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Comparison of driving lights

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Old 04-08-2003, 10:00 PM
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Default Comparison of driving lights

That other thread was getting lengthy and sorta into an argument. Per Paul's request (Last Yellow Bird) I have dug up some more pics. Unfortunately I do not have any daytime ones, but when mother nature turns the spring switch back on, I will gladly head out to my favorite industrial park. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Anyway, here are some ones I dug up that I thought you might enjoy. Mike, please feel free to post any you have of the BlazerTechs.

This is just the PIAA driving lights on;
<img src="http://www.chevy4x4trucks.com/CMNTMXR81/PIAA%20Driving%20lights%20only.jpg" alt=" - " />

This is a line of sight for JUST THE HEADLIGHTS THEMSELVES....THE DRIVING LIGHTS ARE NOT ON!! There is nothing but a field out front of the car.
<img src="http://www.chevy4x4trucks.com/CMNTMXR81/PIAA%20headlight%20line%20of%20vision.jpg" alt=" - " />

Now with the PIAA 1000x's driving lights on
<img src="http://www.chevy4x4trucks.com/CMNTMXR81/PIAA%20lights%20&%20PIAA%20headlights%20line%20of% 20sight.jpg" alt=" - " />

The only hard part with line of sight at night is the exposure on the camera. So that can play a role in the quality. But those are mine.

<small>[ April 08, 2003, 10:04 PM: Message edited by: CMNTMXR57 ]</small>
Old 04-09-2003, 06:02 PM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

BOOM BIDDY BYE BYE <img border="0" alt="[bomb]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bomb.gif" /> .

The first pic was really awesome. They look as bright as driving lights.

As for the last 2 pictures.. I couldnt really tell the big difference... How about about comparing the PIAAs with the JUST the headlights? that should show us how bright they are in comparison to the headlights only.

Thanks for doing the new thread. I appreciate your help. Im sure many other readers would do too. Those PIAAs are starting to look way cool <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> .

BTW I never really understood what you guys meant about beam pattern in the other thread? I thought they would both look the same and the only difference was wattage power? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
Old 04-09-2003, 06:13 PM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

I will just say that I have the PIAA 510 driving lights in my trans am and they are awesome. You will have to angle them down a little b/c they will blind oncoming cars.

Justin
Old 04-10-2003, 11:49 AM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by 2002_TAWS6:
<strong> BOOM BIDDY BYE BYE <img border="0" alt="[bomb]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_bomb.gif" /> .

The first pic was really awesome. They look as bright as driving lights.

As for the last 2 pictures.. I couldnt really tell the big difference... How about about comparing the PIAAs with the JUST the headlights? that should show us how bright they are in comparison to the headlights only.

Thanks for doing the new thread. I appreciate your help. Im sure many other readers would do too. Those PIAAs are starting to look way cool <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> .

BTW I never really understood what you guys meant about beam pattern in the other thread? I thought they would both look the same and the only difference was wattage power? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Sorry, the pics I have are about two years old after I installed them. I understand the second two can be hard to see as you're basically looking into black night. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> Heck, my monitor here at work sucks so all I see is black. Whereas at home, what you want to focus on is the sign in those "line of sight" pictures. In the first one with just the headlights on, it is almost non-existent. With the driving lights on, all the sudden it pops out of nowhere. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

A little explanation of beam patterns. I'll do it using pictures again from PIAA's website.

Here are my 1000x's
<img src="http://www.piaa.com/images/lamp/beam_lineart/1000x.jpg" alt=" - " />

Note, they have a long, thin range with only 35 degrees of arc for the field of vision. They are meant to be long distance penetration style lights.

Here are Jsears's 510's
<img src="http://www.piaa.com/images/lamp/beam_lineart/510.jpg" alt=" - " />

Here is a perfect example of an identical light, one set up as driving, one set up as fog. Note the driving version is similar to mine. A long range, with very little diffusion for the field of vision. Just like mine, they are long range, penetration, focused driving lights. Conversely, the identical FOG version is entirely the opposite. It has about half the distance range but has a much wider field of vision at 95 degree's worth. This style light will fill in the ditches and the front of the car much better. But don't expect long distance range out of them.

I honestly did look for info on Blazer International's BlazerTech lighting systems. All I could find is that the Franklin Park, Il company was recently acquired by Cooper, but they did not have any information available for their lighting systems, let alone any technical info about them. Perhaps someone with 3200's has this on the box or in the instructions.

As can be seen, by simply looking straight at the light, the brightness of the bulb is only half the battle. One needs to see in real time, what each does out on an open area in real dark conditions.

A little explanation on why I chose the particular PIAA's I did. When I did them, they did not have quite the selection they have now. Also, they did not have the Xtreme white line they now have. Super white was the tops without going to H.I.D. (PIAA's 930 lamp). I needed something that filled out the factory recess a little better on top of which, our recess is actually more ovalish. Secondly, even though I knew I'd wire all my lights to be on at once. My main concern was long distance/range. I wasn't concerned about the close up and wider "field of vision" as I figured my stock headlights filled the bill sufficiently. This is why I chose the 1000x's. If I were to do it now (and it is tempting to update) I'd go with PIAA's P-1000XT Platinum Xtreme lamp.

Needless to say, when the low beams, high beams and driving lights are on all at once, it is quite a eye opening experience. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

My best suggestion is to find out what you want lit up at night and go from there.
Old 04-10-2003, 06:58 PM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

Thanks for the info CMNTMXR57! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Old 04-10-2003, 09:41 PM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Diesel:
<strong> Thanks for the info CMNTMXR57! <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I second that. Thanks <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />
Old 04-10-2003, 11:27 PM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

Thanks, but I don't need any more drinks. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> I had enough at our H.O.G. meeting tonight! <img border="0" alt="[angel]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_angel.gif" />
Old 04-11-2003, 12:16 AM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

Cool post, I'm planning on adding the 1100x's when I'm done with the rest of the lighting projects for the SS!
Old 04-11-2003, 12:28 AM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

Thanks, here's info on the 1100X. They are nearly identical to mine in terms of performance, just in a different shape light.

<img src="http://www.piaa.com/images/lamp/1100x.jpg" alt=" - " />

and the beam pattern

<img src="http://www.piaa.com/images/lamp/beam_lineart/1100x.jpg" alt=" - " />

All you wanted to know about them can be found at www.piaa.com
Old 04-13-2003, 10:50 PM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

OK, those small PIAAs look good, but would look horrid in the T/A driving light openings...

What about the mounting of the Blazertechs? How are they to mount?

No pissing contests, here...I know that PIAA 510s are brighter, but they're stupid expensive...I'd rather get the Blazertechs or the CyberWhites...I'd just like to know how they are to mount...

thx-
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Old 04-14-2003, 12:02 AM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

question for both blazertech/cyberwhite foglamps and PIAAs.

What did you do to the stock foglamp wiring? Changed the whole wiring to a better one to handle the extra wattage power? or just splice the factory ones to better ones?

I dont want to have electric problems or melting wires. If I use the factory wires is it a problem? How much power could the stock foglight wires handle? anyone know this?
Old 04-14-2003, 09:42 AM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

Byrdman, we know that the 1000x (the ones I have) wouldn't fit the T/A. That has been repeated over and over again. The 510's are more appropriate. However, a look at the beam pattern, brightness (actually the 510 is brighter) and style of light, the 510's and 1000x's are identical sans physical appearance. If my little 1000x's are bright and powerful, imagine those 510's!!!

2002, I simply spliced into my factory lights. No need to re-wire. Our stock wiring is more than sufficient. My car is a 98, it's now 2003. So I've had those lights in there nearly 5 years with nary a problem. You'd need a serious short to melt any wiring.
Old 04-14-2003, 05:27 PM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

thanks for the reply... would you know by any chance how much wattage power could the stock wires support?

I drive with my fogs on all the time (literaly). I once changed the bulbs on the stock lamps and it took over 7 months until the housing "started" to melt.

Some people out there still believe that those 893 KMAX 37.5w HID look alike bulb cause no defects to the stock lamps. I guess thats because they dont use them as much. Hope Im not running thru the same mess like I did before. Plus I do take some long drives now and then so that might be the case.

A friend told me this and I just thought that this would make perfect sense:

"When you increase current drwa with higher wattage units you have to keep in mind that the wiring gauge may also need increasing and that simply splicing large wire to smaller doesn't protect the smaller gauge wire from getting too hot. Usually the factory uses just enough wire gauge to suit the purpose so upgrading might require some rewiring as well."

what happened to all the trans am guys with the blazertechs? no one want to join on this or what? help me out I would want to hear from yall as well.
Old 04-18-2003, 08:06 AM
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Default Re: Comparison of driving lights

I got my blazertechs in today. No pattern beam in the box or anything. Not much information on there like PIAAs website. Also the lens are not half as blue as the wallmart ones. Just a good glass lens and a nice aluminum housing along with some other stuff. Got it for $67 shipped in 2 days from grandprixstore.com (i guess priority mail was the only choice for shipping).

If you guys need anything let me know. The box is right infront of me.

I am aiming for getting a set of HIDs in the future thats already 600-800 on headlights. I didnt want to spend about a grand for just lights (with the PIAAs foglights) so I chose to take the blazertech route for a little cheaper.

Plus IMO I dont think even the PIAAs would change the patter beam as much "on trans ams" since the fogs are sunk too deep in the bumper.

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