High-intensity discharge, or HID, refers to lights that are brighter than regular headlights. The HID light bulb in an HID headlight is made up of two electrodes, xenon gas, and metal salts (usually sodium and mercury) enclosed in a glass cage. Some manufacturers refer to HID headlights as xenon lights because they include xenon gas. HID headlights have been used in motor vehicles since the early 1990s, with the first production car to use them being the 1991 BMW 7-Series.
Advantages of HID Headlights
Getting a car with HID headlights has a lot of advantages. These advantages consist of:
- Better Visibility: Compared to halogen headlights, HID headlights give you better visibility since they create more light. HID headlights not only increase your field of vision but also make it simpler for other drivers to see your car.
- Efficiency: HID headlights use less energy while producing more light than halogen lights. Your automobile, truck, or SUV may be able to use less fuel thanks to this increased efficiency.
- Durability: If you’re traveling on a poorly maintained road, the filaments in halogen lights, which are highly brittle, could easily break. HID headlights are more durable and last longer than halogen headlights because they don’t require filaments. A typical HID light bulb has a lifespan of 5,000 hours. This is a considerable benefit over halogen bulbs, which typically only last 1,000 hours on average.
- Resale value: Keep in mind that some purchasers prefer HID headlights if you’re thinking about selling or trading in your vehicle. HID headlights can increase the desirability of your car to potential buyers.
- Choice: The majority of halogen lamps emit a yellowish light. HID headlights offer a wider choice of colors since they are brighter.
- Aesthetics: Due to the cleaner light that HID headlights create compared to the halogen lights’ glow, many drivers prefer them.
- Installation: Installing HID lights is normally simple. The kits come with everything you need to install them and come in a range of price points.
Types of HID Headlights
There are two primary categories of HID headlights. The type you choose depends on your individual requirements and your budget.
Standard HID Headlights
Standard HID headlights are used on vehicles that need one light bulb for the low beams and another for the high beams. This kind of lighting setup is known as a single-beam headlight system. A halogen bulb is utilized for the main beam, and a HID bulb is used for the low beam in a single-beam system.
Bi-Xenon Headlights
Some vehicles come equipped with bi-xenon headlights. These use a dual-beam lighting system. This means that they produce both a high beam and a low beam using the same type of bulb. This type of technology often involves moving parts inside the headlight assembly and switches from low to high beams using a shield or reflector. These units cost more because of the increased complexity, and the system needs maintenance to make sure everything functions properly. Bi-Xenon headlamp systems do not function with single-beam headlight systems.
Which HID Headlights Should You Choose?
When choosing HID headlights for a new vehicle, or when you’re replacing or upgrading the headlights of your car, there are a number of things to take into account when selecting the ideal HID headlights for your car. This includes:
- Price – If you have a budget, this will further reduce your alternatives.
- Your Car’s Headlight System – Bi-xenon headlights cannot be installed on a vehicle with a single-beam headlight system. They won’t work properly in your car.
- Installation Ease – If you intend to perform the installation of your new HID headlights yourself, you might want to select a kit that allows for plug-and-play installation. You can choose a more complex kit if you want a professional to install your headlights. Just remember to account for labor costs while creating your budget.
- Wattage – If efficiency is an issue, you should choose a set of HID headlights with a lower wattage. You can look at the package to determine the wattage of a set of headlights.
- Lumens – The real brightness of your HID headlights depends on how many lumens a lightbulb possesses. To find out how many lumens a HID bulb has, check the box. The headlights will be brighter the higher the number.
- Ballasts – HID kits come with either a DC or an AC ballast. DC ballasts generate more energy, which causes the battery in your car to drain more quickly. Additionally, because they generate more heat, they can degrade more quickly. However, an AC ballast is more affordable, uses less battery power, and generates less heat. However, an AC ballast is more affordable, uses less battery power, and generates less heat. HID headlights come in a variety of colors, from yellowish to indigo.
Conclusion
HID headlights are clearly the better choice when it comes to choosing headlights. They are classier, brighter, and more economical. In the future, we predict every new vehicle will come with HID headlights. These headlights are highly recommended for Kenyan drivers since most Kenyan roads don’t have streetlights.
If you would like to import a car with HID headlights, Seaways LTD can assist you in importing a quality car with stock HID headlights. Seaways LTD is the leading car importer, logistics provider, freight forwarder, and customs broker in East Africa.
Seaways LTD has been in operation for over 30 years and offers you over 30 years of professional experience in the car importation and logistics industry. We have trusted dealers all around the world and a track record of importing quality cars.
For car imports, please visit www.garimoto.net. For car clearance and other logistics services, kindly visit www.logistics.seaways.net.
For assistance, you can contact us via email: [email protected] or call/WhatsApp our office number: +254709925000
Leave a Reply