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ABOUT HID XENON
TECHNOLOGY
Three times the brightness;
ten
times the lifespan; only half the
power consumed; HIDs are..
more
AURA
HID CONVERSION KITS
Providing the widest range of HID
Conversion Kits (from 4000K to
12000K), AURA XT has recently
launched its Halogen Series..
more
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Guide, Wallpapers and
more..
High Intensity Discharge (HID)
lighting systems refer to the revolutionary lighting technology that
produces brilliant light by striking an electrical arc across tungsten
electrodes. It is the "high intensity discharge" generated from these
electrodes that produces the "whitish-bluish" lights, and hence the
name, HID lights.
This advanced lighting technology, easily distinguished by its intense
beams of whitish-bluish lights, is commonly displayed by most
upscale/luxury cars seen on the streets today. Evidently, these lights
are rapidly becoming the norm on the streets because they are able to
produce more light than conventional halogen lighting systems (from 200%
to 300% more light), enabling the driver to see more clearly, while at
the same time consuming only almost half the power (35w vs. 55w), making
the car more economical to run. Furthermore, the life expectancy is up
to 10 times longer than any halogen lighting systems, almost equaling
the life span of the car, and only needs replacing in exceptional cases.
These hard-to-beat combinations have made HID superior to any other
conventional automotive lighting systems.
What is
Xenon Technology?
The Xenon Bulb that comes with the kit is a
micro-discharge bulb filled with a mixture of noble gases including
Xenon. Unlike halogen bulbs, xenon bulbs have no filaments. Xenon
lighting is based upon the gas discharge principle, where an arc of
light is created between
two electrodes in a specially designed inner
glass tube filled with metal salts and inert gases. When current is
passed through the glass tube, which has the electrodes sealed into each
end of it, the gas gets hot and the metals produce the light once they
are heated to a point of evaporation.
While neon emits red light and mercury emits blue light, the light
produced by the xenon gas used in HID headlights is not in fact BLUE but
virtually WHITE in color. The light only appears blue when compared to
the warmer yellowier light produced by halogen lighting systems. Unless
the inner glass tube of the xenon bulb is tinted, the heat of the gas
inside determines the color of the light. This spectrum of illumination
is depicted in the Kelvin Color Temperature Chart.
HID lamps (also termed as Xenon Globes) require an electronic ballast
and a relay, which comes built in with the AURA Ballasts, not only for
ignition but also for the HID lighting system to function properly and
to maintain its operation. HID lighting is typically used when high
levels of light are required and when energy efficiency and/or endurance
are needed.
Why
Upgrade?
HID Conversion Kits have become one of the best personal
investments in car accessories. The clear white light produced by HID is
very similar to what we see in daylight and as a result, the objects
illuminated by the HID lights would in most cases appear almost the same
color as they would in daylight. This innovation, more than any other,
brings truth to the saying 'Seeing is Believing’
Over the last decade, technology advancements in the automotive industry
have resulted with more comfortable and safer driving through the
introduction of such technologies as ABS, Airbags and Air-conditioning.
Research has, however, shown that 60% of all road accidents take place
in the dark. For this simple reason, it is obvious that vehicle lighting
plays an integral and critical role in the overall safety of the driver.
Because the clear white light produced by HID lighting systems adapt to
the natural viewing conditions of the eye, driving is made more relaxing
and secure. In fact, it has also been scientifically proven that white
light, as opposed to yellow light, significantly reduces the occurrence
of eye fatigue and consequently enhances concentration and helps the
driver remain alert at all times.
Improved lighting also enables earlier and easier identification of
objects, cyclists, pedestrians and potential hazards in the road ahead.
By providing an extended and lengthened view of the road ahead, HID
lighting systems enables the driver to identify dangerous obstacles
effortlessly and more rapidly. Consequently, drivers are able to react
in good time. Better lighting therefore delivers an active contribution
to road safety and driver comfort and CAN SAVE LIVES.
HID
Today...
With all the obvious advantages that HID Lighting Systems holds over
conventional Halogen Lighting Systems, some may question why car
manufacturers themselves are not including HID as standard,
factory-fitted equipment (OEM). The answer to that is quite simple –
advanced and improved technology often translates to increased
production costs. As a result, only a handful of luxury car
manufacturers (such as BMW and Lexus) have decided to include this
costly safety feature as factory-fitted equipment but even so, only
limiting it to their upscale models (such as the BMW 5 series and the
Lexus RX330).
Today, the advancements in technology have significantly reduced the
cost of HID Lighting Systems. Car manufacturers themselves are beginning
to realize the importance of HID as an essential safety feature and
while some has begun to install HID lighting systems on their newer
models as factory-fitted equipment, the majority of car manufacturers,
however, are only providing HID Lighting Systems as an ‘upgrade option’
where customers end up paying thousands of dollars more for this
aesthetically pleasing safety feature.
Fortunately, there are now aftermarket brands that specialize in the
production and provision of world-class HID conversion kits that are
available for cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even boats, all of which
are provided at an affordable cost. Once available only to the owners of
high-end luxury cars, the recent advancements in HID technology have now
placed it within the grasp of the discerning car enthusiasts. In
comparison, aftermarket brands are much more affordable and perform on
par with factory-fitted ones.
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