Baja Designs Discussion

So I'm picking fog lights right now and looking at two different types...

the Baja Designs Squadron Sport, Driving/Combo, Amber (here)

or

the Baja Designs Squadron Sport, Wide Cornering, Amber (here)



thoughts? I think the first option keeps the light more focused on the ground whereas the latter hits everywhere. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

Do you want them for daily use or offroading? If you want daily use they make and SAE option. I would go with Diode dynamics. I have the Baja SAE fogs and don’t really
Like them at all. The cutoff is horrible.

 

Yeah I plan on using them for regular fog lights but then also while driving on trails, granted I'm not that worried on their cutoff, I don't mind at all if there is light bleed above into my headlight range, thoughts?

 

IF your going to go BD on fogs wide cornering is the lense you want. Like mentioned above they make an SAE fog that I don’t think many people are happy with. A bunch of retailers are selling them for 10% off and you get the rebate right now.

I have run them on my last tundra and the current 4Runner. I loved them but wouldn’t drive with them on the street all the time.
If you want a Fog light DD seems the route to go. I don’t have any of their lights yet but just ordered the 42” bar for my lower bumper since I don’t want to get rid of factory led’s. Just something to supplement them when needed.

 

Well if driving in the city you should be worried because these things will blind oncoming traffic. If you don’t have to worry about city traffic or a lot of oncoming traffic then yeah these things are bright

 

VLEDS headlights(2years ago)

then BD sport in wide cornering. Just for reference.

 

It has been a pretty strong consensus in most of the community that Baja Designs basically rushed to get their SAE Fog Lights to the market and really do not compare to diode dynamics for an everyday SAE approved light.

I would recommend the standard non SAE Baja Designs though if your intent on sticking to that brand. But as a heads up they are not street legal.

 

I don't have to worry about fog that often, I live in the lower part of Louisiana, I've only had a couple instances where I wish I had fog lights, mainly trail use...

 

I don't have any brand loyalty at this point, basically just been told to go with BD, I also like Heretic Studios but they are a little pricy, I've only heard of DD a hand full of times, but I'll have to start looking into it

 

So if my main use case is off-roading, should I still stick with the Wide Cornering Squadron Sports? Or should I throw BD out the window and just look at Diode Dynamics?

 

I have the Diode Dynamics and love them Offroad and in everyday driving, they work great. Definitely think you should do some recon for yourself and you will probably find these are the best way to go.

 

Are your headlights still on in the second picture? Or just the BDs?

 

Thanks a ton! Yeah, I'll definitely have to do some research into it

 

I would go wide. That way the spread is wider and gives you more light in all directions

 

Yes. Sorry that was both. Depending on where you want the light would depend on which lense. If you don’t need them for rain/fog etc then the clear will be brighter.
Usually BD in fog pocket(even if OffRoad is either wide cornering or driving) if you put them on ditch brackets pointing forward then spot to get light farther out. If your unsure or can’t decide you can order the other lenses. They are interchangeable and not that pricey.

Feel free to correct me if I got that wrong someone.

I can’t speak personally about DD yet. I won’t get that light bar for at least 6-8 weeks.

I have bought 3 sets of BD sports and happy with all of them.

 

you can always change the beam pattern adapter. That's the good thing with BD.
I run the driving/combo on my ditch lights and that thing lit up the road very well (off road use of course...)

 

Thanks for the help!

 

I have the BD Squadron Sports, amber wide cornering for fogs. They are awesome and I use them on the road all the time with no problems, they make a huge difference in visibility.

 

For how bright the new cars and truck lights are now my Squadron Sports fit right in. I have yet to be flashed. What are you guys using to tighten up OEM bezel? On rough roads my lights bounce around. Well the bezel moves around.

 

I'd definitely go with (am running) wide driving and have them pointed down to prevent blinding on coming traffic. Mine are several yrs old now and BD has made the squadrons brighter once or twice since my purchase. I think the S1 would be a cool option as well. I run those for reverse lights.

 

The S1's are practically the same price as the S2 Sport or Squadron Sport, is there really any point to going with a smaller light? Would the bigger lights be brighter? Or are they close to the same brightness? (I plan on running Baja or Diode Dynamics in these spots: fog, ditch, chase... for reference)

 

Sounds good! thanks for the suggestions!

 

Baja Designs has the lumen output listed on their website for all their lights. As I recall the the S1 rivals the S2 Pro and is nearly double the output of S2 sports.

 

Why'd you put the driving combo as your ditch lights? Do you have them facing straight forward? Or are they angled down and to the side a little?

 

Does lumen output necessarily translate to how much you'll be able to see? Or does beam pattern effect that more? Granted I understand lumens = brightness

 

For what it's worth, I spoke with BD and they're working on an updated version of the SAE. Should come out this year if all goes well. They're offering a free exchange with the older gens once it comes out. Like you, I am on the fence between DD and BD but unfortunately, my aftermarket bumper has a cutout only for BD so I will most likely stick with them. The DD will most likely work if I finagle a few things but I have been impressed with BD's customer service so far.

 

Heres a spreadsheet with some comparisons, download is below this post, links are both to the official sellers website as well as Amazon

 

Yeah I've heard BD's SAE fogs aren't that great, but I think I'd pick the wide cornering over the fogs in my opinion... although I'm not sure yet

 

Yeah, I have read a bunch of forums on the 2 lights. (for me I'm looking only at SAE fogs) so it is a toss up with the DD SS3 and the BD SAE. But like I said, my case is a little different since C4 decided to only have BD cutouts for their fogs. I also like how BD offers adapters for the SAE fogs, you just gotta call them and you can't beat that lifetime warranty.