Baja Designs v. KC Hilites

It looks like BD has more lumens for the $ on ditch lights. Am I missing anything?

Squadron Sport is $120/3,150 lumens, or 26 lumens per $1



Flex LED from KC is $150 each and 975 lumens, or 6.5 lumens per $1


KC C3 LED is $115 and 1,080 lumens per light, or 9.4 lumens per $1


Links:
https://www.kchilites.com/kc-05-15-toyota-tacoma-pillar-ditch-mount-led-light-kit.html
https://www.bajadesigns.com/Products/led-auxilary-lights.asp

Math might be a little off due to pricing varying by hardware included, but it looks like BD has much more light per $1 and more value. Am I missing anything? KC seems like the more respected company, so there must be something more to it.

Light newbie here. Be gentle.

 

@crashnburn80

 

correctly my bad math (the brackets messed up the prices)

C3 LED is $77/light, or 14 lumen per $1
KC Flex singles are $125/light, or 7.8 lumen per $1

 

* calculations are by an idiot and for demonstrative purposes only

 

Full size pods are larger than I would personally prefer for a ditch light, but to each their own. You might consider Bajas new smaller S1 as well. https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/S1-Spot-LED.asp

 

I can't bro i'm compensating!

 

both BD and KC make some great lights. BD you will see on more desert racers but KC is out there too.
both are built very very well. not sure about KC but BDs lights are made in america also.

 

I believe most of the KC line is made in the US, with the exception of their lower end 'budget' lights like the C3s.

 

holy crap that is cool. who made those brackets?

 

great point about made in America.

American made products are the difference maker! https://www.bajadesigns.com/about-us/our-story.asp

 

factory in Arizona! Awesome to see!

https://www.kchilites.com/about-us/

 

Uservice is why I went with BD.
https://www.bajadesigns.com/science-of-lighting/uservice.asp

Bought a pair of Squadron Sports - clear combo lenses.
Added pair of Squadron Pros - Spot lens,
Added Amber combo lens, and an Amber rock cover.

It's like a rubix cube of options.. I can switch lenses and covers to match what I need.. and if one gets cracked I can get another for $14

 

@vicali

pretty happy with the output? that's about 16,000 lumens I think on your set-up!

 

Adding Lights is kind of my thing..
Started off back in the day with 100w 6" and 4" aircraft landing lights;

They were super bright, but ran hot and the pattern was terribly spotty.. plus good luck running them at idle.

Then I moved to Hella 500 and 700 lamps;


They are cheap, add good light, nice even pattern, but still hot and yellow light..

Once I added the Baja Design Squadrons Sports they put all 4 50w halogens to shame..


Now I use the Pros/Spot/Amber covers on the ditch light mounts and the Sport/Combo Amber lens in the fog pockets.
I love the cleaner look, low profile, even pattern, low heat, low draw, instant on of LED - oh and they are brutally bright.


I'm also super happy with BD service, cracked a lens and had it replaced, broke a rock cover and it was also replaced. Nothing but good to say about the people, the company, and the product. Worst thing is it ruins you for any other lighting out there.. I've added an S2 backup and an interior light to my canopy, and am now trying to come up with a need for some S1 rack lights..

 

awesome post and story @vicali They were just too expensive on this project. Maybe my next taco. BTW, nice looking Subie!

 

The Sports have outlived one Tacoma already, I expect the others will as well.

 

Anyone with experiences or suggestions on Baja designs RTL-W versus KC hilites chase light bar? I like the multifunction of these setup which can be used for on/off-road, but I primarily need chase lights. Not sure if these will be good enough for that or if I should just stick with some S2 for chase lights. Thoughts?

 

I like the KC just based on the price. I've seen unboxing vids and it's still a solid bar in terms of quality and construction.

Another option would be Rigids chase light. It's one of the few products they make I really like. A single light is loaded with functionality that you can then expand on if you feel one isn't enough. They also have a downward facing LED for license plates or, more likely, your tailgate area if you're not running a hard shell.

https://www.theengineblock.com/rigid-chase-led/

Lastly, Diode Dynamics brand new SSC2 is a pod I would pick over the Baja Designs (at the very least in a chase light capacity). They have Amber and Red (as well as Blue and Green) backlighting that looks to be ample enough to serve well in a high mounted chase light position. Then turn white or yellow when you need full functionality for a reverse light. The backlighting, price, performance and features would lead me to suggest these over the BD for your intended use.

https://www.diodedynamics.com/off-road-auxiliary-led/led-pods/ssc2.html