HID and LED ?

2011-06-25 16:07:25

 HID (High Intensity Discharge) are normally much brighter than standard halogen lights (the luminosity is greater providing much higher foot candles). They work by heating xenon gas (an inert gas) within a small chamber. This is why they are so bright. But they require a special ballast in order to convert the 12V DC current to a much higher level to ignite the gas. This is also why they are so expensive. Normal halogen lights work by heating a filiment within the bulb and reflecting the light forward.

LED (Light Emitting Diodes) are basically diodes that become heated and glow. Unfortunately they aren't very bright. However they glow white or bluish-white which looks pretty cool and they last a very long time using only a small amount of energy. As far as headlights are concerned, you will never find an LED headlight with the LED being the main light. LED headlights will always have a HID or halogen main bulb. The LED will usually be a ring around the projector lens (known as HALO lenses) or will have a line of LED lights below the main lights (look at the new AUDI). 

Basically HID is a very bright headlight and LED is a headlight accessory (makes it look fancy).

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