HID vs Xenon...

[Stuart Truman]

We seem to be using xenon as a word for HID lights. You can buy xenon charged bulbs but these are not high intensity discharge.

Thoughts on this? Xenon or HID?


Tapatalking...

 

[Adamski]

Ive always called them xenon. Years ago my mate had an E36 and kept banging on about the HID kit he'd bought for it.

From then I always thought HID meant aftermarket job, but that xenon was factory fit. How wrong I was...

They both the same to me now


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[ranski]

I thought HID was a group term and xenon fell under this banner?


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[mmm-five]

When HIDs first came out they were the only lights to use xenon gas in the bulbs.

Since then, bulb manufacturers have found that xenon gas can also be used in the old filament bulbs that used to be halogen filled.

If anyone says they've got a HID or xenon 'system' then I assume it's the same thing. If they say they've fitted xenon bulbs, then I assume they've simply fitted new bulbs in a halogen system.

 

[markeg]

I've always thought that Xenon (not HID) bulbs are a bit of clever marketing - do they have a brighter light than (for example) the Philips Xtreme power bulbs?

 

[Stuart Truman]

I think they have a bluer colour to them and a brighter light. Closer to the HID bulb rather than the orangey glow. I fitted a set to an older car and preferred them. I was thinking of changing the main beam bulbs on mine to Xenon.

Are the M bulbs HID on both bulbs? I've noticed a few new cars do have HID mains


Tapatalking...

 

[Hotride]

I put xenon bulbs in my high beams, they match the xenons very well.

Don't really know about light output as I've rarely ever used them. But I bought them for the colour $5 from eBay

 

[bcworkz]

Another term that confuses things are projector headlights. They can be lit with either HID or halogen. The cheap, non-HID 'xenon' bulbs should at least be called 'xenon-like' as they are simply tinted halogen bulbs. These can be good quality and attractive, but there's no xenon involved. Xenon illumination is impossible without a regulated power supply.

HID is a generic term, referring to various lamps also seen in streetlights, petrol stations, and sporting venues. Even xenon HID is a bit misleading, the xenon is only used as temporary illumination until the HID component heats up enough to work on it's own. I think all automotive HID lamps are actually some sort of metal-halide lamp with a xenon startup component.

So if you hear any of these terms, and it's important, all I can say is ask more questions.

 

[corsaire77]

Another term that confuses things are projector headlights. They can be lit with either HID or halogen. The cheap, non-HID 'xenon' bulbs should at least be called 'xenon-like' as they are simply tinted halogen bulbs. These can be good quality and attractive, but there's no xenon involved. Xenon illumination is impossible without a regulated power supply.

HID is a generic term, referring to various lamps also seen in streetlights, petrol stations, and sporting venues. Even xenon HID is a bit misleading, the xenon is only used as temporary illumination until the HID component heats up enough to work on it's own. I think all automotive HID lamps are actually some sort of metal-halide lamp with a xenon startup component.

So if you hear any of these terms, and it's important, all I can say is ask more questions.

+1

 

[Putter Whore]

So to summarise the tread so far; we first thought they were different only to find out they are the same thing. But now they're common place and none of us probably have what we think we have. Confused - you bet! :tumbleweed:

 

[Stuart Truman]

I think the confusion stems from the fact that you can have a standard filament bulb using Xenon as the inert gas, and a Xenon discharge bulb (or HID).