driving lights

Tonz · 20-07-2020, 10:22 AM

maybe an impossible but trying to find a SMALL diameter long range driving light, that is useful (not decoration) on long country roads.
For this project smaller than 7" would be very nice, but thats where I think Iam dreaming.

**GasoLane** · 20-07-2020, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

maybe an impossible but trying to find a SMALL diameter long range driving light, that is useful (not decoration) on long country roads.
For this project smaller than 7" would be very nice, but thats where I think Iam dreaming.

Cibie Oscar's are about 7 1/2" but expensive.

Citroënbender · 20-07-2020, 11:02 AM

Interesting you nominate them (Cibie), the IODE 35 rectangular units were also great - surprised they’re no longer made.

**GasoLane** · 20-07-2020, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Interesting you nominate them (Cibie), the IODE 35 rectangular units were also great - surprised they’re no longer made.

I had them on my Rally cars and on my Trucks, they leave Narva and Hella in the dark

cheap · 20-07-2020, 11:23 AM

Beat me to it, Cibie Oscars, these are a 100W light, however, they use an H1 bulb which is 1970's technology, the bulb isn't a great light producer hence the need for 100W, and they draw a few extra amps compared to modern HID.

Oscars really come alive with a 55-70W HID conversion.

They come up for sale on Gumtree from time to time. Note: Cibie Super Oscar are 9" (much bigger)

Tonz · 20-07-2020, 01:50 PM

cheers thanks guys, although I did mention small diameter..... I searched and find there is a 5.6" HID Cibie but only in UK and Europe.

That size would really suit what i want them for, but in this current situation what is mail delivery like from UK.

Citroënbender · 20-07-2020, 01:58 PM

FedEx worked for me recently, six and a half calendar days Yorkshire to Sydney.

Royal Mail seems to be about fourteen calendar days at present.

ozrunner · 20-07-2020, 02:39 PM

Tonz

As my Smartbar restricted the fitting of some reasonable sized spots that didn't extend out past the front extremities I hunted around for some smaller units that I could possibly fit in the lower area of the Smartbar.

I found these LED units at Jaycar that are only 120mm across and being only $120 for two I figured they were worth a try.

https://www.jaycar.com.au/3486-lumen...light/p/SL3919

Turned out even though they are fitted at a low height they are freaking awesome little spots well worth the $120 and I would have to be a dumbass or exceed the speed limit by a fair bit to "outdrive" them.

If space is a premium they are worth considering.

EDIT

Forgot to mention as these turned out to be excellent value I decided to try their 6.5" units on my 4WD. It currently has 7" Bosch HID floodlights. I haven't got to fitting them yet but hooking them to a battery as a test showed they have some serious grunt and if you have the space I reckon these would meet your needs and they won't break the bank.

https://www.jaycar.com.au/6-300-lume...light/p/SL3921

Tonz · 20-07-2020, 04:48 PM

just got back home and see this, although Cibie have the name they also have the price, the top ones really tick the boxes.

**Rallye Sport** · 20-07-2020, 04:49 PM

Hella 4000 compacts on my rally car. Spot on 7" Picked them up from gumtree for $40 a pair.
They seem to do the trick and if something goes wrong they don't owe me much.

**Gothefalcon** · 20-07-2020, 07:05 PM

These look ok https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/kin...iABEgJpAPD_BwE

D

MercuryT · 20-07-2020, 07:59 PM

Not relevant maybe but those long bar ultra bright lights 4wd owners are fitting to their front cages are plain dangerous.

Cannot see a thing unless they turn off. Surely illegal but I guess snuck through somehow.

Tonz · 20-07-2020, 08:16 PM

I have a small light bar and cant wait to dump it. But yes the good ones are intrusive.

Recently had an agitated turd in a 4wd trying to pass me, no mean feat the speed I go, so then he tried flashing me with his lights and light bar, well they only reflected off my utes canopy so he got just desserts when my reversing lights (4 rectangular work/flood lights) came on.

Franco Cozzo · 20-07-2020, 08:45 PM

If you could get away with 8.2" then FYRLYT work pretty well if you have the alternator capacity to spare, I had these on my Focus at one point

https://www.fyrlyt.com/fyrlyt-best-d...lights-led-hid

They're halogen but they throw light down range pretty damn well - 250W globes, they use a LOT of juice, needs thick wiring.

About 35A at 13.8V.

Tonz · 20-07-2020, 08:48 PM

Franco, thanks but dont have the space or spare alternator.

Franco Cozzo · 20-07-2020, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tonz

Franco, thanks but dont have the space or spare alternator.

Alternatively Hella Rallye 4000 compact are OK - I also had these fitted to my Focus at one point.

http://www.myhellalights.com/index.p...compact-black/

About 175mm tall, 120mm deep - may be able to pick up a set of cheapies on eBay - if you're down on juice then you could retrofit with 55W Osram Nightbreaker Laser instead of the 100W H1s they come with.

https://www.powerbulbs.com/au/produc...ration-h1-twin

I had 2x spread beam lights on the car, they work quite well, the spot will give you 1 lux at 680M apparently, even though its halogen it'll throw more usable light down range than an LED light bar, without doing their magic deteriorating trick.

5thFordWA · 24-07-2020, 05:29 PM

https://www.lightforce.com/AUS/strik...driving-lights

I've had 2 sets of these on 2 different cars. My bro-in-law who was a Cibie fan reckoned they were just as good on a drive we did Perth-melbourne-Perth a couple of times.
A good feature is the variable focus/spread by screwing in/out the whole lamp into the base bracket, for either long spot or wider coverage, as you wish.
Australian made as far as I know.
I have picked the 170mm dia, but there is a range of sizes.
Good lights at a reasonable cost.

Cheers.

Tonz · 24-07-2020, 05:58 PM

Thanks mate,

all will be decided next week when in Adelaide and visit my favorite wreckers. I need to find an alternative mounting place, (I have something quite different in mind) but need to see behind the bumper and grills.

gooseneck · 24-07-2020, 06:12 PM

I came up to this conundrum myself and decided that being aerodynamic as possible is in my sights. Better aerodynamics mean better fuel economy. I can just imagine the incredible amount of dirty air that a light bar or pair of flat surfaces a set of lights will produce.

So... I just bought some H1 6000k HID kits and I'm going to put them into the jnew AU headlights and use them instead of the 55w H1 halogen globes for the high beams.

I'm fitting Osram Long Life H4 halogens in the low/high beam position.