opposite locker
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http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000W4K20M/?tag=cpf0b6-20 lights any good? Price is right, and ad says SAE approval...
ABL lights? Any good?
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ABL is now the umbrella company for NBB and Auteroche, two lesser-known and smaller but still fairly venerable Scandinavian and French automotive lighting suppliers, respectively. Those lamp designs have been around for quite awhile. I can't recall whose name used to be on them before NBB, maybe Raydyot. You can get better lamps, but these should work and hold up certainly much better than most anything else you can get for that price. I would not use the 100w bulb; there's no telling what quality it is, probably bad, and a 100w bulb would greatly increase the likelihood of cracking the lens. A good-quality 55w H3 would be a better pick.
NBB is a respectable company here in Sweden and their lights have been around for a while. They are used quite extensively. Just think of all those dark cold wintery nights in Sweden and the vast stretch of road in the forest with the moose or a deer about to surprise you. I have no personal experience with NBB lights.
That is true about Sweden, but it can't tell us anything about the quality or performance of any particular lights.
OK Scheinwerfermann, that was not very objective (or related to the lamps), agree, but the NBB 225mm drving lights (not pencil beam) has been topping the driving light tests here in both the halogen and xenon bulb configuration. The tests are conducted by "automotorsport" and "vi bilägare" and are unfortunately in Swedish. I'll link the site with the light pattern. I think it is a serious company even if I do not have personal experience with their product.
http://www.automotorsport.se/media/biltester_pdf/072104.pdf
http://www.automotorsport.se/media/biltester_pdf/072104.pdf
opposite locker
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Thx! Gonna give the pencil beams a try once I figure out where/how to mount them to my truck.
That's an interesting test you've linked to, Raj; thanks for that. The Lightforce items appear pathetic, and the article text says "The larger the reflector, the better the output. The only exception to this rule is the Lightforce E240, which despite an outer diameter of 245 millimeters has a remarkably weak and poorly focused beam pattern (...) Lightforce has previously used a special halogen bulb which meant the light could not be E-marked, but this model (we tested) is type approved. The performance, however, is awful. We have never seen such poor performance from this size reflector. The beam pattern is a disaster. And at that price! The (construction) is durable, but unfortunately sensitive to salt and moisture which can get into the housing and cause rust.
The PIAA units look mediocre, and there's a depressing amount of blue glass from Hella and other suppliers. The article isn't wholly science-based, though; it includes this comment: "The blue glass steals some brightness, but in return makes it easier to discern contours of snow and spray". The first half of that sentence is correct; the second half is a baseless assertion. When testing a blue-lens Hella lamp, they say "Light loss is surprisingly small with the blue glass, we measured a loss of only ten percent." Note that the Hella blue tint is a good bit weaker than the blue tint on other brands of blue-lens lamp in this test (such as Trucklight, which may or may not be the same as the US-based Truck-Lite; I'll need to do some more digging).
I also note "The measurements have been made by NBB in Linköping (...) all lights have been measured with calibrated filament to provide precise, comparable results. Voltage, 13.2v and amperage has been checked very carefully." So that's good. The tests have to be carried out somewhere, and NBB's was probably the most accessible photometric lab. Still, it's wise to keep in mind what we've seen with, for example, AutoExpress bulb tests where the Osram bulbs seem to have a slight edge when an Osram facility is used for the test, the Philips bulbs seem to have a slight edge when tested in a Philips facility, etc.
About the NBB Alpha 225 halogen, they say: "One of this year's news is
NBB Alpha, a classic great lamp, but with modern design. Light picture is both broad and
acceptably long, very good values for a halogen light! In view of size and performance
this light is also decently priced. Good choice if you have the space and don't want to spend many thousands of dollars on Xenon, the NBB Alpha halogena choice that is definitely
should be considered."
The NBB Alpha 225 Xenon gets this review: "If you can afford xenon and have the space, this is a Xenon lamp that can illuminate a very dark scene. Not since we tested the Hella Luminator
Xenon have seen something this strong - the same modern design as its halogen brother above.
The ballast is very small and easy to mount."
PIAA 80 Pro XT review seems oddly out of line with the performance graph they present: "Japanese PIAA are the Rolls-Royce auxiliary lights, so well made and expensive you almost cry. Not cheap, but
for anyone who digs expensive brands, PIAA is just as enjoyable as Armani. Measured with 55w
bulb, but comes with a 120w item. Light picture is brilliant and the length very good for a halogen light
with this small format."
The other PIAA lamp they tested, the 80 Rally Pro, garnered this comment: "This light has an H4 bulb, so can also produce a dipped beam. Completely illegal, of course...mount a hidden switch because this lamp is not compatible with traffic police. Large installation depth. Measured with 55w H4 bulb; supplied with a PIAA 100/130w bulb."
Interesting comment on the Hella Rallye 3003: "In two of the three Hella Rallye 3003 lamps we tested, the bulb retainer spring did not hold the bulb correctly, resulting in an improper beam pattern. Check this carefully!"
Raj55, I note the article says "Should you have missed any of the previous tests, you can download them on our site free of charge as PDFs". Could you point us at the appropriate link? Thanks.
The PIAA units look mediocre, and there's a depressing amount of blue glass from Hella and other suppliers. The article isn't wholly science-based, though; it includes this comment: "The blue glass steals some brightness, but in return makes it easier to discern contours of snow and spray". The first half of that sentence is correct; the second half is a baseless assertion. When testing a blue-lens Hella lamp, they say "Light loss is surprisingly small with the blue glass, we measured a loss of only ten percent." Note that the Hella blue tint is a good bit weaker than the blue tint on other brands of blue-lens lamp in this test (such as Trucklight, which may or may not be the same as the US-based Truck-Lite; I'll need to do some more digging).
I also note "The measurements have been made by NBB in Linköping (...) all lights have been measured with calibrated filament to provide precise, comparable results. Voltage, 13.2v and amperage has been checked very carefully." So that's good. The tests have to be carried out somewhere, and NBB's was probably the most accessible photometric lab. Still, it's wise to keep in mind what we've seen with, for example, AutoExpress bulb tests where the Osram bulbs seem to have a slight edge when an Osram facility is used for the test, the Philips bulbs seem to have a slight edge when tested in a Philips facility, etc.
About the NBB Alpha 225 halogen, they say: "One of this year's news is
NBB Alpha, a classic great lamp, but with modern design. Light picture is both broad and
acceptably long, very good values for a halogen light! In view of size and performance
this light is also decently priced. Good choice if you have the space and don't want to spend many thousands of dollars on Xenon, the NBB Alpha halogena choice that is definitely
should be considered."
The NBB Alpha 225 Xenon gets this review: "If you can afford xenon and have the space, this is a Xenon lamp that can illuminate a very dark scene. Not since we tested the Hella Luminator
Xenon have seen something this strong - the same modern design as its halogen brother above.
The ballast is very small and easy to mount."
PIAA 80 Pro XT review seems oddly out of line with the performance graph they present: "Japanese PIAA are the Rolls-Royce auxiliary lights, so well made and expensive you almost cry. Not cheap, but
for anyone who digs expensive brands, PIAA is just as enjoyable as Armani. Measured with 55w
bulb, but comes with a 120w item. Light picture is brilliant and the length very good for a halogen light
with this small format."
The other PIAA lamp they tested, the 80 Rally Pro, garnered this comment: "This light has an H4 bulb, so can also produce a dipped beam. Completely illegal, of course...mount a hidden switch because this lamp is not compatible with traffic police. Large installation depth. Measured with 55w H4 bulb; supplied with a PIAA 100/130w bulb."
Interesting comment on the Hella Rallye 3003: "In two of the three Hella Rallye 3003 lamps we tested, the bulb retainer spring did not hold the bulb correctly, resulting in an improper beam pattern. Check this carefully!"
Raj55, I note the article says "Should you have missed any of the previous tests, you can download them on our site free of charge as PDFs". Could you point us at the appropriate link? Thanks.
Alaric Darconville
Flashlight Enthusiast
Maybe Trucklight is a joint venture of Matsumura Fishworks and Tamaribuchi Heavy Manufacturing Concern, makers of Mr. Sparkle, Sorny, Panaphonic, and Magnetbox.
Whatever you say, Fishbulb! ;-)
Here are the links to the previous "extraljus test", "driving light test" from Automotor test. I'll try to find the other driving light tests from "vi bilägare" and post it later.
http://www.automotorsport.se/biltes...er=0&modelseries=0&year=0&tag=482&submit=Visa
http://www.automotorsport.se/biltes...er=0&modelseries=0&year=0&tag=482&submit=Visa
opposite locker
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Being a pencil beam, I imagine these lights (linked above) can be mounted upside down...I believe it's called "pendant" configuration. Would I be correct in this assumption?
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OK, this may not be related to this particular thread but is relevant as far as the vehicle light knowledege is concerned, Erik Ronnblom and group have been testing lights ( dipped beam and high beam) in all new cars for a couple of years and all are posted in this link. Halvljus=dipped beam. Helljus=High/Full beam. The newer ones have a light pattern picture as well. I am still looking for the Driving light tests from vibilägare! Admin, you can move this to a new thread if you consider its placement here wrong.
http://www.vibilagare.se/test/ljus?make=&model=0
http://www.vibilagare.se/test/ljus?make=&model=0
I don't know if you can do that but the way people use pencil beam here is by having it in the centre, i.e. two broad beam driving lights on the sides and the two pencil beams in the middle (in a row of four driving lights)
Headlighthomme
Newly Enlightened
Those NBB lights have been sold for at least 15 years, and are quite OK for a relatively compact light. They are sold in Australia as Narva Ultima 175 lights http://www.narva.com.au/products/browse/ultima-175 .
NBB sell them to brands all over the world, and so far I’ve seen them branded as ABL, Britax, Hamsar, Jeep, Land Rover, Narva, NBB (the Swedish manufacturer), Night Vision and Volvo.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if other car brands also market them as their own – NBB just change the name plate in the centre of the light for each different brand, but if you look closely at the glass, you can see the NBB name in the coding on it.
The only problem I’ve heard of is with the round versions, because there’s only a single screw holding the light assembly in the casing, if that screw comes out (a common problem on corrugated Australian dirt roads), the glass and reflector of the light falls out and smashes on the road. The trick in Australia with them is to use them with the clear Australian-made Narva covers on all the time, so that if the screw comes out, the cover holds the light’s reflector and glass clamped to the casing. However, clear light covers aren’t legal in all parts of the world. It’s not such a problem with the rectangular versions, which have two screws at the top.
They often come with the bolt reversed so that the bolt is on the outside and the nut on the inside of the casing, but can be reversed so that the bolt’s on the inside – that way the nuts can be replaced with a set of coded lock nuts (such as the Cibie lock nuts), so that the lights can’t be pinched – it’s just a standard 10mm nut, the same as most Cibie and Hella lights use.
Bear in mind that the lamp you linked to is a spot beam, so it’s got a very narrow beam width – NBB/ABL do also make a spread beam version that has quite a good spread, as well as lighting up quite a way ahead.
Yes - they can be mounted with the bolt at the top (pendant), at the bottom, at either side, or to the rear. I've used a lot of different driving lights over the years (including Cibie and Hella), and the mountings on the NBB-made lights are the most flexible I've come across, although they are a bit fiddly to adjust. You can find info about them at the manufacturer's website, including a product sheet to download http://www.nbb.se/en/alpha-175 .
NBB sell them to brands all over the world, and so far I’ve seen them branded as ABL, Britax, Hamsar, Jeep, Land Rover, Narva, NBB (the Swedish manufacturer), Night Vision and Volvo.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if other car brands also market them as their own – NBB just change the name plate in the centre of the light for each different brand, but if you look closely at the glass, you can see the NBB name in the coding on it.
The only problem I’ve heard of is with the round versions, because there’s only a single screw holding the light assembly in the casing, if that screw comes out (a common problem on corrugated Australian dirt roads), the glass and reflector of the light falls out and smashes on the road. The trick in Australia with them is to use them with the clear Australian-made Narva covers on all the time, so that if the screw comes out, the cover holds the light’s reflector and glass clamped to the casing. However, clear light covers aren’t legal in all parts of the world. It’s not such a problem with the rectangular versions, which have two screws at the top.
They often come with the bolt reversed so that the bolt is on the outside and the nut on the inside of the casing, but can be reversed so that the bolt’s on the inside – that way the nuts can be replaced with a set of coded lock nuts (such as the Cibie lock nuts), so that the lights can’t be pinched – it’s just a standard 10mm nut, the same as most Cibie and Hella lights use.
Bear in mind that the lamp you linked to is a spot beam, so it’s got a very narrow beam width – NBB/ABL do also make a spread beam version that has quite a good spread, as well as lighting up quite a way ahead.
Yes - they can be mounted with the bolt at the top (pendant), at the bottom, at either side, or to the rear. I've used a lot of different driving lights over the years (including Cibie and Hella), and the mountings on the NBB-made lights are the most flexible I've come across, although they are a bit fiddly to adjust. You can find info about them at the manufacturer's website, including a product sheet to download http://www.nbb.se/en/alpha-175 .
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opposite locker
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Thanks for the info! The pencil beam lights would only be used around the ranch, and maybe on deserted, straight country roads in the middle of this night, so I am no longer as concerned with legality. I've got a couple Bosch C100 euro beam lights for when I need the lights to be road legal (in high beam service, of course).
Now just trying to decide if i want the ABL's @ about $50/light or Kragen's cheap, Chinese made 4" HID pencil beams for about $100/ea. I've been reading up on these and they seem to compare very favorably with Hella 4000's, while drawing less current (35w vs 100w).
Now just trying to decide if i want the ABL's @ about $50/light or Kragen's cheap, Chinese made 4" HID pencil beams for about $100/ea. I've been reading up on these and they seem to compare very favorably with Hella 4000's, while drawing less current (35w vs 100w).
Lightdoctor
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These honestly look very similar to the Taiwanese made Hella 500, single screw holding the glass/reflector into the bucket. I second using the clear snap on covers, so long as it's not illegal where you live. (It's not where I live. :))
