As you know, the quality of the light coming from the headlights of a car directly affects the quality and detail of the road view in the dark. Based on the statistical data, it is no exaggeration to note that poor-quality luminous flux is a rather serious drawback of a car. Often a large percentage of emergencies occurs precisely because of poor visibility of the road situation at night. Despite the high technological breakthrough of the auto industry, almost every third car on public roads does not have proper head lighting.
Factors Affecting Light Quality
The quality of the light beam emitted by the headlamp depends on a number of factors.
Firstly, this is the technical condition of the electrical equipment of a car. In the event of a malfunction of the generator or its component parts, the generated electricity will not be enough to provide the lamps with optimal energy. The second factor is the design feature of the headlight as a whole. The brightness of the light may depend on the condition and shape of the reflector and diffuser. The third reason for dullness may be the use of low-quality products.
If in the first two cases the problem can lead to tangible financial and time costs, then replacing the lamps in the headlights is quite simple. It is enough to purchase and install them.
Which to choose?
The only problem motorists face is which lamps are best placed in the headlights. Even given the high cost of the product, drivers often prefer xenon. This is due to the fact that such light provides excellent visibility of the road, even in bad weather conditions. However, its effect on the human eye has no contraindications. Xenon bulbs emit a luminous flux similar to natural daylight, which makes it possible to drive a car for a long time in the dark, while not feeling fatigue and special eye strain. With this in mind, driving is more comfortable and safer.
In rain or heavy fog, visibility of the road and other road users is especially difficult. If the headlights of the car are equipped with halogen lamps, the beam cannot fully illuminate the veil of fog and the rain wall. This leads to emergency situations. The xenon light flux is three times higher in quality than the light of halogen lamps and allows you to have a large viewing area in front of you.
It is worth noting that manufacturers of xenon products guarantee a long service life of the device - almost three thousand hours, while the life of the halogen headlight is only five hundred hours. In this case, the power consumption of the first is only 35 watts, and the second - 60 watts.
Even based on these indicators, it can be seen that the efficiency and economic characteristics of xenon lamps are several times higher than the characteristics of halogen.
Bulbs H4
Considering the factor that H4 optics does not change its essence (two filaments), at the moment this lamp has all kinds of modifications and design changes. A variety of models of this device are aimed at a specific customer with their own distinctive features. The gas components in the bulb, the material and shape of the electrode holders, the spiral - all this affects the technical performance of the lamp. Also, certain technological secrets of various manufacturing companies and lamp assembly methods are reflected in the quality of the luminous flux. The fact that products of various companies may have their own characteristics is indicated by various test tests.
Varieties of these light elements
At this time, the auto parts market has several types of equipment such as H4 bulbs, which can be divided into conditional categories according to the method of operation, durability and power readings:
- Standard lamps installed on all machines from the conveyor.
- With amplified light emission.
- Weatherproof lamps. Replace the fog lights.
- With improved visual comfort.
- High power.
Optics H4 is designed for installation in a conventional car headlight and has a standard power of 60-65 watts. Depending on which electrode the lamp emits light in, in this mode it also works - dipped or main beam. The use of more powerful products is not recommended without the installation of additional electronic equipment, as it is possible to overload the wiring of the car’s electrical network and damage the generator. Lighting devices are characterized by stable and uninterrupted operation throughout the entire service life, which has become characteristic with the use of modern production technologies. With the passage of the law on the compulsory use of dipped headlights in the daytime, manufacturers began to produce standard H4 lamps with increased operating life. You can use such products almost round the clock, while not harming the car and the lamp itself.
LEDs
An alternative to halogen and xenon products can be a diode type headlamp lamp. Such analogues have a number of features and advantages. The period of operation of the device is up to 50,000 hours. However, it does not heat up and consumes a very small amount of energy. If we consider in detail, the H11-18SMD diode lamp is equipped with eighteen light diodes of the 5050 SMD type and is installed under the H11 base.
As a rule, headlights of cars of foreign manufacturers are equipped with such lamps. They perfectly perform the functions of low beam and additional illumination, and can also be additionally installed in standard foglights.
H11 diode lamp has the following characteristics. The brightness of the emitted light is 290 lm, the consumed voltage is 12 V, the power is 1.8 watts. The lamp has a modest overall dimensions - 38x38x50 millimeters.
Xenon headlight selection
In many ways, the choice of xenon device depends on the design features of the headlight. In the event that the headlight unit is designed to install a lamp with one hot electrode, then the usual type of xenon is installed on it. When the manufacturer recommends installing products with two hot electrodes, bi-xenon is mounted in the headlight.
These xenon bulbs have an electromagnetic metal shutter in their construction, covering part of the glass bulb. It is worth noting that it may be necessary to replace the headlight lens. This is due to the fact that the standard diffuser evenly splits the light stream, and for the efficiency of xenon operation the light beam must be focused into a specific stream. The use of a conventional reflector and xenon lamps leads to the fact that drivers of oncoming cars are exposed to the effect of blinding. This is fraught with various emergencies, possibly fatal.
Xenon bulb specifications
The light temperature of the radiation of any xenon is the main characteristic when asked which lamps are best placed in the headlights. These indicators are measured in kelvins and characterize the light radiation intensity and spectrum.
The light temperature range has the following parameters:
- 3200-3500 K. As the main lighting, these lamps are not suitable, but more for fog optics. The light stream has a yellowish tint and visually resembles halogen light with a difference in light intensity of 1,500 lm.
- 4000-5000 K. It has neutral light radiation and minimal visual distortion. As a rule, such lamps are included in the standard equipment of a car, as they are optimal for head light and have a high degree of intensity - 3000 Lm.
- 5000-6000 K. The use of xenon with a given glow temperature is prohibited in many countries. The lamp emits bright white light, which affects the driver's perception of the road situation and leads to rapid eye fatigue. The light of such products is visually very effective, but practicality is poor. It is worth noting that xenons with a glow temperature of 6000-12 000 K also have low efficiency and practical application, therefore, it is rather difficult to acquire such because of their impracticality.
What lamps are better to put in the headlights? Manufacturer
When purchasing lamps for headlights, you should take the choice of the company and the country of manufacture with particular seriousness, since the quality of the device’s performance directly affects safe traffic. Even at low speeds, optics that suddenly go out can lead to irreparable consequences.
The main guarantee of the reliability of the product is the reputation of the manufacturer and the corresponding package of documents, which should indicate the ownership and quality guarantee of this product. It is not worthwhile to purchase xenons of dubious production, even if the sales representative advertises them as a quality product.
Next, we present several companies whose product quality is not in doubt.
Hella, Philips
These two companies have long been entrenched in the world market as manufacturers of automotive electronic accessories, and in particular automotive lamps. They have a high reputation and workmanship.
Osram
A fairly well-known German company, which is one of the leaders in the production of xenon lamps. The products of this company are popular and highly trusted among domestic car enthusiasts who willingly purchase lamps for headlights of cars of this brand. The manufacturer regularly improves manufacturing technology and has a significant number of patented developments and innovations in its account.
IPF
Proponents of Japanese quality and reliability can be advised by IPF lamps. It is worth noting that the price of products of this company is quite substantial. This is due to the use of the latest technological developments in terms of design and materials used, as well as production features.
IL Trade and MTF-Light
The products of this tandem of Korean companies are mainly installed on budget class cars. Lamps of these manufacturers have sufficient reliability and quality assurance, but at the same time affordable price. Compared with the products of eminent companies and brands, the products of these companies are inferior in quality, but are quite suitable for everyday use on an inexpensive car.
However, what kind of lamp is better to put in the headlights of your car - a purely personal matter of each car owner. It all depends on preferences and its awareness, as well as on the design of the headlights and technical indicators of the car. When purchasing lighting devices, you should follow the recommendations of the seller-consultant who will help with professional advice when choosing. And of course, do not purchase cheap Chinese xenon.
So, we found out which light elements are best to buy for your car.