"Insights Of Exploring Technology"

Is there a big difference between matrix headlights and laser headlights?

By, CoolMotor

• 2024-01-18
• 6 View

1. Definition:

Matrix headlights: Multiple LED light sources are arranged in a matrix, and each light source can be controlled individually. When passing a car or encountering pedestrians, part of the high-beam LED light body can be automatically turned off to avoid interference with them.

Laser headlights: refer to car lights that use laser light sources. Currently, there are two main categories: direct laser and reflected laser. Because no model is equipped with reflected laser, we will only discuss direct laser today. Because laser has the characteristics of small divergence, it can provide a longer lighting distance than traditional high beam (about 100-300m).

2. Commonalities and Differences:

Whether it is matrix headlights or laser headlights, they only affect the lighting area and do not involve lighting brightness, so there is no question of "which one is brighter". 

Matrix headlights split control the current lighting area, solving the problem that the high beam does not affect other vehicles and pedestrians, and does not provide additional lighting areas.

Laser headlights add a laser light source to provide an ultra-long-distance lighting area and solve the problem of the high beam not being far enough.

They are two different directions for exploring the new generation of car lights. Whether the future car lights will be smarter and more worry-free matrices, or stronger and farther lasers, which one is better? The car lighting industry has not yet reached a consensus.

3. Coming out

The first model equipped with exciting matrix headlights: Audi A8-2013

The first model equipped with laser headlights: BMW i8-2014

4. Variants

Competition in the automobile market is fierce. Both the OEMs and the aftermarket are trying to catch up with the popularity of new-age headlights. However, the structures of these two types of lights are incompatible with the original ones, and they have not yet formed a scale. The cost remains high, so there is a problem. A "low-end version" solution: wing headlights and reflective lasers.

Wing headlights: The "low-end version" of matrix headlights, inheriting the same idea of breaking into parts as the matrix, splitting the original large light source into several small light sources, and the soul of the matrix: detecting the extinguished parts of vehicles and pedestrians The function of the light body requires a large number of sensors and control systems, which is contrary to the car company's goal of controlling costs and universal accessories, so the wing headlights do not have this function. In addition, in order to reduce the failure rate, most of the feather-wing headlights use a combination of low-power LED lamp beads + reflective bowls, which results in a very large brightness and range, and is criticized by many car enthusiasts as being useless.

Reflected laser: The "low-end version" of direct laser, inherits the laser light source, but the beam of the reflected laser will not directly illuminate the road, but will pass through the lens lamp cup and light distribution mirror together with the traditional far and near light, so it cannot provide ultra-high performance. The long-distance lighting area also loses the soul of laser headlights. Because the reflective laser is neither attractive nor useful, it was abandoned by the car manufacturers. However, it is doing well in the modification market because its brightness is quite strong after adding laser. It is quite useless to use it as a traditional lens. Can.

5. Modification

After all, there are only a few people who can afford A8 and i8. If you want to have matrix and laser, you can only modify them. Currently it can be modified to: direct laser, reflected laser, matrix module.

The modified direct laser lens can be said to be a "full version" of the laser headlights. There is no difference in lighting function from the ones on the i8. The difference is that the i8's laser headlights will only be activated when there is no vehicle in front or on the opposite side. The modified direct laser will activate whenever the high beam is turned on.

The modified matrix module is also a "soulless" matrix headlight. It cannot detect and extinguish some light sources like the A8, but it is much stronger than the wing headlights. The power of each light source is increased by 3-5 times, and each light source They are all lenses, and the superimposed effect is amazing. At the same time, the matrix module can freely match the number of high beam, low beam, double beam and even laser according to your own needs. This is the characteristic of the matrix module and also its charm.

6. Conclusion

Laser headlights and matrix headlights have different enhancement directions. There is no conclusion as to which one is better. At present, OEMs (original manufacturers) are more likely to choose the "low-end version" of the matrix, and the "full version" of the matrix headlights is only available on top models; laser headlights can be obtained from the modification market to obtain the "full version" and obtain additional For ultra-far vision, you can also choose a "low-end version" of reflected laser to enhance the brightness of traditional high and low beams; the modified matrix module is somewhere between full health and castration.

The cost of modification is: reflected laser < direct laser < matrix module, but no matter which type of cost is higher than xenon lens or LED lens, too low price must be sacrificed, including performance, quality and service. It is recommended not to go below the price below.