All the OEMs have adopted LED headlamps as the primary choice of illumination in their current lineup of products. Not only do they have a longer life, but they tend to consume just a fraction of the power needed for regular halogen lamps while offering better illumination. While, halogen still remains relevant in commuter bikes, the segment is in transition stage for all LED headlamps and tail lights. Let’s have a closer overview of the current industry dynamics.
Halogen Headlamps
These headlamps are made with tungsten filament encased in an envelope with inert gases, which glows when electricity passes through the filament. Its industry-viable and mass market design was patented by Elmer Fridrich and Emmett Wiley from General Electric in 1959.
Its basic functionality includes a constant temperature of 250°C for adequate illumination. However, in the LED vs Halogen bulb comparison, it has one major downside - despite a safe casing, it is very close to inflammable temperature.
LED Headlamps
An LED (Light emitting diode) is a semiconductor module that emits light when current passes through it. The technology found its industry viable use-case in 1956 when they were used as an indicator lamp, replacing smaller halogen bulbs. In 1968, Hewlett Packard developed an LED to a point where its mass-market production became feasible.
LED lights have become a popular choice for both domestic use-case and automotive lighting, replacing the existing halogen bulbs. This is due to better rendering and constancy in colour temperature with higher quality and much-pleasing lighting. Hence, in the LED vs Halogen bulb comparison, LED lights turn out to be a clear winner.
The automotive industry saw the first-of-its-kind LED headlights, also known as HID (high-intensity discharge). It was in early 2000 when LED was first witnessed in mass market vehicles.
| Parameter | LED light | Halogen Light |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 30-90 watts | 55 – 100 watts |
| Efficiency (conversion rate) | 80% conversion rate | 20% conversion rate |
| Heat emission | Low | High |
| Range | 250-300m | 100m |
| Lumens | 80-100 per watt | 16-24 per watt |
| Colour temperature | 4000k-6500k (Cool white) | 3000k-4300k (Warm white) |
TVS Motor embraces the benefits of LED headlights include their relatively lower power consumption, thus making them viable for wider applications. They can be configured into a variety of shapes and sizes. LEDs are also projected for a longer lifespan (up to 10x more than Halogen bulbs).
While halogens still have a place in budget bikes, as the technology evolves and LEDs get cheaper, we may see halogens become completely obsolete in the future.
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