Many new Houston truck accessories are available that will give you a whole new perspective when you are off-roading at night or merely driving down a paved road. Factory lights cannot compare to after-market off-road lights and those found in the many different headlight upgrade options. However, these options vary widely in price, so it is a good idea to have a basic knowledge of them.

Most vehicles have lights that work when electricity flows through a filament that gets hot and glows. They are similar to the recently outdated incandescent bulbs you used in your home. Behind the filament is a reflector that focuses the glow in one direction to intensify it. One way to increase the brightness of your lights is to switch to higher wattage bulbs with larger filaments. The type of gas used in the chamber of these Houston truck parts has a direct bearing on their output.

Older sealed lights use an inert gas that produces a warm, yellow glow. However, these lights dim over the course of time. Nowadays, xenon and halogen are used for automotive lighting. Halogen bulbs have a white glow. The gas produces a reaction that redeposits the burnt filament onto the metal after the lights are disengaged, which lengthens their lifespan and maintains their brightness. Xenon bulbs have a pure blue or white glow due to a difference in temperature from halogen.

New composite lamps use a plastic lens and reflector with a replaceable bulb as opposed to older bulbs with sealed beams in a large glass fixture. The composite bulbs have a smaller gas-filled chamber surrounding the filament.

High Intensity Discharge (HID) bulbs use two tungsten electrodes. The glow comes from an arc between them. Professional off-road racers favor these bulbs for their extreme brightness, lower temperature and moderate amp draw. HID bulbs require a warm-up period to reach their full strength. These products used to be expensive, but HID lights and conversion kits have become affordable.

Light-emitting diodes are another new option for forward-facing lights. They used to be only used for taillights on Jeeps and trailers. They use electrically charged diodes mounted to a circuit board to produce their illumination. Their advantage is speed, reduced heat and minimal amperage draw. LED bulbs are available in 7-inch assemblies that replace headlights. They resist damage from shock and vibration.

Upgrading your headlights is the best starting point if you want to add more visibility. If the draw is too high, relay kits are available for bulbs brighter than 60/55 watts. Since off-road lights do not have to be street legal, you have other options that are brighter and reach farther.

You want a beam pattern that fits your driving style and budget. Standard headlights are asymmetrical so that they can light the foreground and the right-hand side of the road. Driving lights reach far beyond standard lights. Fog lamps offer forward and side-to-side illumination. Off-road spot lamps provide a concentrated beam that focuses on a specific area. These can be mounted onto your vehicle and positioned as needed.

If you plan to beat the bushes at night, driving lights offer the largest, brightest field of vision. Spot beams are more commonly used to find a remote object. If you choose spot beams, you might want an additional high beam headlight in the center for added visibility. HIDs are available for dedicated off-roading in a wide price range. For maximum illumination, you could also mount some factory fog lamps to light the immediate foreground.

Your needs and your budget will determine what kind of lights to buy for your off-roading thrills. When you get ready to purchase these new lighting options, also take a look at the many new Houston bed covers available to help make your truck look good too. The choices are impressive.