Mud-club
Chat & Social => The Bar - General Chat => Topic started by: Jake on October 07, 2006, 10:41:16
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Sorry if this is in the wrong place but i wanted it to be seen so i can gather lots of opinion and information
I'm going to change the 4 spot lights on my roof bar soon as i have now found out how weak mine are at night.
I'm thinking of getting 2 pairs of these
(http://www.devon4x4.com/user/140lightforce.JPG)
Lightforce 140 Lights
The compact 140 'Lance' is ideal for installation on smaller vehicles.
Despite its size the RMDL140 provides a very noticeable increase in visibility on the road, enhancing driver confidence and safety.
Variable focus with optional clip-on filters
Lightweight for less vibration
Super strong polyamide hi-tech construction
Hi-impact polycarbonate lens
12v 75 watt Xenophot long life bulb
110 000 candlepower output (approx)
Supplied with clear polycarbonate covers
Optional wide angle clear filters
Optional wide angle yellow filters
Available in high or low mount
Supplied in a pair.
Price : £ 135.13 inc VAT
Thats £270.36 for 4 :shock:
Whats everyones opinion on these lights?
Are they really the ones to go for or should i consider anything else?
I want good road driving lights (its quite dark on some of the roads around here) and perfect lights for night laning.
Please, give me your suggestions
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Very good lights, but at a price. I would go for something cheeper, so it cost less when they get smashed :shock: .
Have a look at Cibies, cost a lot less and work very well.
Paul
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lol i got mine from halfrauds 20 a set and i think there pretty good too
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I've switched to KC's on my road rally car this year-decent throw and nice pencil beam-just got the bulb ones this time but on a par with those for candle power plus 23yr warranty-think I got em for 90 a pair.
Some people who road rally use those lightforce lights and rate them but not oop North as we're all too tight :lol:
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if i had the ££ id have lightforce without thinking about it,dont particularly rate cibie as every set ive used has started to rust after about 2 years,currently have hellas on my 90 & they are brill
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I have a pair or Hella Rally 2000 lights waiting to go on my 110. £5 from the car boot!!
Paul
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dont particularly rate cibie as every set ive used has started to rust after about 2 years
Just as well I didn't buy that set off ya then :wink:
Doin recovery on the Cheviot?
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dont particularly rate cibie as every set ive used has started to rust after about 2 years
Just as well I didn't buy that set off ya then :wink:
Doin recovery on the Cheviot?
TBH probably,i dunno if ill be down...
& the ones that i had forsale had no rust in them,simply for the fact that they hadnt been on a motor :lol: :lol: did get a good deal for them in the end though :wink:
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Go with the lightforce one if you can afford them, top notch lights,
seen a review where they had a shotgun fired at them and still worked, didn't even breach the lamp, them they fired a rifle round though them and they still worked,
Also came out top in a comparison test, completly trounced the other lights for output and pattern
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:D Did consider the lightforce but 2 reasons why i didn't go for them was 1 i think (not 100% sure) but they have there own style of bulb which is very hard to get and expensive!! and 2 i work for a hella dealer and get staff discount!! LOL :lol: :lol:
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they look great and i'm sure they are realy good, but i smashed two roof lights on my old defender, by catching them on branches and stuff whist laning... if i put roof lights on my disco they'll be cheapie ring driving lights... £20 per pair.
if you don't think you're likely to whack them on anything, then go for it...
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Those Light Force look good quality - but have no personal experience of them.
Best from my experience are PIAA
Chris
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Go with the lightforce one if you can afford them, top notch lights,
seen a review where they had a shotgun fired at them and still worked, didn't even breach the lamp, them they fired a rifle round though them and they still worked,
Also came out top in a comparison test, completly trounced the other lights for output and pattern
Slighly worrying how they think that someone would ever be faced with this situation?? :shock: And was this test done in america??? :?
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Test was done in Oz, and i think a test like that proves they're stand up to stone chips on a motorway and such like
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If you want to buy me a set I'll test them for you and report back. :wink:
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Go with the lightforce one if you can afford them, top notch lights,
seen a review where they had a shotgun fired at them and still worked, didn't even breach the lamp, them they fired a rifle round though them and they still worked,
Also came out top in a comparison test, completly trounced the other lights for output and pattern
Slighly worrying how they think that someone would ever be faced with this situation?? :shock: And was this test done in america??? :?
I've heard of 2 reports on trying to destroy Light Force spots.
First was a shot gun which scratched the replaceable lense and the second was a .22 rifle which went through the whole thing but it still worked.
Sounds quite strong to me :wink:
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copied from D4x4
May the force be with you !
Are these the best off road lights you can get ?
It’s all too easy for a manufacturer to ‘big-up’ their product with superlatives and fanciful claims when they know full well that no one is ever going to be able to bother to put those claims to the test. When LRW received the blurb on a new range of spotlamps from Lightforce claiming they were ‘bullet-proof’ and that if we were in any doubt about the companies claim we should: ‘just take our word for it’, not surprisingly, eyebrows were raised. Bullet-proof spotlamps? Surely not. But how are you, the punter, supposed to disprove their claim? You’re not exactly going to go out buy yourself a £120.00 set of lamps and fingers crossed, shoot them up in the hope Lightforce are telling the truth are you? You might not be willing to do that, but we were…
We had our pair of sacrificial pair of lamps, all we needed now was a gun… I don’t hold a firearms licence, but thankfully I know a man who does. Adopting a scientific approach, the LRW test facility, enlisted the help of not just any old Sunday clay pigeon shooter, but one of this countries leading experts in gun related matters. Colin Greenwood is the retired ex Chief Inspector of the West Yorkshire Police force, the former editor of the Gun Review and the author of the definitive piece of test on .
Before Colin loaded up his guns though, we thought we ought to test another of Lightforce’s impressive claims, that although not quite as extraordinary as ‘bullet proof’ is something that will be of more practical use for the most of us. Lightforce claim their lamps are waterproof. Our test facility (my garage) used the highly sophisticated controlled immersion test, utilising a bucket of water and a lamp weighed down with a house brick.
After leaving a lamp overnight in the bucket I can report that the following morning no moisture was present inside the lamp. Lightforce uses its own unique method of attaching the lamp body to the bulb holder/lamp bracket assembly. The whole of the lamp/lens body screws onto the threaded portion of the bulb holder, sealing itself using no less than three neoprene seals incorporating within the threaded section of the bulb holder. The wiring into the lamp is also sealed effectively within the lamp bracket to create, as far as our tests found, a truly waterproof lamp.
Okay, so we proved the waterproof claim was 100% genuine. So what? What we really wanted to put to the test was their resistance to a speeding bullet. Contained within the Lightforce press-release were full details of the original Lightforce tests carried out with help from the Australian Police. Using this information, we were able to replicate the same tests, even down to the type of firearm and ammunition used.
Lightforce don’t use glass for their lamp lenses, but a lightweight polycarbonate material called ‘Lexan’ that looks and feels just like plastic. On a purely touchy-feely level, Lightforce lamps are so lightweight to the touch, they feel almost too cheap and plastic, to warrant the £140.00 asking price the cheapest model in the range will set you back. However, as we were about to find out, making them from Lexan is equally, what makes them so strong.
The lamp lenses are protected by a clip-on filter that although available in a range of colours for different driving conditions or emergency vehicle applications comes as a plain clear filter as standard. We clipped the filters onto our RDML 140’s and took cover at a safe distance while Colin trained the telescopic sight on his Ruger rifle on the lamp positioned 100metrres away.
Up close, a .22 shell doesn’t the look the most fearsome piece of ammo in the world but as the substantial impression in our home made steel mounting bracket from Colin’s first low shot proved, you definitely wouldn’t want one to hit you between the eyes. Colin’s second shot was spot-on. The bullet passed straight through the filter and the lamp body, creating a small entry and exit hole. Read the blurb carefully, and Lightforce actually claim their lamps are ‘Shatterproof’. Where the bullet passed through the back of the lamp reflector, a split had appeared, but true to their word, it hadn’t shattered. The filter and lamp body had barely a flesh wound.
Next up, Colin swapped the Ruger rifle for his Winchester over and under shotgun and moved up to the much closer distance of fifteen metres. Once again, we emerged from our hidey hole to find the lamp had survived. The filter was peppered with small indentations from the round , but not a single pellet of number seven shot had managed to penetrate the polycarbonate filter.
After having being drowned and shot at, we rigged both lamps up to a 12v power source and whadya know, they still worked! Are these the best off-road spotlamps you can buy? On the evidence of our own test results; we’d have no option but to say ‘yes!’
Available in a range of sizes (140mm, 170mm, 240mm) Lightforce prices start at £115 (ex-vat) for a pair of the compact 140mm units.
For further details contact Devon 4x4: 01769 550900 or www.devon4x4.com
Click here for details of Lightforce 170 'Striker'
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Anyone tried the X Lites?
(http://www.x-eng.co.uk/Images/X-Lite/Day%201.jpg)
Look a very good solution to having the lamps knocked and smashed when playing in the woods :)
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jake dude i have been looking at KC daylighters a pair for 89 pound ill find the link :D
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ere jake these are the bad boys im thinking off 8) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/KC-Daylighters-130-watt-spot-lamp-kit-631-off-road-4x4_W0QQitemZ150043442853QQihZ005QQcategoryZ28645QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem :D
also ere there 75 pound dude http://www.retro-uk.com/page009.htm
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They look very smart.
What diameter are they?
Not as 'bullit proof' as light force though :wink:
Imagine hitting the main beams and saying "feel the force" or "may the force be with you"
sad, yes i know.
:lol:
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They look very smart.
What diameter are they?
Not as 'bullit proof' as light force though :wink:
Imagine hitting the main beams and saying "feel the force" or "may the force be with you"
sad, yes i know.
:lol:
yeah i ruled the light force out cus of cost thats why i might end up with the day lighters i think there 6" bet thats wot they all say lmao soz :lol:
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Well, it is cold :wink:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
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Well, it is cold :wink:
:lol: :lol: :lol:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :shock:
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:D This is mine on main beam!! 8)
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We've got Cibie super oscars on the road rally car, but i've heard good things about Lightforce. As already said Daylighters and PIAA are also worth a look.
The picture above just demonstrates why you should avoid Hella.
As you probably don't have to worry about the MSA or the Blur Book it might be worth thinking about HID lamps, just 2 of instead of 4 though on cost grounds.
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We've got Cibie super oscars on the road rally car, but i've heard good things about Lightforce. As already said Daylighters and PIAA are also worth a look.
The picture above just demonstrates why you should avoid Hella.
As you probably don't have to worry about the MSA or the Blur Book it might be worth thinking about HID lamps, just 2 of instead of 4 though on cost grounds.
Thanks Buddy the still above is from a video just going over the brow of a hill and if you think hella are such rubbish why did quite a few rally teams use hella?? all i was saying is i like hella i couldn't afford lightforce i used to have cibie pencil beams and they where brilliant but they started to rust on the reflector and the body!! the hella's have outlasted them!! :? :? So why are you so against them?? :?
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Don't think there's much wrong with Hellas, but you need to compare like with like.
Its worth checking out what the road rallying boys and girls are using, because with all events taking place overnight they really need to know where they are going.
I haven't done a road event for a few years, but the last time I was out I used a 15-20yr old set of KC Daylighters and they were fantastic. I've got a set of Hellas (I think 2000's) on the rally Discovery, but they are not as impressive, but as I say they are not exactly like for like!
Cibie Oscars and Super Oscars are tough (have seen many accidents where virtually only the spots have survived intact.), but they are big units. Cibie Turinis are equally impressive, but with plastic instead of metal bodies (so no rust). PIAA do a great range, but I have little personal experience.
Hope this helps (have you noticed I like KCs! and the prices in PUX's link look very good.)
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We've got Cibie super oscars on the road rally car, but i've heard good things about Lightforce. As already said Daylighters and PIAA are also worth a look.
The picture above just demonstrates why you should avoid Hella.
As you probably don't have to worry about the MSA or the Blur Book it might be worth thinking about HID lamps, just 2 of instead of 4 though on cost grounds.
Thanks Buddy the still above is from a video just going over the brow of a hill and if you think hella are such rubbish why did quite a few rally teams use hella?? all i was saying is i like hella i couldn't afford lightforce i used to have cibie pencil beams and they where brilliant but they started to rust on the reflector and the body!! the hella's have outlasted them!! :? :? So why are you so against them?? :?
Ok, it was late when I wrote that and I probably should explain a bit more.
For the current road rally driver's first event earlier this year he'd put a new pair of Hella 2000s on the car, they were ok but not stunning. Anyway we had a minor off and smashed one of them, for the second event they'd been swapped for some second hand super oscars and the difference was massive even with less than perfect reflectors. These have survived a second minor off and an impact with a sheep.
(http://www.tatweb.co.uk/mc/2006_1004landroverlight0124_183.jpg)
I've added a couple of notes to your picture, basically they don't look to be throwing the light far enough. 50m or so (which is what it looks like) might be ok laning but is getting marginal even at Land-Rover speeds on the road.
Hope that explains a bit more.
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Oops, meant to add to previous post
http://www.britishrally.co.uk/forum/ would be a good place to search for opinions on lights, though a lot of the older threads were lost in a recent move.
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Guys i have found that procomp do a 130watt spot/floodlight its switchable and its excatly the same as kc just labeled diffrently 8) just waiting for a quote back then will let ya all know :D
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The picture above just demonstrates why you should avoid Hella.
all i was saying is i like hella i couldn't afford lightforce i used to have cibie pencil beams and they where brilliant but they started to rust on the reflector and the body!! the hella's have outlasted them!! :? :? So why are you so against them?? :?
I have to agree that the pic probably isn't the most impressive demonstation of what your lights can do (frankly this stuff never comes out well in photos).
I am, however, often surprised that with all the lights that some people have on their Land Rovers/4x4s that the actual lighting isn't much better.
In road rallying you are limited to only four forward facing beams (including headlights) yet you can still get impressive illumination. The type/make and design of spots does make a huge difference.
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http://www.explorerprocomp.co.uk/acatalog/LightsAccesories.html im going for these procomp 5" 130watt jobbies at 17.45each i dont thinks to bad for the power etc etc 8) 8) 8) let ya know wot there like when i get em just need to adjust me light bar now :roll:
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I have been out in Dreadnought110's LR and can say the hella lighting set up works extremely well, there is a dam at the end of the local resavior that local folks use to set up there lights, its half a mile long and Iain can light the thing from end to end.
No matter how hard he trys (and try he will!!) he'll never get over the quality of the spread of light in a photo.
I have Hella on my LR and am happy at the end of the day its down to budget and personal preferance, i started out with Ring and upgraded to Hella when I could afford them, I could just never ever bring myself to spend lightforce money on a set of lights for an LR. Now if I was hurtling down a forest road in an Impreza at 90+mph I may think about.
Just my few pence worth.
Matt
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[
Ok, it was late when I wrote that and I probably should explain a bit more.
For the current road rally driver's first event earlier this year he'd put a new pair of Hella 2000s on the car, they were ok but not stunning. Anyway we had a minor off and smashed one of them, for the second event they'd been swapped for some second hand super oscars and the difference was massive even with less than perfect reflectors. These have survived a second minor off and an impact with a sheep.
[
I've added a couple of notes to your picture, basically they don't look to be throwing the light far enough. 50m or so (which is what it looks like) might be ok laning but is getting marginal even at Land-Rover speeds on the road.
Hope that explains a bit more.
:? Ok let you off it just wound me up a bit ,after looking what you are on about you are right but it is down to the quality of the picture the set up is spot on (no pun intended :lol: ) i have 2 pencil beams on the bar that for some reason haven't shown up at all on the picture and as a rally driver you should know how hard it is to set up pencil's to give you the optimum light, the roof mounted lights are set up to give light in the hedge's for sharp cornering and immediatly in front of the vehicle for cresting bump's the 2 extra spot's on the bar are for fiiling in where needed and the fog's just give a bit close and for use in fog (of course??) plus the headlight's are BIi-xenon which are good on there own i have considered hid in the spot's but due to the warm up time they aren't praticle on main beam 8) Hope this help's ( I shall try to get a better picture later)
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[quote="Jake]Price : £ 135.13 inc VAT[/quote]
Thats £270.36 for 4 :shock:
Whats everyones opinion on these lights?
[/quote]
F***ing expensive, that's my opinion.
I'd get 8 ring rally giants and spend the change on 2 new tyres.
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:( OK this is about as good as i can get with a camera?? you really can't get the true impression the refelctive bit at the end of the road is about 3/4 of a mile away.. :( :)
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Jake, you are on about useing your roof lights on the road ? isnt it illegal
to use roof lights on the road? I dont think you need distance lighting when
laning -just a good spread of white light, cant imagine what its like in the cab with 130w lights on the roof must be really offputting with bonnet
glare diminishing your vision,thats why i have a sun-visor to stop that happening +its still normal in the cab just my thoughts,BTW, KC daylighters the dogs danglies,
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Jake, you are on about useing your roof lights on the road ? isnt it illegal to use roof lights on the road?
Your probably right about the law but i use them know as a main beam and turn them off the moment i see light coming around a corner or when in a town.
I dont think you need distance lighting when laning -just a good spread of white light, cant imagine what its like in the cab with 130w lights on the roof must be really offputting with bonnet glare diminishing your vision,thats why i have a sun-visor to stop that happening +its still normal in the cab just my thoughts,BTW, KC daylighters the dogs danglies,
Very true about a good spread. Which is why i'm considering two different lenses for the lights.
The final decision has'nt been made.
I do like the KC daylighters a lot.
Have you had any problems with rust on the reflectors?
They are currently second on the list.
The ones that PUX posted are a very reasonable price too.
I could get 4 KC's for the price of a pair of Light Force.
:-k
This need more thought.
:roll:
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I dont have the KCs anymore-silly me left them on the Cherokee when i sold it, i had them 5yrs and no rust on reflectors at all-but i used to
fill the crevice around the lamp body with Vasoline before fitting the lens
this is really effective as a water repellent-better than Silocone and easier to take apart again, i use Phillips zenon uprated headlights with cheapo
Ring 55w roof spots thru fear of theft , but now the toerags are just ripping
the whole bar off the roof :roll: :roll:
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The Lighforces are brilliant Jake, give me a shout one evening and I'll show you just how bright they are. I've got the standard spot/long range lenses on the center pair and the combo ones on the outer pair. They're as tough as they say and adjustable too, not the cheapest but worth the money IMHO
(http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMGP2247.JPG)
(http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/albums/userpics/10022/normal_IMGP2250.JPG)
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Jake,
As I say my KCs are about twenty years old and despite being a bit tatty are absolutely fine. Mine are 130w sealed beam units.
H
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You simply can't beat Lightforce. Not sure you'd need four! I have 2 & with the fact that you can adjust the beam from narrow to wide.....they cover a huge area!
They are incredibly strong & 100% waterproof!
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well went to get them procomp jobbies130watt at 16.45 quid but got told that there was an error on there site so they are 55w :roll: :roll: i could upgrade to 130watt bulbs :roll: :? not sure wot to do now :?
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well went to get them procomp jobbies130watt at 16.45 quid but got told that there was an error on there site so they are 55w :roll: :roll: i could upgrade to 130watt bulbs :roll: :? not sure wot to do now :?
55W wee poor
130w good but as they're bulbs get super hot and we weren't getting to petrol on some events before one went-sealed beams really if going 100w +
Remember you get what you pay for :wink:
KC's = 8)
Can't comment on Lightforce -think some of the Welsh lads run 'em and rate 'em but too rich for my blood.
Just my 2 cents worth.
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well went to get them procomp jobbies130watt at 16.45 quid but got told that there was an error on there site so they are 55w :roll: :roll: i could upgrade to 130watt bulbs :roll: :? not sure wot to do now :?
55W wee poor
130w good but as they're bulbs get super hot and we weren't getting to petrol on some events before one went-sealed beams really if going 100w +
Remember you get what you pay for :wink:
KC's = 8)
Can't comment on Lightforce -think some of the Welsh lads run 'em and rate 'em but too rich for my blood.
Just my 2 cents worth.
i cant afford lightforce :oops: but the guy said the lights are desigend to have 130watt bulbs in so if they melt then he will be getting em back :shock:
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Jake,
As I say my KCs are about twenty years old and despite being a bit tatty are absolutely fine. Mine are 130w sealed beam units.
H
Mine ain't quite that age but definitely recommend the sealed beam units ;)
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well went to get them procomp jobbies130watt at 16.45 quid but got told that there was an error on there site so they are 55w :roll: :roll: i could upgrade to 130watt bulbs :roll: :? not sure wot to do now :?
55W wee poor
130w good but as they're bulbs get super hot and we weren't getting to petrol on some events before one went-sealed beams really if going 100w +
Apart from the Hella that met several fence posts I don't think we've blown a 130w bulb yet this year in 6 or 7 events.
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Got four Wipac Spots on Doodlebug, seem pretty bright and aren't overly expensive either :wink:
(http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c222/Disco802/DSCN2750.jpg)
I can also vouch for the headlight upgrade, carn't rember who we got them from :evil: think it was somebody of ebay :wink: But they make a big difference :twisted: