The Ultimate Guide to Off-Road LED Pod Lights

If you're an off-road enthusiast, you already understand the value of having a dependable set of LED pod lights on your car. However, making a decision might be difficult because there are so many options available on the market. We've done a thorough evaluation of some of the top off-road LED pod lights to guide you through this.

What We're Testing

This in-depth assessment concerns premium pod lights from well-known manufacturers like KC Hi-Lites, Vision X, Morimoto, and Diode Dynamics. We'll compare their outside looks, warranties, backlights, costs, and—above all—the amount of light intensity expressed in Candela.

Understanding Candela

It's essential to grasp what Candela signifies before getting into the details. A candela is a measuring unit used to express a light source's photometric intensity in a particular direction. It's the most precise method for comparing these pod lights' intensities.

Spot Beam Patterns

Spot beam patterns were the first things we tested. For long-distance driving, these are made to maximize visibility by focusing light directly ahead.

Diode Dynamics SS5 Sport

The Diode Dynamics SS5 Sport was the first. It cost about $220 at the time of our study and has a multicolored illumination that could be selected. Additionally, an 8-year warranty was included. Our measured Candela was 400,100, which was quite close to the 406,100 reported by Diode Dynamics. Our tests revealed that it was the third brightest spot beam pattern, even though they claimed to have the brightest pod light available.

Diode Dynamics SS5 Pro

We then tested their top model, the Diode Dynamics SS5 Pro. It cost $350 and came with an 8-year guarantee and a customizable backlight. It's interesting to note that it wasn't as brilliant as the Sport version, even though it cost more. It did, however, feature a huge spot-beam pattern, which some users would find advantageous.

Vision X 6.7 inch

Next, we discussed the Vision X 6.7 inch. At $599, they are the priciest pod lights we tested. Its Candela was measured at 138,800. Out of all the white spot beam patterns in our test, this one had the second-lowest measured Candela.

Rigid Industries 360 series

The 6-inch white spot beam patterns from the Rigid Industries 360 series cost $638; however, they are only available in pairs. During our testing, we measured their Candela at 155,500.

Baja Designs LP6 Pro

A staple in our studio for many years, the Baja Designs LP6 Pro costs about $475. Its Candela was recorded at 276,000. Instead of having the really tight beam pattern that one may like from a spot off-road pod light, it has a mushy spot with lots of leakage.

Morimoto Big Banger NCS

The latest addition to the off-road pod light market is the Morimoto Big Banger series.

The base Big Banger NCS is reasonably priced at about $325. Despite its stated Candela of 425,000, we measured it at 495,000. Because of this, Morimoto's assertion is quite conservative!

The NCS still has its backlight and is also available in yellow! Their stated Candela is $290,000. Our testing resulted in $321,900! The stated Candela can be much more cautious, which is why we prefer to measure.

Our focus now shifts to Morimoto's most powerful pod light, the Big Banger HXB. These lights are a little more costly than others, costing about $475, but they are incredibly brilliant and have a backlight. Our tests revealed an even higher value of 564,000, but Morimoto reported a Candela measurement of 535,000. Out of all the white spot beam patterns we evaluated, this one had the highest measured Candela rating.

We also tested the yellow Morimoto Big Banger HXB, which costs about $475. It has an alleged Candela of 400,000 and a backlight. Candela's measurement in our tests was 394,800, which is really near what they said. Remarkably, the yellow spot beam pattern's brilliance is comparable to that of the Diode Dynamics SS5 Sport white spot pod light. The lifetime warranty that comes with every Morimoto light increases its worth.

KC Highlights Pro 6: A Staple in Off-Road Pod Lights

Finally, we have the KC Hi-Lights Pro 6 spot beam pattern off-road pod light. The Pro 6 has been utilized in many of our Ledlightjeep vehicles. The Pro 6, which costs about $265, has a Candela of 123,700, although the manufacturer doesn't state this on its website. We evaluated a variety of white spot beam designs, and this one had the lowest Candela ever recorded.

We also tested the somewhat more costly ($281) amber spot model of the Pro 6. During our tests, we found a Candela rating of 73,900 at 10 meters. Even with their reduced intensity, off-road aficionados continue to like these lights.

Combo Beam Patterns

Following the testing of the spot beam patterns, we proceeded to the combo beam patterns. These lights balance wide-angle and long-distance vision by combining a flood beam around the perimeter with a spot beam in the middle.

Diode Dynamics SS5 Sport

First, we looked at the Diode Dynamics SS5 Sport. With a claimed Candela of 81,600, which was extremely near to our measured Candela of 84,200, it is priced at about $220.

Diode Dynamics SS5 Pro

At about $350, the Diode Dynamics SS5 Pro is their best pod light in the combination beam pattern. We tested the Candela at 85,000, yet they claim it is 75,700.

Vision X 6.7 inch ADV Light Cannon: Adventure Series LED Driving Light

Their Adventure series' Vision X 6.7-inch ADV Light Cannon is next. With a price tag of approximately $460, this combined beam pattern light also has a backlight. These lights are more significant than the majority of the other types we evaluated by more than an inch. The beam pattern, however, is the primary problem with this Vision X combination beam light. Since this pattern is obviously a spot beam, it will not be included in this comparison.

Baja Designs LP6 Pro

The Baja Designs LP6 Pro with the combo/driving beam design has a measured Candela of 203,100. Its round shape is slightly vertical, with a gentle hot spot in the middle.

KC Highlights Pro 6 and Rigid Industries 360 Series: Combo Beam Patterns

The driving/combo beam pattern KC Highlights Pro 6 white comes next. At about $265, it has the second-lowest Candela rating of all the white combination driving beam patterns, with a measured Candela of 68,500 at 10 meters. At $282, the Amber KC Highlights Pro 6 with the driving/combo beam pattern costs a little extra. At 40,500, we measured its Candela.

Out of all the white combo beam patterns tested, the Rigid Industries 360 Series 6-inch driving/combo beam pattern pod lights, which retail for approximately $638, had the lowest measured Candela rating (58,700). The naked wire on the back of the rigid pod lights is a drawback that can cause them to malfunction in muddy or rainy circumstances.

Morimoto Big Banger NCS and HXP: The Newcomer in Off-Road Lighting

With a different light output than many other pod lights in the combination beam pattern, Morimoto's Big Banger NCS is a newcomer to the off-road lighting market. It costs about $325, and although they claim to have a Candela of 115,000, we measured it at 132,100. In addition, the Big Banger NCS combination beam pattern is yellow. It stated Candela is 82,500, while our measurement was 91,900.

At $475, they offer their top-tier pod light, the Big Banger HXP, with the combination beam pattern. Our measurement was 230,700, but they say it was 210,000. In contrast to other brands, the yellow HXP has a distinct color temperature.

Final Thoughts

Given the wide range of options available, selecting the best off-road pod lights can be challenging. You can, however, make an informed choice by taking into account elements like the light's brightness, intensity, output, color temperature, and beam pattern. With any luck, this guide will help you figure out what's best for you. Visit Ledlightjeep to learn more and view all of the products we've tested for your car.

Final Thoughts

With so many options available, selecting the best off-road LED pod lights for your car might be difficult. However, you can make an informed choice by considering elements like the light's brightness, intensity, output, color temperature, and beam pattern.

Keep in mind that the spot beam pattern is best for long-range visibility, particularly in desert conditions where you are driving at high speeds. Conversely, the combination beam pattern is appropriate for a range of situations since it surrounds the spotlight with a hotspot that receives extra flood or ambient light.