GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q: What's the difference between LEDs, HIDs and Halogens?
A: Light-emitting Diode (LED) was invented in the 70's and has recently made huge advancements in its technology. LEDs are semiconductors and we use their electrical properties to manipulate the energy going through them to produce a specific color and amount of light. LEDs have many desirable characteristics for all applications and have the frontrunners of the lighting industry. At Cygolite, we currently use High-Brightness LEDs in all of our lighting systems for the following advantages:
- LEDs are very compact and extremely shock resistant
- LED color temperature closely resembles daylight
- Extremely long lifespan so LEDs never have to be replaced (50,000+ hours)
- Highly efficient with power translating to longer run times
- LEDs are brighter then halogen lights
- LEDs are quick start, and do not need time to warm up
- LEDs are more affordable and versatile than HID bulbs
High Intensity Discharge (HID) is similar to halogen technology, but is slightly newer. It works by sending an electrical charge from a ballast through a quartz tube filled with gas and metal. The gas is used as an igniter and the metal halide is vaporized emitting extremely bright light. The light gives bluish tint and is the same light found on many high performance cars.
Advantages:
- Super bright light, closest to the color of the sun
- More efficient with energy than halogen lights, so longer run times
Disadvantages:
- Extremely fragile bulb can break easily
- Slow start light needs time to warm up
- Not able to do flashing modes
- Bulb and ballast combination are very expensive
- Bulb and ballast may require replacement every 1-3 years which may cost up to $200
Halogen technology is over 100 years old and was probably the most common type of lighting used. It works by sending electricity through a metal filament that reacts to pressurized gas surrounding it, resulting in a bright yellow glow.
Disadvantages:
- Not the brightest
- The filament weakens over time and bulbs need replacement every 1-3 years; (bulb life ranges from 500-1000 hours)
- Excessive energy is lost through heat and not light, so run times are not long
Q: What is better, LED, HID or halogen?
A: With continuous advancements in LED technology, LEDs are the best lighting systems currently available when comparing them to HIDs and Halogens. Their overall performance is superior in regards to brightness, energy efficiency, lifespan, durability and versatility.
Q: How do you compare brightness?
A: As LEDs replace older halogen technology, lumens are becoming more of a standard when comparing brightness. A lumen is short for "luminous flux" which is a measure of total light emitted by a source. All of our current lighting systems have a lumen rating after the model name. For those unfamiliar with lumens, light comparison photos on the Cygolite website compare our LED lights to various wattage halogen bulbs for reference.
Q: Can a lower wattage bulb be replaced with a higher wattage bulb?
A: We do not recommend replacing a lower wattage bulb with a higher wattage bulb. By doing so, you would cause an increase of heat in the headlight that may damage the system.
Q: Are the helmet mount setups available with complete units or do you have to buy the light separate from the helmet mount?
A: The higher end models within a series include the helmet mounting option. If you purchase one of the lower remaining models with handlebar mounts only, their optional helmet mount kits are available for purchase through our spare parts section of our website or by contacting Cygolite customer service.