HID vs. Halogen

 

When you’re replacing your vehicle’s headlights, there are several options available.  You can either stick with conventional halogen lighting, or upgrade to visually impressive, long-lasting HID headlights.  Below, we provide you with head-to-head comparisons between the two, so you’re better able to make an informed decision.  Here’s what HIDs can offer you that halogens just can’t:

Improved Visibility.  HID headlights are over 3x as bright as halogens.  Already substantially brighter, HIDs also provide better-defined color contrast, making it easier for you to determine the hues of objects and obstructions ahead of you.  This can be extraordinarily helpful in correctly reading road signs, as well as determining whether something crossing the road is a small, scurrying animal or just a leaf blowing in the wind.  Xenon HID headlights also enable you to see better at the margins, as the improved light coverage provides for expanded peripheral vision.  You’ll also be less fatigued during nighttime driving, as Xenon bulbs emit light that appears more natural to the eyes than halogen light, resulting in eyes that are less tired after extended headlight exposure.

Enhanced Efficiency.  Xenon HID bulbs last up to 10x as long as halogens, so you won’t have to worry about replacing bulbs every year just so you can see at night.  HID headlights are also less of a strain on your vehicle’s battery power, as they consume over 30% less energy than halogens.  Furthermore, HID bulbs produce less heat during their operation, giving you a ‘greener’ bulb setup that avoids wasteful emissions.  Whether you’re installing 9006 bulbs or H1 HIDs, one thing’s for certain:  without having to purchase replacements constantly, you won’t have to empty your wallet over and over again, and can avoid time-consuming replacements and modifications.

 More Safety.  Xenon lighting can be a crucial added safety feature, every bit as important as seat belts and air bags.  After all, you’re not lighting the road ahead of you to go sightseeing; you want good light so you can see potential dangers before they become a threat.  The sharper color contrast provided by HID headlights makes it easier to discern between joggers wearing dark colors and bushes rustling in the wind, and greater luminescence means you can see further ahead than you could with halogens equipped.  The way official road signs and highway markers are designed adds yet another benefit to using HID lights, as the reflective panes on these objects more readily reflect the type of light emitted by xenon bulbs.  When you can see everything ahead of you more clearly, you are better prepared to react quickly should an obstacle or event present itself while driving.

Greater Durability.  Xenon headlights rely on ignited xenon gas to operate.  Unlike halogens, which contain a sensitive filament inside the bulb, xenon HID bulbs don’t have any physical component inside them that can be damaged.  That means you end up with significantly reduced chances of breaking the bulb due to normal wear and tear.  Drivers who value their time and don’t want to have to replace halogen bulbs over and over again will be pleased with the durability of HIDs, whether you have H1s, H11s, 9006s, or another type of HID bulb display.

More Customization.  Here’s the part that car enthusiasts love:  customization.  The color of the light your HID bulbs emit can be altered entirely to your personal preference, so you won’t have to fall back on one generic headlight color.  As you change the color temperature (K), the hue of the light is modified as well.  Lower color temperatures from 3000-5000K will provide you with warmer yellow and white lighting, while higher temperatures closer to 8000-12000K will produce light in purple and blue hues.  You can match up your Xenon HIDs to the exact color of your car, or go for higher contrast that creates a bolder, more distinctive look.  That’s the great thing about customization:  all these HID upgrade choices are up to you.