Hi guys. My first post here. I just got a H3X for my teenage son and wanted to change the headlights bulbs. I have done some research on this site and found a lot of posts about Sylvania Silverstar Ultras and others... However, I haven't found anything on the Sylvania ZXEs, except for
https://www.hummerforums.com/forum/h...ng-zxes-32390/

Any feedback on the ZXEs?

I'm not planning on any LED or HIDs. Just trying to find the best halogen bulbs for the H3.

Thanks and sorry for the repetitive topic...but could not find anything on the ZXEs!!!

 

I can't find any specifications for these XZE bulbs.
All halogens burn at about 3200K and look rather yellowish compared to HID headlights, which have a color temp of about 4300K and up.
That being said, the info on these XKE bulbs indicate that they have a color temp closer to HID's. That means that the bulb glass (quartz) is most likely tinted blue to make the temperature cooler, like HID's.
By tinting the glass, the bulb loses lumens and is not as bright as a clear glass bulb.
Most DOT halogens have a output of about 850 Lumens

Any after market bulb that meets DOT will not be too much brighter than stock bulb and if it is, expect the bulb to last for a much shorter time.

Years ago, before I went the STARR route, I used the Sylvania Silver Stars and they were OK, but barley lasted a year before burning out.
Sorry, if you already know all this stuff

 

I have the Silver Stars, did not notice much difference going up from stock, 5 year old bulbs. Any halogen bulb is going to be almost the same, difference being bulb life in the "brighter" ones. HID or more focused, aux. lights will be needed.

 

I've had ZXE's in my 2006 H3 for about 6 moths. Prior to installing them in the H3 they were in my Camero for 5 or 6 months (changed Camero lights to Halo's). The ZXE's are a major improvement over stock - much whiter and brighter.

 

Biggest difference I noticed was when I swapped in a 9005 into the fog lamps. Big Difference.

 

Agreed.

The ZXE and other aftermarket bulbs will be brighter but the headlight reflector design won't allow a better pattern of light. They won't let you see farther.

 

I ordered some 9008s and some 9005s for the Fog lights. Was the install pretty straight forward?

 

Yes, easy enough but not perfect.

 

OreMine were plug and play. No issues at all. What wasn't perfect?

I guess if you are talking about the light output from the headlights then yes. Not perfect. I did have to adjust the headlight and fog light aiming which helped a little bit more.

 

Anyone have pictures of their zXes installed? After reading up on this stuff I'm thinking about just sending them back and keeping the stock bulbs.