The Pros and Cons of LED Headlights

You may be hearing a lot about LED lights lately, especially as some car and truck makers are integrating them into their latest models. What exactly is an LED? LED stands for light-emitting diode, which is a semi-conductor light source available across many wavelengths at a very high brightness level. They release energy in the form of photons, called electroluminescence. So, should you opt for new LED headlights in your next vehicle? First, carefully consider the pros and cons:

Pros:

·         LED lights need very little power to operate

·         They are small in size and therefore easy to manipulate into a variety of shapes and applications

·         LEDs have a very high brightness level, making it easy to see on back roads and poorly lit areas

·         They have a longer lifespan than traditional headlight bulbs (lasting up to 3 times longer)

Cons:

·         LED headlights are not yet legal in all areas

·         LEDs do not emit heat when they emit light, so snow and ice will not melt off of your headlights in wintery months

·         However, they DO create heat around the bottom of the emitter which risks damaging connecting cables and adjoining assemblies

·         LEDs can be very expensive, especially if a large size is required (usually around 3 times more expensive than filament headlights)

·         They are very sensitive to heat and may require heat sinks or cooling devices

As you can see, there are obvious advantages and disadvantages to installing LED headlights in your vehicle, it all depends on what you want and need out of your headlights.