Upper Grille Lights???

[mynameistory]

I really wish the diode dynamics light bars use the same technology as their SS3 pods. But you can’t take an amber light, and put a clear lens on it, and still get the 4000 K that you would from one of their in light pods… To me, that almost seems like it would be an ideal set up in the upper grill…. The 6000-6500k just seems a bit too blue for my aging eyes…

The Stage light bars do use TIR technology. I believe the issue you're mentioning is more of an emitter (LED) color temperature issue. The current clear LED bars use different color temperature emitters than the SS3 pods. You could always buy the new SS5s in selective yellow and do a clear lens swap to get 4000k, then mount them in the lower grill. I know several folks that are doing that as soon as their SS5s arrive. Hint: I might be one of them.

Yes, I would love to have a 4000K bar as well. However, the difference between the LumiLED chips (5700K) and the Cree XP chips (6500K) is pretty noticable.

Here's a shot of the bar on my roof compared to the SS3 pro driving lights in the grill (this was before I switched them to 4000K). You can see it's a lot more of a neutral, flat white whereas the 6500K driving lights are tinted more blue. Don't mind the poor aim.

And here's the comparison after switching the driving lights to 4000K.

I would love for Diode Dynamics to revisit their bars and add 4000K/selective yellow options, rather than their current 6000K and dark amber lens options. What's interesting to note is that the stage series bars were DD's first foray into off-road lighting (in 2017 I think?), and as such they started with a lot of off-the-shelf parts. The heatsink extrusions, faceplate design, end caps with breather/wiring ports, and brackets all come from a generic supplier. You can look at GG Lighting and see the same parts. The difference with Diode Dynamics is in the optics.

The SS3 pods (and all the successors) are all clean sheet designs that incorporate a lot of fantastic engineering. Single piece cast optics, Deutsch plugs molded into the chassis, clever heatsinks with a good mass to surface area ratio, selection of chip color temperature, best fog optics in the business, etc. Maybe down the line they'd consider making their stage series bars from scratch too. Or maybe they're keeping them for a while, as they are still very good products (and maybe a good cash cow with low overhead cost).

 

[mynameistory]

sheesh i never knew that, theyve been around forever it seems. glad i didnt spring for the light cannons.

Don't get me wrong, Vision X is still a decent company- I think several of their offerings are proprietary, but a LOT of them have been open license items that you can get cheaply from several importers. I think I read somewhere that they may have even been the originators of the LED light bar- first used in mining equipment.

You'll have to excuse me, my bias for Diode Dynamics and Baja Designs is showing.

 

[Jrunr]

Ok. With your bias, which would you choose for a lightbar in the upper grille? Baja or Diode Designs?

 

[mynameistory]

Ok. With your bias, which would you choose for a lightbar in the upper grille? Baja or Diode Designs?

Diode for dual sport use (on/off road), Baja for maximum output off-road (and maximum dollars).

 

[Taco04]

I have had a set of S2 Pros up front on my runner I installed them a couple of months after buying it. They have great output with the clear lenses but the yellow cuts it down a bit. I cut the grill a tad bit smaller than the face of the front light that way I can install them from the front and not see where the grill is cut. Not the greatest picture but you can get the idea...

 

[Jrunr]

I have had a set of S2 Pros up front on my runner I installed them a couple of months after buying it. They have great output with the clear lenses but the yellow cuts it down a bit. I cut the grill a tad bit smaller than the face of the front light that way I can install them from the front and not see where the grill is cut. Not the greatest picture but you can get the idea...

That looks pretty good from the angle
You posted. Can you please send me another pic to get a better idea as to how you had it done? Just a little more detail would be awesome! Thank you! I really like that idea!!

 

[Jrunr]

Yes, I would love to have a 4000K bar as well. However, the difference between the LumiLED chips (5700K) and the Cree XP chips (6500K) is pretty noticable.


I would love for Diode Dynamics to revisit their bars and add 4000K/selective yellow options, rather than their current 6000K and dark amber lens options.

Do you know if the Diode Dynamics SS2 Pro has the same 4000K emitter in their amber lights? I feel like I could really simplify things by using an SS2 Pro as an aux high beam, but only if I can get it in that 4000K range.

The next best thing would be the Baja S2 in 5000K…

 

[honda250xtitan]

Do you know if the Diode Dynamics SS2 Pro has the same 4000K emitter in their amber lights? I feel like I could really simplify things by using an SS2 Pro as an aux high beam, but only if I can get it in that 4000K range.

The next best thing would be the Baja S2 in 5000K…

you think those are gonna have enough output for aux high beams? I have a feeling itll be underwhelming simply cause its such a small light.

*my experience with S2's are the sports so its a definite downgrade.

 

[Taco04]

That looks pretty good from the angle
You posted. Can you please send me another pic to get a better idea as to how you had it done? Just a little more detail would be awesome! Thank you! I really like that idea!!

Here ya Go, these are the older Pro's circa 2014 lol... They are actually mounted upside down with a longer bolts and spacers screwed into the upper core support. I was worried about them being upside down but zero issues. I even have a trio of XL80's on my Baja mounted upside down and have never had any issues. Also placing them slightly forward of the grill allows me to adjust them so I can get the light where I need it. With the clear lenses they throw out a ton of light but I put ambers on them for dust where I work. I also have a set of S2 sports and they do not seem near as bright as the pro's Hope this helps

 

[mynameistory]

Do you know if the Diode Dynamics SS2 Pro has the same 4000K emitter in their amber lights? I feel like I could really simplify things by using an SS2 Pro as an aux high beam, but only if I can get it in that 4000K range.

The next best thing would be the Baja S2 in 5000K…

Yes, they do. You can order selective yellow lights and swap clear lenses in for 4000K white. The specs for 6000K and 4000K white lights are the same, because they are the same emitter with just different color temperatures.

Here are the datasheets for the SSC2 Pro:
http://images.diodedynamics.com/docs/datasheets/ssc2_pod/SSC2_Pro_White_Standard_Datasheet.pdf

And here are the datasheets for the SS3 pro:
http://images.diodedynamics.com/docs/datasheets/ss3_pod/SS3_Pro_White_Standard_Datasheet.pdf

They're actually not as far off as you'd think in terms of output. The limiting factor on the SS3 is the heatsinking capacity, so the SSC2 is actually tuned for more than 50% intensity despite having only half the emitters. The pattern itself (driving) is a bit smaller though, in addition to slightly reduced intensity. I might have used them myself if I hadn't already had the SS3s mounted. They certainly would be easier to fit.

Lux at 10 meters. Remember this is the peak intensity. Pattern size and dispersion will vary a bit between all lights:
SS6 bar in white driving- 550 lux
SSC2 pro in white driving- 590 lux
SS3 pro in white driving- 665 lux
SS3 max in white driving- 980 lux (for fun, too intense for SAE compliance. Also no 4000K option for max)
SS5 pro in white driving- 1700 lux (for fun. It won't fit in the upper grill and it is WAY not street legal)

 

[honda250xtitan]

Here ya Go, these are the older Pro's circa 2014 lol... They are actually mounted upside down with a longer bolts and spacers screwed into the upper core support. I was worried about them being upside down but zero issues. I even have a trio of XL80's on my Baja mounted upside down and have never had any issues. Also placing them slightly forward of the grill allows me to adjust them so I can get the light where I need it. With the clear lenses they throw out a ton of light but I put ambers on them for dust where I work. I also have a set of S2 sports and they do not seem near as bright as the pro's Hope this helps

looks good! what i love about BD is you can just rotate the bezel and nobody would ever know:zoom:

 

[Jrunr]

Well I was instructed to give "Santa" a Christmas wish list, so I put the Baja Designs 20" bar on it for the upper grill... So lets see if "Santa" brings me that gift or not... lol

Also, I think i can fit the 20" S8 bar AND 2 separate S1's on each side as the actual high beam augmentation that I wouldn't be affraid to use on the road in my daily travels... (the light bar would be strictly for off road only)...

 

[honda250xtitan]

Well I was instructed to give "Santa" a Christmas wish list, so I put the Baja Designs 20" bar on it for the upper grill... So lets see if "Santa" brings me that gift or not... lol

Also, I think i can fit the 20" S8 bar AND 2 separate S1's on each side as the actual high beam augmentation that I wouldn't be affraid to use on the road in my daily travels... (the light bar would be strictly for off road only)...

do s1 lasers.

 

[mynameistory]

do s1 lasers.

Lasers sound exotic but these will shine further for a fifth of the price. And have a 50,000+ hour lifespan instead of 2000.

 

[rageandlove]

OK you guys inspired me to get more light up front.

I just came across a used 30" S8 BD wide/driving light.

I think I'll stick that in the bottom part of my grille, and swap out the 20" BD S8 wide/driving light I have in the top with a 20" BD S8 spot light bar.

That should get me almost infinite light up front.

Question is - how do you aim the two of them? I'll need to do some research.

 

[Taco04]

Lasers sound exotic but these will shine further for a fifth of the price. And have a 50,000+ hour lifespan instead of 2000.

Sorry but those probably won't shine 1/10 the distance of a BD laser light but they will put out more useable light. If you have ever seen the BD laser lights you will know LED's are currently no match when it comes to distance.....

 

[mynameistory]

Sorry but those probably won't shine 1/10 the distance of a BD laser light but they will put out more useable light. If you have ever seen the BD laser lights you will know LED's are currently no match when it comes to distance.....

LEDs in reflectors are currently no match.

You are aware that lasers do not shine out of these lights, correct? The lasers are used to excite a chunk of phosphor, and that is what emits the light (out of a forward facing reflector). I'm not saying they're bad lights by any means, but the reflector optics they use are the same as their LED lights.

Diode doesn't win with raw power, it wins with focus. TIR optics control the light to such an extreme degree that there is hardly any glare produced outside of the main pattern. Take a look here, you'll see what I mean- notice that the sport lights have a higher candela rating despite being half the wattage of the pro lights. This is due to the extreme focus of the tiny emitter matched with the optic designed around it (the pro has a larger, more powerful emitter that creates a larger pattern but is not as focused). If anything, it's Baja with the more "usable" light due to spill.

How much difference does focus make? Consider that the SS3 sport spot light ($90)

throws light further than the BD XL80 laser ($1K).

The SS3 Max ($250) has 50% more intensity than the sport and can shine light (¼ lux) a kilometer away. Out of a 3 inch pod!

And if you need more than that, the SS5 sport (a 5 inch pod, $220) shines light a mile away with over 400,000 candela in the spot pattern.

All of these measurements are taken on a goniometer, and you can download the spec sheets on Diode's website. Baja Designs doesn't provide any specifications other than raw lumens.

I'm not saying some lights are better than others- all of them are purpose built for a given task. Baja Designs validates their lights by winning a lot of off-road races, and they've decided that spill/peripheral lighting from open reflectors is an important part of that formula. But if you're asking for ultimate distance in spot lighting, it's not even a contest. The TIR optics have them handily beat - for a lot cheaper, too.

 

[mrblah]

Here ya Go, these are the older Pro's circa 2014 lol... They are actually mounted upside down with a longer bolts and spacers screwed into the upper core support. I was worried about them being upside down but zero issues. I even have a trio of XL80's on my Baja mounted upside down and have never had any issues. Also placing them slightly forward of the grill allows me to adjust them so I can get the light where I need it. With the clear lenses they throw out a ton of light but I put ambers on them for dust where I work. I also have a set of S2 sports and they do not seem near as bright as the pro's Hope this helps

sorry to hijack..but what are those square doohickies on your hood?

 

[Jrunr]

OK you guys inspired me to get more light up front.

I just came across a used 30" S8 BD wide/driving light.

I think I'll stick that in the bottom part of my grille, and swap out the 20" BD S8 wide/driving light I have in the top with a 20" BD S8 spot light bar.

That should get me almost infinite light up front.

Question is - how do you aim the two of them? I'll need to do some research.

This sounds awesome! Please post pics when you get the chance!!

 

[SurfToy]

A bit different but effective

Pardon the hijack, but what bumper is that? It looks very functional while retaining most of the stock front fascia.