Driving Light Showdown

[vengeful]

Howdy All,

I've currently got a 4-year old set of Hella 500 driving lights mounted on my bumper. The lenses of both lights are cracked, and I've never really been 100% satisfied with them.

Anyways, I've been thinking of replacing them with something approximately the same size, but with much better light efficiency. The 500s scatter too much light, and really don't illuminate much more than my low-beam headlights.

I'm looking at the 6" Warn 4X, the Hella Rallye 4000 Black Metal, and the LightForce 170 Strikers. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has used all, or any, of the above mentioned lights.

 

[Jacket]

I'm happy with my IPF's, but one of my friends has a set of Lightforce and the light output is unbelievable. And if you've seen the video that demo's the Lightforce's durability, they are pretty amazing lights. That's my vote.

 

[flyingwil]

Of your choices mentioned I would lean toward the LightForce lights. LightForce makes some of the best lights around.

Unfortunately I am a dealer for all three products you mentioned, so take this as you will.

The Warn Lights are very ruggid, but also on the heavy side in comparison to the LightForce the output IMO is similar to the 500's. Think of LightForce lights as Mag Lights for your truck. The focal point of the light can be adjusted by twisting the housing (similar to a mag-light) and with the optional filters you can adjust to any driving condition.

I think with the Hella's you will get similar performance as you have experienced with Hella with a brighter and longer light. The Hella 4000 will not be adaptable to other driving conditions like the LightForce.

Here are some flyers that might help you learn about the Lightforce Lights: http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/Sierra_Expeditions_Light_Force_Flyer.pdf

You can read the the Light Comparison by 4WD Monthly magazine here: www.sierraexpeditions.com/light_comparison.pdf

Durability Video Demonstration: http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/LFTOUGH.MPG

Until Midnight today we have every product at 10% off, using the coupon code in this thread.

 

[asteffes]

IPF 968s are similar in size but vastly superior in output quality to the Hella 500s. If you install the included 100 watt H3 bulbs, they are phenominal lights that easily out-shine the Hella Rallye 4000 eurobeam lamps with 100 watt H1 bulbs. It is true that the mounting system is not nearly as fancy as the Hella 4000 mount, but the IPF mount is much better than the Hella 500 mount. Given the much better light output, focus and utility of the IPFs, I would (and did) replace a set of 4000s with 968s, saving about 50% of the cost over the 4000s.

I have no experience with LightForce lamps. I know they have a big following on this forum, but I don't care for the way they look on the truck (big, lots of plastic, and huge LightForce logo on the lenses that looks more appropriate on a Baja 500 rig.) I tried the 968s on the advice of some forum members and a friend and have been very pleased with their performance for less about $130.

I suggest giving them a try before spending many more dollars on the Hella 4000 or Warn lamps.

 

[goodtimes]

I have the Lightforce 170s on my wrangler. The lights themselves are top notch. I'm REALLY happy with them, but need to get some different filters from Wil sometime in the future.

The Lightforce wiring harness on the other hand, I am not so pleased with. On the first extended night run with the lights, the fuse holder melted. The fuse did not blow, so I doubt it was a wiring size/run lenght issue, but the fuse holder literally melted so the wires fell away from the fuse. It is mounted on the cold side of the engine (strait six), between the battery and fender, right next to the fuse holder for my radios, which has never melted. Still considering options......but the lights are freekin' awesome.

 

[Grim Reaper]

I hate my 500's

I have a set of old Hella 1,000's. They are AWSOME. I belive they were renamed the black Maxes. They look identical other then the reflector appearing black in the day light. These are the original rally lights. I have them wired into the High beam circuit and they will throw an umbelivable amount of light. If the Black maxes stil do as the 1000's you woudl be very happy with them.

 

[jeffryscott]

I too have the 968s and are happy with them. But I saw Brian's (Goodtimes) Lightforces on a recent night run and those things are AMAZING.

 

[p1michaud]

Driving Lights

I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has used all, or any, of the above mentioned lights.

To date, I've used some PIAA 520 lights and LightForce 170. I'd say go for the LightForce 170 hands down between these two sets of lights. They are tough, weigh nearly nothing, are adjustable and you can add clip on filters for various conditions (yellow, blue, red, etc...).

Great produt IMO.

Cheers,
P

 

[shortymav]

Light force gets my vote. alot of mates run them some are copetion wheelers in Winch challanges and they go through hell and back tough lights, not cheap but you will struggle to find better. they also have new cheapish HID's on the market in aus. the XGT lightforce is very easily converted to HID search on outerlimits for info regarding the swap

 

[Schattenjager]

x 7 for Light Force. I too have the 170's and love them - They are adjustable from spot to flood by turning the housing - even more so with the correct filter. I have my left light set to more of a longer range spot, the right one to more of a flood setting to illumintate any critters lurking on the road. Works very well so far. The thing about the light force is the lens. They make several and you will be most happy by getting the right one (spot vs. flood, yellow, blue - amazing in the snow - etc.)