![subaru halogen vs hid subaru halogen vs hid](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/hRqxTl4rxlg/maxresdefault.jpg)
I like LEDs as technology, but they are a different animal than a a spherically radiant source like incandescent/halogen, or HID/arc lighting. a halogen or HID oriented reflector really won't focus properly on them. LEDs are in arrays, and there are many individual focus points, each emitting narrow relatively narrower fields of light. HID reflectors focus on a sustained electric arc, and some halogen reflectors don't focus correctly on an arc, some do a passable job. The issue not only becomes about lumen output, but focus.
![subaru halogen vs hid subaru halogen vs hid](https://carcaretotal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LED-vs-Halogen-vs-Xenon.jpg)
Someone with more knowledge on the subject might have more accurate information. I don't know much about the actual technology, but I think I remember reading that it is some sort of pulse-modulation amplification so that it pushes more current through the diode than it would normally pass, and that results in more light output. SMDs tend to be brighter versions of light emitting diodes. The yellow phosphors excited by the blue light output combine to approximate white light of varying color temperature, depending on the blue intensity, and the number of phosphor layers. Silicon chips, with blue-frequency LEDs on them, covered by a yellow phosphor layers and a plastic encapsulating coating. Basically a light emitting diode mounted on a silicon chip.
![subaru halogen vs hid subaru halogen vs hid](http://blog.hidextra.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Halogen_vs_HID_Xenon.jpg)
I may be wrong, but SMD I believe stands for Silicon-mounted Diode. I do know that the LEDs draw less current and suppose to last longer but what about range and brightness/intensity/color? Anyone have any experience/recommendations and what is the difference between LED and SMD except, I assume, size? Some are 13LEDS and other can be 18/63/128 SMD. The LED bulbs are cheaper but they come in several configurations and I don't know the advantages/disadvantages. But I want to know if I should stay with the normal HID upgrade or is there a better advantage in useing one of the new LED bulbs. I need to replace my driver's side (will do both sides) low beam and want to upgrade to the 9005 mod.