The LED Rock Light Showdown

While the cyclones are the best performing rock light in the thread, I think they'd be more challenging to use as a bed light. Instead, I'd look at the Rigid lights with their

Rigid Industries 40007 A-Series Angled Mount Kit

angled mount. You could have 2 rock lights mounted vertically at the back of the bed, angled toward the cab. That is how the OEM bed lights are configured in the Gladiator. Or if going for compact, the Baja lights are the smallest, you could mount the Baja ones under the bed rail facing outward toward the bed (not down). I think you'll get a much higher quality and longer lasting product using a rock light from a major brand than the strip lights. But the strip lights will provide more uniform bed illumination. If going with the rock light route, you'll need to be ok drilling into the bed for the mount, unless you had bed stiffeners you could use as a mounting surface, which are a good idea to have anyway. Depending on the stiffeners, you could have 2 Baja lights mounted on the stiffener surface facing directly back toward the cab.

 

I'm still trying to figure my bed lights out. I went with bedside molle panels so I can't fit old style surface mount OEM bed lights. I could maybe cut for new style flush mount OEM but a good portion would be blocked by the molle. Strips under the rails are still in play but would be similarly blocked by molle pouches and rotopax water.

I might go with something like this though it's not terribly price-friendly but it sure is compact. I'd for sure need to re-route the cable to a rear-exit.

I suppose I'm sort of waiting for a comparable product from diode dynamics to swoop in and seal the deal. The SSC2's might be the ticket if I can maybe square away doing the backlight off the cab/bed light trigger and doing a separate switch in the bed or perhaps activated when opening the tailgate to provide more intense flood light.

This is one aspect where 2020's and up totally rule, the OEM bed lights are so quick and easy it's a complete no brainer.

 

Yep, that is the location I was referring to above. The push button on/off option on the Baja lights do make it convenient. I think the SSC2s will be way overkill for a bed light though, not to mention very bulky to mount compared to a rock light.

 

Hi All - I'm hoping a few of you have followed this thread long enough to help me. It's time for me to throw some lights in my AAp for Prinsu Designs roof rack. I'm thinking Amber?! Is amber easier on the eyes for lighting up the camp site or to be seen by others in the rain and dust when driving around town? Does amber attrack fewer insects when camping? The @runnin4tacos site that I originally ordred the Prinsu + AAp roofrack suggests "Optional scenePODS* will give you the 3D printed provisions for Baja Designs™ or Extreme LED™ rock lights that will light up the trail sides or campsite like never before. You'll need 4 rock lights if you decide to add it to the scenePODS."

Do any other lights that ya'all know of fit in the AAp holes? if only the 2 options, Baja Designs still better than the Extreme LEDs? Amber better? If it was you... what would you do?

 

Baja's lights are not the highest performing in this thread, but they are a solid quality brand and on a side facing LED from a rack I wouldn't want the brightest thing possible for camping, as you don't want the light to be blinding. I'm not familiar with Extreme LEDs, but many of these off-brands are just relabeling and reselling some cheap China product at a mark up.

It is amazing how the Extreme LED rock lights:
https://extremeledlightbars.com/led-rock-light-kit-15w

Look identical to generic LED rock lights on Amazon sold under other brands:

$40 MICTUNING RGB LED Rock Lights with Upgraded APP Bluetooth Controller, Timing Function, Music Mode - 4 Pods Multicolor Neon LED Light Kit

https://www.amazon.com/MICTUNING-2nd-Gen-Bluetooth-Controller-Function/dp/B01FWXT11I

Between the two I'd definitely go Baja. Amber and yellow light do attract less bugs, and are a far more pleasant light for camping. Bright white light can be very harsh on the eyes and negatively impact your night vision. For a camping light, I would definitely look at yellow or amber.

 

Thank you @crashnburn80 for taking the time & energy to help the entire forum become a better, more educated group of enthusiasts. This is quality stuff. I'm definately leaning towards Baja Amber. Unless... I find some other RGBW version, with mobile app that I can have more fun with. Just think of the fun on the 4th of July camping trip! ;o) thanks again!!

 

If you want rgbw lights, look at infinite offroad.a less expensive option is the mic tuning from Amazon.

 

Re-reading this reminds me how unimpressed I was the first time. It’s a choice between oversized or overpriced. A sub $50 rock light at 2/3 the size of the BD could really shake this category up.

 

The latest BD light is pretty small, 2/3 smaller would be quite the achievement. In most cases I don't think smaller size beyond that foot print is substantially beneficial though. I selected KC Cyclones for my truck even though they are a larger light because under the truck it doesn't matter if the light is slightly larger and I'd prefer the best in class output.

 

Cyclones would be a clear choice for me as well if using for actual rock light duty.

I’m looking for three specific applications though and the size is off putting, while cost is the hurdle for BD.

1. Third brake light (MESO really does shake things up but $325 on lights alone for a brake light is a bridge too far.)

2. Bed lighting. This is where OEM has solved things for most people. I don’t have OEM P&P options and I run bedside molle panels so the niche I’m truly after is quite small currently leaning toward under rail strip lights but I think I would prefer something mounted near the top corners of the tailgate, or on the bed face of the stiffeners. Interestingly enough, the stiffeners I have are a mini version since I don’t wheel and don’t carry real loads so I’m rather tight on space there too.

3. Under hood lighting. Similar to the bed lighting challenges in terms of size and cost with an added element of heat to consider.

It is great that we do have options in all these categories, including strip lights and el cheapos. I’d just love to see some real competition from the high quality side. Super smal and moderate cost would open these 3 doors and probably a few others. For example, dropping the spare in full sun is hard enough, a properly aimed light in that location would help a fair bit, but again I really want it as stealth as possible to not interfere with anything.

 

Not sure if it has been covered here or not, but a word about the KC Cyclones. Even though they come wired with a dedicated ground, they also ground through the metal housing.

I found this out when wiring them into my dome light circuit to dim on/off when unlocking and opening the door. I used Rago rock light mounts to mount the lights to the frame under the doors. Turns out they made ground through the mounts and switched the whole circuit on. I tried gasket material to isolate the light from grounding on the mount, but when it got wet it would still complete the circuit. Switched to nylon washers, hoping that will solve my grounding issue.

Just something I felt I should share with anyone planning on ground-switching the KCs.

 

What’s the consensus on the KC cyclones now that it seems a lot of guys on here have been using them for a while? There’s some reports on Amazon of them not being the most durable.

 

I have had my cyclones under the truck for about 2 1/2 years and they are still all in working condition. All LEDs working on each cyclone. NOTE: I did take the time to add some extra silicone sealant as others have done.

 

Did you add silicone where the lens meets the aluminum base?

 

Yes, that is correct. There 2 gaskets on the aluminum housing and I just added a small bead of silicone along those rubber gaskets.

 

I was just doing some testing on the Cyclones, and @daveeasa wanted me to post my findings here. The amp draw was about 0.3A when I first turned them on. As they warmed up, the draw increased (which is to be expected). After an hour, they we pulling 0.41-0.42A each at 13.7V. So I would say the listed specs are pretty dang close.

 

My stable test numbers for the cyclones show 5.5w draw, which is very close to your 5.6w draw. So I'd say those numbers are accurate.

 

Peer review FTW! Gotta love science.

 

4 out of 5 of mine have suffered from cracked lenses, 3 weeks and no reply on my warranty request.

 

Good to know, appreciate it.