~~~PIAA Super Plasma GT-X (review)

[Mr_Sinister]

Verdict


Brightness/Projection
=80%
These bulbs project light extremely well, turning off and unmounting the Sylvania Cool blues, then installing the Plasma GT's right off the bad you can see a big difference. Forget side by side comparing, these blow the Sylvania's away. Dark road driving was a blast, and that was with just the low beam. Sitting in the car the light does seem soft projecting outwards, but rest assured they do travel quite far a head. and illuminate the road ahead. The projection arc is quite wide and looks good on the brick wall test. The one thing that I give top marks for is the high beams, although I never really use them cause of City driving. I was suprised to see how far out they would hit reflective objects and signs.


Color/Style/Night time look
=85%

The color depth of this bulb is good and solid. But I must admit when ordering these bulbs I was worried about them being to purple. But the hue of purple is fine and looks legit. Doesn't seem to harsh. The color is rare, I haven't seen this before so it will turn heads for that aspect. The advertised feature of seeing the color purple even with the lights off is somewhat true but this depends on your headlight housing/mirrors. When the lights are on and you do a walk by the run of the car, you can see the slight purple effect shimmer slightly. In regards to the Night time look, the beam is solid and pure on a side car profile. On a rainny or foggy night there is actually an enhancing of the purple. Driving with just day lights is pleasing as well, they color is quite visible.

Be warned though, these bulbs are NOT!!!! DOT or SAE approved, so just be clear about that. But in all respect, they do look like some stock H.I.D. systems out there. So unless your really unlucky and you meet a cop hell bent on busting your nutz, then you should be fine.


Value/Price
=65%

Was it worth the price of 106$ Canadian, Yes if your looking for a bulb that is rare in color and something that projects well, then get this bulb. But if your not into purple then get the regular Super plasma bulb. They have a color effect that is a good alternative to this bulb (blue). Coated with a metalic silver layer, it causes the multifacited color effects that some H.I.D. produce at different angles of view. If your buying these bulbs and your worried about warrenty then be a little wise to buy them with your Mastercard or Visa if you have the Extended Warrenty feature on them. I feel pretty secure with a 2 year warrenty on the bulbs so. I think I am getting my moneys worth. But for some 106 dollars is pretty hefty.

[Mr_Sinister]

SIDENOTE: I will mention for the light's (off effect), it really depends on the headlight mirror housing of the car for the full color effect to come thru. in the mazda you can only really see the purple directly head on (with the lights off) in my honda and acura the effect is clear and distinct. so if you have other brands and models of car, then the effect will vary.

[SpoonR1]

Mr_Sinister

I'm on this forum pretty often and hardly reply to any post or start any new subjects. I just like reading whats goes on. I notice how you test different kind of bulbs out there and think its pretty coo.
I could understand you test and share your experience of one or maybe two different bulbs, but its seems that you go out of your way to buy and test many sorts of bulbs. I start to wonder, whats in it for you in doing this? I don't see you selling any of these or promoting any vendors or anything. Do you have anything up or sleeve or you just being a nice guy or the bulbs you purchase for your car just blows out on you often? Don't ge me wrong, I find your studies very informative and greatly appreciative.


Just my .02:)

Rgrds,
Mike

[Mr_Sinister]

Ummmm thanks, urrr I think,

well I have 4 cars so I have been fitting them all with different headlights, one HID and 3 different sets of standard H4 bulbs,

So thats my motivation, but if you guys think I shouldn't post reviews, thats ok.

But the reason why I am, is cause I spend a long time searching up and down and not getting the straight answers about popular bulbs out there, the real deal if you know what i mean.

I ain't selling anything but my own 2 cents thats all.

Sinister

[SpoonR1]

Mr_Sinister

Don't get me wrong, I applaud you for doing what you're doing. I was just thinking out loud. I find what you doing very helpful. Keep up the good work.

Mike

[bao_pay]

This is so touching...

I got some kleenex for you guys to help dry the tears... :'(

[SiRRider]

Ya keep it up. I love reading reviews on products for cars by the average joe.

[BlairSpeed]

On the subject of lights:

I just went to Pep Boys and got the lights that have a slight blue tint ($30/pair). They are much brighter and "cleaner" then the stock lights. I hate yellowish lights with a passion, but to spend $100 on light bulbs is alittle much for my taste. I would'nt mind spending up to $50 for a pair if they looked alot like the HID's

We should have a group buy on the PIAA's!

[02USDMEP3]

excellent write up, very informational for those who don't want to spend hundreds on HIDS.

[dofu]

Originally posted by BlairSpeed
On the subject of lights:

I just went to Pep Boys and got the lights that have a slight blue tint ($30/pair). They are much brighter and "cleaner" then the stock lights. I hate yellowish lights with a passion, but to spend $100 on light bulbs is alittle much for my taste. I would'nt mind spending up to $50 for a pair if they looked alot like the HID's

We should have a group buy on the PIAA's!

do some serious searching and you can find piaas for about $50 a pair... or add them into your next big order and ask for additional discount since you're buying so much at one time or something... if they can't do anything for you, then jus cancel the bulbs.
thanks for the review Mr_Sinister... keep it up... you should try some cheaper bulbs too... some of the ones they have on ebay are just about as good as piaas only with a $20 price tag

[Mr_Sinister]

thanks for the warm words

Just givin review just cause I luv cars and I luv upgrades... I review other things, but I am not modifying my Honda, only my Acura and Mazda.

I have the Review of the other PIAA Plasma bulbs, look for that tonight or tomorrow, pics will follow in a week.

Also reviewed a few other bulbs..

[skooba]

these bulbs go for about $60-$70 on ebay.

the $100+ price is for retail. who buys retail?

[Mr_Sinister]

You buy retail to get the warrenty, extended to 2 years, if you buy it with your visa or Mastercard.

Thats why...
plus 106 dollars Canada wasn't really that bad of an idea, your paying for a damn good set of bulbs, the rumours of burn outs, are half true. Comparing everything I have heard, and of course you can take this at face value, but some say its cause they got the original bulbs from a grey area vendor. its possible the bulbs could have been used and repacked and sold with a 1 months warrenty, as is the case with some online stores and some Asian Mall stores, well at least here in Toronto.

In some cases it could be eletrical problems,
or it just could be bad luck...

But from what I know of PIAA the quality is there... and they stand behind their warrenty, which is respectable...

[limp_noodle]

what are the wattage rating on these bulbs?

[Satin 2k2 Si]

Yo Mr. Sinister.... How purple is the look? I just bought some super plasma that is suppose to have that blueish-purple look. I haven't placed on my car yet. I was trying to avoid the purple look. I don't think it would look good on a Si. But seriously how does it look out the front of an Si? In you pic it look decent on your Mazda, but those are night pics. I'm trying to get an idea of how it would look in the day on Si.