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SS90



Member Since: 16 Nov 2013
Location: Uk
Posts: 372

United Kingdom 
Lightforce 170 Striker Driving Lights?
There seems to be 3 types of Lightforce Strikers, what are the legalities, advantages and disadvantages of them and are the Hids worth the extra expense?

12v 100w Xenophot
H1 12v 55w Halogen
Hid 12v 35w 5000 degree
Post #368789 1st Nov 2014 6:20pm
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SS90



Member Since: 16 Nov 2013
Location: Uk
Posts: 372

United Kingdom 
Am I right in saying the HID versions take awhile to warm up?
Post #369554 4th Nov 2014 8:57pm
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Gareth



Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 1038

England 2003 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
Yes, about 5 seconds before full brightness is achieved, but still impressive. Once warmed, they are pretty instant. 2021 Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 MHEV
1966 S2a 109 aka Betsy
1968 S2a 88 aka Bob
2014 Jaaaag F Type 3.0 Supercharged.
Post #369573 4th Nov 2014 9:29pm
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SS90



Member Since: 16 Nov 2013
Location: Uk
Posts: 372

United Kingdom 
Wondering if they're worth the extra cost, is there a significant difference in quality?
Post #369585 4th Nov 2014 10:03pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Depends how much light you need. Generally I am in the opinion Lightforce and perhaps Roo lights are some of the best on the market. My 240s give me more light than I actually need and require no warm up so can be flashed as often as you like. They were about £320 a pair. Compare that to the 240 HIDs which as a pair retailed at £1000 and it's a no brainer.

If you have money to burn (literally) go for the HIDs. Thumbs Up If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #369668 5th Nov 2014 10:29am
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couplands



Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826

United Kingdom 2001 Defender 90 Td5 HT Oslo Blue
Are the HID's a better light than a high end LED spot or light bar..?

Cheers

Simon
Post #369693 5th Nov 2014 12:24pm
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K9F



Member Since: 12 Nov 2009
Location: Bournemouth
Posts: 9610

United Kingdom 2008 Defender 90 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
It is the reflective lens quality that determines how good the emitted light is. The standard Lighforces in my opinion throw out ample good quality light. Depends on your individual requirements, if you wish to see a needle in a haystack go for HIDs, if you want decent quality lights at 30% cost of the HIDs with the same size, body and reflectors go for normal. As for comparison I wasn't going to spend a further £680 on the same size lights to find out. If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!

Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!!
Post #369728 5th Nov 2014 2:33pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19677

United Kingdom 
^^^^ + 1
Roo's on mine been happy with them too.

Thumbs Up
Post #369730 5th Nov 2014 2:51pm
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TheWarden



Member Since: 25 Feb 2013
Location: Southampton
Posts: 179

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Aintree Green
Got a set of 4 standard 170s on mine and they through out more than enough light to blind anyone looking into them.... 2013 Aintree Green 110 Station Wagon SX
Post #369737 5th Nov 2014 3:16pm
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smb



Member Since: 15 Jan 2013
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 1232

United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black
As GarethR said, it takes 4-5 seconds for HIDs to warm up to give full power. Turn them off and on again within 10-15 secs and the full power should be pretty instant. Leave them off for 15 secs or more and your back to 4-5 secs.

Are HIDs worth it? Personally, I think they are a bit on the expensive side, but when you see the performance it will make you want them. It also depends whether you like the 'type' of light they give out. It is a very bright 'white' light which has a big advantage when you start adding the filters as they produce clarity that is second to none. Distance wise, there is nothing to compare with as far as I know and all this is before you start changing the 'spread' of light with wide, combo and spot filters.

The 35w are very good. Then you have the 55w which are nearly twice as powerful. Then you can go up to the custom range.

Personally, I run six 35w HID 170s on the roofrack above with a combination of spot(outer), combo(mid-inner) and wide(inner) with the Middle four in crystal blue for clarity and out two in amber for haze and dust. Below the bumper I run two 100w xenophot behind yellow wide as these give more of a yellow light before the filter effect. On the front I run two custom 80w HID 240s behind combo crystal blue filters and when these are on it opens up a new world in light output.
I did briefly change my original 35w fronts for a 20" light bar and was disappointed from the outset so got rid of it and installed two 140's until the new 240s arrived.

The only downside, apart from the price is the 4-5 seconds delay, but you get used to it.

Whatever you choose, you will not go wrong with Lightforce.
Post #369861 5th Nov 2014 11:30pm
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SS90



Member Since: 16 Nov 2013
Location: Uk
Posts: 372

United Kingdom 
Thanks everyone and thanks smb for that detailed response, still not making it any easier to decide. Probably will go with the standard versions. I've had a look on the net to see if anyone's done a comparison of all 3 but can't find anything. They're one of those things you really need to view before buying.
Post #369961 6th Nov 2014 6:02pm
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jimbob7



Member Since: 06 Jul 2013
Location: uk
Posts: 2055

If your not buying a lightbar (ftw),get the halogens,Hid's a better at longer distance,which isn't really needed unless rallying thru the (flat)desert. Pov.spec,ftw. 2006, 110,TD5.
Post #370002 6th Nov 2014 9:55pm
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TJ101



Member Since: 30 May 2007
Location: Taunton Somerset
Posts: 3747

Isle Of Man 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Use Hella Hid's units on the rally car,, there is nothing on the market to compare,,
Even with the latest, money no object Led stuff, look at the works rally cars, they have stayed with Hid

Had a pair on the 110 for a few years now,, even with a car in front, using 4 Lightforce spots, 2 Hella Hid can cast a shadow when behind !

Are they worth the extra,, doubt it !! If you want the best,, then no doubt, Hid all the way California F1, 75th 110 "Kermit", 50th Ann V8, 90 V8 Hybrid, 55 Series 1

Main Brian James Trailer Dealer for South West UK
Post #370020 6th Nov 2014 11:49pm
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Gareth



Member Since: 12 Dec 2011
Location: Bramhall
Posts: 1038

England 2003 Defender 90 Td5 CSW Oslo Blue
240 Hid's on my 90. You do need to cut out the grill behind to sit them back flush with the front of the A bar. I reckon they look pretty neat. Cool


Click image to enlarge
 2021 Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 MHEV
1966 S2a 109 aka Betsy
1968 S2a 88 aka Bob
2014 Jaaaag F Type 3.0 Supercharged.
Post #370024 7th Nov 2014 12:11am
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