best spotlights for 2006 Defender td5 90xs & cost guideline?
Discussion
Thinking of fitting some spots to the front of my Defender, I fancied those small round ones which attach to the bumper as I think they look quite discrete & tasteful (I am from the less is more school of Defender modifications) but a neighbour has them on his new Defender and reckoned they were not much use.
Any thoughts these and indeed other types of spots?
Any thoughts these and indeed other types of spots?
I don't think you can beat a classic spot lamp. Hella is a good brand.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Hella-Rallye-1...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New-Hella-Rallye-1...
There are loads of driving lights. Are you going to use them or have them just for show?
Do you have a budget in mind?
Bigger will normally mean a tighter beam and more throw (distance). Although many lamps can be bought in spot or flood guises.
There are also 3 main types:
-halogen. Usually the least powerful and will match the colour of normal halogen headlights. But will suck the highest amp draw.
-HID, often expensive, but in theory very powerful, much like HID headlights are. However there might be delay on activation just like HID headlights
-LED. Hugely varied in price and performance. Very cheap ones can be rubbish and low output. But ability to match HIDs on the higher end.
LED lightbars might not look the best visually, but offer good VFM in terms of performance vs cost.
Halogens can be bought very cheap, or very expensive. Depends on the brand.
Also think about mounting. Not all lights hang well upside down, as the lens might have a 'top'. Sometimes you can open them up and run it around, but not always. And if 'A' bar mounting there is often not much room to the radiator grill. So deep lights don't fit well.
For a reasonable priced light, I quite like the X-Lites from X-Eng.
http://foundry4x4.co.uk/index.php?route=product/pr...
They won't have the most range, but are a nice, durable compact light with good flood to mid range (spot bulb variant).
Do you have a budget in mind?
Bigger will normally mean a tighter beam and more throw (distance). Although many lamps can be bought in spot or flood guises.
There are also 3 main types:
-halogen. Usually the least powerful and will match the colour of normal halogen headlights. But will suck the highest amp draw.
-HID, often expensive, but in theory very powerful, much like HID headlights are. However there might be delay on activation just like HID headlights
-LED. Hugely varied in price and performance. Very cheap ones can be rubbish and low output. But ability to match HIDs on the higher end.
LED lightbars might not look the best visually, but offer good VFM in terms of performance vs cost.
Halogens can be bought very cheap, or very expensive. Depends on the brand.
Also think about mounting. Not all lights hang well upside down, as the lens might have a 'top'. Sometimes you can open them up and run it around, but not always. And if 'A' bar mounting there is often not much room to the radiator grill. So deep lights don't fit well.
For a reasonable priced light, I quite like the X-Lites from X-Eng.
http://foundry4x4.co.uk/index.php?route=product/pr...
They won't have the most range, but are a nice, durable compact light with good flood to mid range (spot bulb variant).
I've played with loads of light sets from years of road rallying and there's no doubt you get what you pay for!
Halogen is the way to go to keep costs down.
The PIAA 80 Series are considered to be about as good as it gets, they also have the option to run a twin filament bulb so you can choose between dip, main or both.
Hella 2000's are great, outlawed as a fraction too big on RR cars but I had a set on my Discovery and they were superb. The 1000's are a good if slightly smaller option.
Cibie Oscars are great if you want to be a bit retro.
I'm currently using KC Daylighters, available as either sealed beam or with ordinary bulbs. A really good mounting system, not too big and with the 130w bulbs they supply as standard, pretty impressive in the lanes.
Running a set of decent lights on a modern car should never cause a battery problem.
Halogen is the way to go to keep costs down.
The PIAA 80 Series are considered to be about as good as it gets, they also have the option to run a twin filament bulb so you can choose between dip, main or both.
Hella 2000's are great, outlawed as a fraction too big on RR cars but I had a set on my Discovery and they were superb. The 1000's are a good if slightly smaller option.
Cibie Oscars are great if you want to be a bit retro.
I'm currently using KC Daylighters, available as either sealed beam or with ordinary bulbs. A really good mounting system, not too big and with the 130w bulbs they supply as standard, pretty impressive in the lanes.
Running a set of decent lights on a modern car should never cause a battery problem.
I'd love a set of Cibie Super Oscar LEDs one day....
If it is a apractical improvement in light you want, I would highly recommend you fit a relay upgrade loom to your headlights as a first port of call. The standard headlights are fed through the column switch which can melt and fail, but also results in a low voltage at the lights, hence why a lot of Defenders have dim yellowy headlights.A relay loom with a feed straight off the alternator makes a big difference, especially combined with some good H4 bulbs and clear lens headlights.
If it is a apractical improvement in light you want, I would highly recommend you fit a relay upgrade loom to your headlights as a first port of call. The standard headlights are fed through the column switch which can melt and fail, but also results in a low voltage at the lights, hence why a lot of Defenders have dim yellowy headlights.A relay loom with a feed straight off the alternator makes a big difference, especially combined with some good H4 bulbs and clear lens headlights.
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