Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/94279
BUYER'SGUIDE By Peter D. DuPre FOG LIGHT PRODUCT SHOWCASE KC HiLites SlimLite Known for their off -road racing lights, KC Hilites' new six-inch KC's SlimLites ($280) have a 23-year (sans bulb) warranty and are an ideal fog light for contractors' trucks. The SlimLite's thin profi le allows them to easily fi t many popular brush guards, light bars, sport racks, OE and aftermarket bumpers. Optical quality glass lens, replaceable 100-watt H3 halogen bulb and precision polished refl ectors generate a super bright fog-light pattern. Housings are available in a choice of brilliant chrome-plated or deep black powder coat fi nishes. The SlimLite kit contains two lights, ABS stone guards, plug-and-play wiring harness with relay and illuminated switch. For more info: (928) 635-2607 or kchilites.com. ARB USA IPF 840 Purpose built for foggy conditions or foul weather, the IPF rectangular fog light kit (#840FYS/$216) from ARB 4x4 Accessories is ruggedly built and designed for off - road and commercial use. Each 6.6- x 3.5- x 2.7-inch light has a hardened yellow glass lens in a rugged aluminum housing with an adjustable pendant-style mount. Light comes from an 85W High Performance H3 Bulb. The complete kit includes two fog lamps, white protective covers, snap-together wiring loom and relay and LED-illuminated toggle switch. The kit comes with a limited two-year warranty. For more info: (866) 293-9078 or arbusa.com. Lightforce 170 Striker The mid-size Lightforce 170 Striker ($329/pr) packages the same features as the small 140, but in a larger assembly and with a brighter, 12V 100-watt 2,000 hour bulb (at maximum wattage), making it perfect for use as either a fog or a driving light, depending upon fi lter. Kit comes with wiring harness, relay and fuse for easy installation. For more info: (877) 510- 9204 or lightforce.com. VisionX Quad LED When two fog lights aren't enough for your Chevy Silverado, bolt in VisionX's quad 5-inch-square LED fog light kit ($545). The Silverado Quad Fogs (#XIL-OE0711CSS1100) feature 10-watt LED bulbs with 50,000 hour lifespan, all packaged in a black aluminum housing and multi- volt 9-48V DC input. Each of the four lights is individually adjustable to provide optimum coverage. The bolt-on direct-to-factory mounting kit provides triple the light output of factory lights. For more info: (800) 994-4460 or visionxusa.com. Warn W650F Designed to light the way through foggy, rainy, dusty or snowy condi- tions, the W650F (#82425/$225pr) fog light from Warn features large, 6.5-inch lenses and a broad 70-degree beam spread to provide full road coverage. The hardened clear glass lenses have a dichroic coating for a low-glare yellow light. Features include 55-watt H3 halogen bulbs, vaporized aluminum-over-steel refl ectors for great light output, thin-profi le powder-coated steel cases for excellent water resistance, and a wireless control switch for hassle-free installation. Each kit includes two lights, mounting hardware, wireless control, transmitter, wiring, rock guards and covers. For more info: (800) 543-9276 or warn.com. so they operate either indepen- dently and/or in conjunction with the low-beams to keep within the legal requirements. Never use fog lights with high- beam headlamps or auxiliary driving lights as this can blind on- coming traffi c. See the chart for a rundown on state regulations. MULTIPLE USES According to Bruce W. Smith, editor of ProPickup, fog lights have other practical uses in the construction and landscaping trades. In ProPickup's auxiliary lights buying guide, Smith points out that when mounted on the rear bumper they make great backup PROPICKUP DIGITAL lights and when installed higher up on a rack, the wide beam pattern makes for a serviceable work light. Fog lights also work exception- ally well as a poor man's portable fl ood light, too. Connect 20 feet of double-strand or twisted 14-gauge wire to a fog light with an auxiliary-type plug on the other end. Then the light can be used under the hood or truck or positioned as a light source for other work. IMPROPER USE While using fog lights for an aux- iliary lighting source when visibil- ity is less than 400 feet is an aide to automotive safety, improper use can cause problems. Warn W2030F For applications where mounting room is tight, try a pair of Warn's W2030F fog beams (#82415/$199pr). These compact lights measure just 2 by 3 inches, but the 55-watt halogen bulbs provide 66-degree bar-shaped beams of bright light, which are perfect for use in fog, rain, dust or snow. Features include impact-resistant hardened, blue glass lenses; durable vaporized-aluminum over die-cast aluminum compound curve refl ectors for maximum light output; and lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum cases. A wireless control switch allows for easy installation without drilling through the fi rewall. For more info: (800) 543- 9276 or warn.com. According to a study by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) , while nighttime use of fog lights is high, driving conditions do not usually warrant their use. Drivers often use the lamps to supplement head light bright- ness at night and to add a "cool" factor to their vehicles during daylight hours. According to Rob Camp – a Portland, Oregon, area automotive insurance agent – drivers using fog lights improp- erly can be a danger to others. "Fog lights are designed to help drivers see and be seen when weather conditions severe- ly reduce visibility, " says Camp. "Running with lamps on when weather conditions are clear can have the eff ect of dazzling or temporarily blinding other driv- ers, which can lead to accidents. It is also a good idea to make sure that they are properly aligned. This is particularly true of work "