Date sent: Sat, 04 Nov 2000 21:36:05 -0500 From: Seth Haines Subject: [80] Product Opinion- Lightforce To: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com Send reply to: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com Gentlemen your product opinion please! (Especially the Ozi's! Mick??) Been reading several articles on the Lightforce RMDL 240, which claims to be the brightest light out there, or close to it, out shinning pretty much everything and weights only 1 pound each? Anyone running a set of these that want to attest to their greatness or faults? Pricing in the states? Just curious because if their claims are true, I'll think a Christmas present is in order. :) Thanks, Seth Haines '91 FJ80 Some Extras '76 FJ40 Rust Stock (for now) http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1247736&Auth=false From: Shane.Walker@nt.gov.au Subject: Re: [80] Product Opinion- Lightforce To: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com Date sent: Sun, 5 Nov 2000 13:04:41 +0930 Send reply to: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com Hi Seth, I have just installed a Lightforce 170, which sits between 2 Cibie spread beam driving lights. The range and output from the Lightforce spoties is incredible. The organisation that I work for runs a fairly large fleet of 4WDs and we have experimented with various lights for bush and highway work. Of all the types we have tried, the Hella Predators and the Lightforce came out way ahead of the rest. However when you consider a pair of theHellas retail for about $4 000 Aus compared with about less than $500 for a pair of the 240mm Lightforce units, there really is no comparison. At first glance, the Lightforce units seem rather fragile and easy to break, but as yet none of the ones fitted on our work vehicles have been broken or had smashed lenses, save a couple of inadverant meetings with roos and donkeys. This is quite exceptional as the work trucks are not treated kindly. Shane Katherine NT. From: "Mick Barson" To: <80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com> Subject: Re: [80] Product Opinion- Lightforce [chat] Date sent: Sun, 5 Nov 2000 12:17:42 +0800 Send reply to: 80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Seth Haines" To: <80_series@sgiblab.sgi.com> Sent: Sunday, 5 November 2000 10:36 Subject: [80] Product Opinion- Lightforce > Gentlemen your product opinion please! (Especially the Ozi's! Mick??) > > Been reading several articles on the Lightforce RMDL 240, which claims to be > the brightest light out there, or close to it, out shinning pretty much > everything and weights only 1 pound each? Anyone running a set of these > that want to attest to their greatness or faults? Pricing in the states? Just > curious because if their claims are true, I'll think a Christmas present is in > order. :) > > Thanks, > Seth Haines > '91 FJ80 Some Extras > '76 FJ40 Rust Stock (for now) > http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumList?u=1247736&Auth=false G'day Seth, the only Lister that I know of that has the lightforce lights is Ian Bragg, but from what I have heard they are a very good unit, when it's time for me to replace my ageing Cibie's I will look at them along with the Cibie Tulsini??? [can't remember the spelling] http://www.lightforce.net.au/products.html Cheers Mick (West Aussie) 97' 1HD-FT Auto, ickbar@southwest.com.au http://www.southwest.com.au/~ickbar To: 80scool@yahoogroups.com From: Ethan Blasius Date sent: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 16:36:23 -0800 (PST) Send reply to: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: [80] Light Force lights Anyone have experience with Light Force lights? I'm interested in hearing peoples oppinions on them. Plus if you know anyplace online (USA) where I can buy them I would appreciate the info. Ethan To: 80scool@yahoogroups.com From: Date sent: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 10:32:39 +0930 Send reply to: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [80] Light Force lights I have 2 Cibie Oscars (130W spread beam) with a single Lightforce 170 (100W) spotlight mounted in the centre plus IPF 80/110W headlight inserts and heavy duty looms. This I have found is a very good combination. IMO the lightforce lights are without a doubt the best quality for price light on the market. Probably the only light which exceeds them in light output are the Hella Predators, but they are more than 10 times the price. The lightforce units are very light, but also very strong. Having a choice of different lens covers is also a very good idea and another bonus is that even the very large 240 lights do not need stays attached to them. Shane Katherine NT To: "80scool_yahoog" <80scool@yahoogroups.com> From: "John Holmaas" Date sent: Tue, 27 Feb 2001 19:31:10 -0800 Send reply to: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [80] Light Force lights ----- Original Message ----- From: Ethan Blasius > Anyone have experience with Light Force lights? I'm > interested in hearing peoples oppinions on them. Plus > if you know anyplace online (USA) where I can buy them > I would appreciate the info. > Ethan The US distributor is here locally in the Seattle area http://www.lightforceusa.com/. Central Four Wheel Drive in Kent(same city as distributor) has them http://www.central4wd.com/ but they don't show online, but they are in the showroom so give them a call or email em. The only light I got to play with was a handheld spot light, but it was pretty damn impressive! I would certainly consider them if looking a new light, but they are a different design and are a little strange looking, but they sure look like they preform. In looking at there US catolog they are offering a 100% money back guarantee with out a lot of strings attached. The prices that I wrote down 2 months ago were(I think the price was for just one light) RMDL 240 $115 RMDL 170 $70 RMDL 140 $60 In looking at their site it looks like some big rig(Kenworth ect.) suppliers in Alaska are dealers, which is a pretty good statement of the product in itself. John Holmaas To: <80scool@yahoogroups.com> From: "Reaburn" Date sent: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 22:34:55 +1100 Send reply to: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [80] Light Force lights (a recommendation) > From: Ethan Blasius > To: 80scool@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [80] Light Force lights > Date: Wednesday, 28 February 2001 11:36 > > Anyone have experience with Light Force lights? I'm > interested in hearing peoples oppinions on them. Plus > if you know anyplace online (USA) where I can buy them > I would appreciate the info. > Ethan Ethan, as others have mentioned the Lightforce RMDL 240's will out perform nearly every other light on the market (BTW the smaller RMDL 170's are also excellent). I run upgraded inserts and loom, with 145 amp lows and 175 amp highs. I fitted IPF 800's prior to upgrading the inserts and soon took them off because their comparative light output was so miserable I could not tell when they were on! The inserts are very good but there was still a dark central region in the distance. I then tried a second-hand (read cheap) set of Cibie Super Oscars but was unimpressed with their output and construction. I then moved on to Lightforce and to compare them with the others I had is akin to comparing calcium carbonate with pressed milk curd (or something like that :). The only downside is that reflective roadsigns will become uncomfortably bright. The Lightforce units are relatively cheap, have excellent output, are robust....no rivets and polycarbonate construction, rustproof, have variable focus and because of their light weight construction do not require stays. So yes, I recommend them. Also, I have heard that Lightforce are developing an even higher output light that will seriously challenge Hella's Predator. Like the Predator it will use a high voltage arc rather than a filament. Cheers, Bob Reaburn HDJ80 - Bendigo (Downunder) To: <80scool@yahoogroups.com> From: "Reaburn" Date sent: Wed, 28 Feb 2001 22:45:54 +1100 Send reply to: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [80] Light Force lights > From: Mark > To: 80scool@yahoogroups.com > Subject: Re: [80] Light Force lights > Date: Wednesday, 28 February 2001 08:23 > > OK so who sells them where are they and how much do they cost ? Who sells them?.......Lightforce retailers! If you said where you live then perhaps someone could respond and give you the name of a local retailer. I know of several Lightforce retailers in Victoria but will that help you? Price for RMDL 240's in Aus. around $380 for a pair. Bob To: 80scool@yahoogroups.com From: Date sent: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 08:08:55 +0930 Send reply to: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: Re: [80] Light Force lights (a recommendation) Rob, How do you manage to run 145/170W globes in your inserts without burning the reflectors. When I fitted my IPF inserts I was told if I ran anything higher than 80/110W my warranty would be voided. I have even heard of one bloke up here who was running 145/170 globes and melted his grill when he stopped at night to clear the track of a fallen tree. Shane Katherine NT FROM: "Sam" SUBJECT: Re: Driving/Spot Lights DATE: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 17:44:30 -0000 ORGANIZATION: University of Queensland NEWSGROUPS: aus.cars.offroad Only heard good things about them, but I personally dont like the mounting neck, looks too flimsy for my liking and I have had bad experiences with that type of straight hinging system. The big ones are approx $180 each. I seem to remember a review of spotlights in a 4x4 mag last year, included most of the lights mentioned here. I could dig it up, scan it & send it to you if you want to wait a few days, but it does not say much more than what has been said here. Sam 79Bj40 Jon wrote in message ... >Thanks for all the info thus far re this post. > >Any comments on Lightforce driving lights? I'm yet to get pricing, but the >product looks good. >And they're made in South Australia too! > >Rgds >Jon > >"Justin Burns" wrote in message >news:j2qS6.5982$25.21625@news1.eburwd1.vic.optushome.com.au... >> I've got a set of IPF's they work shit hot one spot one spreader the >> rectangle ones about $350 >> >> > FROM: "Jon" SUBJECT: Re: Driving/Spot Lights DATE: Mon, 4 Jun 2001 20:26:54 +1000 ORGANIZATION: Telstra BigPond Internet Services (http://www.bigpond.com) NEWSGROUPS: aus.cars.offroad Thanks for the offer sam, but its okay. I received some stuff from Lightforce today, and as part of the sales info, included is a re-printed copy from 4x4 monthly( MAY 2000) of the photos of how the lights looked on the setup airfield with blow up kangaroos :). I am also concerned about the mounting, as they look real flimsy to me too. I like this idea of being able to focus them differently, so apparently you can change it from a pencil to a spread beam by twisting them. Maybe someone has them can comment on their mounting structure?!?! Regards, Jon "Sam" wrote in message news:9ffe6l$k0n$1@bunyip.cc.uq.edu.au... > Only heard good things about them, but I personally dont like the mounting > neck, looks too flimsy for my liking and I have had bad experiences with > that type of straight hinging system. > The big ones are approx $180 each. > I seem to remember a review of spotlights in a 4x4 mag last year, included > most of the lights mentioned here. I could dig it up, scan it & send it to > you if you want to wait a few days, but it does not say much more than what > has been said here. > > Sam > 79Bj40 > > > Jon wrote in message ... > >Thanks for all the info thus far re this post. > > > >Any comments on Lightforce driving lights? I'm yet to get pricing, but the > >product looks good. > >And they're made in South Australia too! > > > >Rgds > >Jon > > > >"Justin Burns" wrote in message > >news:j2qS6.5982$25.21625@news1.eburwd1.vic.optushome.com.au... > >> I've got a set of IPF's they work shit hot one spot one spreader the > >> rectangle ones about $350 > >> > >> > > > > > > FROM: "Jon" SUBJECT: Re: Driving/Spot Lights DATE: Tue, 5 Jun 2001 21:18:33 +1000 ORGANIZATION: Telstra BigPond Internet Services (http://www.bigpond.com) NEWSGROUPS: aus.cars.offroad Okay... got some prices today on these Lightforce lights.. Prices I was quoted are for a pair: 140mm 75w $229 170mm 100w $319 220mm 100w $369 Not as expensive as I was expecting. Hmmmm..... "Jon" wrote in message news:DCFS6.36947$hV3.60996@newsfeeds.bigpond.com... > Thanks for all the info thus far re this post. > > Any comments on Lightforce driving lights? I'm yet to get pricing, but the > product looks good. > And they're made in South Australia too! > > Rgds > Jon > > "Justin Burns" wrote in message > news:j2qS6.5982$25.21625@news1.eburwd1.vic.optushome.com.au... > > I've got a set of IPF's they work shit hot one spot one spreader the > > rectangle ones about $350 > > > > > > FROM: MRBEARCLAWS@webtv.net (RICK) SUBJECT: lightforce lights, 170mm or 240mm,witch is best on-off road DATE: Fri, 16 Nov 2001 23:31:56 -0500 (EST) ORGANIZATION: WebTV Subscriber NEWSGROUPS: rec.autos.4x4 I currently own a set of 170mm lightforces and wondering if i should have got the larger ones? These light up a large area, and im very pleased with them,they put all piaa,kc,others to shame for half the money and twice the power, but wonder if the bigger 240mm would have been better. Any one own a set?? or some one has both sizes on there truck?? Id like to here from you....... Thanks.........Rick mrbearclaws@webtv.net FROM: Sam SUBJECT: Re: lightforce lights, 170mm or 240mm,witch is best on-off road DATE: Sat, 17 Nov 2001 15:00:00 +1000 ORGANIZATION: bob1 NEWSGROUPS: rec.autos.4x4 Larger only means they have better light concentration at a point, you would be able to focus the light at a point further down the road than a smaller reflector. For close offroad work, there would be no real difference, but for the open road, the extra reflector area can reduce the amount of emr lost to space. Not to worry, you brought fantasic lights. Sam 2 x Hella Rally 2000 3 x Cibie Super Oscar 4 x "NightVision" To: "'80scool@yahoogroups.com'" <80scool@yahoogroups.com> From: "Bohannon, Paul" Date sent: Fri, 20 Apr 2001 14:17:57 +1000 Send reply to: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: RE: [80] Lightforce Lights -----Original Message----- From: Lester Uren [SMTP:ljuren@earthlink.net] Sent: Friday, 20 April 2001 01:18 pm To: 80scool@yahoogroups.com Subject: [80] Lightforce Lights Before I get to my real question...I can't get into the 80scool site, is it down? But I digress...some time ago there was a thread on Lightforce Lights. I've been to their website and it looks like a great product, but the question is how the RMDL 170's perform in the field. The literature indicates they can be used both in spot configuration as well as a wide angle driving light. The driving light pattern is said to be achieved either through rotating the housing, or snapping on a difuser lens that spreads out the beam. Does anybody have experience with them to know if you can get a strong driving pattern from them, or is it gimmicky? Help Me See The Light Chip U'Ren Chip, I have not long ago upgraded from Hella Rally 4000 lights with 130watt globes to a set of LightForce. The new lights are for superior in light intensity and range. I have fitted defusers to both lights, one set up as a spot and one in wide mode. The only issue/problem to be considered is the strength of the mount. Some friends who do a lot of outback work have found the mounts have broke. After colliding with birds, roo's etc Regards To: <80scool@yahoogroups.com> From: "J. Seth Haines" Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2003 12:08:10 -0500 Subject: [80] Lightforce 240 Review Reply-To: 80scool@yahoogroups.com I finally got around to installing the 240 series Lightforce lights that I got off of Christo all those many months ago. Only one word can describe their output. WOW. I was expecting a bright light, but those things are like the sun. I honestly believe that it actually makes things slightly brighter than daylight. Its incredible. So some pros: Lights are extremely light, with plastic mounting system. I thought that they were going to bobble around when driving because of this, but they are incredible stable whether on road or off. Relatively inexpensive compared to the light output you receive. My IPF 800 Series (both Series II and R series) are no where close to the output that these guys put off. I have multiple filters for them, just haven't gotten the time to play around with them, maybe I'll mess around tonight in the snow a bit, as we're expecting some in the DC area. (I'd be curious just how bad a white out they produce) Cons: Lights didn't include a wiring harness, so I'm running the Hella Auxiliary Light Harness Package ($39.95? or there abouts). While the harness was well assembled, the activation switch as well as cable runs that actually make there way to the lights leave a little to be desired. The switch is threaded for a round (approx 1/2") hole for the installation, which leaves a little to be desired in terms mounting somewhere in the LC's dash that is accessible. The connectors provided by both Lightforce and Hella were not up to IPF style light connectors, so I'll probably be replacing with a set of sealed/snap connectors. There also is a slight delay present (1/2-1 second) between the time that the light switch is thrown, and the lights actually coming on. Not sure whether this is due to the lights themselves, or the harness. IPF's do not experience this delay. At idle you can hear the truck kick down a bit as the alternator requires more power from the engine when these things are switched on. If the wide filter lenses disperses half of the focused beam I'll be happy. Combined with the headlight harness upgrade kit and some aux IPF fog lights the cruiser can now see happily in the dark for about 1/2 mile or so with 120 degree spread. I haven't found a field location long enough to test the full range of the Lightforce, but it wouldn't surprise me if there claim of close to 1800 meters is indeed true. All in all an impressive product. There huge though, so you'll either loose or gain some cool points depending on how you look at it, if your concerned about the outward appearance of your truck. Hope to be enjoying the snow tonight, Seth Haines '91 VJ80