The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review

Bosch with Osram lamps. Had to up the alternator game to run those Rascals.

 

They certainly are massive! Form factor definitely plays into the decision making for sure. Should have Cebie’s much smaller new pod driving lights soon. Also forgot to list Osram, they just launched a line of reflector based LED light bars in driving pattern, which should be interesting to check out.

 

Wait what? So I have to upgrade my DD's now.

 

They are big, but the large reflectors allow for a very useful beam pattern and minimal current draw, they draw just over 14 watts each.

I purchases those Cibie super Oscars in 2017. There was only on US vendor that I was able to find that sold them, and they only sold the lower output version, that lamp is the 75,000cd version, but there is also a 130,000cd led super oscar, it reportedly draws 21 watts.

As you can see from the comparison crash did, the Cibies beam pattern is much wider than the KC lamp (and remember the KC is the 130kcd model, so yes its going to be more intense). Its a great beam pattern to drive behind, its very smooth, with a distinct hotspot that allows for easy aim/re-aim. On wide open divided highways, I can illuminate past the shoulder on the oncoming traffic side of the divide, while still punching significantly further than my highbeams alone. This is very useful in areas with lots of wildlife, they've saved me from hitting deer in PA more times than I can count. And being as wide a pattern as they are, theyre not useless on curvy backroads either (definitely not wide/cornering lamps, but they put light out wider than my 4runners highbeams).

My only complaint is the high color temperature. I'm considering trying to crack them open and replace the cold white XML's with warm white xml's.

 

The SS3s are a 4 LED ~3” cube pod, the 2 LED model is effectively like cutting an SS3 in half.

 

@se7enine I just thought the same thing! I just received my SS3’s and haven’t been installed them yet. And now Something even newer !? Wtf

 

Oh, so it's to compete with the KC duals and the Baja S2's?

 

Similar platform size, correct. Though Diode Dynamics will offer them in SAE patterns I believe, drawing a more similar comparison to Rigid’s SR-M (TRD Pro style fogs).

 

Will it be worth upgrading from the current ss3's? Not saying I will, but who doesnt like the latest and greatest?

 

To be clear, this is 1/2 the pod of an SS3, meaning 1/2 the output of an SS3. It isn’t an upgrade, it is just a different form factor that is smaller, roughly 1/2 the size. The equivalent SS3 will be 2x the output of the new smaller lamp.

 

Thanks for clarifying, I wasnt sure if DD found a way to get the same output and performance out of 2 leds vs the 4 leds.

 

They absolutely look fantastic. I know what you mean about the temp though. I'm very happy with the 4000K swap on the SS3 lights, even though they don't pack nearly the same punch. The only thing I have to be careful of is anything reflective. On dark highways, reflective signs can toss back an unbearable amount of light!

 

Looks like Rough Country adopted the Nova LED fog pods (also sold under "Off Road Town") as their house brand:
https://www.roughcountry.com/2-inch...MI55rl8fTh6wIVRBh9Ch3chwj8EAQYASABEgLb4_D_BwE

 

After the absolute C R A P that was their "lift" put on my old xj... definitely actively avoiding anything they put their name on.

 

And just like that my *need* for ditch lights comes back to the surface. Although if they’re offered in a spot or driving pattern I may just put them up on the ARB tabs.

 

LOL I definitely wouldn't buy a Rough Country suspension product. Just interesting they had rebranded a light already tested in this thread.

 

I have the Off Road Town branded Nova lights and have no complaints. I picked them up when they were only $90 so for us cheap skates, they are a great option. I would love to have the new SS3 lights but being in AZ I really don't have much need for them. The only downside to the Nova LED lights is that the paint has faded to a dull, chalky finish. Everything in AZ fades though....

 

Received and installed my DD pro white fogs. They throw so much light and are amazing! I've got to aim them better, I definitely had them too high and adjusted them down when I got home last night. Is there a post or thread on aiming them properly? I did follow the replace one and compare to the factory aim that Crash posted earlier, but was highbeamed by a few people on a dark two lane county like road.

And thanks Crash for ALL your lighting threads. They are super helpful and educational.

 

I still need to fine tune mine as well. There is an excellent graphic somewhere with the rules for both headlights and fog lights. But, the gist of it is covered by this from @memario1214 below:

• For angling you want the top of the light beam to be approximately 4 inches lower than the height of your lights at 25 feet. Ex. Let's say that the center of your SS3 lenses are 24 inches from the ground. You want the top of that fog light beam to be at 20 inches off of the ground when you've backed up 25 feet (on a flat surface).