If you have a car, chances are that its headlights are one of two types, projector vs. Reflector headlight. The older cars are mostly likely to have reflector headlights, while the newer ones have projector ones.
In this article, we will examine the basic details of both headlights and the pros and cons of having them.
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Projector Headlights
Projector headlights are the newer invention in the world of headlight technology. It is a modern invention first seen in the 1980s in luxury vehicles, but now it can be spotted on cars of all price ranges. Their construction is mostly like reflector headlights, as they contain a headlight bulb inside a cup with mirrors reflecting those surfaces.
Projector headlights also have a lens that acts as a magnifying glass, increasing the brightness of the light beam. There is a cutoff shield to ensure that the light produced by these headlights is angled properly. This helps direct the light down the road in an accurate direction.
Furthermore, these headlights are visually more appealing than the reflector headlights, which is a great element to add aesthetics to the vehicle’s looks.
Projector headlights come in several different types of bulbs:
Halogen:
The older halogen bulbs were used as the first kind of projector headlights. They have a sharp cutoff between light and dark.
HID:
AKA Xenon HID headlights. They last longer than halogen bulbs and are brighter.
LED:
Incredibly energy efficient and durable. LED headlights are superior to HID and halogen headlights in almost every way.
Halo or Angel Eye projector headlights:
They create a distinctive ring/halo of light. These don’t use projector technology, despite their name.
Pros
- They are the brightest headlights.
- They are better for oncoming drivers as they are less likely to blind their field of vision.
- They give off a more even light.
- They have a focused beam pattern
Cons
- Some LED lights don’t perform as expected inside the projector headlights.
Reflector Headlights
The concept of reflector headlights has been in the light since electric headlamps were invented. The basic idea was to have a bulb in the middle of the assembly and place reflective mirrors around it to reflect the light on the road.
These headlights are relatively smaller than projector headlights and are cheaper to produce. They have a dome-like construction, which allows them to take up less space inside the hood of your automobile. This simple yet effective design has yet to be obsoleted as many new vehicles continue to be made with reflector headlights.
Pros
- They are simple to design and make.
- It is less expensive to manufacture them than projector headlights.
- They come standard in most vehicles
Cons
- They could be better for incoming drivers.
- They have weak or intense spots in the beam.
- Their brightness fades away from the center, hence inconsistent across the beam.
Which is Best?
When searching for the best headlights, most drivers want the brightest headlights without creating problems for the other drivers. Considering projector vs. Reflector headlights, the projector ones are brighter than the reflector ones, and they are less likely to blind the oncoming traffic.
It is also important to mention that the projector headlights allow the drivers to use Xenon HD bulbs instead of the older halogen bulbs. Considering these factors, projector headlights in this era can be a better option for your vehicle.
Conclusion
The projector headlights are superior, for low beams especially. Projector headlights are a modern idea that car makers are increasingly adopting for most of their products.
However, projector vs. Reflector headlights has always been a big discussion among car owners; ultimately, convenience wins. With lower costs, people prefer reflector headlights, and those seeking long-term benefits mostly go for projector headlights.
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