kinakoes2

Just bought and installed my Ultras in the EX yesterday...

Compared to other bulbs, based on cost, availability, service life, and performance... there wasn't another bulb I felt could compare. I'd acid-tested these on three vastly different other vehicles, and in each I felt the cost was well worth it for the security it provides on the road at night. I do a long drive early in the AM (4am) every week, so it's worth it to me, despite the non-trivial cost (Amazon Prime balms my a$$-chap quite a bit, though).

The stock reflector pattern put out by Hondas tends to be pretty good from the factory, way better than my Paseo or Escort ones, at least. I liked the regular Sylvania bulbs that came with the car, but I missed the *side* illumination I'd enjoyed for years in Seattle with the Silverstars. This doesn't seem like such a big deal, until you're dynamiting the brakes after seeing a cat or deer's eyespots, crossing the road when you're doing highway speed. This is opposed to dynamiting them after it's far too late, having not seen them... I can't tell you how many times I'd seen deer (and humans!!!) just bebop out into the road while I rode to work at 5am in the PNW... the photon-swallowing trees and winding, porpoising roads make every corner a blind one, not helped that you're riding with rain and fog on both sides of your helmet visor. This extra light made all the difference between a challenging commute and a broken back in the middle of the woods, more times than I can count.

TL;DR:

Pros:

-- way better lighting; things seem to 'pop' out of the darkness with this frequency of light, esp to the sides, compared to regular halogens

-- doesn't dazzle oncoming vehicles as much as brighter halogen competitors. In the PNW, people like PIAAs which are obnoxious and to me, unnecessary gobs of light (it reduces your night vision even further when you stop). The purplish light from the regular Silverstars and these slightly brighter Ultras, let you make out things much easier, without dazzling.

-- you can find them just about everywhere. Mine were $100 for a complete set on Amazon. If you're cautious about handling the bulb glass, they'll last at least two years easy (my Escort ones were 3 yrs old and my SV ones were installed in 2007 and still truckin').

Cons:

-- cost. However, if you're not able to buy the Ultras, the regular Silverstars are more affordable and have much of the advantages above. I'd say ~$80 for a complete set of four bulbs -- c'mon, that's cheap for the benefits.

-- install can be a bit annoying, esp if you want to be careful. I have another thread in the Lighting forum under 7th Gen DIY, on how I did my install with tips and tricks.

-- life. Yes, these will not last as long as regular halogens. But they don't perform as well, either. If life is your ultimate goal and can't spring the cost, best not get these.