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The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by crashnburn80, Jun 20, 2018.

  1. Nov 11, 2020 at 1:13 AM
    #3701
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    Diode Dynamics SS3 Max - Preliminary testing

    69C6395B-534F-4A47-9AF3-B634A268F686.jpg

    The Diode Dynamics SS3 Pros are the current highest output intensity fog in this thread, followed closely by the SS3 Sports which provide sharper cut offs than the Pros though lower pattern intensity and slightly smaller area coverage. I currently run the SS3 Pro fogs in selective yellow, and my only significant critique has been I wish the cut offs would be sharper, even though they fall within the legal SAE F-spec compliance requirements. So how do they compare to the new SS3 Max fogs?

    SS3 Pro SAE Fog
    3D7F6896-3891-45DD-A5A5-BFB6AA30DF08.jpg

    The new SS3 Max SAE Fog
    AD947E5B-33D2-48D0-9173-ADEB809874C8.jpg

    The new SS3 Max has far better focus and sharper cut offs than the Pro, meaning less glare to oncoming drivers and less reflection off precipitation for better poor weather performance.

    But what is most interesting, is the +40% output intensity of the Max over the Pro! As shown by the lux measurements below.

    92CE8CCE-4EAD-464A-802E-17D5D8EC1D1B.jpg

    I cannot even begin to emphasize just how ridiculous this product is. The SS3 Pros set a new bar for output performance in the SAE fog segment, and the SS3 Max redefines that with significantly higher output intensity while also providing better cut offs for less glare than the Pros. The Max provides significantly higher output with better beam pattern discipline.

    The SS3 Max is power hungry, but after 30 minutes of run time I have their draw at 36.7w. Power draw initially starts around 40w and drops as the pods heat up.

    4A3269A3-C88C-420A-A0E3-9E9D1172C3D3.jpg

    The SS3 Max runs scorching hot, with body temps approaching 210 degrees and clear lens temps approaching 160 degrees (tested in 60 degrees ambient). Selective yellow optics not available at this time of testing, but selective yellow lens temps would run hotter.

    6E227D6D-FA13-48B6-A716-D4563580FCBF.jpg


    So power-wise these are only slightly more powerful than the Pros once output is stabilized, why is the output intensity so much higher?

    Recall that in a focused optic a smaller light source provides greater focus and therefore higher output intensity as described by Philips here. In comparing the emitters the Max emitters are smaller than the Pros, providing better focus. The Max also appears to have a revised circuit board.

    Max vs Pro vs Sport
    60D9489E-6EA2-4172-8E37-96E739A792F1.jpg

    Closer look at Max vs Pro
    586F6E54-CC07-430E-8E5D-2655DAAEAD71.jpg

    The emitter set used in the Max is currently only available in 6000k, meaning no 4000k option. At this time a selective yellow lens is not yet available for testing (it will need to be darker to correct for 6000k vs 4000k), but should be coming soon. Since the emitters are 6000k heavier filtration losses will be incurred to correct to selective yellow, which will also mean hotter lens temps. While Diode Dynamics has a best in class optic efficiency with their 4000k emitters + selective yellow optics, I'd anticipate a more typical mid-high teens in output loss with a selective yellow optic for 6000k, but with the incredible performance of the Max would still place it light years ahead of the competition.

    It is remarkably impressive for a company to launch a next gen product that completely redefines the standard of what is possible when they already own the top spot in the market and the competition hasn't yet responded in a meaningful way. As an extreme lighting enthusiast I am drawn to products that truly push the limits of what is possible and lately no-one is doing that better than Diode Dynamics.


    MAX Selective yellow update below, originally covered in post #4420 here. The max selective yellow optic was not available at the time of initial release, and was later added on 1/25/2021. The review has been copied here for convenience.

    Diode Dynamics SS3 Max Selective Yellow
    This post is imperfect, which I will explain later in the post.

    The selective yellow Max uses 6000k emitters vs the industry best optimized selective yellow Sport/Pro using 4000k emitters with a lighter filtration optic, meaning that the Max will require a darker optic for greater color correction and incur greater losses than the Sport/Pro.

    Sport/Pro (left) vs Max (right)
    [​IMG]

    Again the Max output has a tighter pattern with better cut offs than the Pros while also providing higher intensity output.
    [​IMG]

    Correcting a high color temp lamp (6000k) to selective yellow tends to have a more green hue than correcting a low color temp lamp (4000k). Pictured below is the SS3 Sport (top) in selective yellow vs the Max selective yellow (bottom). It is a little difficult to tell in the photo, but the Max has just slightly more green hue. I was actually anticipating more green given the 6000k emitters, so while the color isn't as rich of a yellow as the Sport/Pro, it still exceeded my expectations and came reasonably close to the Sport/Pros.
    [​IMG]

    The spectrum comparison chart shows the yellow optic eliminates all short wavelength light.
    [​IMG]

    Comparing the selective yellow Max output values to the white Max, by my numbers the selective yellow Max optic incurs a loss of about 19.7%. This is significantly higher than the ~8% loss of the Sport/Pro selective yellow. To be fair Diode Dynamics has optimized their selective yellow lamps with the Sport/Pro far more than any other company in the industry by using lower color temp emitters paired with lighter filtration optics to provide highly efficient lamps with low losses. So higher losses are expected on the Max with 6000k emitters.
    [​IMG]

    Selective Yellow Max CCT Plot
    [​IMG]


    SS3 Max Selective Yellow Chromaticity window plot. With the 6000k emitters it still falls in the legal selective yellow chromaticity window.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Vs SS3 Pro Selective Yellow Chromaticity Box
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The Max runs scorching hot, which will excel in snow/icing environments. These selective yellow lamps have the hottest lenses recorded yet, meaning they will be best able to combat icing compared to all other LED fogs. As someone who semi-regularly dives across remote mountain passes at night in the snow, this feature is of significant importance to me. Having your lamps ice over in the conditions for which they are intended to perform is unacceptable, which will not be a problem for the Max selective yellows. Keep in mind the lamps are intended to run at these temps, so there is no cause for alarm.
    [​IMG]

    How do the numbers compare to the Pros?
    [​IMG]

    Based on my numbers the Max comes in at about 22% higher output intensity than the Pros with much sharper cut offs, which is better in every regard but maybe not as appealing as the white version.

    But here is where things go a little sideways and why I mention earlier that the data is imperfect. 15-20 minutes had been adequate to get the LED fogs to stable operating output in the past. However, Diode Dynamics Max fogs are so much more powerful that I believe the previously used stabilization period is inadequate, and in retrospect likely applies to the Pro fogs as well. If you were paying close attention, the peak amplitude in the spectrum comparison chart between 500-600nm comparing the Max white and Max selective yellow should likely have been identical, but it is not. So I do believe the Max and possibly Pro stable values are a few percentage points off vs what I have logged. It shouldn't make a difference in the big picture, but as a data driven individual it bothers me.

    The selective yellow Max is the highest performing selective yellow lamp on the market, with better cut offs and higher output intensity than anything else available. However the 6000k white Max offers performance advantages in output intensity over the higher filtration losses experienced by the selective yellow Max.
     
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2021
  2. Nov 11, 2020 at 1:19 AM
    #3702
    Spike Spiegel

    Spike Spiegel Well-Known Member

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    Man I just got my second pair of pros and now this... Who wants a couple pairs lol

    I'm sold just by the more defined cutoff
     
    crashnburn80[OP] likes this.
  3. Nov 11, 2020 at 1:24 AM
    #3703
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    The cut off is significantly better, but the output intensity increase is just absurd.
     
  4. Nov 11, 2020 at 1:25 AM
    #3704
    Spike Spiegel

    Spike Spiegel Well-Known Member

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    Next you’re going to tell me they have an updated light bar which I also just received :bananadead:
     
  5. Nov 11, 2020 at 3:56 AM
    #3705
    Cfincke

    Cfincke Well-Known Member

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    Icon front & rear shocks, icon UCA, Method Standards, Nitto Ridge Grapplers, Retrax cover, TRD sway bar
    Is there an ETA on the Max? Need to get my wife's pathfinder better lights and was going to do the SS3 sports during the normal BF sales. Figured the tighter pattern of the sports would be better since teh pathfinder fog lights are only 12" or so off the ground. Now I may want to move my SS3 pros over to the pathfinder and put these on my truck.
     
  6. Nov 11, 2020 at 6:17 AM
    #3706
    304_Taco

    304_Taco Well-Known Member

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    Either I am delusional from working all night or I just saw some groundbreaking shit disappear in front of my eyes :confused:
     
  7. Nov 11, 2020 at 6:38 AM
    #3707
    rayofsi

    rayofsi Well-Known Member

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    haha i got the whole review in my subscription to the thread. SS3 MAX!!
    damn i have my 2 sets of Pro coming with the dual frame. I guess i'll settle for second best.
     
  8. Nov 11, 2020 at 6:45 AM
    #3708
    304_Taco

    304_Taco Well-Known Member

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    I read the entire thing, I was just trying to judge if the body of the Max was the same size as a normal ss3 or not. I have yellow pros, but I need all the light :laser:
     
    Aws123 likes this.
  9. Nov 11, 2020 at 6:48 AM
    #3709
    rayofsi

    rayofsi Well-Known Member

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    pretty sure since its SS3, its the same, review says it uses smaller emitters that allow it to be more focused. Not going to repost the review, since its not mine haha, but some of us got some nice insider info now.

    will have 7 pairs of SS3 Pros and 4 pairs of SS2C Pros between my 2 trucks. Light up the night hah
     
    304_Taco[QUOTED] likes this.
  10. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:02 AM
    #3710
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    ALL ABOARD THE HYPE TRAIN!

    I initially deleted the post (go ahead and throw rocks) since I am not sure if it was not supposed to be out yet, but since many of you already have copies of it - Here we go!
    :cool:

    Bask in the goodness...
     
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2020
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  11. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:04 AM
    #3711
    304_Taco

    304_Taco Well-Known Member

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    :bowdown: now when can I place an order?!
     
  12. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:09 AM
    #3712
    Diode Dynamics

    Diode Dynamics Automotive Lighting Experts Vendor

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    Stay tuned - they will be available for order by the end of the month in limited quantities. (20 week lead time on the LED emitters)
     
    Spike Spiegel likes this.
  13. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:14 AM
    #3713
    woodlandtaco

    woodlandtaco Well-Known Member

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  14. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:29 AM
    #3714
    Diode Dynamics

    Diode Dynamics Automotive Lighting Experts Vendor

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    Ships by the end of the year! We are still fine-tuning the lens color to get the correct, compliant yellow color.
     
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  15. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:30 AM
    #3715
    memario1214

    memario1214 Hotshot Offroad Moderator Vendor

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    Ha! I don't even have that info yet, but I am sure that it will be soon!
     
  16. Nov 11, 2020 at 7:49 AM
    #3716
    304_Taco

    304_Taco Well-Known Member

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    I'm going to try and patiently wait to see how the selective yellow test before I buy a set. We'll see how well I resist the urges
     
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  17. Nov 11, 2020 at 8:35 AM
    #3717
    Toy_Runner

    Toy_Runner Well-Known Member

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    Wow, this is the first lamp I've seen using the osram culpm1 "boost" LED. Extremely impressed.

    Crash, could you possibly do a hotspot comparison with a clear spot optic? If the lower output Sport with spot optic is capable of 140-150k cd, this is going to absolutely blow it out of the water. I would be Extremely interested in a set of these. I suspect that the rectangular LED Die will result in a wider hotspot as well, contributing to easier aim and more horizontal road coverage at distance.
     
  18. Nov 11, 2020 at 8:59 AM
    #3718
    crashnburn80

    crashnburn80 [OP] Vehicle Design Engineer

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    You are absolutely correct in terms of comparative spot performance. Specs state a 50%+ gain in intensity over the Sports in spot. I'll run a comparison at lunch and post the results.
     
  19. Nov 11, 2020 at 9:07 AM
    #3719
    Blackdawg

    Blackdawg Dr. Frankenstein

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    ALL OF THEM!...Then some more.
    Well those should melt the ice. Might have to upgrade my ss3 sports.
     
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  20. Nov 11, 2020 at 9:28 AM
    #3720
    dilbert

    dilbert AI Member

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