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What is the difference between bi-xenon and xenon? What is bi-xenon? Xenon and bi-xenon - what's the difference? First, let us remind those who have forgotten or are not aware of what xenon is

The first thing any car owner should do before driving onto the highway is to ensure the safety of themselves and other road users. This is why the choice of lighting elements is so important. After all, the motorist’s reaction to the events taking place around him depends on the quality of road lighting at night.

The differences between these two types of lighting are not very big. Each system has both its advantages and disadvantages. But when comparing the differences between xenon and bi-xenon, the driver must take into account not only his own convenience, but also the comfort of drivers driving in the oncoming lane.

Attention! Front lights that are too bright can dazzle and cause an accident.

To prevent this from happening, you must know what differences exist between xenon and bi-xenon. After all, such knowledge will allow you not only to choose suitable lamps, but also to install them correctly, taking into account the characteristics of each design.

Now, to ensure better performance of xenon or bi-xenon, entire intelligent systems are being installed that are designed to improve the performance of lighting devices. They themselves choose the position of the lighting lamps depending on many factors.

Why more and more drivers are thinking about installing xenon and bi-xenon

The answer to this question is quite simple. Old incandescent lamps do not provide the required level of illumination; moreover, in terms of safety, they are significantly inferior to modern analogues. But that's not all. Their service life is much shorter. Even high-quality devices that operate using outdated technology are inferior to xenon or bi-xenon systems.

Not only do conventional vacuum tubes have a shorter service life, but they also consume much more energy. Because of this, the car consumes much more gasoline. In turn, to Senon and bi-xenon are much more economical. This is their main difference from outdated technology.

But before you move on to installing xenon or bi-xenon on your car, you need to understand what the difference is between them. This will allow you to make the right choice and provide good visibility on the road, as well as guarantee the safety of other road users.

Educational program on xenon

To understand the differences between this type of headlights and bi-xenon ones, let’s go back a little into history. Of course, the idea of lighting the road appeared many centuries ago. Even the carriages had primitive lighting devices. Naturally, comparing them with modern lighting systems is at least unreasonable.

But when it comes exclusively to cars, the differences between headlights of different generations will help you see the advantageous aspects of new devices. In the early days, lighting systems were powered by propane.

Only many years later did cars with vacuum lighting devices appear on the market. Their differences in performance characteristics were so significant that propane analogues almost immediately disappeared from the market.

Attention! The last evolution before the advent of xenon technology was halogen.

Finally, in 1992, Philips developed the first lighting device that worked on the basis of xenon technology. Its full name is High Intensity Discharge. Bi-xenon became the logical development of xenon.

Comparison of xenon and bi-xenon

Design features

It's worth starting with the fact that replacing conventional light bulbs with xenon is not as simple a task as it might seem at first glance. The fact is that in old cars all standard optics need modernization. After all, xenon works on a completely different principle.

First, you will need to install some additional items under the hood. Secondly, you need to make certain changes to the on-board network. Finally, you need to decide what the difference is between xenon and bi-xenon, and what type of lighting is right for you.

It’s worth starting with the fact that in principle there are no differences in the operation of xenon and bi-xenon. They work thanks to an inert gas that is inside a glass flask. It has two electrodes. High voltage current passes through them.

Attention! When xenon and bi-xenon are in operation, the inert gas begins to glow due to the voltage transmitted through electrons.

The main difference between xenon and bi-xenon lies in the operating modes available for the two systems. In most cases, xenon is used in low beam headlights. In turn, bi-xenon is suitable for both high and low beam lighting. This is its main difference and advantage.

There is also a difference in the design of the headlights themselves. When it comes to xenon, the system must have two separate lamps. One will be responsible for the high beam, and the one with xenon will be responsible for the low beam.

The difference between bi-xenon and xenon is that the former can easily be used to turn on low and high beams. Movable electrodes in the system allow you to change the lighting in a way that is convenient for the driver depending on the time of day and the current situation on the road.

Attention! Movable electrodes move inside the bulb.

Some designs with bi-xenon work on a slightly different principle. The difference is that there is a special metal screen. Sometimes car manufacturers use a curtain as an alternative.

The curtain and metal screen move thanks to an electromagnet. As a result, the desired lamp element opens or closes. Bi-xenon is considered the ideal choice for cars in which high and low beam are provided by one lamp.

To understand the difference between xenon and bi-xenon, you need to consider the technical characteristics of each type of lighting lamp. The most important parameter is color temperature. For example, if we compare halogen with xenon, the ratio will be 3100 to 4500. Other advantages of xenon include:

natural lighting,
stylish appearance,
vibration resistance.

In order to properly illuminate the road, gas discharge lamps must have both white and yellow light. Otherwise, you will either blind oncoming motorists, or you will not have sufficient lighting.

The blue shade of light has the highest color temperature. Despite this, you should not constantly use lamps with a blue glow. The fact is that such a shade greatly tires the eyesight.

Moreover, the more Kelvins, the higher the scattering intensity. This is due to the fact that the frequency of wave oscillations increases significantly. As a result a lens cannot always combine rays into one stream. A metal screen can save the situation.

Bi-xenon features

In essence, bi-xenon represents the next milestone in the development of lighting devices. Due to the ability to work in two modes, a huge number of car owners choose it. To better understand the difference between bi-xenon and simple xenon, let's consider some technical features of bi-xenon devices:

The technology works using regular xenon.
The design has a curtain, the position of which can be changed using a button.
The lens has its own unique base.
The device is mounted on a housing with a base from a simple halogen lamp. Special rings are used as adapters.

High-quality bi-xenon ensures instant switching between low and high beam.

Optimal choice

An important difference between xenon and bi-xenon is the price. It’s not for nothing that bi-xenon is considered a budget replacement for halogen lamps. With xenon the situation is a little different. If you take the regular option, it is inexpensive. However, its quality is questionable.

More expensive and high-quality lamps powered by xenon are a completely different matter. In them, the arc is static relative to the axis of the electrodes. As a result, the light beam has much greater stability. Budget models are not very good in this regard.

Attention! If you want to change only the low beam, xenon is the best choice.

In turn, the main difference between bi-xenon is the ability to change the light. This makes it an excellent alternative to halogen lamps, providing both low and high beam.

As an alternative, you can also consider installing xenon lamps with bilens. This design is capable of providing high-quality high beams using a special screen located in the lens.

Results

As you can see, the differences between xenon and bi-xenon lie in the design and possibilities of use. But it is based on the same technology, with some design changes. In this case, xenon without additions is used for low beam, and bi-xenon is universal.

Xenon lamps, as well as bi-xenon lamps, are well known even to those who do not have their own car. Anyone who has ever walked on a busy street or highway in the evening has probably seen a bright, blinding white or bluish light. Bright light is both a problem and a blessing for modern cars; every year a huge number of accidents occur from blinding headlights, in which thousands die of people. On the other side, xenon and bi-xenon can be called a “saving flint”, providing excellent illumination of the road at night. Today I will not figure out who is right and who is wrong in this case, I will only say one thing - in the case of installing xenon or bi-xenon, everything must be done at the proper level, in compliance with all technical standards and characteristics. Independent installation of alternative lamps in headlights that are not designed for this and do not have the appropriate approvals and additional requirements. equipment (for example, automatic headlight leveling), very often leads to the fact that such lighting devices simply blind the oncoming lane, with all the consequences...

However, today’s article is not about this, but about what this bi-xenon is, and how it differs from the xenon we are all familiar with. You will learn about the main differences between the two competing types of lighting, after which you will be able to answer the question yourself. Which is better xenon or bi-xenon.

First, let's remind those who have forgotten or are not aware - what is xenon?

Xenon is an inert gas that is pumped into gas-discharge lamps in order to achieve the brightest light beam possible. It was xenon gas that later became a household name for a whole series of xenon lamps, which the common people began to call simply “xenon”. Xenon or “xenons” work on a fundamentally new principle, absolutely not similar to conventional incandescent lamps. The second, more correct name for xenon lamps is gas discharge or HID-Lamp (translated from English, the abbreviation stands for: High Intensity Discharge– high-intensity discharge). It should be noted that in addition to the aforementioned “xenon” gas, which fills the lamps, it also contains a certain amount of impurities, salts and metals. The glow itself is formed as a result of the creation of an electric arc, vaguely reminiscent of the one that can be seen during welding work.

Now, actually, what is bi-xenon?

Time does not stand still and xenon has been replaced by more advanced and high-tech lamps called bi-xenon. Bi-xenon lamps, as you understand from the name, they are the successors of the same xenon, but unlike their predecessors they have a number of significant differences. Recently, bi-xenon has become more popular than xenon, and there are several reasons for this, mainly related to design features. Bi-xenon has a more complex structure and functionality, but at the same time it allows you not to separate the low and high beams, using instead only one light bulb. Xenon lamps are most often used in cases where there are two separate lamps for the high and low beams.

Bixenon differs in that it can switch the lamp's glow mode, thereby producing either low or high beam depending on the need and the road situation. Bi-xenon headlights are capable of changing the geometry of the light flow and its boundary, through a special curtain or bulb. Moving, the curtain is able to change the light from high to low and vice versa in a matter of seconds, without wasting time igniting gas-discharge lamps. The design of bi-xenon headlights most often uses an electromagnet, which actually sets the bulb or curtain in motion.

Let's summarize. The main differences between bi-xenon

A completely different design, using a bulb or curtain to change the light output.
One lamp serves as both low and high beam.
High speed of switching near/high, without delay for warming up.
High cost compared to conventional halogen headlights, as well as xenon counterparts.
Incompatible with most old-style headlights designed for halogen or xenon.

Finally...

Each of the above varieties have advantages over simple incandescent lamps and are equally effective in poor lighting conditions. Xenon and bi-xenon are able to provide stable and bright light, subject to the correct approach and settings. In the question of whether xenon or bi-xenon is better, you must be guided by personal considerations, as well as financial capabilities. If the headlights of your car allow you to install bi-xenon, and the traffic police are not against it, you have the right to do so. If for one reason or another you do not have the opportunity to equip your car with bi-xenon, and you really lack light in the dark, I recommend it. In this case, you will get good light at a reasonable price. I would also like to draw your attention to the fact that installing xenon is not always possible and is not justified in all cases; in addition, you may have troubles with the State Traffic Inspectorate or undergoing maintenance.

Safety on the road at any time of the day is the most important thing for any motorist. This issue is especially relevant in the dark, as it accounts for a large number of accidents and emergency situations associated with insufficient visibility.

That is why the quality of headlights has become the number one issue for motorists and automakers. With the advent of xenon lamps, which shine twice as brightly, everything has changed. The xenon illumination spectrum is close to natural sunlight, which not only provides ideal visibility, but is also less tiring for the driver’s eyes. In fog, rain or snow, xenon lamps are able to “break through” a wall of rain or snow, providing sufficient visibility for movement.

What is xenon?

Xenon- this is an inert gas with which gas-discharge lamps are filled; they work on a completely different principle than incandescent lamps. It would be more correct to call xenon lamps gas-discharge or HID-Lamp(from English High Intensity Discharge - high-intensity discharge), these lamps contain xenon gas, as well as impurities of salts and metals. The glow is formed as a result of the formation of an electric arc (something similar can be seen during operation of a welding machine). To create this arc, the xenon headlight kit contains ignition units that generate high-voltage voltage pulses, resulting in a bright, powerful glow. The color temperature of xenon is 4000 - 12000 K; for comparison, for halogen lamps this value is 2800 K.

Some time after the appearance of xenon lamps, bi-xenon was invented, which has characteristic differences from ordinary xenon.

What is the difference between xenon and bi-xenon?

Xenon and bi-xenon are based on the same principle of illumination; the differences mainly lie in the implementation of the lighting itself. Standard xenon, as a rule, provides only low beam; halogen headlights are installed for high beam. While bi-xenon headlights are two in one, they can combine the functions of low and high beam. That is, the same xenon lamp will give both low and high beams; ordinary xenon lamps do not allow this. That's why bi-xenon and is called bi-xenon, the prefix “bi” indicates that the lamp combines two functions - low and high beam.

Bi-xenon lamps

Bi-xenon headlights produce high beam due to a special property consisting of a lamp screen or a luminous bulb located in the lamp itself, which moves under the control of an electromagnet depending on the selected mode. The price of bi-xenon will be slightly higher, and its installation requires fundamental changes in the standard lighting system

Thus, we can conclude that in the question, which is better xenon or bi-xenon, It’s quite difficult to answer this unequivocally, since it’s practically the same thing. From the point of view of convenience, it will certainly be better to install bi-xenon - one lamp will provide both high and low beam, while installing regular xenon, you will also have to install halogens, which will provide you with high beam. If we take into account the price, then xenon lamps win, since an expensive bi-xenon will cost many times more, and besides, you will have to pay a lot for its installation.

But in general, if you buy any of the two candidates, you win in any case, because both xenon and bi-xenon are much better and more efficient than ordinary “halogen” lamps in which incandescent lamps are installed.

Since their introduction, xenon lamps have quickly gained popularity due to their high intensity luminous flux.

Unlike incandescent lamps, they do not have a filament, representing a bulb filled with Xenon gas. The glow is caused by a discharge of electricity that passes between two electrodes. Inert gases create a luminous flux. The illumination of such lamps is doubled, which allows for increased visibility.

The range of color temperature of the radiation is close to the solar spectrum, so the light does not strain the eyes and conveys everything in familiar shades.

What is bi-xenon

Bixenon is the latest development in automotive lighting devices, recognized as the best solution among auto lamps. This optics package combines both low beam and high beam, which allows you to have one light source in the headlight. It fits the majority (about 80%) of cars available in Russia.

Installing bi-xenon is impossible without installing lenses, otherwise a too intense light beam will cause discomfort to oncoming drivers. Special lenses make the brightness of the lamps acceptable.

The most common technology is bi-xenon optics with a moving shutter. An electric drive drives such a device, allowing you to set the appropriate focus points for high and low beam. The direction changes in less than a second, so switching occurs without much delay. These headlights are easily adjustable and fit any modern car. Disadvantages include the limited number of actuations of the drive, which requires repair every 3-4 years of service.

Double-capsule bi-xenon is a new technological achievement. It uses only one gas-filled flask, which consists of two independent capsules that create a beam of light in a certain direction. The separate layout is easy to customize and allows you to generate a light flux that is safe for all drivers.

The disadvantage of this technology is the high price and the need for cooling, because the temperature inside the flask can reach heights that are dangerous for the device. At the moment, two-capsule lamps are not in great demand, but engineers continue to improve, predicting the rapid displacement of conventional bi-xenon.

What is the difference between xenon and bi-xenon: differences

The purpose of automotive lighting is to provide good visibility at night. To improve this indicator, car owners are thinking about installing a new system, but the abundance of offers on the market and lack of knowledge of technology can delay the choice.

To install any kind of xenon, it is not enough to simply replace the light bulb: you will have to install the accompanying elements (power supply, cooling system, etc.) under the hood and configure the car’s electronics. Moreover, the question of which is better, xenon or bi-xenon, is confusing.

Difference between xenon and bi-xenon:

into low beam lamps. It is used in headlights where the low and high beam lighting systems are separate.
Bixenon allows you to switch to long-range lighting mode on command. Some versions of this technology have movable electrodes that change location in the bulb, while others have a shutter screen that moves under the influence of an electromagnet to open or close the desired parts of the lamp. Bi-xenon is recommended for cars with headlights that use two phases of lighting in one lamp.

An alternative solution is to use bilens on a regular xenon lamp. Such optics switch lighting modes by moving the screen relative to the source.

What is better, xenon or bi-xenon?

Simple xenon illuminators are technically inferior to their more modern counterparts, but at the same time, their installation is cheaper. One way or another, the technology of gas-filled lamps provides better visibility of the area and a longer service life compared to filament lamps.

The most common solution

Most often, a combination is used in which the high beam is provided by a halogen lamp, and the low beam by a xenon lamp. This is explained this way: intense high beams are required only for long trips outside the city, while most drivers often travel short distances along illuminated roads in populated areas, which makes the purchase of bi-xenon unjustified.

Conclusion

Knowing the difference between xenon and bi-xenon, you can make a rational choice. Both sets of optics are common in car dealerships and are sold with the goal of making driving safer. It is worth considering that these systems use high voltage, so if damaged, it is unacceptable - you need to contact a service center.

Most experts value bi-xenon for the ability to switch, having one device in the headlight. One way or another, both technologies are now relevant and the choice is motivated by budget, factory type of sockets and personal preferences.

The appearance of xenon auto lamps turned out to be a serious step forward for the global automotive industry. They were many times superior to incandescent lamps in brightness and service life, but required the installation of additional units. Then the next generation of gas-discharge autolamps appeared, which were called bi-xenon. Not many drivers know the difference between xenon and bi-xenon, and which lamps are better suited for different conditions. After reading the article, you will get answers to these questions, and also find out which lamp sets are better.

How do gas discharge light sources work?

Xenon and bi-xenon are two types of gas-discharge light sources known since the beginning of the twentieth century. Any gas has the ability to ionize - increase the charge of electrons, atoms, and molecules. Ionization begins as a result of an electrical potential difference. Between the places where electrical energy is applied, a channel consisting of charged particles begins to form. When their number reaches a certain threshold, a discharge occurs - electrons are able to move en masse from the minus pole to the positive one.

During this movement, electrical energy is converted into light energy; the color depends on the composition of the gas and the material of the contacts. The same principle underlies the operation of xenon and bi-xenon illuminators. The ignition unit, which is included in the kits of both light sources, creates a voltage sufficient to form a stable channel between the electrodes, which leads to the appearance of a stable discharge. When the lamp is lit, the ignition unit reduces the voltage to avoid overheating. To create normal lighting, you need not only sufficient brightness, but also the correct direction of light, which is provided by the reflector and lens.

Xenon and bi-xenon - differences

What is the difference between xenon and bi-xenon? To answer this question, you need to understand how each type of car lamp works. In xenon lamps, switching between low/high beam occurs in three ways:

Installing light sources at different angles.
Changing the installation angle of one lamp.
Using a special curtain that blocks the direction of the main beam.

In the first case, the headlamp is equipped with two lamps, which are installed at different angles. Thanks to this, turning on the low beam lamp illuminates the area next to the car. When the high beams are turned on, the light beam rises, illuminating a distant space. In the second case, switching between low/high beam occurs by changing the angle of the lamp relative to the reflector, which plays the role of a mirror. Changing the angle at which the light hits the reflector changes the direction of the light coming from the headlight. The lens does not change the general direction of the light beam, but gives it the necessary shape.

The first method allows you to simplify the control of the headlamp, but requires two sets consisting of an auto lamp and an ignition unit. The second method allows you to get by with one set, but its electromechanical drive is not highly reliable and requires proper care. The third method is the least efficient because low beam uses only half the lamp's energy.

Which method is better, everyone decides for themselves.

Unlike xenon, bi-xenon has a different mechanism for changing the direction of the light beam, which allows it to be better controlled. Depending on the location of the charge, the general direction of the headlamp beam changes. Therefore, in bi-xenon, the electromagnet moves the electrodes, due to which the location of the discharge changes. In this case, the discharge itself does not stop. This control method makes it possible to eliminate unreliable electromechanical drives and switch low/high beams by applying voltage to the electromagnet contacts. Another advantage of bi-xenon lamps is the ability to smoothly adjust the angle of the light beam. To do this, it is enough to change the voltage supplied to the electromagnet. Therefore, the only difference between xenon and bi-xenon is the method of changing the direction of the light flux.

Xenon and bi-xenon - installation features

Installing xenon involves connecting a horn unit. It's better to do this near the headlight. You will not have to make any other changes to the vehicle's electrical wiring. Installing bi-xenon will require serious modifications to the headlight control circuit. If you are not a professional auto electrician, then it is better to entrust this work to a specialist. After all, you will need to disconnect the low and high beam relays, and connect the control unit instead. In addition, you will have to find a place for the ignition unit, which, as in the case of xenon, must be located near the lamp.

Xenon and bi-xenon - which is better?

To determine which type of these devices is better and what is the practical difference between xenon and bi-xenon, it is necessary to make a list of the most important characteristics. Here are the main characteristics of this list:

price;
life time;
lighting efficiency;
installation and installation.

Sets of xenon lamps will cost significantly less than bi-xenon ones. However, two xenon lamps will always be more expensive than one bi-xenon lamp of the same power and manufacturer. Therefore, for headlights with separate low/high beam lamps, bi-xenon is preferable because it will be cheaper. For headlights with one lamp, xenon is preferable due to its lower price. The lifespan of the lamps is the same, so there is no advantage to either one. In terms of lighting efficiency, bi-xenon kits are noticeably better because they allow you to correct the direction of the light beam by changing the voltage. Installing bi-xenon requires serious intervention in the car's electrical wiring, so installing xenon is easier and simpler. However, once you convert the car to bi-xenon, you will no longer interfere with the electrical wiring. Therefore, not a single lamp has an undeniable advantage, as confirmed by numerous reviews on the Internet. Therefore, everyone chooses independently, taking into account the differences between lamps and their own preferences.