Getting Flashed?

Those with the Halogen HP Silver Star bulbs, do you get flashed by on coming vehicles somewhat regularly with this bulb type? I seem to get flashed once or twice, on local roads. Not all the time but enough to ask.

I think getting flashed may mean your headlights are blinding the oncoming vehicle drivers. That can be dangerous.

Consumer reports did a study that found that the white light can be irritating to some drivers:

All in all, Consumer Reports found while the premium replacement bulbs do give the whiter look of High-Intensity-Discharge lights, they don't consistently deliver better performance. And some aren't even as good as the lights that came with the car.

And real H.I.D. lights can cause problems for other drivers, who often find them distracting. Several drivers commented that H.I.D. lights can “feel like they blind you when driving,” and they are “bright, blinding and distracting.”

In testing at Consumer Reports' auto track, Jennifer Stockburger found several reasons H.I.D. lights can be more distracting than regular headlights. One problem is the sharp cutoff.

Headlight Hype (http://vancouver.ctv.ca/displayresults.jsp?id=/olsen/stories/2006/02/olsen-20060210.htm)

I tested different bulbs by installing the Sylvania Silverstar Ultras and the GE Nighthawks. The Sylvanias seemed more blinding with when I was driving my wife's Accord while she drove the truck. When I drove the truck, I did not like the blue'ish hue. I then installed GE Nighthawks and they were not as bright (Very close to the OEM bulbs) when I was driving in front in the Accord. However, from the drivers seat in the Ridgeline, they were a world apart from the OEM and Sylvania's (Much brighter and beter view).

Sad part is, I am now unable to locate the 9003 GE Nighthawks in the local stores. I noticed the supplies dwindling so I bought two more packages just to tide me over.

I wrote an email to GE's customer service asking where I can locate the 9003 Nighthawks. I am now waiting for GE's response.

I inherited these Silver Stars when I bought the truck in July. I don't have the OEM's to compare. I read post's that others prefer the Nighthawks over the Silver Stars and the Nighthawks do perform better. I don't want to be a jerk on the road but I do appreciate seeing better with the Silver Stars as compared with tungsten bulbs. But according to studies my brain only thinks it's seeing better. Time to be confused I say. Do I chuck the blue bulbs? Are there any reliable internet sites that carry the GE 9003's.

Mike T please post your findings from GE's customer service if and when you get a reply.

I converted to SilverStars within a week after I bought my Ridgeline. I leave my house before 6AM and drive in the dark 20 miles to my office. My commute is mostly on back county roads when ever possible. I have not been flashed, except when I was on high beam and deserved it :o , yet.

As far as the difference between SilverStar and stock my SilverStars are noticably brighter than stock and they do appear whiter as well.... I have SilverStars in all my vehicles and did notice they did not make as much of a improvement / difference in the Ridgeline as my wife's Subaru Tribeca or my Harley...

I've not ever had much luck with the Silverstars as they only have a lifespan of about 6-8 months. I have had them in my 88' Accord (H4 conversions), my BMW 318i and my BMW540i. None of them had any electrical problems and all of them blew Sliverstars like they were fireworks in short order. I'm personally done with them. They are too expensive to change that often.

Doing a search on GE's web site, I found they offer 3 Nighthawk bulbs for the 9003. A 9003 NHS/BP, 9003 NHS/BP2, 9003NH/BP. Could someone please explain the difference of the bulbs? On Amazon.com they sell the 9003 NHS/BP2's. Avoid or try?

Sad part is, I am now unable to locate the 9003 GE Nighthawks in the local stores. I noticed the supplies dwindling so I bought two more packages just to tide me over.

Doing a search on GE's web site, I found they offer 3 Nighthawk bulbs for the 9003. A 9003 NHS/BP, 9003 NHS/BP2, 9003NH/BP. Could someone please explain the difference of the bulbs? On Amazon.com they sell the 9003 NHS/BP2's. Avoid or try?

I had no issues buying them at amazon.com... I recently picked up and another set for my RL and also installed them in my wife's VUE...

What do the NHS/BP, NHS/BP2 & NH/BP that are after the 9003 mean, regarding the Nighthawks? I understand that there is a Nighthawk Sport which is blue coated bulb high performance light - is that the same type as the Silver Stars? and have the same issue (as mentioned above) as I'm having with the Silver Stars? Are the Nighthawk fans using the standard Nighthawks? or Nighthawks Sports?

Those with the Halogen HP Silver Star bulbs, do you get flashed by on coming vehicles somewhat regularly with this bulb type? I seem to get flashed once or twice, on local roads. Not all the time but enough to ask.Only on the back roads where they are coming over a rise towards me, essentially below my "horizontal" line.

Now I did have a jackazz the other night, speed up pass me as the road was merging from two to one lane in town, with no traffic in sight behind me. He would have sideswiped me, had I not slammed on the brakes. I would have eaten an early '90's Civic. It pissed me off, so I decided now was a good time to burn some Silverstar candlewatts and ran my highbeams .... I could count the hairs on the people's heads. I wonder if he noticed?!?! :D

Only on the back roads where they are coming over a rise towards me, essentially below my "horizontal" line.

Now I did have a jackazz the other night, speed up pass me as the road was merging from two to one lane in town, with no traffic in sight behind me. He would have sideswiped me, had I not slammed on the brakes. I would have eaten an early '90's Civic. It pissed me off, so I decided now was a good time to burn some Silverstar candlewatts and ran my highbeams .... I could count the hairs on the people's heads. I wonder if he noticed?!?! :D

Cool. Hum? You mean I could burn some retinas instead of shooting the bird as a way of communicating my feelings with j' off's on the road? :D

Doing BOTH works for me!!!

:D :D

Hey gobo,

Check out the GE website for the comparison of different types of Nighthawks:

http://genet.gelighting.com/LightProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=COMMERCIALCOMPARE&CHANNEL=Consumer&BREADCRUMP=Automotive_2006%2C+HONDA%2C+Ridgeline

Good luck!!

Hey gobo,

Check out the GE website for the comparison of different types of Nighthawks:

http://genet.gelighting.com/LightProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=COMMERCIALCOMPARE&CHANNEL=Consumer&BREADCRUMP=Automotive_2006%2C+HONDA%2C+Ridgeline

Good luck!!

I did, thats where the questions started. GE list 3 headlamps for the RL. I see that there is a Nighthawk Sport, I haven't heard squat on this forum about them. I'm guessing the other two bulbs are single beam bulb and a high/low bulb. Detailed bulb model numbers would be helpful before making an internet purchase. Since I'll most likely order from Amazon, because the Nighthawks are hard to find locally, I'm doing my homework. User experience beats over the counter help any day. The more I drive at night locally with the Silver Stars, the more the villagers gather with pitch forks and torches. :eek:

P.S. your link didn't work - thanks anyway!

I did, thats where the questions started. GE list 3 headlamps for the RL. I see that there is a Nighthawk Sport, I haven't heard squat on this forum about them. I'm guessing the other two bulbs are single beam bulb and a high/low bulb. Detailed bulb model numbers would be helpful before making an internet purchase. Since I'll most likely order from Amazon, because the Nighthawks are hard to find locally, I'm doing my homework. User experience beats over the counter help any day. The more I drive at night locally with the Silver Stars, the more the villagers gather with pitch forks and torches. :eek:

P.S. your link didn't work - thanks anyway!

Gobo,

There is a customer care / service link that will allow you to email your questions directly to GE. If you're interested, go back to the GE website and find the customer care / service link and email your questions regarding what the differences are.

By the way, I can not find the Nighthawks in any of the stores they list as carrying their products. Not only that, but they were evasive in answering my direct question asking if GE is discontinuing the Nighthawk series. Used to, Wal-Mart had quite an extensive choice of Nightwawks (9003 through 9007). Now they do not have any space for the Nighthawks at all.

Same with several local auto parts stores and vehicle specialty vendors. I am glad I bout two more sets when I did! I will now be searching online for them for sure!

By the way, I can not find the Nighthawks in any of the stores they list as carrying their products. Not only that, but they were evasive in answering my direct question asking if GE is discontinuing the Nighthawk series. Used to, Wal-Mart had quite an extensive choice of Nightwawks (9003 through 9007). Now they do not have any space for the Nighthawks at all.

Same with several local auto parts stores and vehicle specialty vendors. I am glad I bout two more sets when I did! I will now be searching online for them for sure!They probably cause cancer, thus removed from the market. :D

They probably cause cancer, thus removed from the market. :D

Cough...cough..wheeze...damit:eek:

I had no issues buying them at amazon.com... I recently picked up and another set for my RL and also installed them in my wife's VUE...

I think I'm going to try a set of these from Amazon...I would like a little more brightness from the ridge...

Is everybody that unsatisfied with the light output of the OEM bulbs or is this a trendy type mod that is done more for the cool factor and less for a seriously needed upgrade? Curious minds want to know. :confused:

I personally find the OEM bulbs more than sufficient provided I'm running the speed limit when in extremely dark places. On the other hand, I can't stand the brighter bulbs out there as my eyes are sensitive to headlights at night and some of these things kill me. Not good when I have my family in the car and then I'm blinded... My $.02 here... :D

Sensitive eyes here too, and I hate that people are putting HIDs in their cars and not properly adjusting them. Even when the lights are not HID they still kill me when one is not focused right.

I think people do it for the cool factor. I put the blue lights on my motorcycle and it was harder to see. I had to go back to white.


I personally find the OEM bulbs more than sufficient provided I'm running the speed limit when in extremely dark places. On the other hand, I can't stand the brighter bulbs out there as my eyes are sensitive to headlights at night and some of these things kill me. Not good when I have my family in the car and then I'm blinded... My $.02 here... :D

Is everybody that unsatisfied with the light output of the OEM bulbs or is this a trendy type mod that is done more for the cool factor and less for a seriously needed upgrade? Curious minds want to know. :confused:

For me it's less a function of light output and more a function of how well the beam illuminates the road. The Philips Power Plus Extreme bulbs I have are the same wattage as the OEM bulbs, but they throw a whiter, cleaner light farther than OEM, and have a crisp cutoff point so that they do not blind drivers ahead of or behind my truck. I know they don't bother me when my wife is driving my truck and I'm following her or she passes me. I could care less about trendy colors. I have poor night vision, and these bulbs helped a lot.

Sensitive eyes here too, and I hate that people are putting HIDs in their cars and not properly adjusting them. Even when the lights are not HID they still kill me when one is not focused right.

I think people do it for the cool factor. I put the blue lights on my motorcycle and it was harder to see. I had to go back to white.

I will definitely not be putting plug and play HID s in my Ridge...having moved from the "SI Culture", I have seen how much glare comes off from countless Civic SIs ...and I'm not into that at all....the cuttoffs are terrible for others unless you have a proper "retro" kit assembled...I would just like a little more clarity at night....

For me it's less a function of light output and more a function of how well the beam illuminates the road. The Philips Power Plus Extreme bulbs I have are the same wattage as the OEM bulbs, but they throw a whiter, cleaner light farther than OEM, and have a crisp cutoff point so that they do not blind drivers ahead of or behind my truck. I know they don't bother me when my wife is driving my truck and I'm following her or she passes me. I could care less about trendy colors. I have poor night vision, and these bulbs helped a lot.

This is exactly my situation at night. I do see better with the Silver Stars but I also recognize they are bothering on-coming drivers and I am making a change because of this factor. I'm looking for bulbs that give me the best nighttime driving. I could care less what color they are too. Searching this forum has led me to believe that the NightHawks are the best compromised bulb between OEM & Silver Stars or equivalents. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

The Philips Power Plus Extreme bulbs I have are the same wattage as the OEM bulbs, but they throw a whiter, cleaner light farther than OEM, and have a crisp cutoff point so that they do not blind drivers ahead of or behind my truck.
If they illuminate further, wouldn't that make them brighter? Or more intense?

I know they don't bother me when my wife is driving my truck and I'm following her or she passes me. I could care less about trendy colors. I have poor night vision, and these bulbs helped a lot.
Ahhh you know telling everybody your letting your wife take your truck while you drive her car and that she passes you, well be strong my friend. This could get hairy... :D

Is everybody that unsatisfied with the light output of the OEM bulbs or is this a trendy type mod that is done more for the cool factor and less for a seriously needed upgrade? Curious minds want to know. :confused: I was not unsatisfied with OEM, I just wanted a whiter light output. The straight Silverstars cast white light, no color tint to it at all and is not HID. When side by side comparisons are made, the OEM bulbs have a slight yellowish hue to them.
I think people do it for the cool factor. I put the blue lights on my motorcycle and it was harder to see. I had to go back to white.I put in yellow bulbs for my DRL on the Civic (high beams)... and hated it, so I went back to the OEM bulb. But the yellow high beams looked cool as well as the DRL aspect, but the light output was horrible. I did notice less bugs... hahah (not really true)

That's funny, you just reminded me about those outdoor yellow bulbs....I don't ever see them anymore.

BTW people here in the northeast, if you are having trouble seeing down the road at night in the winter try taking a wet towel and cleaning all the road salt off your headlights.

And for you people with cars out there, how can you see out your rearview mirror when you "forget" to clean the snow off your back window.

I did notice less bugs... hahah (not really true)

I changed mine to a 4500 degree K Xenon bulb in my company van and the RL. These throw a much whiter light than stock. The reason that I changed mine out was because of eye fatigue. Some days I drive hours in the darkness, especially in the company van. I notice a very distinct difference in how less tired my eyes are and how much less eye strain I endure with the whiter bulbs than the OEMS.

BTW - I have never been flashed in either vehicle with the Xenons I run.

Regarding the cut line with the white lights, do the headlights need a downward adjustment to compensate for the wide wash they throw? As I mentioned earlier - I inherited my Silver Stars and cannot compare them to the throw of the OEM's.

Searching this forum has led me to believe that the NightHawks are the best compromised bulb between OEM & Silver Stars or equivalents. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Hey, just installed the NightHawk Sport. I really like the output. It is a very clean white light with a slightly bluish tinge (very slight). So far, no one has flashed me. I am also being careful when I pull up behind someone at night. It drives me crazy when a headlight is shining directly onto my driver's side mirror and into my face! The only negative (maybe) that I can see, is that there is also a very slight blue tint to the headlamps when they are off. I can't decide if that looks goofy or not. I just want the most light I can have on the road in front of me:D

BTW, on a side note... how do I get a picture to appear beside my ID at the top of my posts?

THX - This forum ROC's!

If they illuminate further, wouldn't that make them brighter? Or more intense?

No, just more focused. It's a higher quality bulb.

Ahhh you know telling everybody your letting your wife take your truck while you drive her car and that she passes you, well be strong my friend. This could get hairy... :D

Passes me, as in we traded for the night, and she's coming the other way.

:D

BTW, on a side note... how do I get a picture to appear beside my ID at the top of my posts?

Click on User CP (Above on the far Left of the Blue Bar)
Look in the Control Panel Section under Setting and Options
Click on Edit Avatar
Follow the directions...

The hardest part is resizing whatever you are going to use to fit! MS Paint can be used to do the resizing if you do not have some type of photoshop software

Regarding the cut line with the white lights, do the headlights need a downward adjustment to compensate for the wide wash they throw? As I mentioned earlier - I inherited my Silver Stars and cannot compare them to the throw of the OEM's.

I have not made any changes to my headlight alignment after converting to SilverStars. The headlight beam pattern is dictated by the headlights reflectors not the bulbs installed. Unless they didn't seat in the base correctly anyway, I could see that causing hot spots and other random chaos...:rolleyes: Since SilverStars are a "whiter" light they illuminate better and farther, at least for me, but it's the same basic light pattern...

I have not made any changes to my headlight alignment after converting to SilverStars. The headlight beam pattern is dictated by the headlights reflectors not the bulbs installed. Unless they didn't seat in the base correctly anyway, I could see that causing hot spots and other random chaos...:rolleyes: Since SilverStars are a "whiter" light they illuminate better and farther, at least for me, but it's the same basic light pattern...

Good to know. If I'm going to try a different bulb, I really didn't want to monkey around with the alignment with my current Silver Stars. That would definitely make some fertile ground for chaos. Square one could get lost in the confusion, mayhem would set in and cussing would begin.

Click on User CP (Above on the far Left of the Blue Bar)
Look in the Control Panel Section under Setting and Options
Click on Edit Avatar
Follow the directions...

The hardest part is resizing whatever you are going to use to fit! MS Paint can be used to do the resizing if you do not have some type of photoshop software

THANKS:cool: Let's see if I can do it....