Soldato
Which is the better bulb and why?
Halogen Vs Xenon
- Thread starter Born_2_Kill_83
- Start date
Soldato
Xenon gives better, whiter light. But it costs a lot more, and needs a correctly designed reflector.
Caporegime
Assuming by Xenon he means HID, then its projector not reflector.
Associate
You do get some bulbs claiming to be xenon which are in fact normal filiment bulbs. Do you mean HIDs Vs Halogen or the "xenon white light" type bulbs Vs normal headlight bulbs?
Soldato
Xenon use a high voltage electical discharge. Halogens are 'normal' bulbs filled with a Halogen gas.
Xenon lamps take about 20k volts afaik
Once you've used Xenons you'll never go back to a normal lamp, only downside is they are expensive.
Xenon lamps take about 20k volts afaik
Once you've used Xenons you'll never go back to a normal lamp, only downside is they are expensive.
Man of Honour
halogen lamps are based on a filament and the gas just provides long life and brightness, HID lamps (xenon starter gas) create a arc of light between two electrodes (giving great life) and require massive voltage to start... once started though the ballast, afaik brings the voltage down to about 85v and stabilzes the arc. (hence the flickering when they first start up)
HIDs should only be fitted on a light unit with a projector lens or it creates way to much glare without correct focusing...the light output is 3 times that of a halogen and only 50% the power draw, and the difference on the road is stunning. The light is very white, though some numptys use 10k bulbs that are so blue light output is pretty pathetic. I'd say anywhere between 4300 (which I believe is standard on cars with HIDs) and 6k, 6k gives a nice blue tint that seems to really improve night vision without compromising light output too much.
im sure wiki can explain a lot better and more accurately
HIDs should only be fitted on a light unit with a projector lens or it creates way to much glare without correct focusing...the light output is 3 times that of a halogen and only 50% the power draw, and the difference on the road is stunning. The light is very white, though some numptys use 10k bulbs that are so blue light output is pretty pathetic. I'd say anywhere between 4300 (which I believe is standard on cars with HIDs) and 6k, 6k gives a nice blue tint that seems to really improve night vision without compromising light output too much.
im sure wiki can explain a lot better and more accurately
Last edited:
Soz should have been a little more specific
I’ve just bought some H7 100W Ultra white bulbs £15.99 I was wonder if there Xenon H7 100W would be any different?
I’ve just bought some H7 100W Ultra white bulbs £15.99 I was wonder if there Xenon H7 100W would be any different?
Caporegime
no difference
most uprated headlight bulbs work on the same process of Halogen bulbs, ie having a filament, but put a whiter gas on the inside of the bulb to make it look a different colour
Xenon headlights is another name for HID headlights, which are a completely different kettle of fish.
SO calling their ordinary products "xenon" makes them sound like they're as good as HID headlights, but they're not.
Soldato
Depends on make, really need more info than that. Just so you know, you do realise they are illegal to use on the road.
Bulbs that look like a halogen bulb and are a direct fit but are calling them self “xenon” are really the same thing.
Gas discharge bulbs often called HID or Xenon that require a ballast box are totally different. W for W these will tend to produce more light but of a poorer quality.
Gas discharge bulbs are only legal if fitted to the appropriate headlight unit. Also high watt bulbs are also illegal. This link tell you a little more www.hid.moonfruit.com
Gas discharge bulbs often called HID or Xenon that require a ballast box are totally different. W for W these will tend to produce more light but of a poorer quality.
Gas discharge bulbs are only legal if fitted to the appropriate headlight unit. Also high watt bulbs are also illegal. This link tell you a little more www.hid.moonfruit.com