Want to switch to either LEDs or HIDs for your 4×4’s stock lights? Or is it still practical to depend on halogens?
In this article, we’ll help you explore various alternatives for keeping you and your 4×4 safe, on your next off-road adventure.
LED Lights
The 18-Watt Nilight Flood Light Bars have a wider lighting capacity that lets you properly see left and right side obstacles that might greet you along the way. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the possibility of your 4×4 overheating because of their improved heat dissipation factor. Check them out at https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Driving-Lights-driving-Warranty/dp/B00IY3YLCI/.
LED works when electrons and electron holes fuse together to form a light-emitting diode (LED). In turn, the LED is responsible for the equal distribution of energy supply which causes it to ignite, with the help of a semiconductor.
Nowadays, LEDs have been commonly used in jeeps in the form of flood light bars because they consume less energy, which automatically means they make your vehicle last for long driving hours. In fact, they’re 90% more energy-efficient than other traditional light types. Another thing is when you switch them on, they immediately light up to their maximum extent.
LED lights are notable in terms of their lighting capacity as well. Since they have a very large lighting coverage, you’ll still be able to see what lies ahead, no matter how dark your surroundings are. In other words, they’re your number one choice when you usually travel on steep and winding paths, where careful driving is necessary.
- They only get a small power supply from your vehicle, allowing it to properly function.
- You don’t have to wait for a few seconds, for them to reach their maximum brightness.
- You’ll be quickly notified of any possible danger, before it even strikes you.
- Their small and light features make them fit many different car brands.
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- They require regular cooling methods to avoid the possibility of a malfunction.
- They have a tendency to make their nearby vehicle parts hot.
- If they’re poorly installed, the engine bay will have difficulty cooling itself.
Halogen Lights
The Hella Rallye 1000 Black Magic Driving Lamp has a white beam that adequately illuminates your path and nearby surroundings. Furthermore, its casing is impact-resistant that it won’t easily get damaged or fall off, as a result of shaking. Get your own at http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/halogen-lamps/rallye-1000-black-magic-series/.
A halogen serves its purpose when argon and nitrogen gases combine in a tungsten-filament-filled glass capsule. This is because your vehicle’s battery consistently provides it with heat that causes the tungsten filament to evenly occupy the rest of its container. Of course, the container shouldn’t be just an ordinary kind of glass. It should be heat-resilient to prevent breakage.
Halogen lights are known to be the traditional light types. Since they’ve been around in the early times, they’re the basic lighting device for almost all kinds of 4×4; be it a SUV, jeep, etc. They’re also available in almost all electronic stores that you no longer have to ask for a stock. Although they’re light might not be as strong as that of LED lights, they’re enough to guide you on short-travel distances.
Halogen lights are also fairly durable. As a matter of fact, they could last for at least three years. Plus, they’re your most inexpensive option compared to LED and HID lights.
- If you need to replace them, you can quickly remove them on your own, than hire a professional to do it for you.
- You can adjust them according to your preferred brightness level.
- You don’t have to spend too much cash just for a pair.
- They’re completely available to the general public.
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- They naturally give off heat which could make you feel uncomfortable.
- They consume too much engine power which is the exact opposite of LED lights.
- Oil from your fingerprints can hasten their expiration date.
Where to put your halogens:
Halogens are usually used as flood lights on most 4×4 vehicles. With this in mind, you may place them on the side of your 4WD’s bumper. Or, you may also put them on your vehicle’s rear side, as an additional support for the tail lights.
HID Lights
The Hella Rallye 4000i Compact Xenon Headlight boasts of a pencil beam pattern that’s suitable for a quick yet long-distance driving, especially during night time. This is because it gives a clearer and more focused view of what’s in front of you. It also comes with an innovative design that’s easy enough to mount on your 4×4. See its other features at http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/xenon-lamps/rallye-4000i-compact-xenon/.
HID is achieved when a heavy electric current crisscrosses between two electrodes, hence where its name high-intensity discharge was derived. The movement between the two electrodes produces xenon that vaporizes halide salts, when temperature increases, to generate light.
HID lights have a very strong light output than halogen and LED lights. So, if you’re the type of person who’s driving a pickup truck and is normally racing against time, you’ll never go wrong with them. This is due to the fact that the former can go more than 3,000 Lumens but the latter only hold less. This only means if you use HID lights, it’s as if you already have eagle eyes wherever you’re going.
One more thing to like about HID lights is they mimic a light that closely resembles that of the daytime. As a result, you’ll feel more at ease when traveling, as opposed to the effect of obviously-artificially-made lights. Moreover, they have the farthest lighting coverage among the three light types.
- The light they produce is very bright that you can almost see everything that comes your way.
- They won’t strain your eyes because of their seemingly-natural light color.
- Their light distribution is perfect.
- They’re energy-efficient compared to halogen headlights.
- They last longer than halogen headlights.
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- They’re expensive.
- They can blind passers-by which can cause accidents.
- Using them might be prohibited from where you live.
Where to put your HIDS:
Obviously, since they’re used to effectively guide your path, they have no other place than in the front (left and right) portions of your vehicle.
What to Look For When Buying
All 4×4 lights look the same at a glance but the truth is, they have specific purposes. If you’re not keen on them, you might end up consuming more than your time, money, and effort. So, to spare yourself from such a headache, take note of these pointers the next time you shop for your 4WD lights.
- Warranty – Warranty means that the credibility and performance of products are only valid for a certain period. If you don’t see a warranty on your desired 4×4 lights, ask the manufacturer or brand representative, as this will help you determine when’s the right time for a repair or a replacement. The problem with others is they sometimes fail to be particular on it that they end up doing the necessary actions on the 11th hour.
- CE-Approved – The CE (or elaborately known as European Conformity)-approved seal on products means that they’ve passed the quality assurance tests needed. Even though CE-approved standards vary per product, it gives you the peace of mind that you’re using a safe item or something that isn’t life-threatening. If it’s not present on your product’s packaging, there’s a high possibility that what you’re about to buy is illegally distributed.
- Warning Label – Do your 4×4’s lights have a tendency to quickly heat up? Perhaps they might suddenly malfunction when wet? Warning labels give you an information on what to avoid about your products. They seem to be a trivial matter but carefully reading and following them could save you from dangers that can simply go beyond material costs.
Conclusion
Purchasing the lights that suit your 4WD is just as important as buying garage lights. It requires a keen observation and skepticism. Doing so, helps you practice wise consumerism. Furthermore, when you buy products with warranty, warning label, and are CE-approved, you don’t easily get fooled and you avoid putting your life at risk.
Related Links:
- https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/light-bulbs/article/how-to-buy-the-best-light-bulb/led-lights-explained
- http://www.halcyon.net/en/the-halcyon-brand/frequently-asked-questions/lighting-system/what-is-the-difference-between-hid-and-led-lighting
- https://www.topbulb.com/blog/whats-difference-halogen-incandescent-bulb/
- https://www.theretrofitsource.com/blog/halogen-vs-led-vs-hid-vs-laser/
- http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/electrical/1607-halogen-hid-or-led-which-light-is-right-for-your-4×4/
- https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Driving-Lights-driving-Warranty/dp/B00IY3YLCI/
- http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/halogen-lamps/rallye-1000-black-magic-series/
- http://www.myhellalights.com/index.php/products/auxiliary-lamps/xenon-lamps/rallye-4000i-compact-xenon/
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