Title says it all. Which is your favorite HID lamp construction- and why? What shape you prefer?


My favorite is Sylvania, BT shape. Appears the most durable. I like the larger starting resistor on the multi vapor bulbs however but never liked GE's flimsy internal appearance.

I like the BT shape too, and the ones where the lamp is coated but the end is clear. The Westinghouse Lifeguards seem to be well regarded. I don't have either style of lamps though. Mine are GE and Sylvania.

I really like the clear end, lets you see what condition the arc tube is in. Check Ebay, they have tons of good stuff there.

My favorite construction is the BT shape of any brand (except Feit and other crap brands). I have two 175w Sylvania BT-28s, and one Westinghouse BT-28 Lifeguard. All are clear. I also have 3 GE 1000w /C BT-56 (one is a Bonusline) and a clear Sylvania 1000w BT-56 from May 1970.

Ooooh! Do you have pictures of the clear ones?

Same here, for mercury lamps, I like the classic BT shaped lamp with the clear top. I have a Sylvania 100w BT25, two Sylvania 175w BT28s, a Sylvania 400w BT37, a 175w BT28 Westinghouse and two Westinghouse 400w BT37s that are like that. I also have some clear BT lamps too.

Ofcourse like many others here I opt for BT. Specifically BT-25, BT-28 and BT-37, I like all variations including clear, clearbander and clear ender (currently don't have a clear bander yet).