The LED Rock Light Showdown

Yes, I use Google often. I also like to ask questions in threads to spark conversation.

 

Wiring these is super simple, especially since they are low power draw. I’d be happy to help with your setup wiring questions.

 

So which ones r u gunna get

 

If they have a low power draw and only require positive and ground do you think my current underbody lighting controller could be used?

 

Kc cyclones. I already have an underbody kit but I'm looking into a higher quality set up. I'm going amber as it's a legal color to have on for street use.

 

Shouldn’t be a problem as long as power consumption is roughly similar, cut the generic ones off, wire the Cyclones on.

I have the amber Cyclones for my next project, which are really more yellow. You can check them out at my place before buying if you like. I really like the color. They are going to put your existing setup to shame.

 

Shaming my existing wouldn't take much. But I'd love to see them. If you need a prewired test vehicle I'm interested!

 

KC ftw

 

thanks for the awesome write up. I kinda figured where the BD lights would be. of all their lights, these are some of the dimmest lights i have use from them. For the price, its not worth it for rock light. I find the brightness perfect for a dome light, as i didnt want crazy bright. Will be interesting to see if the newer ones are 2x the brightness.

Any chance you can add country of origin on these? Those KCs seem to be the hot ticket.

 

Certainly the brightest light isn’t ideal in all situations. BD does offer a pretty cool unique model with an integrated switch for dome light use. I like your idea of country of origin, I’ll add that. I was also thinking of adding warranty period as well.

 

Awesome comparison! That being said, I'll probably go with some cheapy rock lights as I'd be paranoid about damaging the high dollar ones.

 

Great review
I had planned on using a generic LED strip underneath the doors. Maybe a combination? Some for wheel wells some for puddle lights.

 

damn, thanks for the write up @crashnburn80!!! always learn so much from reading your posts/threads!

I'm assuming you could wire any of these lights up to @DSIM rock light module?

 

Subbed

 

Thanks! Wiring them up to that shouldn't be an issue. Do the math of A=W/V to determine if you need a relay, but I would recommend a relay as best practice in general.

 

Update on the Baja Designs rock lights!

Turns out the rock light I received was somehow 2 generations old, and not the current model or a fair comparison. Thank you @memario1214 for noticing that and sending me the current model for re-testing. The results are substantially better. The new model is also a bit larger.

New left, old right



"Baja 2" is the new model in the charts below. As you can see Baja Designs improved the output by roughly an impressive 2.5x over the model I tested previously.




I'll go back an update the charts and rewire the testing rack to recreate the output shots with the correct Baja Designs light soon. This still doesn't put BD output above Rigid, Morimoto or VLEDs, but certainly gets it a whole lot closer.

 

Check out the update above this post. Looks like I somehow got an older model BD light and the latest ones are substantially better.

 

Really nice write up. I wish had this before I got my Meso bd5 probably would have went with the kc5. Still haven’t installed them yet. your going to have to add one more light soon from @MESO can’t wait to see them hex light in action

 

Output shots and all data/charts updated for the latest Baja Designs rock light model. Baja is 3rd from the left.

Before:


After:

 

still dim as fuck lol. Thanks for the update.