bulbs. When you are dumping $30+ for a tank of gas, a little extra for bulbs seems rather inconsequential. The only way to determine if you think they are worth it is to buy them. Everyone else will give you there own opinion.

 

have had my sylvanias for almost 2 years now, they are on their second car. no noticeable change in light output from use. they do not light up the road very well in the rain, but that's what the fogs are for too. i only payed $30 bux for the two sylvania lights, on sale at advance auto.

 

I consider the mtec's to be in the same category too. Nice to look at the blue tinge when the headlights and fogs are off, nice white light when they're on but behind the wheel they're not great in the rain.

 

All these bulbs are not too great in the rain.
It is because of what was said earlier....the more yellow light seems to penetrate the drops better.
The whiter/bluer light seems to glare off the drop more.

 

i think mine were worth it 1y3m+ no problems and great light imo.

 

The only thing i didn't like about my PIAA's (xtreme whites) is that they dont light up well on wet roads....