HID vs Xenon headlights?

[lostatlantis]

I was wondering what's the difference between the so called HID and Xenon headlights? Is HID the name of any higher-output light system, and Xenon just an example?

The reason I am asking is I want to upgrade my 96 firebird's headlights. They really are pretty weak. I found this on Ebay

Ebay listing


Will this fit in my 96 firebird? And the listing mentioned that it "copycats the HID lights that Mercedes, BMW and Lexus produce". So is this NOT HID? And what the heck is he talking about with the "city light" thing?

I did a search on HID lights in the forum, but the info is in bits and pieces and I am still pretty confused about it. If you can clear it up for me that would be great!

[BiH]

would that fit a 93-97 camaro?/

[lostatlantis]

I am guessing probably not. The physical shape doesn't look like it fits in a camaro.

So, anyone care to help me out with my question?

[V6Bob]

Xenon lights are pretty much like standard. They run electricity through a hot wire to make light. Using xenon gas inside can be better, but it depends a lot on the particular light.

HID is a whole different thing. More like a street light. They send high voltage electricity through a gas and make light with an arc.

HIDs work at much higher temperature so the light is naturally bluer. When people make fake "like HID" lights they often do it by using blue glass in the bulb. That cuts the amount of light you get. So you get to look cool while having lousy headlights. Not what I'd want.

A "city light" is a small light, something like a parking light, that is used in Europe. I don't know any more about them.

[ October 03, 2004, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: V6Bob ]

[new2thegame]

i go the sealed beam conversion for my maro its a 95 ill take some pics heres the site u need to get them www.autoopkics.com

[new2thegame]

#4351 Low Beam on 4351/4352 Mini-quad

Uses #9006 Capsules

AutoOptiks
#4351C
$50.00/pair
$30.00/each
N/A
N/A

#4352 High Beam on 4351/4352 Mini-quad

Uses #9005 Capsules

AutoOptiks

[Earnhardt132000]

I also have a question on this...

Is there another way to get the "blue" look used by Audi etc. besides spending $1000 on a HID system, while still getting a decent amount of light shining to the road? I love the way the blue ones look, but I don't have a thousand to spend on lights.

[new2thegame]

i thnk some of those piaa bulbs get it pretty close but the price for the bulbs are like close to 100 a pair

[majeskyb]

I've been using the Silvania SilverStar and have been loving them. Though not as bright as HID lights, I think they're pretty close, and provide excellent coverage at night. They're about $20 a bulb, but I think they're worth every penny

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

Originally posted by majeskyb:
I've been using the Silvania SilverStar and have been loving them. Though not as bright as HID lights, I think they're pretty close, and provide excellent coverage at night. They're about $20 a bulb, but I think they're worth every penny

yes buy for 97 and under cars the lighting sucks, i think im going to get some big *** fog lights and use them all time lol

[articacid]

I got purple xenon's in my camaro. there a little brighter but the light that comes off them is really white(like it shines really white on the road). so you can see better.

[lostatlantis]

ok, so I guess HID requires switching out the entire lighting assembly?

can I just go buy Xenon light bulbs and replace my stock headlight bulbs? If so, what/where should I get?

[F1GT]

Don't even waste your time and money on bulbs, if you want brighter lights, get aftermarket foglights or an HID conversion kit. Bulbs can only do so much. If I knew then what I know now, I would've just saved my money for something else.

When you see them say "Xenon HID", it just means they have xenon gas in the bulb rather than the factory halogen gas. And the HID part of the discription basically means it's supposed to mimic the HID look. When they mimic that look they basically coat the bulbs to filter out certain light so that white/bluish white(or whatever color) comes out. When this gets filter, of course there is going to be less illumination on the road. When you look at the car's lights head on(signal strength), it might appear to be brighter because of the color, but what you see on the gound is dimmer illumination and always accompanied by a flourescent light effect. So to counter this minimal illumination, some of these bulb manufacturers created higher wattage bulbs to TRY to compensate for the loss of light. Then you see like "80watts or 100watts Xenon HID" bulbs. With those higher wattages comes higher heat and shorter life. Lots of cheap lights will simply start smoking or bubble up on you. On top of that you will still get that flourescent like glow on the ground and it will be more frustrating to drive at night. The only positive side is your lights look whiter to on coming traffic and the signs reflect better. But your illumination on the ground will get worse.

[V6Bob]

"Is there another way to get the "blue" look used by Audi etc. besides spending $1000 on a HID system, while still getting a decent amount of light shining to the road? I love the way the blue ones look, but I don't have a thousand to spend on lights."

There's no way to get a regular lightbulb to look like HID that doesn't involve doing something that's inefficient. You have to throw away some of the light to get the blue color. Fake HID bulbs are strictly a poser thing.

"ok, so I guess HID requires switching out the entire lighting assembly? "

Yep. You need the high voltage power supply, the bulbs, and different reflectors to properly distribute the light from the arc, which is different than light from a filament. Ever notice how annoying HID bulbs can be when coming at you? The aftermarket guys sometimes don't get it right.

[Harrison]

for the firebird lights, do u have to replace the whole housing, or can i just switch out the bulbs?