NEW 16-23 Morimoto XB Evo Headlights are here!

SS3 Max dose does not have a clean enough cutoff to be compliant. 3/3 sample failed because of cutoff was too loose.
I am sure some samples perform better or worse, not saying this for all batches, but 3/3 came with similar values, so generally speaking, the data showed minimum consistency of issue.

Cutoff Glog ( sharpness of cutoff) value must be at least 0.08 to be considered as visually detectable, but it was about 0.06 for all 3 samples.
Glog is a core requirement even before photometry is performed.
Because Glog determines how the lamp shall be aimed for J583 photometry evaluation. which is "cutoff to be 0.75° below lamp height ( this is where cutoff shall be 4" down below lamp height at 25')
TAN(0.75°*PI()/180)*300" = 3.927"(4")

= This translates as SS3 max is not "aim-able" due to lack of a distinct enough cutoff, can't approve to proceed with running photometric test. The reason I noted as SS3 max is not SAE compliant.


Only 3" pod actually confidently passes SAE J583 is Rigid D-series SAE Fog Gmax 0.156 4Banger NCS 0.085 and new BD SAE fog ( with refractive optics one)
4Banger HXB was borderline, 0.079 . It was granted to be ok by a 0.00 resolution judgement, considered as 0.08 I would not consider it as a confident compliant lamp . Beside, too bright as fog, useless as a fog lamp.

SAE J583 F is so outdated, very easy to pass as long as the lamp has a cutoff, and not too bright. The only reason 4B HXB passed was because the cutoff was so borderline, and the lamp had to be aimed so far down, so far down that the highest intensity section went below a meaningfully regulated test point.
Basically, unintentionally passed.
SS3 max was worse, SS3 Pro was even worse at 0.040, BD squadron was out of question, Gmax was only 0.022. None of those are SAE compliant, just the label says so.
And 4Banger HXB Questionable borderline cutoff sharpness and excessively bright beam

Best performer below listed was Rigid D series SAE fog with absolute confidence. Second best was 4Banger NCS 4Banger HXB. I don't recommend it as fog, it was barely allowed to be aimed.

SS3 Max, not allowed, could not be aimed.
SS3 pro, BD squadron, those are out of the question level problems as SAE fog,

I requested photometry for those last 3, even though they can't be aimed, but in the way, at least they won't cause glare.
The Pro and BD squadrons didn't even reach the minimum brightness requirement. If someone thinks they are powerful, it's because they use them as a soft, wide, high beam by aiming very high, and not as a fog lamp.
This is the reason many point out, Pro glares because the user is unaware of using it as a high beam. If the user aimed the Pro to prevent glare as a fog lamp, then, beam point is so far down that, can't even be seen from the driver's view.



This community is well informed compared to many others, but still, there are many subjective, non-data-based discussions that happen frequently.
It's important to look into "data," Not a beam photo, because the vast majority has no idea how the wall beam impression actually means. And photo does not contain any meaningful photometric value that is critically important to assess actual beam quality.

So, in short, just because the listing says SAE does not mean it is actually compliant; many brands have been abusing that label, making unaware users think it is well-regulated.
But the term SAE is just a MINIMUM requirement standard. Not a certificate of quality award. And more importantly, to verify with data, don't just listen to Listing say so.

 

The SS3 Max fogs are in fact SAE compliant and the topic has been debated numerous times. Another example here...
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...og-light-review.554813/page-138#post-22630330

The cutoff beam is very clean and shown in this thread below (page 185, post #3699). The cutoff beam is cleaner than the ss3 Pro's. That's quite impressive given the fact the Max version's are significantly brighter. Furthermore, the white ss3 max versions are brighter than the selective yellow. Both versions are SAE compliant.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-sae-j583-fog-pod-fog-light-review.554813/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...og-light-review.554813/page-185#post-24528029
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...og-light-review.554813/page-186#post-24529000
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...og-light-review.554813/page-192#post-24580534
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...og-light-review.554813/page-192#post-24580790
The beam pattern can be adjusted simply by loosening the mounting screw on the bracket and tilting the pod up or down.

Look at the extensive research that @crashnburn80 has done or ask @Diode Dynamics.

 

@crashnburn80 please move this discussion to J583 thread


@MGMDesertTaco
You need first to learn the basic of what SAE J583 means. and terms of Glog, Gmax
The study I showed you is far more in-depth and official than the study done in this community thread.

The study in this community is not extensive research as you say. Very much extensive to most of average users, yes, but it is highly simplified to a limited aspect of test of color analysis and approximates the near-center point of e-max value at initial and upper operating temp phase.
This is to keep research easier for many to comprehend, for an easier introduction purpose. Not conclusive or extensive research to actual regulation level discussion.

@crashnburn80 made it that way, he is well aware of that the research is well-simplified for the general public's purpose, and not the actual SAE test protocol.

But that's not how SAE actually runs compliance tests. And since you mentioned SAE J583 compliance in subject, I advised you to look at actual sufficient amount of data, which is required by the J583 data table.

The test I showed here is done by official SAE J583 F function photometry, conducted by a certified CalCoast independent validation lab, which provides tons of NHTSA test validation.

Not a single page you linked explains that any calculated gradient measurement is done, nor is the J583 F function test table-based photometric intensity measurement is done, this is to keep it simple for average users for easier introduction to fog function.
Such photometry is not reasonable for an individual to run, and even provide all the test points, the vast majority can't even understand what it means.

If you discuss actual SAE compliance, then bring sufficient established data is what I am saying. Don't make an assessment without sufficient objective data.


Diode won't show J583 photometric result, in fact, many other manufacturers usually don't provide such, because most won't even understand and ask for. But I design lamps, and have a responsibility to work on compliance, so I had ordered the test and have bunch of data set. and shared the result


If you have a certified lab-measured SS3 max compliance test report, please do share. I did my part to explain why I explained issue of the compliance label.

for the basic J583 photometric evaluation, you need
1. Time log and stability test (<3%/15min)
2. J578 white/ or selective yellow boundary test
3. Glog gradient test (passing Gmax requirement finally allows lamp to be aimed, if it can't be satisfied, then lamp is considered as not possible to be aimed)
Once aim is allowed by visual optical aim, then J583 photometric table test to be conducted
4. J583 F function test For the Basic F function, total 10 points need to be satisfied at the aim of Gmax at 0.75D

 

Dude give it up. You're wrong.

 

Am I to understand that the "off" feature is now gone with these new lights? The DRL is just always on now?

 

DRL is triggered by an ignition source, so if installed as the instructions say, they will always be on.

 

DRL is meant to stay on as the vehicle is running. DRL On signal triggers the welcome sequence, which contains high beam optics to turn on briefly. This is not safe if the DRL switch were to be on while driving around.
DRL also is a very much of safety feature, so configured that way.

 

So far this has been a 100% fix. I’ve only driven about 20 miles (and lots of garage testing) on it but not a single hyperflash. It was about 90/10 split before. Thanks again for this simple fix!

 

Just checking here with the users that have installed the latest Morimoto lights, still happy and pleased with performance? After reading many of the comments, it seems folks are ok, despite a few having some issues with installs and the troubleshooting. I'm debating on these or maybe the Alpharex - but can't decide. Good thread though.

 

AlphaRex Nova ? The output is very much unsafe. If you are only going for appearance preference, that's your personal choice, but I can't advise AlphaRex if you ever care about your night drive safety.

See below

Alpharex has a massive foreground that is beyond any reasonable proportion, making it already weak distance range illumination even less effective.
The high beam was barely above the regulation minimum, while the foreground value exceeded twice the regulation maximum.

What this means? = Low beam : Distance zone average strength 6.3% of foreground ( vs XB Evo 29% of foreground )and 1.5x stronger illumination
1 and 2 is Low beam's distance zone beam landing point road lux value.
1 = 95.5m 2 =66.6m from vehicle
8 (foreground) = 14m from the vehicle



Only illumination looks stronger with AlphaRex Nova right in front, less than 15m from the vehicle, which area should NOT look strongly illuminated
bright in the wrong and harmful zone, and not sufficient illumination where it is needed.
Chromatic aberrations are also really bad with Alpha, the cutoff is not soft enough, no upper illumination


XB Evo Low/High


AlphaNova

 

Finally got out at night with the new Evos and they are a big step up from the Gen 2 that I had before. The high beam is great! That was my only real complaint with my Gen 2s, I thought the high beams were very lackluster, not these though, very happy.