HID lights also require special retrofitting to be used in cars previously wired for halogen lights, and they need an additional component to operate (a ballast) which can create a potential point of failure and drain energy. Though helpful for the one behind the wheel, the added brightness of xenon bulbs can create an abundance of glare, effectively “blinding” other drivers. These headlights require far more power than halogens when first turned on, but they use much less to maintain their brightness once fully lit. This process allows them to emit bright, far-reaching white light at around 6000K with less heat than their halogen alternatives. HID headlights work by sending a high-voltage electric current between two tungsten electrodes housed inside a quartz tube filled with xenon gas. Xenon headlights are a kind of HID (high-intensity discharge) light. Halogen headlights are easy to identify, shining a small amount of yellow light in a color temperature of around 3200K on the road directly in front of the vehicle. Halogen headlights produce a significant amount of heat, and it is vitally important to exercise caution when handling them-even a small amount of skin contact on the bulb during replacement can affect their performance. Similar to incandescent lights, halogens use a heated tungsten filament to produce light, except the filament is encased in a bubble of halogen gas to improve performance and longevity. So which type of headlight is best for your car, and what are the differences between them? Halogenĭating back to the mid-1960s, halogen headlights were some of the earliest automotive headlights, and they are still used in the majority of cars today. While color and light quality are the most visible characteristics of these lights, there are still many more pros and cons worth considering before making a purchasing decision. With older cars, you may not have much choice in the matter but with newer cars, you probably have a few options, namely halogen, xenon (HID), or LED headlights. Even after you’ve finally found the bulb you need, perhaps using our site's nifty bulb finder feature, you still need to choose the appropriate technology. Replacing your vehicle’s headlights can be a painstaking process.
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