Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Driving Lamps - What DO you Get For Your Money?
Wandered into my local automotive store this morning to see what, if any, they had in the way of driving lamps.
My question to those in the know is this...
I know that if you want good stuff you pay for it, but what would I NOT GET by paying only £17 for a pair of 55W RING 6" Driving Lamps as compared to LightForces for example at nearly 10 times the price? Or put another way, why are they SOOOOO cheap? And I've seen similar prices on t'internet.
The obvious first answer is WATTAGE - I'd be looking at 4x55W instead of 4x140W - but what else? Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
Cheap ones are likely to rust, leak when wading and not cast the light far enough down the road (a bit like the LR ones then). Apart from that, I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
24th Mar 2008 10:02 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
NoDo$h wrote:
leak when wading
I'm really hoping this won't be an issue with rack mounted lamps Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
24th Mar 2008 10:05 pm
WOODY179
Member Since: 01 Jun 2005
Location: Chesterfield
Posts: 3637
you never know
Click image to enlarge
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24th Mar 2008 10:08 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
You've gone to the trouble of buying a D3.
You've gone to the trouble of getting an expo rack.
Your now talking about putting some crappy lights on the top which are more for show than function.
You taking the p. or what there Steve?
Get the Lightforce units or some PIAA's, and you won't need to change the D3 for a Rav4 hairdresser motor to stick your Halfords £17 jobbies on:wink:
24th Mar 2008 10:39 pm
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
I have a pathological hatred of paying extra "for a name"
(which causes all sorts of grief with the bin-lids )
...which was why I asked the open question - what wouldn't you get?
Never said I'd buy them Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
24th Mar 2008 10:41 pm
CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
WOODY179 wrote:
you never know
Click image to enlarge
So is that for real or good photo-shop skills 2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
24th Mar 2008 10:47 pm
craig
Member Since: 08 Aug 2006
Location: Home of LR.
Posts: 2545
Ok, ok sort of agree with you over "names" but personally i prefer something that:-
throws out enough light down the road/track/bush that makes a difference
(was away weekend before Easter in Devon and had occasion to use all 8 lights on mine , to illuminate the way and the roof mounted ones, give a great deal more distance allowing a better view of the roads as the road slides away under the cover of night, around the next turn etc)
Different coloured filters allow better penetration of different environmental conditions - so the yellow that i have from the Piaa's on the roof cut through the fog and snow better, giving a better view of the oncoming road.
Also makes you more manly, rugged/taller ( ) or so someone told me
Not that i'd condone this, but it also allows you to catch that stupid who drives round the corner on main beam and forgets to dip as he/she approaches....
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: wiggleigh bottom
Posts: 1112
CFB wrote:
WOODY179 wrote:
you never know
Click image to enlarge
So is that for real or good photo-shop skills
Obviously real, he's got his sun roof open There's one wheel on my wagon, but i'm still rollin' along, it's the cherokee, they're after me, but I'm singing a happy song
25th Mar 2008 12:09 am
neophyteguy
Member Since: 30 Jan 2008
Location: South Melbourne
Posts: 116
It had me going.............The driver looks awfully cool considering he is 1.2 metres above the LR wading depth.........!Picked up my new MY08 Stornaway TDV6 SE late Feb. FULLY STOKED! Thanks in advance for all the advice/tips you guys have shared on here!!!!!!!!!!!!
1976 Kombi - Bob
1961 Karmann Ghia - Audrey
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25th Mar 2008 2:11 am
Ken
Member Since: 20 Feb 2006
Location: Here
Posts: 10865
Steve the money is in the Reflector/lens design
Lightforce has been around for years originally for hunting hence they are very light.
the Halfords type specially the angel halo ring type are really just for show
Best ones in no particular order Cibe, Lightforce, PIAA, the OEM LR ones arn't that bad either (proven at a SE pub meet) avoid Warn as although I like the high low function they are pretty useless after that
25th Mar 2008 8:17 am
SN
Member Since: 03 Jan 2006
Location: Romiley
Posts: 13710
Thanks Ken
Quite clearly this ISN'T an issue for me ...
craig wrote:
Also makes you more manly, rugged/taller
Steve N | 21MY Defender | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history)
25th Mar 2008 10:51 am
DG Site Moderator
Member Since: 12 Dec 2005
Location: The Gaff
Posts: 50934
My tuppenceworth ....and yes I am biased Lightforce units are my choice because:
They are lightweight
They are extremely robust ...stones\pellets\bullets and all
They are fully waterproof to 1 metre
They have a fully adjustable beam focus - extra wide to pencil spot
They have superb range - 170s are over 0.6 km
They have interchangeable lens covers for all types of conditions including police car impersonation Eh Ken
They are the price of a couple of tanks of diesel
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Quote:
Not that i'd condone this, but it also allows you to catch that stupid who drives round the corner on main beam and forgets to dip as he/she approaches....
Click image to enlarge
Swapped my LR Lamps for LightForce.
you get what you pay for :
Lightforce : Water Proof and bright(two days of muddy wading and not a drop leaked in)
LR Lamps : Not waterproof and Dull
Halfords Stuff etc : Not waterproof at all, No light compared to standard D3 lights and rust within days of wading
Save up and get the LFs Duncan
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| 08MY Discovery 3 (history) 
, to illuminate the way and the roof mounted ones, give a great deal more distance allowing a better view of the roads as the road slides away under the cover of night, around the next turn etc)
who drives round the corner on main beam and forgets to dip as he/she approaches....
