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Talk and debate about which light source is preferred has been going on for a long time. The situation is practically unchanged. So, when xenon light was just starting to pour out of the headlights, the price difference with halogen was enormous, so such decisions remained the prerogative of premium segment technology or special machines that performed unique tasks. Today, the cost of xenon has fallen significantly, however, the popularity of such headlights on trucks and buses is not as great as in the passenger car segment. As for LED lighting technology, the situation with it today is like a carbon copy repeats the one that developed with xenon and halogen in the past - now it is the most modern technology. What you need to know in order to make the right choice?
Technology
Is halogen yesterday? No, despite the fact that the light source itself appeared in the middle of the last century and did not undergo significant changes - the lamps become brighter, give more light (for example, halogen lamps with increased power), but in the end it is the same incandescent lamp placed in gas-filled flask. But the headlights themselves went through an evolutionary path of development - now four optical technology are known: a paraboloid reflector, a projection system using an elliptical reflector (DE), a free-form reflector (FF), a combination of DE and FF in one system.
So new headlights, even halogen ones, can surprise with the quality of light - URAL trucks of the 6370 family and MAZ buses serve as an example of this, these enterprises were the first in their industries to test new technologies and offer consumers high-quality light.
Xenon? Yes, but only if it is full-time xenon from recognized car light leaders, the one you can order with an additional option when buying a new car. All other options will not give you the desired effect.
This is how Hella components for the xenon headlight look, but the module itself does not go on sale
This is how Hella components for the xenon headlight look, but the module itself does not go on sale. This is how Hella components for the xenon headlight look, but the module itself does not go on sale.
And this is a ready-made headlight for Mercedes
And this is a ready-made headlight for Mercedes. And this is a ready-made headlight for Mercedes.
LEDs These LED manufacturing technologies have finally made it possible to use them as light sources for automobile head lighting, however, the price of such solutions is maximum - everything new is expensive.
Operation cost
Have any of you considered how expensive a simple bulb replacement is? This is not only its cost, but also the work of the master and a simple machine … As an example: the high initial cost of the LED marker compared to the usual one is justified when you first replace the lamp in the usual one, after the second replacement the old man becomes unprofitable. The same can be said about signal lights. Unfortunately, so far this rule does not apply to head lighting. But this is with us, but in Europe with more expensive fuel and lower prices for lighting, the new LED headlights already allow you to save on maintenance. Xenon in this context takes an intermediate position - replacement of lamps in it is needed less often, on average, the life of a discharge lamp is 2500 hours versus 500 hours of operation for a standard halogen lamp.
Security
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Here is the argument that puts xenon in the first place given its current availability. It is this type of headlights that illuminates the road efficiently enough for a comfortable and safe movement in the dark at any speed in the framework of traffic rules. The color temperature close to daylight allows you to correctly distinguish colors without straining the driver’s eyes, thereby reducing the overall level of fatigue from the night road. Halogen will probably never catch up with xenon in this discipline. LED headlights are no worse than xenon in these parameters, but they are still very expensive.
Environmentally friendly / cost-effective
Xenon consumes 42 watts per headlamp versus 70 watts of a halogen lamp, how will this affect fuel consumption? Let's count. A middle-class city bus, if all lighting devices and the dashboard use ordinary lamps, then in the daytime driving mode, the total energy consumption is more than 300 W, because traffic rules regulate movement with low or fog light, which, in turn, means turning on the parking light circuit, and these are marker lights, and contour lights and dashboard and license plate lights … If the bus has the most modern equipment and all functions are implemented on the LEDs, we will get a digital ru close to 90 watts. If the manufacturer was not ready to use LED headlights, but provided for Xenon in the head optics, the total consumption is about 190 watts. Of course, there is a difference and it is palpable, but what do you say when you learn about reality, to reduce consumption in the driving mode during daylight hours to 42 W, or even to 8 W? For example, the new LiAZ buses operating in Moscow consume only 40 watts because they are equipped with HELLA Daytime Running Lights. So, if you consider fuel consumption, keep this information in mind when choosing the optional equipment by placing an order with the manufacturer.
