Vision X 8550 HID Driving Lights

Submitted: Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 13:01

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Driving Lights

If you plan to do any night driving in the outback then a strong reliable light source is a must. Bad weather, night driving and the possibility of stray animals all demand the need for a clear view

Old Bushie

Gday

A search of the ExploreOz archives finds a brief mention of these lights a few years back. ABR used to sell them and speak highly of them.

I am wondering if anyone has recent experience with these lights, particularly this new model with the 50W globes.

I have been a Rallye 4000 fan since 1997 however with my 200S coming I thought I'd look at HID. After much research I had decided to go with converting new Rallye 4000s with the more expensive kits from XenonOz. All up cost for lights, kits, wiring, clear covers etc approx $1100 for the pair.

I recently came across Vision X. The Australian agent is here in Perth and their backup looks impressive. The 8550 series driving lights look almost identical to Rallye 4000s from the front with a similar mounting and adjusting system. They are 50 W with 5000K globes. In typical American fashion they feel much more solid than the 4000s and are water and dust resistant to IP65. The ballasts etc are all built in so they are simply "plug and play". Clear covers and a full wiring harness are supplied. All up cost $1100 for the pair.

The agent has a darkened room where I have seen the lights working however it is not really "road" conditions and thus hard to compare. Google provides plenty of photos etc on overseas sites but they don't seem well known in Oz. Apparently they are fairly widely used in our mining industry but I don't have any contacts there.

They are certainly attractive because of build quality, price and no mucking around with conversion and placing ballasts. My dilemma is, will they compete with the 4000s on sheer light quality and be as robust.

Before I "jump in" it would be great to know the opinion of any one who has actually used them in our conditions.

Thanks and regards

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Reply By: Member - Kroozer (WA) - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 13:34

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 13:34

4wd Action did a comparo on all the major brands, both HID and halogen a few months back(Issue 139). They included the Vision X VX6500 HID and the VX6510 Halogen. The HID scored as follows,
Light Depth - 4/5
Light Spread - 3/5
Light Quality - 3.5/5
Build Quality - 4/5

This model is only the 35w but gives a little idea to what you could expect from the bigger model. They highly recommended them, they looked to have good distance but not much spread.

The Hella 4000 compact HID on other hand scored 4/5 in every category, but the Hella Predators HID only scored 4/5 for build quality and 3.5/5 for the rest. The Hella 4000 HID looks it throws a more even and better spread of light but for a few dollars more.

I would probably prefer the Hella myself, some great deals on Ebay with decent warranties and good feedback. But the ballasts are not usually mounted inside light, although there are kits to do it to the Hellas. I definitely would not pay for a factory Hella HID though. Lightforce also have DIY kits and are excellent value.

AnswerID: 394493

Reply By: Member - Marco T (VIC) - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 17:42

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 17:42

Hi Oldbushie

I have these lights but the older 35w. Just brilliant.

Light quality is excellent and they are very robust. I paid about $750 from ABR sidewinder 18 months ago.
I got the clear and grey tinted covers with the kit but have not installed them yet - as they are a tight fit to my bar.

If I were buying another set I would buy these again.

All the best

Marco

AnswerID: 394520

Reply By: Member - Stuart P (WA) - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 21:01

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 21:01

Old bushie
if you still have your ralley 4000's convert them to hid. phillips have the kits availabe for 300 + gst. you will get a better light than the vision x

AnswerID: 394545

Reply By: ABR - SIDEWINDER - Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 22:50

Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 at 22:50

Hi Old Bushie

They were a great light and wish I was still selling them. The import price and freight was just too expensive.

They are now sold by AED and their pricing is quite good.

AED_HID

We stock a 7 inch lamp now but it is injection molded lightweight plastic the same as Lightforce, Piranha and Roo.

The old Vision X were die cast alloy and very tough.

Regards

Derek from ABR

AnswerID: 394557