Hello everyone,

First post for me but I've been lurking for a while. Got a 2004 WRX sedan this summer, no mods except for a modest window tint.

Anyhooo, after doing a search on Sylvania Silverstars in this forum I decided to give'em a try (low beams). After the purchase, the cashier told me I'll really like them, claiming he sees deer and other wildlife much more clearly with them in his car.

Deer collisions are a huge problem in upstate New York where I live; in 25 years I've had three collisions and some close calls.

Anyone have any experience to indicate that "whiter" light shows wildlife any better?

NOTE: I have no desire to open the general "Silverstar" can of worms again! :)

I passed a deer on the side of the road up near Ashabula last week. I noticed it as soon as it came into the path of my headlights. Of course, I didn't see any with my stock headlights, but the Silverstars lit it up pretty good. :)

From a Northern Vermonter, I know how those deer jump out at you (I've got one to my credit and, of all things, one wild turkey through the windshield). Be damn glad it isn't a moose.

As for the technical details, my SWAG is that the SilverStar's bulb coating lets a bit of UV pass through. Most northern forest critters have hollow hairs in their coat for insulation purposes. These hairs quite often act as fiber optics receivers/retransmitters shifting UV down into visible ranges.

FWIW, my XtraVisions (2002, so 9007), have kept the road kill of my hood so far.

why don't you just get one of those anti-deer modules where it mounts to your bumper and sends out a high freq noise?

i forgot what you call those...

I tried one of those deer whistle thingies years ago. I had the distinct feeling that the deer never noticed it when I passed them; no reaction at all. Anyway, they eventually fell off! Bottom line is I pretty much have learned where the critters hang out, and go slow and careful through those places. No collisions in over ten years.

Ouch, why did I just say that?

I haven't done any night driving since I put the silverstars on; I'll let you know if I notice any difference with the visibility of wildlife.:eek:

There is an article that talks a little about the periferal benefits to using whiter lights. Technically, the whiter light is supposed to help you see reflective objects, street signs and animal's eyes, better. I believe it to be true.
http://lighting.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/transportation/pdf/SAE/2003-01-0930.pdf (http://)

Most of those deer whistles only are effective if you're going over 40mph, so you may not get any benefit if you're on back roads. :(

You might consider getting a pair of driving lights -- seems like they're designed for your exact situation.

MISTA N. I am from upstate also and im well aware of the deer problem. The best for spotting dear are HID's. If that isn't possible for you , driving lights is the way to go. On my WRX i used both HID's and driving lights.

thanks for the input! I'll look into getting driving lights; any info, recommended websites, etc., appreciated. I'm near Albany NY BTW.

Don't think HID's are in my future right now!:rolleyes: