This is a long one and it is full of pics and a short video describing the process and light selection for me to see further at night. First, I am cheap...I would love to be able to do the 4" pencil beams for $750 a pair
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However, it is just not in my budget. This got myself and MarkT to search for an affordable alternative. MarkT is the research and engineering whiz and he took on this mission and came up with a fantastic alternative. The Hella FF 50's, a pencil beam. For about $110 per pair
My Hella Lights :: FF50 Series w/Clear Lens
The first upgrade on these were to change out the bulbs to a 65W model
Osram Rallye 65w Ultra High Output H7 Special-Service Bulb
Mark has put these on his hood mount fixtures and they are so stealthy, almost not visible with a dark lens on them for you Cali guys. Pics to follow...
As we continued to discuss these lights I needed an option to give me just an extra boost beyond the range of my HIDX on the hood mounts. So we decided to make a removable exterior light. After researching we decided on a 5" magnetic mount for an external antennae. We used the standard coax as the wiring and sent the ends to a 12 volt adapter for the auxilary jacks. These are so flexible, you can mount them anywhere there is metal.
So I am glad that you asked, "How well does this inexpensive light setup work?" First we will post up some pictures and then a video. We chose this spot to do the photo and video at because the posts on the left side of the road are on 12' centers with a reflector on every other post. Therefore about 25' per reflector if you care to count them in the photos or videos and that will give you the range.
This trail was drivable at about 45 mph comfortably for me prior to placing the additional lighting. When we were done I ran the same road at 60 and could have pressed harder if necessary. This is a great mod for me.
A couple of pics facing my truck
Mark took this photo of me at 1/4 mile
This is with headlights only
Headlights plus duallies
Headlights, duallies, and 20" rigid ightbar
Headlights, duallies, 20" lightbar and hood mount 4" Hidx, start noticing the reflectors to check for range
Headlights, duallies, 20" lightbar and hood mount 4" Hidx, Hella FF50's, the whole package
Pics shift to Marks camera, slightly different angle from Dawgs
Marks all lit up
Both vehicles lit up, shortly after this I got a call from the Luxor and they told us to quit shining so brightly we were detracting from their pyramid light.
Still hanging in there.....here is a short vid, watch in HD and make the screen large so you can see the reflectors on the posts for range, at about 43 or 44 seconds is when I switch on the Hella roof mounts, notice how many additional reflectors light up and multiply that times 25'
Featured Products | Outlaw Raptor
However, it is just not in my budget. This got myself and MarkT to search for an affordable alternative. MarkT is the research and engineering whiz and he took on this mission and came up with a fantastic alternative. The Hella FF 50's, a pencil beam. For about $110 per pair
My Hella Lights :: FF50 Series w/Clear Lens
The first upgrade on these were to change out the bulbs to a 65W model
Osram Rallye 65w Ultra High Output H7 Special-Service Bulb
Mark has put these on his hood mount fixtures and they are so stealthy, almost not visible with a dark lens on them for you Cali guys. Pics to follow...
As we continued to discuss these lights I needed an option to give me just an extra boost beyond the range of my HIDX on the hood mounts. So we decided to make a removable exterior light. After researching we decided on a 5" magnetic mount for an external antennae. We used the standard coax as the wiring and sent the ends to a 12 volt adapter for the auxilary jacks. These are so flexible, you can mount them anywhere there is metal.
So I am glad that you asked, "How well does this inexpensive light setup work?" First we will post up some pictures and then a video. We chose this spot to do the photo and video at because the posts on the left side of the road are on 12' centers with a reflector on every other post. Therefore about 25' per reflector if you care to count them in the photos or videos and that will give you the range.
This trail was drivable at about 45 mph comfortably for me prior to placing the additional lighting. When we were done I ran the same road at 60 and could have pressed harder if necessary. This is a great mod for me.
A couple of pics facing my truck
Mark took this photo of me at 1/4 mile
This is with headlights only
Headlights plus duallies
Headlights, duallies, and 20" rigid ightbar
Headlights, duallies, 20" lightbar and hood mount 4" Hidx, start noticing the reflectors to check for range
Headlights, duallies, 20" lightbar and hood mount 4" Hidx, Hella FF50's, the whole package
Pics shift to Marks camera, slightly different angle from Dawgs
Marks all lit up
Both vehicles lit up, shortly after this I got a call from the Luxor and they told us to quit shining so brightly we were detracting from their pyramid light.
Still hanging in there.....here is a short vid, watch in HD and make the screen large so you can see the reflectors on the posts for range, at about 43 or 44 seconds is when I switch on the Hella roof mounts, notice how many additional reflectors light up and multiply that times 25'
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