The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review

The driving light portion of that graphic is incorrect. Driving lights should be aimed directly ahead with no tilt.

https://www.jwspeaker.com/wp-conten...ing-instruction-high-or-driving-beam-2016.pdf

 

Some reason I always think of Walmart when someone mentions Rough Country

 

Anyone know if the supplied ss3 screw is a m3 or m5. Thanks!

 

I was surprised how dark the Rigid covers are in person. I have the Pro lamps (which I know didn't do all that great in your testing) as I purchased them pre-test and I dig how they look (I know, I know). Since I've had yellow fogs on every single vehicle I've owned over the years, I wanted to see how the covers performed. The end result at night is the correct color hue that I don't believe a lighter cover would get me, but the output to my eyes is definitely significantly reduced. Maybe it's simply changing from lots of foreground light with a brighter Kelvin rating compared to the lower Kelvin rating (apparent) with the covers, but it feels like my foreground light is heavily reduced. That being said, I like the color change and will live with these for now.

I typically change out my fog lamps for winter so they don't end up getting destroyed by snow / ice, and I run yellow Hella bulbs per one of your recommendations. Maybe if I ever see a set of second hand DD lights cheap I'll jump on them. I like that they're not cubes now.

 

@Diode Dynamics

 

Diode Dynamics support is awesome answering stuff like this.

 

Quite a few screws used, which one are you referring to exactly? For the base set of lamps:

It mounts up to the fog bracket with these:
2x HW0054 Nut Nylon Lock 10-32 18-8 SS (McMaster: 91831A411)
2x HW0055 Washer #10 18-8 SS (McMaster: 92141A011)
2x HW0069 Screw 10-32x1/2 Socket Head 18-8 SS (McMaster: 92196A269)

These are used to mount the bezel to the lamp:
4x HW0059 Screw Torx M4x0.7 8mm Button SS w/ Nylon Patch T10 Drive (McMaster: 90991A121)

It mounts up to the universal brackets with these:
2x HW0053 Screw 10-32x7/16 Socket Head 18-8 SS (McMaster: 92196A268)
2x HW0054 Nut Nylon Lock 10-32 18-8 SS (McMaster: 91831A411)
2x HW0055 Washer #10 18-8 SS (McMaster: 92141A011)

These are included to bolt the universal bracket to your application:
1x HW0030 Washer 5/16 0.344 ID 0.75 OD 18-8 SS (McMaster: 92141A030)
1x HW0048 Bolt Short Neck Carriage 5/16-18x1" 18-8 SS
1x HW0049 Washer Split Lock 5/16 18-8 SS
1x HW0050 Nut 5/16-18 Hex 18-8 SS


If there's one you need above you can't source, just give us a ring. Thanks!

 

I'd hoped DD was using the 4000 Kelvin LEDs in their amber light bars as well so I could've swapped for a clear lens, but that's not the case. I'm not a fan of the high Kelvin "cool" color lights. I don't like the color rendition and feel they strain my eyes. 4000 Kelvin high CRI led lights would be great (hint, hint).

 

I agree. The Stage Series bars are older and do not have the new advancements that the SS3 has brought to the table. They work fantastically but I would also love to see the one-piece optics and color optimization incorporated.

For what it's worth, there is actually a sizable color temp delta between the bars and the Pro SS3. I believe the bars use the same chips (P̶h̶i̶l̶i̶p̶s̶ LumiLED Luxeon Z ES) as the sport SS3 pods. Crash measured those at about 5500K, while the chips in the Pro SS3 (Cree?) measured at about 6400K. So while they're each close to the advertised 6000K, there is a 900K delta. It's certainly noticeable when viewed side by side (or over/under like I have here). The bar is on the roof rack, pods in between the headlights.



Please don't trust the color in this photo, the true color of the bar is not quite this warm. I would say that the white of the bar is very neutral, maybe a touch blue. The Pro pods, on the other hand, are much more noticeably blue- and that is why I switched.

Keep in mind that other brands that have been measured here (like KC gravity series etc) are usually a little higher than 5000K (like 5200K). So the difference is not as big as you might think.

 

Thanks for the additional information and color numbers. I have a BD light bar and pods with an advertised 5000 Kelvin color temperature and I like them well enough, but they're still too "cool" for my taste.

I use LED headlamps and flashlights regularly (volunteer Search & Rescue), and "Neutral White" (around 4000 Kelvin) high CRI LEDs provide a very useful and comfortable light. Light output is slightly lower than the cooler LEDs but not enough to be noticeable in use.

Sorry for the thread-drift - back to the regular programming

 

Thank you for the output comparison image. Our Sport Pods and Light Bars use the same LED Chips- Luxeon Z ES. The Pro pods do use Cree XP-L LEDs. With our SS3s, you can put a clear lens on a yellow SS3 for a nice warm white output. Unfortunately, since our Light Bars use the same temperature LEDs for both the amber and white, you cannot do this by switching lenses.

-Collin

 

Thanks for the clarification, Collin. I've edited my post to reflect. Does Diode Dynamics have any long range future plans to retool the Stage Series line to incorporate the improvements made to the SS3?

 

We don't have any updates on a Stage Series Light Bar redesign at this time. However, we do have some pretty awesome new Stage Series products that we plan on releasing very soon. Be on the lookout for those updates!

-Collin

 

SS3 fog SAE version - Sport vs pro - $100 more, and presumably brighter. Still both street legal? Why would someone want the tamed down version? Are the pro's bright enough that they still would be a distraction or issue to oncoming traffic? Can they be used around town? I'm looking for function particularly in snow and or rain. These are not going to be just for show .

Also, what is the overall height mounted? I found the height of the light itself, and the bracket, but not the height to the top of the light while in the mounting bracket. I'm guessing they are about 3.75 inches..

http://images.diodedynamics.com/doc...Stage_Series_3in_Worklight_Pod_Info_Guide.pdf

 

I think the Sport vs Pro is personal preference. I get what I need from the sport and saved some coin. My headlights take care of the rest of my lighting needs.

 

Snow aspect the pros will be hotter for snow melting purpose.

I've had the pros since they hit the market, though have be a fog lights for nasty weather driving. Never been flashed for what it's worth, even when running them in fair weather driving the first few weeks after installing them.

 

You can see my full review and comparisons of the SS3 Sport vs Pro here, in post #2725. The Sport meet the modern F3 spec which requires much sharper cut offs, the Pros meet the old F spec. Both are street legal. I think it is great that Diode Dynamics has given buyers options at different price points, and many color options with the available 4000k. Whereas most other brands only offer typically 2 different fogs, Diode Dynamics effectively offers 6 different options between Sport/Pro and selective yellow/4000k/6000k.

 

Too much foreground light constricts the pupils and can take away from what you can see in the distance. (certain driving situations)

Has anyone personally experienced this?