How to choose xenon

Xenon optics by their functional characteristics are significantly superior to ordinary halogen lamps. It gives white and bright light, evenly illuminates the roadway and shoulder, contributing to safety and making night driving safe and predictable. In addition, cold xenon light looks stylish and significantly 'rejuvenates' the car, even if it is a VAZ 'classic'. All the car owner needs is to choose the right xenon bulbs that will not blind oncoming cars.

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We recommend that you read the article on the main principles of choosing car headlights so as not to get into a mess.

Top xenon lamp manufacturers

High-quality car installation kits are produced by many companies specializing in the manufacture of lamps and optical devices:

1. Osram;

2. Hella;

3. Philips;

4. Koito;

5. Denso;

The products of the above brands are of high quality, it is suitable for installation in most modern cars and fully complies with all the necessary GOSTs that relate to automotive lighting.

Kinds of xenon kits

Lighting kits made in China

Inexpensive xenon equipment related to the budget price category. Installed in almost all modern cars, both foreign cars and domestic production. Their ignition unit is taken out and is intended for installation under the hood.

Advantages

• Low cost;

• Bright light;

disadvantages

• Low quality workmanship;

• Difficult to install well;

• Oncoming cars are very blind if they are installed incorrectly;

• Burn out quite often;

Lighting packages made in Japan, Korea and Western Europe

Expensive and high-quality optics, distinguished by uniform adjustment of the luminous flux and designed for installation in the standard headlights of most cars. With the correct setting, it does not blind oncoming cars, while providing a cool white light.

Advantages

• Bright cold light;

• Available on most modern cars;

• Unpretentious in care;

• Does not blind oncoming cars;

disadvantages

• High price;

• Labor intensity of installation;

Factory OEM kits designed for installation in specific car brands

The most correct option from an aesthetic point of view. It represents either lamps with ignition units designed for installation in headlights intended for this, or a full-fledged head optics equipped with reflectors and lenses, designed to be installed instead of the standard one. Provide the functional characteristics specified by the manufacturer.

Advantages

• Highest quality workmanship;

• Fully match the characteristics of the car;

• Protected against breakage of contact, short circuit, ingress of moisture, etc. moments;

• Oncoming cars do not blind;

• Factory functionality with all additional features – auto-corrector, adaptive headlights, angel eyes and many other options;

disadvantages

• Very expensive. The price can reach 50-100 thousand rubles;

• Not available for all car brands;

• Require car coding after replacement;

Xenon selection parameters

Luminescence temperature

Measured in Kelvin. The higher – the clearer the transition of the luminous flux into the blue-blue spectrum.

1. Lamps with a temperature of 3000-5000 K are neutral in color, have a warm yellowish tint;

2. 5000-7000 K – saturated white color;

3. 7000-9000 K – white with a clear bias towards the blue spectrum;

4. More than 9000 K – white-blue luminous flux with a bias in violet tones;

As a rule, high-quality branded xenon lamp kits are limited in glow temperature to 6500-7000 Kelvin. All that is above are 'crafts' from the Middle Kingdom.

Base type

The base is a xenon lamp mounting element that fixes it in the headlight. It is selected depending on what type of lamps the manufacturer uses. There are a large number of different markings – H1, H4, H7, d1s and others. They are not interchangeable – before purchasing this or that kit, you need to make sure that it matches the head optics of the car.

Design and protection of the ignition unit

1. The principle of operation of a xenon lamp is based on the presence of an ignition unit – a special element that ensures its uninterrupted power supply. High-quality ignition units should be clothed in a waterproof case, have small dimensions and provide for the possibility of hidden installation under the hood;

2. Having chosen a xenon kit that is suitable for a set of characteristics, you should study the owners' reviews about it in general and the question 'blinds oncoming cars or not' in particular. The operation of lighting devices should both ensure their own comfort on the road, and not cause inconvenience to other road users!

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.