Ok,after 3 years my driver's side bulb gave up the ghost and last month I just purchased a new set of Ultrastars and yes,they are actually brighter and do cast more light than the regular version. Unfortunatly I didn't get a night pic of the regualr compared to the Ultra but for chuckles and grins and on a warmer nigth I'll swap back in the regular bulb for a comparison shot.

Pics don't do lights justice but here's one anyway and they are a niced improvement.

 

i put the ultras in my sisters car i could tell the difference form the regular ones

 

I run ultras and find them substantially brighter

 

Try PIAA extreme whites. I love them. They are pretty damm bright

 

The Ultras are not higher wattage and thus are still street legal right? I couldn't find much info on Sylvania's site. How can they be so much better?

 

I've noticed my OEM bulbs that are possibly 11 years old seem pretty lame recently.

I also don't follow headlight technology: Are these plug and play replacements? Where do you get them? How much would I expect to pay?

 

HID is the way to go. or just do what i have right now while i wait for my HID kit to arrive. put in 100W hella bulbs

 

I don't think they are a huge improvement but the light is more white and casts a noticeably farther beam. They are still rated at 55w and I got mine from a friend who works at Checker and I got half off of the $50 retail price but you can find deals on-line.

And yes,they are plug and play.