Pod light prices WTF

Starting to look for lighting options for my truck and I'm running into a reoccurring theme... being that some of these brands are stupid expensive. I ran $20 LED 2x3 lights on my old truck as headlights, meaning I used them 365 days of the year for over a year and one finally crapped out on me after that time period.

Cali raised, KC, rigid industries, etc. are all in the $100-500 range which means they are at least 5-25 times better made or brighter?! I'm sorry if I'm not getting this, but are these lights worth spending that much money on? Even the output argument seems silly. If those lights were even two times as bright as the $20 pods I could still order 4 of them and it would be cheaper.

Someone please explain this to me.

 

You pay for warranty and reliability, but really if you buy the cheap ones and they break every year, after 10 years then it’s worth it to get the nice ones.... 10 years is a long time to have the same lights. Chances are in that 10 years one will break from getting hit and you’ll have to spend big money again to get new ones.

 

The ones mentioned in my first post were used every day of the year for over a year. I think the life of the cheap ones would be extended because I would only be using these pods once a month. Which is another reason why I'm wondering if once a month will justify the price of the expensive ones.

 

Once a month doesn’t justify the expensive ones. I got a cheap 30 inch light bar that has yellow and white, the only other bar like it was like $600... not paying that for something that gets used once a month only in summer months.

 

Exactly my thoughts.
Appreciate the help

 

I use a cheap Amazon light bar on my boat, this on its 3rd duck hunting season, no issues.

 

No real reason to spend a bunch on leds. Headlights, yeah. But light bars, etc. They’re cheap. Even replacing cheap ones three times over six years (for instance) is still cheaper than the name brand ones. Kc and rigid make nice lights, just not that price nice. The name brand ones are assembled in the USA with Chinese parts fwiw. I have the rigid cube fogs in now. I like them they work well, but bought them for a steal. Also I’ve never had a rigid light that didn’t leak and build up condensation behind the lenses. Still work but looks crappy until the dry out from the light.

 

I thought Rigid were overpriced until I read the specs. They are 3-4 times as bright as many of the budget brands.

Reliability is also worth paying extra for. An LED should not burn out after a year, even if it's used every day.

If you don't need them to be that bright, and you're not concerned about reliability, you're probably better off with cheapies.

 

I go cheap and seal with silicone.

 

When I install something on my truck I want in to last, period. Have fun buying new pods every year (oh wow, $20 a year, that's cheap af, I could do this 5 times a year!)

Enjoy ​

 

My bother has had some cheap led lights on his truck for over 8 yrs with no issues. Still running strong.

 

The good news is; there's various offerings, in various price ranges, get what fits your wants/needs.

 

Some people say the same things about cheap shoes, until it becomes a literal pain in the ass. IMO a lot of people can't think any further than a 1-3 months out. So buy the cheap lights honey, but make sure there's enough money left over for P. F. Chang's

 

Companies understand that when you price something expensive, the consumer will associated it with being better quality. Sometimes that's all it is. I do think the rigid lights are pretty good lights, but I really have a hard time swallowing the price they ask.

Ok, while writing this, I got curious.... here's what Rigid says: https://www.rigidindustries.com/why-rigid

Still not sure the price is worth it.

 

It'll be so much fun and bring me so much joy. Thank you for your positive comment. You are awesome

 

No problem

 

The expensive ones can shit the bed as well. They’re all made in China.

 

For cheap LED's, I've had good luck with Kawell from Amazon.

 

Couldn't agree more

 

I don't need ditchlights but if I was going to buy a pair I'd want nice ones, and I'd expect the nice ones to cost more.