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I'd be embarrassed to admit the amount of time I've researched replacement headlights for my 2002 C5. While there are some excellent alternatives available, I just could not justify the cost for the 2 - 3 times a year that I drive after sunset. Replacement LED bulbs were not an option for me due to issues for oncoming traffic etc. I contacted Daniel Stern after reading some of the posts here about his bulbs, and could not be happier. I now have a whiter, brighter light and a price that I thought was very reasonable. While I realize some of the other options are much brighter than these, that just wasn't a path that I wanted to go down at this time. These bulbs are direct replacements (see tab modification below) that draw the same amount of current yet provide slightly less than twice the number of lumens. No additional wiring or relays are needed. Cost is just under $30 each.
In the photos below, the Daniel Stern bulb is on the left and my old bulb on the right. Note that the center tab (key) must be trimmed. Daniel provides a pattern for trimming if you want to do it yourself. He also will do it for you for a nominal fee. I found the information that Daniel provided to be very helpful, and he was a pleasure to deal with.
C5s and headlights have been discussed seemingly forever. However I don't mind a refresher of the options and what works for people from time to time. FYI I have Silverstars in my Vette and it's OK for what I do
C5s and headlights have been discussed seemingly forever. However I don't mind a refresher of the options and what works for people from time to time. FYI I have Silverstars in my Vette and it's OK for what I do
LOL! I would think if the subject is that upsetting and has been beat to death they could just scroll on by.
LOL! I would think if the subject is that upsetting and has been beat to death they could just scroll on by.
I kinda thought the same. While there are many headlight discussions, there is no clear answer and those discussions also include some incorrect answers. Because of that, the "What headlights should I use?" questions will probably never end.
That said, my reason for posting was never intended to be a "What headlights should I use?". My post is about a specific option and asked zero questions. My goal was to pass on my good experience with a specific solution that I put into the title.
I kinda thought the same. While there are many headlight discussions, there is no clear answer and those discussions also include some incorrect answers. Because of that, the "What headlights should I use?" questions will probably never end.
That said, my reason for posting was never intended to be a "What headlights should I use?". My post is about a specific option and asked zero questions. My goal was to pass on my good experience with a specific solution that I put into the title.
If you have truly done any research on this subject, you would realize there is a clear answer and that is changing bulbs in the oem C5 headlights is, at best, a band-aid solution. Most of the time, doing so only makes the situation worse. Correcting the problem is expensive and time-consuming.Yeah, I know it's frustrating but when it comes to these cars, almost nothing is cheap or easy.
If I'm completely off the mark, I'm sure others with a better understanding will be along soon, to enlighten me.
If you have truly done any research on this subject, you would realize there is a clear answer and that is changing bulbs in the oem C5 headlights is, at best, a band-aid solution. Most of the time, doing so only makes the situation worse...
Everyone gets to have their own opinion, and the results are subjective. The research I did showed that there are better halogen bulbs that can safely be used in our existing halogen-based reflectors. Are his upgraded bulbs the ultimate solution? No, in fact he makes that quite clear - but the bulbs are an improvement over stock bulbs. In my case, that was all I needed.
You have a lot of posts at this forum under your belt, and I'm guessing some good input. After all that time, I would have hoped that you've learned to respect others' opinions. There are many new owners here that don't want to do full blown replacements on their headlights. I've only stated that this was a solution that worked for what I was looking for.
Everyone gets to have their own opinion, and the results are subjective. The research I did showed that there are better halogen bulbs that can safely be used in our existing halogen-based reflectors. Are his upgraded bulbs the ultimate solution? No, in fact he makes that quite clear - but the bulbs are an improvement over stock bulbs. In my case, that was all I needed.
You have a lot of posts at this forum under your belt, and I'm guessing some good input. After all that time, I would have hoped that you've learned to respect others' opinions. There are many new owners here that don't want to do full blown replacements on their headlights. I've only stated that this was a solution that worked for what I was looking for.
Ok, you're entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine. We will have just to agree, to disagree.
Glad you're part of the C5 community.
Were all 4 of those Vosla bulbs in the picture 9012 bulbs or did he send you the 9011 high beam bulbs as well. I saw he had 9011 bulbs by Toshiba listed on his website.
Were all 4 of those Vosla bulbs in the picture 9012 bulbs or did he send you the 9011 high beam bulbs as well. I saw he had 9011 bulbs by Toshiba listed on his website.
I did not order any of the Toshiba 9011 high beam bulbs. My order was for 3 low beam 9012 bulbs. The little bit of nighttime driving that I do is all in town so I left the stock high beams as they were.
I did not order any of the Toshiba 9011 high beam bulbs. My order was for 3 low beam 9012 bulbs. The little bit of nighttime driving that I do is all in town so I left the stock high beams as they were.
3? as in, 2 to use and 1 spare?
Mine is all in town as well and honestly the stock headlights with the Silverstars is adequate. For me. Hope it works out well for you!
Exactly. Since there was some trimming involved and the fact that these bulbs are not available locally, I figured I'd just save another shipping fee and get a spare up front. Kinda one of those Murphy Law things. If I wouldn't have had a spare .....
Back in 2017 installed a set of Vosla 9011/9012 bulbs and a set of higher wattage #899 fog lamp bulbs. The combo was somewhat marginally better, but I still could not safely drive the car at night. So finally in 2022, I bite the bullet and purchased the Sharper Image Bi LED ACA headlamps system and the E2 LED fog lamp bulbs. Is it expensive, yes! But they transform the car and brings it up to moderns lighting standards. It is complete world of difference and now I can finally drive the car safely in the dark. I also have the Radioflyer Innovations White DRL switchback harness, Gen 6 bulbs and hyperflash harness installed as well. As always YMMV.
Last edited by JHrinsin; May 31, 2024 at 09:51 AM.
I have a lot of posts under my belt, too. But for safety's sake, I'm bringing this one back. I will say up front that I've tried many things to improve the lighting. Are these Stern/Vosla HIR bulbs? Reason being I've been there-done that, too. Currently I have Silverstar Lows and found a deal on 100w Highs. Even lighting all 4 lights with an aftermarket relay so I don't set the damn thing on fire, night driving illumination still sucks. Until now, I never wanted to spend the $$$ to go with the best Stern setup. But no matter what I've done, it still sucks. How bad does it suck? Let's just say something drastic happened about 6 weeks ago. Wife and I leave Michigan for Florida at around 3:00 A.M.. Other than returning to Michigan from Florida, it's the only time all year I spend hours driving in the dark. So what happened?? As I was driving South on I-75, just 5 or 10 miles North of Cincinnati, Ohio, I hit something. BIG!! BAM!! I never saw it. It rattled around under my car for at least a couple of seconds, then it was gone. No way you can stop and look at that location. At 70mph, thats around 200 feet worth of rattling. I'll never know what it was, but suspect it was metal. I got to Florida and picked up a mint Ti exhaust locally for a good price. I took it to a local auto repair shop. We got the car on a lift for the first time since this happened. Whatever I hit, it tore the Hell out of the bottom of my car! Punched a hole in the aluminum sheet metal that protects the rear of the fuel tank, and bent steel lips flat. Also gouged the rocker panel a good 3 feet long and maybe 1/16" deep. Ill have more $$$$ in paint and body repairs than the best Stern lighting kit would've cost. Would I have seen it with good, normal lighting? I think so, but we'll never know. At least I'd have had a chance with better lighting. So with my tax money, I'm calling Stern, or whoever has the best lighting setup. I'm convinced the C5 shoulda never left the factory with such terrible lighting......
I have a lot of posts under my belt, too. But for safety's sake, I'm bringing this one back. I will say up front that I've tried many things to improve the lighting. Are these Stern/Vosla HIR bulbs? Reason being I've been there-done that, too. Currently I have Silverstar Lows and found a deal on 100w Highs. Even lighting all 4 lights with an aftermarket relay so I don't set the damn thing on fire, night driving illumination still sucks. Until now, I never wanted to spend the $$$ to go with the best Stern setup. But no matter what I've done, it still sucks. How bad does it suck? Let's just say something drastic happened about 6 weeks ago. Wife and I leave Michigan for Florida at around 3:00 A.M.. Other than returning to Michigan from Florida, it's the only time all year I spend hours driving in the dark. So what happened?? As I was driving South on I-75, just 5 or 10 miles North of Cincinnati, Ohio, I hit something. BIG!! BAM!! I never saw it. It rattled around under my car for at least a couple of seconds, then it was gone. No way you can stop and look at that location. At 70mph, thats around 200 feet worth of rattling. I'll never know what it was, but suspect it was metal. I got to Florida and picked up a mint Ti exhaust locally for a good price. I took it to a local auto repair shop. We got the car on a lift for the first time since this happened. Whatever I hit, it tore the Hell out of the bottom of my car! Punched a hole in the aluminum sheet metal that protects the rear of the fuel tank, and bent steel lips flat. Also gouged the rocker panel a good 3 feet long and maybe 1/16" deep. Ill have more $$$$ in paint and body repairs than the best Stern lighting kit would've cost. Would I have seen it with good, normal lighting? I think so, but we'll never know. At least I'd have had a chance with better lighting. So with my tax money, I'm calling Stern, or whoever has the best lighting setup. I'm convinced the C5 shoulda never left the factory with such terrible lighting......
Daniel Stern Headlight Bulbs
