Xenon headlight or bi-xenon: what's the difference?

Better understanding xenon technology

A definition of the xenon bulb

A xenon bulb is filled with the eponymous gas, which replaces the halogen gas used in old filament bulbs. The xenon bulb provides whiter, higher quality lighting, while consuming less electricity. Two electrodes are enclosed in a bulb containing xenon gas. A voltage of 25,000 volts is required to create an electric arc between the two electrodes. The electric arc, in combination with the gas, produces a beam of white light. Then, an alternating voltage of 85 volts is needed to maintain the arc. This is called a discharge lamp. Its power is such that vehicles equipped with xenon bulbs are fitted with automatic adjustment and a cleaning system.

Xenon bulbs have long been used in high-end cars. Today, they are increasingly common. Needless to say, standard xenon bulbs are far from the performance you could get with 200% AGM Vision xenon bulbs !

Converting xenon headlights... to LED

Today, thanks to numerous technical innovations in the world of lighting, the latest generation LED bulbs from the AGM Vision range allow you to convert any xenon headlight to LED. The lighting produced by these LED bulbs is of an incomparable white and unmatched responsiveness. Not to mention better visibility, especially in low beams, with a higher light density than xenon. A real gain in comfort and driving, as the light covers the entire road as well as the periphery. Discover our LED D1S conversion bulbs, D2S, D3S, D4S, D5S, D8S to convert your xenon bulbs to LED.

Xenon and bi-xenon headlights: what's the difference?

It is sometimes difficult to understand the difference between LED, Halogen and Xenon bulbs, but when it is the headlight operating system that changes, it becomes another puzzle.

What is a bi-xenon headlight?

The bi-xenon headlight offers two functions: low beam and high beam. Its round lens glass ensures these two functions with the same xenon bulb located inside a lenticule projector. The bi-xenon headlight is equipped with an electromagnetic shutter with a characteristic and recognizable clicking sound. It allows you to switch from low beam to high beam almost instantly, while being able to adjust the shape of the light beam with great precision. Contrary to what one might think, this system, composed of a single bulb, is the fastest. There is no latency between the moment you are in low beam and the switch to high beam. The xenon bulb remains constantly on, so the response time is reduced to that of the shutter magnet, that is, only a few thousandths of a second.

A bi-xenon headlight consists of:

• A xenon bulb,
• A xenon ballast,
• A lenticular projector system with electromagnetic shutter.

What is a xenon headlight?

The xenon headlight, like the bi-xenon headlight, has a single bulb inside a so-called "lens" or "lenticular" projector. However, it can only manage one function, that of low beam. It is impossible for this type of headlight to have the dual function, as it lacks the electromagnetic shutter system, which is only present in a bi-xenon headlight.

A xenon headlight consists of:

• A xenon bulb
• A xenon ballast
• A lenticular projector system without electromagnetic shutter.

If, one day, you hear someone say they have installed bi-xenon bulbs, it is a semantic error or a shortcut if you prefer. It is the headlight that is bi-xenon, not the bulb.

Discover our Xenon bulbs sold individually to buy the ideal xenon or bi-xenon headlight for your type of headlights.