FAQ's

1. What is Xenon Light?
   
   The xenon bulb is a micro discharge bulb filled with a mixture of noble gases including Xenon. The bulb has no filament as is the case with a halogen lamp. The light is created by striking and arc between 2 electrodes. The xenon lamp needs a starter for quick ignition and an electronic ballast to function properly.
   
   
2. What are the advantages of Xenon Light?
   
   The xenon lamp produces 2 to 3 times as much light as a halogen lamp whilst only consuming half of the power. Therefore the driver can see more clearly and the car is more economical to run. The light produced by the Xenon bulb is the same as daylight. Research has shown that this enhances driver concentration and thus safety. The life expectancy of the xenon lamp is that of the life of the car and only needs replacing in exceptional cases.
   
   
3. Why was Xenon Light developed?
   
   The car over the last decade has been made safer and more comfortable with the introduction of such technologies as ABS, Airbags and Air-conditioning. However 60% of all accidents take place in the dark. Therefore vehicle lighting plays a very big role in road safety. It is a fact that a 60 year old requires 10-11 times the amount of light to perform the same functions as a 20 years old. With the increase in the average age of the population more light is required to drive safely.
   
   
4. What is meant by active safety measures?
   
   Better lighting leads to earlier and improved recognition of objects, cyclists, pedestrians and potential hazards ahead. it is also vital that you get as much notice as possible of traffic signs and road markings to be able to react in good time. Therefore better lighting delivers an active contribution to road safety and driver comfort and can save lives.
   
   
5. Can't we improve halogen lamps?
   
   The limits of the halogen technology was reached with the introduction of the PREMIUM lamp. This lamp offer 30% more light on the road ahead compared to a standard lamp. The only way for further improvements was via a new technology. The gas discharge lamp proved the answer.
   
   
6. Why does a Xenon bulb produce blue light?
   
   The light produced by a xenon bulb is not in fact BLUE but WHITE falling well within the International specification for white light. The light only appears blue compared to the warmer yellowier light produced by halogen lamps. It clearly appears when compared to daylight.
   
   
7. Why can a xenon lamp produce the same colour as halogen?
   
   Technically speaking it could and it is possible to adapt the light colour produced. However, this would lead to substantial loss of intensity, thereby canceling out the particular advantages gained. i.e. Increased driver concentration and reflection of the road marking etc of white light.
   
   
8. Doesn't the use of Xenon lamps cause more irritation amongst other drivers?
   
   The International regulations governing light distribution and intensity on the road are very strict. Xenon light falls well within these standards. Technically speaking , xenon lighting is less irritating than halogen lamps. This is because the light darkness transition border are much more clearly defined. Less light is reflected into the eyes of oncoming drivers. The increased light output is used to give more homogeneous light distribution and to improve the illumination of the verges. The above are only achieved if the following 3 International regulation conditions are met :
   • The headlamps must be correctly aligned according to the regulations.
     
   • The vehicle must be fitted with an automatic headlamp leveling system.
     
   • The vehicle is fitted with an automatic headlight cleaning system. Without such the dirt acts as a diffuser for the light and distributes it in areas beyond the prescribed range.
     
     
9. Why is it that Xenon light sometimes causes irritation to oncoming drivers?
   
   In normal conditions drivers look straight ahead. Due however to the conspicuous colour of the new technology drivers are more inclined to look into other cars headlights. The same phenomenon was experienced with the introduction of halogen lamps in the sixties. In those days drivers spoke of those 'irritating white lights'. Everybody will gradually become accustomed to this type of light as they did to the introduction of yellow lights in France and the use of a third brake light.
   
   
10. Why is xenon light so expensive?
    
    Xenon lighting is not just merely the question of a new type of lamp but a whole system consisting of :
    • A highly complex and hi-tech lamp, manufactured to the very highest standards of precision
    • An electronic ballast and starter. The manufacture of the electronic ballast in particular requires very very complex technology.
    • Automatic leveling and cleaning systems