Jargon Patrol

HEADLAMPS: As the nights darken, it is worth enlightening readers on the various types of headlights

HEADLAMPS: As the nights darken, it is worth enlightening readers on the various types of headlights

Sealed Beam Headlamp:

The traditional form of headlight, this is a one-piece, air-tight headlamp in which the the lens itself is the bulb. Sealed beams are relatively inexpensive and when one burns out or the lens cracks, the whole unit is replaced.

Halogen headlamp:

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A halogen headlamp is a more advanced version of the sealed-beam, with a small inner bulb filled with halogen which surrounds a tungsten filament. These can increase luminous intensity at the road surface by 50 to 80 per cent, as compared to conventional sealed beam headlamp systems.

Active cornering headlamps:

A new technology developed by Mercedes and Hella, it allows the beam to follow the car's line of direction, using the steering movements as a guide, but also takes into account the car's speed to avoid sharp beam movement at slow speeds.