Driving at night can be challenging for even the most seasoned drivers. As soon as the sun goes down, visibility decreases dramatically with standard halogen headlights. These outdated headlights cast a dim yellow glow that barely illuminates the road ahead, leaving drivers straining to see potential obstacles or hazards. However, upgrading to modern high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights can make a world of difference in lighting up the darkness.
HID Headlights: Brighter and Whiter
HID headlights represent a giant leap forward in automotive lighting technology. Also known as xenon headlights, HID bulbs generate 2 to 3 times as much light output compared to traditional halogen bulbs. This allows drivers to see farther down poorly lit roads, around curves and bends, and even off to the side of the road where animals or pedestrians may suddenly appear. With a sharply defined cutoff line, HID headlights also minimize glare and make nighttime driving easier on other motorists.
In additional to superior brightness, HID bulbs emit a crisp white light reaching up to 5800K color temperature, matching natural daylight. This provides better visual clarity than the yellowish output of halogen bulbs. Tests have shown that white HID lighting allows drivers to identify road signs, obstacles, and hazards faster while driving at night. Depth perception and peripheral vision also improves with HIDs.
Benefits of Upgrading to HID Headlights
Here are some of the key benefits of upgrading your headlights to HID bulbs and systems:
Increased Visibility: By generating 2-3x more lumens, HID headlights significantly improve visibility down the road and to the sides. You’ll be able to clearly see farther ahead as well as spotting obstructions sooner even on unlit backroads.
Faster Reaction Time: The improved clarity of HID lights gives drivers more time to spot hazards and react accordingly. Whether it’s a deer getting ready to bolt across the road or a patch of black ice waiting around the next turn, HID lights give precious extra seconds to adjust.
Improved Night Vision: The bright white output of HID headlights enhances depth perception, visual acuity and color contrast sensitivity - key attributes for safe night driving. Identifying road signs, animals near the road, and changes in road conditions becomes faster and easier.
Reduced Eye Strain: The warm white light of HID bulbs puts less strain on drivers’ eyes during night trips, reducing fatigue that comes from squinting into dim yellow halogen lights. HIDs match natural light for more comfortable night vision.
Greater Confidence: Having a brightly lit field of vision inspires confidence and allows driving at normal highway speeds even on unlit rural roads. HID lights turn night into day, letting drivers travel their normal nocturnal routes safely.
Stylish Looks: Many HID headlights systems feature modern projector beam designs and LED accents that give cars and trucks an impressive stylistic upgrade over plain halogen lights. Form meets function beautifully with HIDs.
Making the Switch: HID Bulbs and Systems
Drivers have two options when upgrading to HID headlights: all-in-one replacement HID headlight systems or HID conversion kits.
Complete HID housing replacements allow drivers to simply switch out factory halogen headlight assemblies for ones with built-in HID projectors and ballasts. This creates a direct “plug & play” upgrade - no wiring modifications needed. Morimoto, Spyder Auto and KL HID Systems are top manufacturers to look at.
For those wanting a more budget-friendly option, HID conversion kits retrofit HID bulbs and ballasts into existing headlight housings. While allowing you to keep stock headlights, HID kits do require some DIY installation competence with running power from the battery directly to the new ballasts. Retrofitting halogen projectors to HID bulbs also won’t yield the same optimized beam pattern as purpose-built HID projectors. Still, conversion kits represent an affordable way to unlock the performance of HIDs.
Xentec and Kensun offer reliable, attractively priced HID kits in sizes for low beams or high beams. Opt for a 55 watt power rating for maximum output. Kits also typically include handy accessories like anti-flicker wiring harnesses and aluminum heat shields to protect headlight internals.
HID Beam Patterns for Projectors and Reflectors
There are performance differences between reflector and projector-type headlights when converting to HID systems:
Reflector Housing: The round or oval shape of halogen reflector housings scatter some amount of HID light, creating uneven illumination and light scatter. This can cause minor glare even with the required shield. Best matched to low 35W HID kits.
Projector Housing: Specialized HID projector optics shape the beam pattern for optimal throw distance without scattering excess light and glare. Projects light precisely where drivers need it most. Ideal foundation for 55W+ HID kit output.
So for maximum night-enhancing HID performance, look to projector-equipped headlight assemblies, whether in full housing replacements or conversion kits using existing headlights.
Take Control of the Night with HIDs
Don’t settle for dim halogen illumination when driving after sunset. Equipping your car or truck with HID headlights sheds new light on roadways near and far. See the world in a sharper more detailed view with HIDs - take control of the night!
