Adjustable Offroad Lights

[Kevin B]

While searching for lights for my truck I came across these. (http://off-roadlights.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=2) I had not heard of them before yet they sounded pretty good, so I Googled. Here is a decent article about the Light Force (http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/lightforce/) lights.

I had never heard of an "adjustable beam" light for offroading. They work kinda like a Maglite flashlight. As you adjust them out it moves the reflector away from the bulb taking it from a pencil beam to more of a cornering beam. They are also available with a wide angle filter that clips on over the lens giving it a 180 degree light output. These lights have been used by Police and the Military for quite a while and have a reputation for being very tough yet they weigh only 16oz. each.

I ended up ordering a pair from Dick at Offroad Lights (http://off-roadlights.com/mcart/index.cgi) and had them two days later.
The install was easy (lika any other light) and the light output is amazing. The adjustment is wild taking them from a tight pencil beam to an almost "flood" in about 5 turns. With the light filter on it really lights up the sides too. I believe the light output is around 750,000 candle power with a 100 watt bulb (Xenophot).

The only thing Im not sure of is the size. They are big but the H2 is pretty big too so I am going to see if they grow on me. If not Dick said he would trade them for the 170s if I paid the shipping. Sounded fair so I went big http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif.

Having had the K.Cs, Hellas and friends with the PIAAs I have to say these leave the others lacking. Just wanted to share what I think was a killer find, and yes some pictures http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif.

[Kevin B]

While searching for lights for my truck I came across these. (http://off-roadlights.com/mcart/index.cgi?code=3&cat=2) I had not heard of them before yet they sounded pretty good, so I Googled. Here is a decent article about the Light Force (http://www.offroaders.com/info/tech-corner/lightforce/) lights.

I had never heard of an "adjustable beam" light for offroading. They work kinda like a Maglite flashlight. As you adjust them out it moves the reflector away from the bulb taking it from a pencil beam to more of a cornering beam. They are also available with a wide angle filter that clips on over the lens giving it a 180 degree light output. These lights have been used by Police and the Military for quite a while and have a reputation for being very tough yet they weigh only 16oz. each.

I ended up ordering a pair from Dick at Offroad Lights (http://off-roadlights.com/mcart/index.cgi) and had them two days later.
The install was easy (lika any other light) and the light output is amazing. The adjustment is wild taking them from a tight pencil beam to an almost "flood" in about 5 turns. With the light filter on it really lights up the sides too. I believe the light output is around 750,000 candle power with a 100 watt bulb (Xenophot).

The only thing Im not sure of is the size. They are big but the H2 is pretty big too so I am going to see if they grow on me. If not Dick said he would trade them for the 170s if I paid the shipping. Sounded fair so I went big http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif.

Having had the K.Cs, Hellas and friends with the PIAAs I have to say these leave the others lacking. Just wanted to share what I think was a killer find, and yes some pictures http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif.

[Kevin B]

1

[KenP]

Holy crap. They are BIG.http://smilies.jeeptalk.org/ups/dvx_rune/eye.gif

[Kevin B]

Yes they are, but they are BRIGHT !http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[PARAGON]

Are you sure those are lights. They look like a couple of snare drums. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[LasVegas]

Sorry N2. Them suckers need to be on the front of a Komatsu D575. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[KenP]

Hey, where did your license plate go? http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[DRTYFN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LasVegas:
Sorry N2. Them suckers need to be on the front of a Komatsu D575. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Those lights are fantastic. I have a set on my '97 Tahoe and they are great lights.
They're adjustable like a Mag-Light and are tougher than any other light on the market. I seem to remember the specs saying they'll withstand a blast from a 12 gauge w/ buckshot at 25yds & a .22 at 125yds w/o breaking. I can personally tell you that I've seen rocks get thrown up by other vehicles and have heard them bounce off those lights without leaving a mark.
I'm going to buy a set of the new HIDs that they make and build a brushguard around them.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[DRTYFN]

Finally found a pic of the Tahoe.

[dochummer]

Reminds me of...... never mind

[drmiles]

Show a pic of the lights installed from a distance. I think they look big because of the close up. If you show the whole truck, it'll bring it into perspective.

[Kevin B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Show a pic of the lights installed from a distance. I think they look big because of the close up. If you show the whole truck, it'll bring it into perspective. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


I'll try that later today. Ever from a distance though they are HUGE no way around that. I think I am going to go with the 170s. Hopefully I can buy the different housing and keep the larger ones also, they take about 30 seconds a piece to change, and it will be nice to have a choice.

Diety, I mean DRTY is right about the fact they will take a shot and bounce off, these thing are bitchen! And at 16oz. each they dont seem to have the bouncing around problems I have noticed with other lights.

[PARAGON]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DRTYFN:
Those lights are fantastic. I have a set on my '97 Tahoe and they are great lights.
They're adjustable like a Mag-Light and are tougher than any other light on the market. I seem to remember the specs saying they'll withstand a blast from a 12 gauge w/ buckshot at 25yds & a .22 at 125yds w/o breaking. I can personally tell you that I've seen rocks get thrown up by other vehicles and have heard them bounce off those lights without leaving a mark.
I'm going to buy a set of the new HIDs that they make and build a brushguard around them.http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I plan on looking at 2 or 4 (if I can mount 4) of the HID lights. You really can't beat'em. 1.5M candlepower each with each light only drawing 3 amps. Not to mention the lightforce guys put a crapload of thought into their lights.

My thoughts were to take 2 lights and have them set up normally with a pencil beam and then (a kit is provided to change the type of beam) on the other two have the beam changed to more of a flood system.

But Drty, come on. Buckshot at 25 yards? It can only withstand birdshot at 25 yards. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[PARAGON]

N2IT, give another picture from more of a distance and maybe from off angle. I am thinking that something like the Warn light bar that attaches to the mounting points where your lights are now but provides a bar from one side of the other might be advantageous.

You could fab up a light bar like that and move the lights a little closer together towards the center. By the way, the PS light is crooked. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Kevin B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">You could fab up a light bar like that and move the lights a little closer together towards the center. By the way, the PS light is crooked. Wink </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


No it's not........ not, not, not!

BTW I fabed those brackets in about 1/2 an hour so the hood would open. That is one down side to having a front tilt hood. Any light you mount in the front will need to have the hood issue addressed.

I do like the idea of a light bar. It would be easy to bolt one into the new brackets http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif.

[Kevin B]

brackets 2

[Kevin B]

brackets 3

[DRTYFN]

N2, how about a pic of the profile?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
But Drty, come on. Buckshot at 25 yards? It can only withstand birdshot at 25 yards. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Seriously. They used to have a picture of it on their site.

[PARAGON]

I didn't know there wasn't light brackets already on the single brush guard. I didn't realize you had to fab brackets just to get the lights on. I have the double-tier and it has a boxed bracket on it already (I had those high quality OEM hummer lights there to begin with).

On the hood issue, I had to fab brackets to shorten the throw of the hood because the Warn Light Bar and the Warn Winch Bumper is not compatible with each other (go figure). Anyway when you would open the hood the light bar would hit the top of the winch bumper. So, I fabbed a bracket that took the springs out of of the equation and it shortened the cables enough that the hood does not go completely to 90 degrees. Also, it is far enough open so that it doesn't close back on your head if a good gust came along.

Patriot came up with a whole better bracket than I did but here is the thread on what we did: http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6706011751/m/607103768/r/607103768#607103768

[PARAGON]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DRTYFN:
N2, how about a pic of the profile?

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by PARAGON:
But Drty, come on. Buckshot at 25 yards? It can only withstand birdshot at 25 yards. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Seriously. They used to have a picture of it on their site. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I was being a wee bit sarcastic. Taking a hit of birdshot at 25 yards is good. Didn't you and your buddies run around shooting each other with birdshot when you were younger? Bulky clothes, neck gator, and a heavy hat or helmet and turn your back? But you would do it at something like 75 yards or so. That was back before they had things like paintball.

[Kevin B]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Taking a hit of birdshot at 25 yards is good. Didn't you and your buddies run around shooting each other with birdshot when you were younger? Bulky clothes, neck gator, and a heavy hat or helmet and turn your back? But you would do it at something like 75 yards or so. That was back before they had things like paintball. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


I can so relate to that http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif. Boy times have sure changed. We would also make it "rain" on the guys hiding behind the rocks http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif. Thinking back on it now it sounds different http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif . Can you imagine: grab your 410, 16ga., 12ga, whatever and lets go play! I think I would tell my son to opt put of that http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif.

DRTY, here's one from the side and another from a distance. Note I made them driveway pouser shots???? Ya baby, just for you http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Kevin B]

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[Kevin B]

3

[Kevin B]

ROTF sfox. Thats kinda how I felt http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif. BTW the smaller picture would have been just fine http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif.

[LasVegas]

Hey, they do look better from a distance.

[KenP]

Thanks Seth for the laugh. I can log off now and feel good about it. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[Kevin B]

Phil, did you use any petroleum based prodects on the O ring seals or anything ? The guy I spoke to said that will make the reflector turn black http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif.

[Kevin B]

Well thats a fine how-do-you-do. I can see where that could happen (the hood cracking them that is). As far as the "sticking out thing" I agree, they do. The thing I love is the light weight and the candle power.

As far as the lumans, how do you think they stack up to your PIAA's??

[Kevin B]

Good info. Do you remember if your 140s had the xenophot bulb? The 240s seem to have very white light, which I like also as opposed to the "yellow look".

I agree about proprietory products. I discussed the bulb issue and they are not a shelf item. I would have to have them shipped from the light supplier.

[PARAGON]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by N2ITNSD:
Good info. Do you remember if your 140s had the xenophot bulb? The 240s seem to have very white light, which I like also as opposed to the "yellow look".

I agree about proprietory products. I discussed the bulb issue and they are not a shelf item. I would have to have them shipped from the light supplier. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I have already looked at the xenophot bulbs. They are made by Osram Sylvania and are either for the medical field or aircraft. I would guess the ones for these lights are the aircraft versions. I came across them a while back while looking for new bulbs for my Cibies. I found some at http://www.bulbconnection.com/ (which you can see from the pic below) and saved this picture to see if I could make them work in my Tangos. I still haven't tried to see if they would work but 100watt is too much for these Cibie fogs anyway.

[PARAGON]

By the way, they are pretty cheap. Something like $20-$30 per pair.

[Kevin B]

Here's a picture of the bulb Light Force recomends. They rate the bulb at 2000 Hrs. I coiled up 10 feet of 14 gauge wire on the supply side to drop the voltage down closer to 12 volts as I've heard the bulbs can be sensitive to anything over a true 12 volts. I guess time will tell.