Cheap vs. Expensive Lights

[Callelk]

I'm here in the shitty state of NY right with you although in central NY and not NYC. Road salt or brine or whatever crap they are using I'm sure is to blame. The lights still work great, but the housings, not so much. This thread reminded me to send a message DD since I bought direct.


I've purchased many products for many vehicles over the years. Anything powder coated always rusts/corrodes after 18 months. If I want it to last, it needs to be made out of a 300 series stainless or it needs to be plastic

Yeah, the cwrap they throw on the roads now strips the chrome off trailer balls. Here in the west the USFS is using mag chloride as a dust abatement on fire roads. It dissolved the ratchets on my ATV straps.

We had a bomber (air tanker) hit one of our trucks with retardant. Stiped the powder coat off the fuel tank and any paint was history. Even the engine paint dissolved. Stuffs nasty.

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[Silver-Bolt]

If you happen to live somewhere that has zero ambient light, auxiliary lighting is critical. On the Bronco I have ARB Solis 36's for long range and Baja Design Squadron Pro's for foul weather. The combo works well. On the new F250 it has ARB Solis 36's for long range, Baja Design XL80's for mid range and Squadron Pro's for foul weather. It's a well rounded package.

 

[SierraBronco]

I have two of the premium lights up front and they light up the trail better than the rigs sporting a huge light rack and several bumper lights. Been running lights from this company since 2018 and only had an issue once. They replaced it with a new light.

But mainly I came here to say-

 

[dhsorrell]

I went very cheap on the a-pillar lights because I knew they were really just for show. (I don't even think I spent $20 on the pair). I have $300 DD and BDs on the shelf if these ever give out or rust away. I spend good money on the light bar and it does give a ton of light, but rarely gets used because it's not (exactly) street legal.

Which light bar do you have there? Do you like it? Tough finding stuff for that bumper that I like.

 

[helifino16]

Which light bar do you have there? Do you like it? Tough finding stuff for that bumper that I like.

See @MandRautomotive at this website.

 

[bkfit]

Buy once cry once.

 

[Bbaliatico]

Can you be more specific about what the value of my vehicle has to do with what I spend on lights? What is the specific performance difference between the Amazon brands and Baja / Diode?

Diode ditch lights are approx. $260 (https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage...itch-light-kit-for-2021-2024-ford-bronco.html)
Diode lightbar kit is approx. $1,700 (https://www.diodedynamics.com/ss5-windshield-crosslink-lightbar-kit-for-2021-2024-ford-bronco.html)
Diode pocket fog lights are approx. $869 (https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage...for-2021-2024-ford-bronco-w-steel-bumper.html)

So again the question is why should I spend $2,829 instead of $400? I could replace the amazon kit 7 times for the cost of buying from Diode once.

I drilled a hole in the panel of my bumper with a hole bit and installed $17 generic round led fog-lights 2 years ago because the OEM panel part with a hole was on back-order. Still there, no leaks, and nice and bright in the rain, etc.. $60 Hella 6" rounds (i like to old school look of a bulb vs leds) that I have had on nearly every vehicle I have owned going back to the 90's are on the bumper. Not an issue with one of them. Well there was the one time that they burst into flames and ruined my car, oh wait, that never happens, its 12 volts.

 

[RimrockPaul]

You think that

I’ve been looking at adding lights to my new Bronco and am blown away by how expensive the name-brand options are. I also saw that there are a number of sellers on Amazon (see Auxbeam, Nilite, and Lasfit) who offer very reasonably priced alternatives. While I’m sure the quality is much lower, they can be replaced many times over for less than the cost of name brands.

4” ditch light pods for $90: https://a.co/d/3hk8qtO
52“ Light bar for $170: https://a.co/d/0fEdrg7
Fog pocket lights for $150: Light https://a.co/d/8CXpOQS

This setup from amazon would cost ~$410 (and given prime day sales, actually much less).

Baja Designs has a somewhat similar (though obviously much nicer) set up on their website for $4,398.85 (https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/ford-bronco-stage-3-light-bundle-kit/?vid=169469).

I’d like to see if I’m missing something about the value proposition of the bigger brands and why I should be paying thousands instead of hundreds. $4,400 for lights just seems outrageous.

You should price of the lights we put on our police Tahoes.

 

[RowsKing]

Cheap lights built by little Chinese children for the win! They work great so far. Will upgrade later if necessary.

Those kids make excellent iPhones, Nikes, Xbox’s, ……………..

 

[Fordified1]

Those kids make excellent iPhones, Nikes, Xbox’s, ……………..

No argument from me!

 

[One who waits long time]

Can you be more specific about what the value of my vehicle has to do with what I spend on lights? What is the specific performance difference between the Amazon brands and Baja / Diode?

Diode ditch lights are approx. $260 (https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage...itch-light-kit-for-2021-2024-ford-bronco.html)
Diode lightbar kit is approx. $1,700 (https://www.diodedynamics.com/ss5-windshield-crosslink-lightbar-kit-for-2021-2024-ford-bronco.html)
Diode pocket fog lights are approx. $869 (https://www.diodedynamics.com/stage...for-2021-2024-ford-bronco-w-steel-bumper.html)

So again the question is why should I spend $2,829 instead of $400? I could replace the amazon kit 7 times for the cost of buying from Diode once.

It is not just about the lights lasting. The big difference is in the amount of light. I have an eight light KC setup that goes for about $2,000 that lights up way more that the cheaper alternatives. From what I have seen at the dunes, Baja Designs may be the best.

 

[nx40yrs]

I have BD lights and have been very satisfied with the functionality and quality, yes they cost more but you did a spend a lot to get a quality offroad vehicle.

Cheers,
Gordon

 

[MJ12]

I’ve been looking at adding lights to my new Bronco and am blown away by how expensive the name-brand options are. I also saw that there are a number of sellers on Amazon (see Auxbeam, Nilite, and Lasfit) who offer very reasonably priced alternatives. While I’m sure the quality is much lower, they can be replaced many times over for less than the cost of name brands.

4” ditch light pods for $90: https://a.co/d/3hk8qtO
52“ Light bar for $170: https://a.co/d/0fEdrg7
Fog pocket lights for $150: Light https://a.co/d/8CXpOQS

This setup from amazon would cost ~$410 (and given prime day sales, actually much less).

Baja Designs has a somewhat similar (though obviously much nicer) set up on their website for $4,398.85 (https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/ford-bronco-stage-3-light-bundle-kit/?vid=169469).

I’d like to see if I’m missing something about the value proposition of the bigger brands and why I should be paying thousands instead of hundreds. $4,400 for lights just seems outrageous.

If you are adding lights for looks go with the cheap. I used some nilite before and it was crap as far as quality and clarity but it functioned. If you do much wheeling at night then go for quality.

 

[CitrusBronco]

I ordered a set of 5" round Auxbeam in amber, I will post a review once I have used them.
For my use, I just want to drive around the forest after dark and my bright headlights fatigue my eyes quickly, my guess is so much white light bouncing back off the surrounding foliage.
I am not a desert racer and I do have a tight budget despite my Bronco purchase. I will spend good money where its warranted.
If these turn out to be crap I will post that also.

 

[Robs]

I’ve been looking at adding lights to my new Bronco and am blown away by how expensive the name-brand options are. I also saw that there are a number of sellers on Amazon (see Auxbeam, Nilite, and Lasfit) who offer very reasonably priced alternatives. While I’m sure the quality is much lower, they can be replaced many times over for less than the cost of name brands.

4” ditch light pods for $90: https://a.co/d/3hk8qtO
52“ Light bar for $170: https://a.co/d/0fEdrg7
Fog pocket lights for $150: Light https://a.co/d/8CXpOQS

This setup from amazon would cost ~$410 (and given prime day sales, actually much less).

Baja Designs has a somewhat similar (though obviously much nicer) set up on their website for $4,398.85 (https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/ford-bronco-stage-3-light-bundle-kit/?vid=169469).

I’d like to see if I’m missing something about the value proposition of the bigger brands and why I should be paying thousands instead of hundreds. $4,400 for lights just seems outrageous.

Lots of people get caught up in name brands which are highly overpriced. I’ve purchased cube light and light bars from harbor freight at fractions of the cost And I have had them on our family cars over ten years with no problems. Also Temu and Aliexpress have less expensive options. so if you don’t need the name brand badge on your lights try these options

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