HID lighting is a new concept in automotive lighting that has developed as a substitute for traditional halogen lighting. HID lights have several advantages over halogen light that make them the natural choice for motorists.
High-intensity discharge lights consume far less power to start and operate as compared to conventional halogen headlights. With less energy eaten up, your car saves more on gas, which converts to more mileage for your automobile. With better light production per unit of energy consumed, HID light kits seem the obvious choice for any vehicle owner. By just having this lighting system installed, you get to experience a clearer view of the road in the dark, while having more fuel to travel further, for the same volume of gasoline you normally pay for.
Comparison between Halogen and HID bulbs (H1)
| Halogen Bulb | HID Bulb | |
| Bulbs/Wattage | 12V 55W | 12V 35W |
| Max Brightness | 67,500 cd | 202,500 cd |
| Lumen | 1,500 lm | 3,200 lm |
| Color Temperature | 3,200 K | 6,000 K |
| Light Color | Yellow | Pure White |
| Life | 400 hours | 3,200 hours |
HID Conversion Kits do not have a filament; the light is created by an electrical discharge between two electrodes in a capsule that is filled with metal halide salts, xenon gas and mercury. HID Color temperature refers to the degrees (K) , which simply the measures of the color for the lighting output, like golden yellow, white, crystal white, blue. Degree (k) refers only to the color, while lumen refers to the lighting intensity. So the higher the color temperature (degrees K) doesn't mean a higher light intensity (lumen). Here is the summary for the common color temperature on the market:
- 3000K (Golden Yellow) off road use only!
- 4300K (Bright White)
- 5000K (white)
- 6000K (Crystal White)
- 8000K (Crystal Blue)
- 10000K (Aqua Blue)
- 12000K (Purple-Blue)
- 30000K (Violet/Pink) off road use only!
Developed with the express intention of improving road safety, HID Xenon lights are an appreciation of the grim fact that about 60% of all traffic accidents occur in poorly lighted places and therefore the need for better lighting cannot be overemphasized. Improved lighting assists in recognition of objects, cyclists, pedestrians, road workers and also leads to early recognition of traffic signs and an overall improvement in road safety thereby contributing to the saving of lives.
HID lighting systems are some of the most common and for good reason; they are state of the art, safe and they look great. HID lighting systems are the wave of the future; with many luxury car manufactures making them standard. It won't be long before this lighting system will come available as a stock feature was well. Not to mention that they price is reasonable as well.
