I want to mount 6" round lights on the front of my truck

[Jhbryaniv]

Just wanted to revisit this thread, since Baja Designs finally released performance data for its products.

Like I was arguing before, the brand is just not competitive with higher quality rivals from Australia. And little pod lights don't offer enough distance to add any worthwhile illumination for actual driving scenarios (they do still make good work lights for around camp, or nighttime repairs.

https://wessiler.substack.com/p/baja-designs-finally-releases-light

but, but, but I sold my kidney and my left . . . errrrr . . . thumb to buy them . . .

It is expensive so it is good.


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[D Fresh]

Just wanted to revisit this thread, since Baja Designs finally released performance data for its products.

Like I was arguing before, the brand is just not competitive with higher quality rivals from Australia. And little pod lights don't offer enough distance to add any worthwhile illumination for actual driving scenarios (they do still make good work lights for around camp, or nighttime repairs.

https://wessiler.substack.com/p/baja-designs-finally-releases-light

No actual link to the "white paper."

All I see there is some marketing dude's opinion of the "white paper."

 

[Colo_Ranger]

No actual link to the "white paper."

All I see there is some marketing dude's opinion of the "white paper."

while I like to get on Wes' case as much as the next guy, he links it at the beginning. https://www.bajadesigns.com/els/

the white paper is linked about 1/2 way down the page.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I also have to say, I agree with Wes' opinion here. BD created a new 'standard' instead of adhering to an existing standard. To me, that screams "we couldn't beat them at the existing, so we made up one we could win at'. Their chief engineer is quick to defend their new standard too, instead of explaining why the existing standard wasn't good enough. Sorry, I don't need a new standard. Stick to the existing and build a product that wins in that category.

 

[D Fresh]

while I like to get on Wes' case as much as the next guy, he links it at the beginning. https://www.bajadesigns.com/els/

the white paper is linked about 1/2 way down the page.

Thankyou.

I also have to say, I agree with Wes' opinion here. BD created a new 'standard' instead of adhering to an existing standard. To me, that screams "we couldn't beat them at the existing, so we made up one we could win at'. Their chief engineer is quick to defend their new standard too, instead of explaining why the existing standard wasn't good enough. Sorry, I don't need a new standard. Stick to the existing and build a product that wins in that category.

I can understand that.

However, I've worked for multiple companies for whom the "industry standard" was either lacking in information or flat out not good enough.

In this case I'd guess from the little scanning I've been able to do so far that it's the former. There is a lot of info packed into their ELS.

Is it marketing? Sure.

But it's obvious.

Whereas Mr Siler's brand of marketing is not. After all, he's a journalist, right?

Nope. He's a dude who has beers with the ARB boys and runs a blog.

Let's see if they monitor their account.

@Baja Designs

What do you think of Mr Siler's opinion about your ELS?

 

[Wes Siler]

I also have to say, I agree with Wes' opinion here. BD created a new 'standard' instead of adhering to an existing standard. To me, that screams "we couldn't beat them at the existing, so we made up one we could win at'. Their chief engineer is quick to defend their new standard too, instead of explaining why the existing standard wasn't good enough. Sorry, I don't need a new standard. Stick to the existing and build a product that wins in that category.

It's important to note that they're uncompetitive at this standard they've defined themselves too. It's just harder for consumers to use it to make comparisons, which is the entire point I reckon.

Companies that disrespect their customers like this do not deserve loyalty.

 

[D Fresh]

Companies that disrespect their customers like this do not deserve loyalty.

But companies who share their beers with the "reporters" who are "reviewing" their products do.

For you to feign as though you give a hoot about consumers is hilarious.

 

[OFC Ranger]

But companies who share their beers with the "reporters" who are "reviewing" their products do.

For you to feign as though you give a hoot about consumers is hilarious.

But at least he has a $2000 plywood rear seat delete.

MARINE GRADE PLYWOOD!

 

[Wes Siler]

The Squadron Racers, "little 4 LED pods," throw light thousands of feet. BD's laser lights reach another 350% past the Racer spots.

This is a great example of why actual performance data matters. And now that BD is finally releasing that, we can see the Squadron Racer Spot throws light, according to BD's own numbers, 374 feet. That's only around 25 feet more than stock high beams, or an additional quarter of a second of time in which to react to a hazard if you're traveling at a very normal 65 MPH.

Now obviously my hyper corrupt brain struggles with value assessments, so help me out here. Is that quarter second worth $530?

 

[D Fresh]

This is a great example of why actual performance data matters. And now that BD is finally releasing that, we can see the Squadron Racer Spot throws light, according to BD's own numbers, 374 feet. That's only around 25 feet more than stock high beams, or an additional quarter of a second of time in which to react to a hazard if you're traveling at a very normal 65 MPH.

Now obviously my hyper corrupt brain struggles with value assessments, so help me out here. Is that quarter second worth $530?

Compared to the ARB Solis lights that YOU got for free, of course not.

As compared to what though?

A light made in China by an unknown manufacturer, rebranded by an Australian company, and then sold in the US? Yes.

Here's your ARB Solis Intensity light. Just without the ARB branding on it.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012HXU9S...tag=amazonqueryr11-20&linkCode=ogi&psc=1&th=1

Guaranteed it's made on the same line as the Solis.

So who is really ripping g the consumer off?

Personally, I'll stick with the made in the USA folks who actually build their products. Versus slapping their name on some Ali Babba bullshit.

You talk about companies ripping people off. But promote a brand that's charging a 1000% markup on the garbage they contract some Chinese sweat shop to make.

You sir are blind to your own hypocrisy.

 

[Blmpkn]

Compared to the ARB Solis lights that YOU got for free, of course not.

As compared to what though?

A light made in China by an unknown manufacturer, rebranded by an Australian company, and then sold in the US? Yes.

Here's your ARB Solis Intensity light. Just without the ARB branding on it.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012HXU9S...tag=amazonqueryr11-20&linkCode=ogi&psc=1&th=1

Guaranteed it's made on the same line as the Solis.

So who is really ripping g the consumer off?

Personally, I'll stick with the made in the USA folks who actually build their products. Versus slapping their name on some Ali Babba bullshit.

You talk about companies ripping people off. But promote a brand that's charging a 1000% markup on the garbage they contract some Chinese sweat shop to make.

You sir are blind to your own hypocrisy.

To be fair, just because product A is made 'on the same line' as product B doesn't necessarily mean they're comprised of the same quality materials/hardware/whatever.

Seeing a twice by side dissection of each light comparing components would really paint a picture.

 

[Wes Siler]

Compared to the ARB Solis lights that YOU got for free, of course not.

As compared to what though?

A light made in China by an unknown manufacturer, rebranded by an Australian company, and then sold in the US? Yes.

Here's your ARB Solis Intensity light. Just without the ARB branding on it.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012HXU9S...tag=amazonqueryr11-20&linkCode=ogi&psc=1&th=1

Guaranteed it's made on the same line as the Solis.

So who is really ripping g the consumer off?

Personally, I'll stick with the made in the USA folks who actually build their products. Versus slapping their name on some Ali Babba bullshit.

You talk about companies ripping people off. But promote a brand that's charging a 1000% markup on the garbage they contract some Chinese sweat shop to make.

You sir are blind to your own hypocrisy.

I don't actually own any ARB lights.

Like you, I value American made products. But, to be relevant, anything made in America needs to remain competitive on both performance and cost.

 

[Jhbryaniv]

Gotta love a good gotcha post, I guess.

 

[Wes Siler]

So this is also a great opportunity for comparison.

For $530, BD will sell you a pair of Squadron Racer Spots. One of those does 10 lux @ 374 feet. Light distance is not linearly cumulative (two don't give you twice the distance). One offers an additional quarter second of vision distance at 65 MPH. Maybe you get a full second from a pair, at best.

For $525, ARB will sell you a pair of Solis 21s that provide 10 lux @ 863 feet. I'm only using ARB as a comparison here because that's the only other brand that provides distance at 10 lux data that I'm aware of. But they quote that performance for a pair of lights, not a single, so this isn't a perfect comparison. For $5 less, they offer and additional 5.4 seconds of vision distance at 65 MPH, compared to stock highbeams. They are made in China, but seem to be a quality product from an extremely reputable brand.

Which of those is better value? When safety is on the line, which one would you get the most advantage from running? Which one should we recommend to people looking to increase their safety?

 

[Wes Siler]

BD's laser lights reach another 350% past the Racer spots.

The furthest distance BD is quoting for any laser light is 627 feet, for the OnX6+ 10in Hybrid laser. That product costs $1,187.

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