Hella ValueFit 7" Spot LEDs an Upgrade over Hella 500's with DDM 55w HID?

I have a set of Hella 500's with DDM 55w HID bulbs in them, mounted behind my mesh HomerTaco grill. I like the lights a lot, and they do cast a pretty decent light, even through the grill. My main frustration is the heat-up time until they actually get fully bright. It takes a good 5-10 seconds before they really brighten up.

Looking at the Hella page, they offer a 7" ValueFit LED spotlight, rated at 3000 lumens (each - they are sold as single units). I know they also have the Rallye ones, but they are simply to much $ for me. These are at least mildly reasonable at around $100 each.

Has anyone used these? Anyone able to compare the performance of converted HID 500s to this option?

If the light output is similar or even more, along with the "instant on" of LEDs, then I might replace the HID 500's with these.

Thanks

 

I havn't used either those specific LED lights, or the DDM converted hells 500s. I did have a set of DDM hids before, and I get where you're coming from with the long warm up time/color. I have LED offroad lights on my truck now, and I can tell you that the LED lights will definitely have a more uniform beam pattern, as well as being instant on, which is nice. Over in the big light bar thread, one of the guys came from DDM hella 500s to ebay led rounds and said there was a good improvement.

Thought I wouldn't get those 7" hella valuefit led lights. Especially for that price. I'm sure those lights are going to being china made, and if you're ok with that plan, go on ebay and get a brighter led light for cheaper. Like this for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/7inch-70W-R...ash=item43e4322634:g:rvsAAOSwknJXw7V-&vxp=mtr

Theres lots to choose from, in both wattage and size etc etc. I just liked the heavier bracket on the ones i linked, and the deeper reflectors give a better throw/spot to the leds.

OR if you would prefer real quality for around that same price, you could go with Baja Designs squadron sports. Little less output than the lights you were looking at, but US made, and top quality and support and warranty.

https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/Squadron-Sport-LED-Light-Black.asp

I have had, keyword had, some of the china led bars, and now some BD led lights. The BD ones stomp the china ones, but the $$$ difference is significant. I guess it really depends on both your budget and your intended usage.

 

I also vote for the 10watt led housings like mentioned above. Or something similar. The output is pretty awesome. And I can't speak for the Hellas as I have no experience, but from the looks of it, it appears to be a cob panel thrown into the middle of the reflector. I can't help but think that's like a drl in there. But again I can't bash a product without seeing it first hand. But I'm betting you can get better Even with China stuff. I've got all almost all 10watt led lights on my rig and I couldn't be happier.

Also if your looking for spot lights, the ones listed above will be great (again, Or something similar with the 10watt leds), or maybe consider the 4d versions. Super tight spot and much greater distance.

I have a feeling those led Hellas will be kinda dull, and not perform as well as the hid versions (and certainly not as good as 10watt led arrays/combos). Basically like a spill light.

I've got some 25watt led cannons, or vision x cannon clones, and I wasn't too impressed with them. There's better 50watt and supposedly 65watt clones that I'm considering upgrading to. But these aren't ideal for behind the grille apps as they're a lot deeper. Even the BD squadrons might be an issue with fitment in there. Which there is clones of these as well for cheaper. But they do offer a pretty good deal on the squadrons so it's Probly worth it for the real deals on those.

All in all, I'd say go for the ones toxicpelican mentioned and skip the Hellas. Or look for some in 4d with the projector/fisheye lenses if you're wanting that tight pencil beam throw. The regular "optic-less" reflectors will have a good throw (not great like 4d) as well but also gain some flood/spill light. And it'll all blend together for a nice and even spread of light.