Headlights, Looking for info Options

[Rand]

HID, xenon, halogen, projector beams, LED, etc., etc.

Please share any info you have, or links to useful websites you know of...

Looking for explanations of how the different types work.
Which kinds are the most efficient (brightest, least power consuming)?
Which kinds just need 12v, and which kinds need additional control boxes (or whatever you call them)?
Which kinds are the most compact?
What is the absolute smallest light you've seen (type and size) that I could get away with for low beam headlights?

I have read about LED headlights lights being introduced. Has anyone seen any yet?

There are some amazingly small driving lights these days. What are their characteristics? Narrower beam? Project farther? Are these too bright to have on in traffic?

Which types tend to be the cheapest, and most expensive? I've seen some prices on HIDs that are way out of my range.

Thanks gang.

[ws91420]

QUOTE (shaggy @ Mar 31 2006, 01:54 AM)

i use sillivian silver stars they are like $50 each but they are bright as hell the lows are about as bright as the stock highs -shag

Where the heck are you buying them? At my work they are $19.98 a bulb so for two under fifty bucks with tax.

That said I agree with the Sylvania Silver Stars. They make a sealed beam style that fits our cars.