Brightest LED Pod Lights Available! Diode Dynamics SS3 Max!

[@shoogledonk]

Great video. I have a few points to add: 1. Lots of manufacturers call them amber, but the color is actually called selective yellow. Not a huge deal but regarding fog lights in particular, selective yellow is a legal requirement (amber is only for turn signal and marker lights). 2. SAE fog pattern lights are street legal only when mounted under the headlights. In the ditch light location they are not street legal. You probably knew this, just thought anyone viewing would appreciate the distinction. 3. If you want the flood pattern, it's interesting to note that the pro SS3 lights actually spec HIGHER than the max (it's true, check the spec sheet). Even though the chips aren't as bright as the max, they are larger and contribute to a more dispersed focal point in the optic. Nice way to save $200 AND have a brighter pair of lights. 4. Plus if you get the pro yellow lights and swap in the clear optics, you can get that buttery 4000K warm white light. Much kinder on the eyes. The max lights only have one color temp (6000K) so you can't swap like you can with the sport/pro. 5. The max fog does spec at 18000 candela, but only in the white color. The yellow max fogs top out at 12500 candela. This is due to the darker yellow lens that is used to filter the 6000K white light into 3000K yellow light. The sport and pro lamps use 4000K chips and then a lighter yellow optic, so they don't lose as much output (maybe 10% loss instead of 30% like the max). 6. The max does use four 20W chips, but the light is actually programmed to consume less than half of that. So it's not really an 80 watt light, the spec is 38 watts per lamp. This is because the pin fin heatsinks can't shed any more heat than that, they are at full capacity. The sports burn 15W and the pros 36W (all lights use the same chassis). Sorry for nerding out but hope that these tips might be helpful for anyone considering Diode lights! My truck has them too, check it out here: www.4runners.com/threads/mynameistorys-not-a-build-thread.5225/page-2#post-138722

[@SamBischof]

Hey Tory! This might be the most detailed comment I've ever had haha! Awesome information and I appreciate you taking the time to type it out! Answered some of the questions I had, and I'm sure will answer some questions for viewers as well. Thanks!

[@shoogledonk]

@@SamBischof you're welcome! There is a ton of info and discussion about pod lights here (well mostly fog pods but you get the idea): www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-led-sae-j583-fog-pod-fog-light-review.554813/

[@himesjon]

This is all consistent for what i have spent the last week learning. Thanks for your comment.

[@shoogledonk]

@@himesjon glad it helped! The J583 and J581 lighting threads on Tacomaworld are a wealth of information if you'd like to learn more.

[@rsaunders223]

So if I wanted a fog light mounted in place of my factory fogs that are similar to Baja designs wide cornering which would you recommend? Thanks man

[@InGratitudeIam]

Definitely impressive lamps! While lumens matter, candela is even more important. Think of lumens like the water coming out of a hose. Candela is like the setting of the nozzle. Do you have a stream or a wide spray, or both? You really need to measure the output of each lamp to determine which is "brightest." Like Tory pointed out, SAE fogs only count when they are below the headlights. Thanks for taking the time.

[@SamBischof]

Thanks for watching and the educational comment!

[@TravisGreeson]

Im in the middle of finding the "right" ditch light for my 4runner and this video for real helped a lot!! Thank you so much! Subscribbed!

[@SamBischof]

Hey Travis, I’m glad to hear the video was helpful! There are a ton of options out there. Good luck on your search! Thanks for watching and subbing!

[@OverlandEngineer]

I was hooked after the intro. Sweet content. Subscribed.

[@SamBischof]

Thanks for watching! I appreciate the sub as well!

[@Turtlemilk]

For regular driving, should I get the combo ? Or what you got

[@SamBischof]

Totally depends on your preference! Flood is going to spread over a wide are but not project very far. Spot throws a centralized beam a long distance but not a lot of spread. Combo is halfway between. I have floods and wish they threw a little bit further. Combo may be the way to go! Thanks for watching!

[@SeattleRRC]

This felt like a pod promotion. Did you get the light for free from DD? You should disclose that. I feel like I got duped into watching a commercial.

[@SamBischof]

I'll take the commercial bit of your comment as a compliment. As for the arrangement I have with DD... I do media production for a living. So these lights were sent to me to take photos and provide video content of the products, separate from this KZbin video. I don't have a large channel, so I don't get sent expensive products just to review. I sometimes work on trade if it's a product I want and will use. Meaning I reached out to them because I wanted to use their lights, I traded for my time and skill. So no they were not free, and no they were not sent to me just to review. I just wanted to include a review on my channel. Hope that helps! Thanks for watching!

[@hooch1e_dAddy]

Absolutely love my SS3’s!

[@SamBischof]

Great lights! Thanks for watching!

[@georgea.9684]

Those white floods are exactly what I’ve been looking for on my Gladiator, thanks!

[@SamBischof]

Glad the video was helpful! I’m still running them and still really like them. Enjoy!

[@jcshobbiesandrecreation5873]

Great video. You have convinced me of two things with this video. First is that the SS3 is the way to go but also that I really hate the location of those pod lights above the hood. The reflection of the light off the hood would blind me. I'd need them down below the hood line on a brush guard.

[@SamBischof]

Thanks for watching! I will say that since this video (right after install) I turned the ditch lights out to the sides. Like actual ditch lights haha. And there is considerably less hood glare. Now I use them all the time at night.

[@yadaakeyz]

I put a Satin wrap along the lines the flow down the hood. Did wonders!

[@jonathanbellows113]

Are people kind of using these as an additional daytime running light? I seen some yellow lights on some motorcycles and they’re super bright and they get your attention in the rearview mirror that’s what I’m trying to find out.

[@SamBischof]

Hey Jonathan. Diode makes a light in the same form factor as these that’s specifically designed to be a day/night fog light. The beam pattern is slightly different than mine but the other truck in this video is running the actual fogs. They are super bright and street legal according to the department of transportation. Thanks for watching!

[@loctuantran]

what does backlight feature in ss3 do?

[@SamBischof]

I believe it’s just an accent light for looks. From what I can tell.

[@joshakaoger69]

I bought the 12 inch led fog light bar for my car keep forgetting to have it installed 😂 this reminded me

[@joshakaoger69]

I got the flood I think 🤔 my car didn't come with fog lights and this was about half the price and soooo much better

[@SamBischof]

Yeah go get that thing in! I have a 50" lightbar and some area lights to install now too. New videos coming soon!

[@4WDisLife]

i am looking at these ss2 pro and wondering if they are just as good

[@SamBischof]

I haven’t personally tested the SS2 but I do know their lights are made really well. Are you looking for ditch lights? I have mine in the flood pattern and I think I would have gone spot or combo. The flood is super bright but id like a little more through.

[@4WDisLife]

@@SamBischof yes i am planning on getting mine in flood, already rocking their ss3 for my 2020 tundra's fog and love how wide and street legal aspect of it.

[@SamBischof]

@@4WDisLife Oh sweet! Yeah I'm sure they are still plenty bright. I've loved mine. I have a Diode Dynamics light bar going in soon too.

[@4WDisLife]

@@SamBischof you know what, i just realized that i watched your clarify film for xoverland movie contest, and loved it! I also recently started my own youtube channel featuring my tundra and my love for overlanding/offroading, welcome to check my channel out and sub if you like what you see. and those dd lightbar sounds good!

[@SamBischof]

@@4WDisLife Oh sweet! Thanks man! I appreciate you watching my film. I will check out your channel for sure!

[@nikosames1715]

Are you able to use any of these lights safely for street use?

[@SamBischof]

Depends on which ones, but Diode Dynamics has a whole range of lights that are street legal. High powered fog lights, headlights etc. Thanks for watching!

[@JuskoLord247]

Someone is selling me SS3 max. Is there any markings on the pod stating if it’s the sport, pro or the max? How can I tell I’m actually getting the max version?

[@bankrollboosterslots5118]

There is a small sticker on the bottom side of the pods… it should say MAX… plus the lens is a little darker amber than the pros or sports.

[@relaxyourlife1457]

Diode Dynamics FTW.

[@SamBischof]

Here's a guy who knows what's up

[@jamesw7806]

Hey i know this guy i used to work with him at nissan way back when! What up Savio!

[@SamBischof]

@@jamesw7806 He's an OK dude. I wish he was a better offroader though. haha. Thanks for watching man!

[@relaxyourlife1457]

@@jamesw7806 lol whats up man! small world. hit me up on Insta. @nomadconcepts

[@jamesw7806]

Cool cool man i see you got rid of that old beater?

[@TheKayvon01]

Was thinking about buying a rig for my F250. Thanks for the help. Love the video intro btw

[@SamBischof]

Your f250 is beautiful.

[@240sxdriver]

They've got a combo lens in the works to get the best of both worlds. Especially with the emitters in the MAX variant being better suited to focused patterns. I'm currently rocking the Selective Yellow SS3 Pro's with the clear driving lens for the 4000k color temp and they are stellar at night. To top it off the new MAX in selective yellow for foglights are outstanding. Would be cool to see an aerial view of light output between the two!

[@SamBischof]

Thanks for watching and thanks for the awesome insight! I actually tried doing an aerial with the beam patterns and the drone I had with me just wasn’t up for the task in the dark. I’m going to try it again once I’m a bit more outfitted with lighting.

[@Quattro4k82]

Great video but not a fan. These didn't redirect me from the Baja design lights.

[@SamBischof]

That’s ok! Thanks for watching! I don’t get anything from people buying them, so just trying to so some alternatives.

[@gearhigher2027]

Fair to say you are a DD SS3 Max kind of guy vs. Pro?😉

[@SamBischof]

Can't go wrong with the Max!

[@diegojaviercorreaescobar2715]

Expectacular 🔥🔥🔥

[@SamBischof]

Thanks for watching Diego!

[@gnmurray5955]

Honestly, the total output didn't look very bright. I have a pair of Baja Designs XL80 driving combo lights and a custom 20" Baja Designs light bar with half ONX6+, the other half Racer Edition fitted to my Subaru Outback and it simply produces a wall of very wide light reaching a very long way ahead.

[@SamBischof]

Always hard to capture the light output on camera. Keep in mind these are small ditch lights, not a 50" lightbar. Can't really compare a lightbar to a 3 inch pod light.

[@veteranveteran9915]

Ditch lights video.....points them forward away from the ditch 🤣

[@SamBischof]

I have them mounted so I can rotate them as I see fit. Currently pointed right out to the ditches like you would prefer. Thanks for watching

[@donearl6675]

😎😎

[@dunerinaz]

Pretty bold statement to say these are the "brightest", because they're not

[@SamBischof]

I didn’t say it. Diode did. Take it up with them grumpy pants.

[@dunerinaz]

@@SamBischof So YOU say they are the brightest multiple times and literally say it in the first sentence of the description.

[@SamBischof]

@@dunerinaz How do I explain to you that I truly don't care? That was their claim at the time, so I repeated what they said. That was several years ago. I have no affiliation with Diode any longer. Move along.

[@aaronolsen8787]

@@dunerinaz If by brightest (most intense) then yeah, the Diode Dynamics SS3 Max white in spot pattern is the "brightest" in this size on the market currently that I am aware of. It has an astonishing 251,000 cd. Name another light with even close to that in this size. The next closest would be the morimoto 4banger HXB white spot at 170,000 cd and the SS3 Sport has 151,000 cd. The SS3 max laser that's coming out this year might beat the SS3 max if it comes in a spot optic. KC, Rigid hyperspot, Baja Designs and even Vision X who are known for crazy distance don't come anywhere near these DD pods. If you know of a more intense light, then I would love to know more about it or even what it is.

[@JB-mo8rs]

The only problem is you've got $550 lights just sitting on your truck. Easy steal.

[@SamBischof]

Yeah I suppose someone could snatch them. I’ve never had an issue. I think you could also easily rig an anti theft lock up that hooks to the hood brackets.

[@ManMak6]

Diode Dynamics products are insanely overpriced! I’m sure the proceeds go to their wives’ boyfriends!

[@SamBischof]

Lol! You’re right. Baja and Rigid are super affordable too.

[@aaronolsen8787]

Diode Dynamics and Morimoto lights provide probably the best value out of any lights in the off road lighting industry. Way less money than Baja Designs, Rigid, KC, Vision X, ARB intensity, Stedi, etc. As well as way higher quality and output than any knock off light. Not over priced at all, just priced quite fair for what you get, especially at 15% or 20% off when you buy them on sale and sales happen quite frequently.

[@jameshurd4815]

Made in China??? ...I think I will go with Rigid!

[@SamBischof]

Lol. Rigid’s own site only says “designed and engineered in the USA”. You’re trippin. Every company gets their parts from China.

[@4WDisLife]

The fact that they are made in china doesn’t mean anything nowadays, almost all of the consumer stuff are made in China or their materials are supplied from overseas. Imo, If it’s a great product, i wouldn’t really mind where it’s made from.

[@shoogledonk]

Pretty much all electronic supply chain (LEDs, transistors, etc.) comes from Asia. It's just where the bulk of manufacturing is today. The DD lights themselves are still printed, pick-n-place'd, assembled, and packaged in the USA.

[@SamBischof]

@@shoogledonk This!

[@teddyernie]

They are made in the u.s in St. Louis