X-Ray Vision Lights

[ant]

Like most people I guess, I was under the (false) impression that driving lights, or spotlights were pretty much all the same. I took the time to talk to the team at Britax earlier this week and I can tell you that there is quite a bit of difference between some of the leading brands.
To put it into basic terms, there are three main aspects to consider with lights.
Firstly, the bulbs which are usually either QH (Quartz Halogen) or HID (High Intensity Discharge). Obviously, the HID provide a 'better' light.

Secondly is the reflector. A high quality reflector will give a good light.

Thirdly is the lens. A quality optics free lens is the best.

What some leading brands have done with their lights is to build the light refraction into the lens which isn't a bad idea. In short they use optics in the lens to re-correct and spread the light pattern. An example of this can be found in the Hella range.
Some other brands actually use a 'clip on' filter to achieve a similar result, however a filter will actually block some of the actual light. An example of this can be found with the LightForce brand.
What Britax do with their lights is build the refraction into their reflector (free form reflectors) and then couple this with an optics free quarts glass lens. By doing this, the light from the globe (either QH or HID) is being used in the most efficient way possible (by use of the reflectors) and then travels through a clear, free lens which allows for no distortion of the light.

This description above is really in its most basic form and to really appreciate how much of a difference it really makes, you have to view these lights side by side. By viewing them, I mean get them working side by side with exactly the same components. Ie: bulbs, power input, etc.

I took a night out this week and attended a talk that the team at Britax did with the Townsville TJM staff and after hearing how it all worked, we were then shown what it all looked like. The difference cannot be explained in words other than bloody amazing.

I currently have LightForce on my Cruiser and have been pretty happy with them, but I am now upgrading to the Britax XRay lights and can't wait.

Take it from me, I am not an expert when it comes to lights but if you are thinking of getting a set of driving lights, then check out all the brands and put them up side by side in an equal environment and the proof will be staring you in the face.

Here are a few pics......

[ant]

Here is a pic of the new Britax XRay lights showing that the free form reflector is inside the body, allowing the light to pass freely through the clear, optics free glass lens.

[ant]

This shot shows the construction of the lights. I was very impressed with the mounting system as I have lost count of the number of lights I have tried in Cape York that fail simply because of their construction and the way that they are mounted.

[ant]

This shot shows how other brands (such as Hella) build the light refraction into the lens. This is a good idea, however the light from the globe does get diffused with this method.

[geoffjy]

I have the Hella Ralle 4000's on my vehicle at the moment. When driving up the Cape at the start of the month (at night), i found that when i came close to a street sign i was blinded due to the sign reflecting the light back at me. I can tell you it was bright. I was thinking about going to HID but after this i dont think i will as i dont want the lights brighter.

[ant]

I have the Hella Ralle 4000's on my vehicle at the moment. When driving up the Cape at the start of the month (at night), i found that when i came close to a street sign i was blinded due to the sign reflecting the light back at me. I can tell you it was bright. I was thinking about going to HID but after this i dont think i will as i dont want the lights brighter.

Geoff,
Funny you should mention that. It was brought up at the training and a lot of it comes down to the type of globe and the way the lights are set up. Also, some signs will 'flash back' a lot more than others.

There is a hell of a lot in lighting when you start talking to someone who knows their stuff and it really comes down to knowing what you want and then setting up the lights to suit your own personal preference.

Out of interest, were you running two spots or a spot and a spreader?

[geoffjy]

I have a spot and a spreader setup. Its almost like daytime when i turn them on.

[ant]

It's funny, after the talk, I had to drive home and I became very critical of my current lighting. Up until now I have been reasonably happy, but now that I have more of an understanding I can see what a difference a good set up can make.
For example, the light from my set up is currently more of an orange colour (typical of the QH globes) and the range is not that much.
A HID system will generally give you a whiter light and if you put this through a well designed light, then you get a situation as close to daylight as can be reproduced.

[geoffjy]

Are these XRAY lights expensive? Or about the same as any quality spotlight?

[ant]

They actually work out to be better priced than some of the competition, particularly when you are looking at the HID side of things.

I think that these lights will become a very popular item and I also think that a lot of other light manufacturers will be quickly changing the technology that they have been using. Some of which is quite outdated.

From memory, Hella are already using the free form reflectors in some of their smaller range of lights.

Also look at the majority of new cars. Their driving lights are utilising free form reflectors.

[geoffjy]

I will have to have a look when i am in Cairns next. I cant remember what my spotties have at the moment.

[ant]

If they were purchased 'off the shelf' then chances are that you have the QH globes.

[geoffjy]

Just had a look at my spotties, they look almost the same as the Hella's with the metal frame that is in your pic. The only difference is that my lenses are clear. The light is refracted from behind the light itself.

[ant]

Geoff what model are they. I know that Hella do have the free from reflectors in one of their smaller models.

[geoffjy]

They are the Rallye 4000's.

[deano1]

I'm due to get some new spotties, what do most of you run or recomend. A mate from TJM recomended the Xray's. I don't really have a budget but I don't wanna spend to much. I think these Xrays are around 350, so probably around that budget.

I don't do a heap of night driving but just had the weekend away and had to do some dirt roads at night, and my little rectangle spotties were honestly a waste of time having them on at all. I wouldn't mind a set that have the possibilty of being upgraded to a HID globe down the track, just incase I start to do a ton of night driving.


Cheers guys.

[ant]

I'm due to get some new spotties, what do most of you run or recomend. A mate from TJM recomended the Xray's. I don't really have a budget but I don't wanna spend to much. I think these Xrays are around 350, so probably around that budget.

I don't do a heap of night driving but just had the weekend away and had to do some dirt roads at night, and my little rectangle spotties were honestly a waste of time having them on at all. I wouldn't mind a set that have the possibilty of being upgraded to a HID globe down the track, just incase I start to do a ton of night driving.


Cheers guys.

Deano1,
I have recently upgraded to a set of X-Ray Vision spotlights and can definitely say that they are worth it. I have the HID set but have seen the QH (Quartz Halogen) models as well and they are heads and shoulders above the competition.
As a suggestion, if you do go with the QH spots, there are a few things you should consider. Firstly, they are upgradable to HID with the H1 kit. The main difference here is that the genuine HID lights have a different bulb base and a heavy duty ballast as compared to the QH upgrades.
If you are thinking of upgrading to HID in the future then get the QH lights with the clear lens. If you are going to stay with the QH lights, then get them with the blue lens. The blue lens with the QH globes will give you a 'whiter' light.

I hope I haven't confused you here.
Ant.