The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review

I have pros mounted in an aftermarket bumper on my lifted truck (2.5" front). I only turn them on when required and I also spend a lot of time in the bush on forestry roads. Aim them properly, used when needed, and the bit of up spill works for me when offroad.

 

Good stuff, thanks!

 

Yes, I did swap them out due to a few too many oncoming drivers flashing me. Unlike the idiots with drop in LED headlight bulbs who look at getting flashed as a signal that "Man, you've got awesomely bright headlights and I like them," I took that as just too much glare. And yes, mine were aimed properly. That said, they put out an awesome amount of light!

 

I've had both. From a purely anecdotal standpoint, the pro SS3s gave the appearance of more light than the Max, as the pattern is slightly wider and taller. This illuminates a larger area closer to the truck. This may be more useful as both a fog and supplemental light off road.

However, the Max pattern carries to the left and right with stronger intensity all the way out to the edges of the pattern, whereas the pro lights have a distinct tapering off in brightness. Plus, the sharper horizontal cutoff along the top of the pattern means I can safely aim the fog lights further out in front of the truck, without risking glare to oncoming drivers. They truly are the better fog lamps.

 

The Max is the superior product in every measurable metric over the Pro, including higher output intensity with better cut offs/less light spill while also running hotter to better combat snow conditions. Also note that all snow is not the same, it is only wet and sticky snow that is an issue for lamps. If the snow is not sticking to the vehicle, it will be a non-issue for the fogs. If you can get by without significant concern for sticky snow, I'd consider the Elites. If snow is a legitimate concern, I'd recommend going all in on the Max selective yellow.

 

Crash,
Thanks for your professional recommendation. I mean that!

I have teetered and pondered long enough over which product to go with. For some reason, running temp is pretty important for me and so is price point.

I pulled trigger on the pro’s. Hope I don’t come to regret it. But I just couldn’t bring myself to spring the extra $160 for the Max. Budget is tight and $304 for pro’s made me sweat too!

I’m hopeful I can make pro’s work for me with extra attention to the aiming process. If not, I’m sure there’s an aftermarket world for them.

 

For Pro, this is the proper aiming. Since it is not possible to aim by visual cutoff line reference, I suggest you to use phone app, digital level. That is probably only way to aim Pro correctly.
On the leveled ground, adjust lamp using level, using available front flat surface(bezel edge or lens surface ), adjust to minimum of 6 degree downward aim.

This aim equal to beam center to drop 31.5' down at 25' that makes cutoff equivalent ( line glare amount remain under SAE limit) line 4" below lamp height.

But it's good to note at this aim, pro does not have enough, or barely reaching to SAE regulation minimum requirement brightness at 1.5D 3R/3L, because it have to be aimed so low.
It really is best to enjoy for off-road application. At higher aim, off-road usage, it really shows very ample uniformed coverage

 

What about something super low like a golf, where the light is only like 8" above the ground

 

1.5" down at 25' for lamp height up to 18", then adjust requirement is about 5.7 degree down with Pro. 4.2 degree down for Max

Base line is Cutoff 4" down at 25'

Pro 6 degree down
Max 4.5 degree down
I don't have exact data set for Sport, but highly likely same 4.5 degree down

 

@Diode Dynamics do you have any published output specs for the SSC1 fog lights? I'm trying to decide which lamp to get for a compact bumper application (SS3s will require a lot of cutting and adjusting to work). Haven't heard much about these little guys since they debuted.

 

I’ll report back once I get them installed and properly aimed. This purchase decision has been a bit confusing especially since ALL the DD SS3 pods are advertised as fog lights with no mention as to on road vs off road application recommendations.

You go to DD website to the SS3 “Fog Light Kit” page, choose your color, power output and yes or no to backlight option.

We’ll see how this goes…

 

I just went to the DD site. If you select the SS3 pod, then the model (Sport, Pro, Max), you then get to select color and primary optic. (Driving, Combo, Flood, SAE Fog, Spot.) I will agree that it's a bit confusing though. For instance:

Stage Series 3" SAE Yellow Pro LED Pod (pair) (diodedynamics.com)

 

I never had a single person flash me when my pros were on. I think you'll be fine

 

Not being flashed does not support fog lamp isn't blinding others. This is SAE function fog thread, it is not responsible to make evaluation base on your personal experience of being flashed or not. That's highly subjective without demonstrable configuration details are defined, mount height, aim, usage.

Pro did not show SAE F function defined beam quality, it is not SAE compliant fog beam.
I've been trying to explain so many occasions, but many seems to be ignore that aspect.

Pro did not show gradient requirement, once aimed to prevent SAE defined glare limit, then beam center intensity went below minimum required level.

Many off-road LED pod based fog lamp are very much borderline quality as fog. Sine many are very powerful, must be enjoyed with responsibilities and proper understanding about aim, usage.

Pro are Strictly off-road usage, Its ample amount of illumination and coverage, smooth transition really shines when used out side of on-road fog usage.

SAE F fog function glare limit is much less than DOT low beam glare definition, this is because low beam are designed for general night time driving with average expected night condition with clear weather. Some test points are designed for consideration to wet pavement bounce related glare, but mostly for general night driving condition is base platform.
On the other hand, fog lamp are meant for in fog, where light scatter become much more intensify due to particles in the air, the reason fog lamp photometric requirement is set more conservatives for glare zone.

This is what photometric data is for, I had link posted before, but member who cares about quality lighting shall pay attention to data, not based on if being flashed by or not.
Then add personal impression after objective evaluation is made.

With understanding of each product output character, enjoy accordingly, with responsibly is what I believe this entire thread are intended for.

 

Thats like saying i drive around with my 30" lightbar on and no one flashes me, so it must be fine.

 

Thats like saying i drive around with my 30" lightbar on and no one flashes me, so it must be fine.

 

If I’m understanding you correctly… for the glare to be reduced enough to be acceptable to oncoming drivers, you would have to lower the lights to a point where they would no longer be useful in foggy/snow conditions? (ie. they don’t meet “fog minimum” standards)

 

Correct

 

Yoshi,

I have definitely been paying attention to your input here. Very informative for sure. And I thank you for your work and contributions to this market and to this discussion.

 

Yes, based on SAE J583 F table, and at the aimed that glare allowance to be within limit, not enough illumination at CERTAIN test points.
90+% of Pro image I have seen online ( not limited to here) showing lamp has extremely high aim. Maybe that is the reason many people think Pro serve as great fog lamp.
But it is because lamp are wrongly aimed high.

If to use on-road, must be aimed very low, can't take advantage of ample output. Most of the high illumination zone will be below driver's view range. Then, use Elite like easy to aim lamp actually will have more ground coverage when both aimed accordingly. ( snow melt is separate subject)
If aimed high, then glare amount is extremely high, shouldn't be used on-road with high aim.
In summery, Pro are excellent as offroad wide area illuminator, just not for on-road actual fog lamp usage.