Time to upgrade my spotties.

Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:11
ThreadID: 67162 Views:2858 Replies:13 FollowUps:8
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Hi all,

The Narvas took a bit of a hiding when on the Dunn and Im thinking of upgrading.
Started poking around various sites and the more I poked the more confused I became.

IPFs - HIDs - Lightforce - Hellas........$230 all the way to $1900 per pair. Everyone reckons their light is better than the other, for this or that reason.

Would like something a bit better than a pair of Dolphin torches but dont need to light up the MCG.

Working to a budget of around $500, can anyone advise me what lights would give me the best bang for my buck ?


Cheers......Lionel.
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Reply By: Member - Nick (TAS) - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:20

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:20
I have Rally 4000's, one spot and one spread.Great light, carnt comment on others as havent used them.
AnswerID: 355956

Reply By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:20

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:20
cheapest bang for the buck, put a set of HID's in the Narva's.
Get them from this seller "95soarer" on ebay au, good to deal with and the gear seems to be reasonable quality, had mine for nigh on 2 years now. cost approx $AU100 for the pair, you can fit them yourself, comes with wiring harness etc.
Just specify the type of globe required (H1, H2 etc), light temp required (4300 closest to Halogen white, 5k bluer etc)
AnswerID: 355958

Follow Up By: kcandco - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:38

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:38
Peter is spot on. For bang for bucks and your budget .... spend 100 to $150 on a 55w HID conversion + rest on decent quality lights depending on what beam pattern you prefer. HID installed on a shiny pudding bowl would just about outperform any 55w halogen light on the market........LOL

I personally have 35 w HID narva fogs and 55w HID cibie spots..... AWESOME. Another plus is they dont have a wire filament so are more resistant to vibration.

regards Kc
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Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:47

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:47
The other big advantage of HID's that I forgot to mention is that current draw is far less than a halogen globe, 35w HID is a bit over a third of the current draw that a 100w Halogen requires for a huge increase in light output. Believe me you will never go back to halogen after fitting HID's. For most use a 35w is sufficient, the extra light provided by a 55w isn't proportional to the extra current draw in my experience.
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FollowupID: 623976

Follow Up By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:48

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:48
Had the HID headlights, and had to get rid of them. There illegal for a reason, too damn bright. Too damn good, the quality of light is totally unreal. But no matter what i did i couldnt stop people flashing me when driving towards me at night. The low beam was excellent but high beam wasnt that bright, though it was an awesome light. They say there is kits out there that are only HID high beam and normal low beam, yet to find it but it would definitely be the way to go. As for spotlights it comes down to alot of things , my preference is Lightforce and for $500 you could have the 240 XGTs, best light by far in millions of ways. Only downfall is the room they take up. Have seen too many Hella 4000s fall apart on rough roads, mine sites prefer the 2000s as they last longer and are cheaper. But the 4000s are a great light, just not waterproof. For around $350 you could get yourself some IPF 900XS which are waterproof and draw bugger all current. I would personally go for Lightforce as they are dustproof, waterproof, bulletproof and bloody bright.
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Reply By: Brian (Montrose, Vic.) - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:25

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:25
Only problem I have with the Narvas is that they are trying to come out of their housings on rough roads, lost one of the covers already cos the light tried to jump out through the casing a while ago. Next set will be something that is held into the back casing a lot better I think.
AnswerID: 355960

Follow Up By: get outmore - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 01:46

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 01:46
yea huge waste of space narvas. ive destroyed a few sets the same way. there not even suitable for a 2wd as thats what i wrecked my first ones with
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FollowupID: 624002

Reply By: Alan S (WA) - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:48

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 21:48
Hi Lionel


Driving a MQ you aren't going to go high speed so lights with a long range will be a waste.

The Lightforce give you a long pencil beam, and although you can get covers to give a spread and and also adjust the beam it doesnt make much difference. I have 240's and even adjusted it doesnt give you the spread.

i reckon any brand name IPF, Narva etc with spread beams and a good solid mount should do you.

Sally says hi!!

Alan
AnswerID: 355968

Reply By: Garbutt - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 22:09

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 22:09
I samshed my Narva's on a Roo recently and got a 2nd hand set of IPF rectangle ones, they are great, very happy.

AnswerID: 355972

Follow Up By: Garbutt - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 22:10

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 22:10
Whoops, smashed.
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Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:03

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:03
Best bang for buck are Cibie Oscars, what's more, they are virtually 'bullet proof'.
AnswerID: 355996

Follow Up By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:56

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2009 at 23:56
Just not waterproof as i found out. But yes very nice light output. As with any decision you have to take many things into consideration, to me driving lights vary from person to person as everyone does different types of needs. What tracks you will cover(water crossings, corrugated tracks, mainly country roads etc), periods of time behind wheel at night, airflow to radiator, space on bullbar, spot or spread, current draw, multiple light setups( 1 set, 2 sets, roof mounted sets,), price, mounting positions. Many things to think of, as there are mnay lights out there, some good, some terrible and some just plain under rated or over priced. Let us know what your needs are and then work it out from there. The highest price is 99% of the time the wrong light.
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FollowupID: 623996

Follow Up By: Shaker - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 00:02

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 00:02
We do dozens of river crossings & have never got water in to the Oscars, put the fan through the radiator though. (That is another painful story)
Also do lots of corrugated Outback tracks & have seen plenty of of lights drop on to the track, but the Oscars stand up to it.
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Follow Up By: Member - Mark E (VIC) - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 08:44

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 08:44
I had a pair of the Super Oscars and whilst they lasted about 15 years, the reflectors eventually rusted and the lights fell off where the rivets hold the body of the lights to the mounting points.

I went for the IPF XS900 this time. Happy with the light, but for longevity, only time will tell.

Cheers,

Mark
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FollowupID: 624022

Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 09:33

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 09:33
Lionel,

I have a set of IPF 900's on the bullbar, a set of L/Force XGT 240"s in the middle up on the roofrack and a set of Hella Ralleye 2000's on the sides of the roofrack. All on seperate relays so I can have one or all of them on to test the difference in each light.

From the naked eye the IPF's and Hella's are about on par with each other for general spread and distance (both good) but way down on distance compared to the L/force. L/force do bugger all in the spread department even with a lens difuser cover on. The Hella's mounts have fallen apart a few times and have been replaced or welded up 4 times from memory. The IPF's have had nothing done to them nor have the L/Force.

Just from my experience with these lights, the best general performer for moderate night drives, are the IPF's. If however you drive heaps of long stretches of road at night (like me) then the L/Force are a necessity and get a smaller spread type light to shine up the side of the road as well.

Just a side note; the water submersion test has not been carried out on the L/Force or the Hella's. I reckon I would be in a spot of bother if they had been water tested up on my roofrack hehehehe. But the IPF's have been through a few puddles and stood up to it, each time they were submersed they were not hot though.

Hope it helps.
Trevor.
AnswerID: 356047

Reply By: Member -Signman - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 09:33

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 09:33
How much ' night' driving are you going to be doing??
Straight highways?? Rural dirt roads?? Completely offroad??
Different applications require different needs.

AnswerID: 356048

Reply By: Willem - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 09:53

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 09:53
Lionel


I do very little night driving so a pair of spotties are only of ornamental value.

Unless you are doing lots of night driving then save yer dollars. But if you have money to burn....why not!!!


Cheers
AnswerID: 356057

Reply By: Member - Footloose - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 10:58

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 10:58
Hi Lionel. Have had Super Oscars and they rusted away. Destroyed a few other brands on the corros. I really wanted Lightforce but couldn't justify the expense.
Ended up very happy buying Roo Lites. They seem to be a copy of the Lighties, but at half the price. Maybe not quite as good, but they are still an awsome light.
AnswerID: 356075

Reply By: Pete Jackman (SA) - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 13:31

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 13:31
Roo lites for me too. They have been on 2 vehicles and are going strong. They might be a cheap knock off of the LiteForce but still do a good job with a long throw. Like the light force they do not spread much even when the focus is wound right out.

Pete
AnswerID: 356095

Reply By: Mudripper - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 17:27

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 17:27
I've had the Roo Lites 180XP model for a while now and they're great. Mine cost $220 for the kit at ARB.
AnswerID: 356132

Reply By: Member - Lionel A (WA) - Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 21:31

Wednesday, Mar 25, 2009 at 21:31
Thankyou gentlemen.

Now Im even more confused, so many brands, so many opinions.

Will try the HID kit option then go from there.


Cheers.....Lionel.
AnswerID: 356200

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