Baja Design or Diode Dynamics

[MAG00]

I know KC makes great stuff but everything I've looked at is a little more pricey. I know there are cheaper lights out there than Baja Design and Diode Dynamics, but these are the two I have kind of narrowed down to. Just trying to decide which way to go.

From everything I have looked up, I think the baja designs may be a little more rugged and appear to have less 'cut off' on their beam patterns which is fine for off-roading. The diode dynamics seem to have a "cleaner" pattern which for fog lights may be better.

I'm really considering in the long run, I may mix some of these two up. For example, diode dynamics for fog lights and baja design for pillar/ditch lights.

Any more input, information, thoughts on these two brands of lights?

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[D_JT]

Baja Designs is the way to go. A while back I did a ton of research and comparison between KC, Diode Dynamics, Rigid and Baja Designs. Baja Designs was by far the superior light. From their performance to their versatility. Baja Designs was and is the way to go.
As for those suggesting Harbor Freight. You couldn't pay me to run Harbor Freight on my Jeeps.

 

[MAG00]

Baja Designs is the way to go. A while back I did a ton of research and comparison between KC, Diode Dynamics, Rigid and Baja Designs. Baja Designs was by far the superior light. From their performance to their versatility. Baja Designs was and is the way to go.
As for those suggesting Harbor Freight. You couldn't pay me to run Harbor Freight on my Jeeps.

Could you elaborate on any specifics as to what puts the Baja Designs over the Diode Dynamics? Just trying to gather as much info as I can to make my decision. Thanks.

 

[D_JT]

Could you elaborate on any specifics as to what puts the Baja Designs over the Diode Dynamics? Just trying to gather as much info as I can to make my decision. Thanks.

Go to Baja Designs website and check out all the subjects under their "Science of Lighting" tab. But what really got me was how they measure light output. They measure in Lux instead of Lumens. Both are essentially the same, but lux basically measures "usable" light at a certain distance where lumens measures how bright a light is at point blank. (if I recall correctly, don't come at me with pitchforks if I'm wrong). The research they have done to develop lighting and explain "lighting zones" and what lights work best in what zone was also impressive to me. At the time when I did this research, they were the only ones to have easily changeable lenses. Others quickly followed. Other than the info in their science of lighting tab, I liked the way they looked. I run Baja Designs on both my TJ and JT. But, to each their own. Most folks are ok with the $25 chinese amazon specials that last a year. Diode is a good brand too. Baja only slightly out performs them but I dont like the way Diode's lights look. Diode does use nicer Deutsch plugs that are only found on Baja's more expensive lights. I do however like and run their fender side marker lights.

 

[bd100]

For those with ham or GMRS radios, Baja Designs does not cause radio interference. Do a search on other brands for comparison.

 

[suspension]

I have both. One rig with 7 overhead ss5 pro and one rig with 2 lp9s and xl80with s1 ditch lights. Both work well. Highly recommend both. Stay away from the harbor freight stuff. Also I’m running the diode dynamics with a trigger 6. Highly recommend. No wiring inside the vehicle

 

[VA6489]

I know KC makes great stuff but everything I've looked at is a little more pricey. I know there are cheaper lights out there than Baja Design and Diode Dynamics, but these are the two I have kind of narrowed down to. Just trying to decide which way to go.

From everything I have looked up, I think the baja designs may be a little more rugged and appear to have less 'cut off' on their beam patterns which is fine for off-roading. The diode dynamics seem to have a "cleaner" pattern which for fog lights may be better.

I'm really considering in the long run, I may mix some of these two up. For example, diode dynamics for fog lights and baja design for pillar/ditch lights.

Any more input, information, thoughts on these two brands of lights?

I have been a Baja Design user for a decade. The thing I love about these lights is the quality of light. Sharp and very powerful. I have yet to have a failure after 10 years of off roading. I do like that fact that they are LED and current draw is low. The fog lights on my Next Venture bumper are BD and wired into the OEM fog light plug. Out back I have a flush mount set of BD floods. They are wired into the OEM backup lights.

No adverse effects on the CanBus system.

A nice feature is you can customize the light patterns simply by changing the lenses. I find the combo lenses of driving /fog to work the best if distance is not required. Up front I have a set of LP 9s. 12,500 lumens of light is a bit breath taking. Quite frankly a bit too much for east coast trails but we do run west a fair bit of time.

Down side is they are expensive. In todays world you get what you pay for. If you are looking for a quality light with longevity either of you choice will serve the purpose.

Cheap lights are for those who decorate or rarely use them IMHO

 

[Thunderspud]

Since I haven't seen a lot of responses espousing the Diode Dynamics option.....

The current truck has Diode Dynamics Elite Max headlights and fog lights. I can't say that I have any complaints about either.

The headlights have an extra set of dedicated LEDS for off-road purposes that made a lot of sense for me (didn't want extra light bars, or other non-OEM looking things visibly bolted to the truck). The halo DRLs can be run in amber/white/or disabled completely. The programming for all the modes is done from the turn signal stalk while sitting in the driver's seat. No messing around with lenses, Tazers, etc....

The fog lights can also be run in a low power amber or white mode as DRL's so you're not just blazing full-blown bumper lights all the time on-road. But since the cutoff is razor sharp, I suppose you could and not worry about it. The light colors are color matched between the two if you care about that sort of thing....and they are made in a factory in Missouri....also if you care about that sort of thing.

Both were about as plug-and-play as you would hope for. No cutting, splicing, etc... The wires, connectors, and lights themselves are heavy-duty and feel like quality products, but I suppose that could also be used to describe the Baja lights I have on other vehicles as well.

In regard to possible interference mentioned earlier, I have no issues with any of the Midlands handhelds or the MXT575 installed in the truck.

I guess all that is to say....having products from both Baja and Diode on different vehicles, I think you may need to define for yourself the specific needs you have and then choose based on that. Or just flip a coin and commit, you'll probably be happy with either in terms of quality.

 

[Sarge502]

Team Diode here. Holler if you want that free shipping code too.

 

[Sarge502]

Any reason KC isn’t on the list?

Probably cause they plaster their logo all over their products.

I personally hate seeing jeeps riding up with light bars that look like...KCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKC

Like we get it already. I'm sure they're decent lights but that alone makes me hate them personally. I personally have that same conversation with other people who feel the same. Never seen a company that super proud. Diode doesn't need to do that.


Wonder who makes this?

 

[WILDHOBO]

Probably cause they plaster their logo all over their products.

I personally hate seeing jeeps riding up with light bars that look like...KCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKC

Like we get it already. I'm sure they're decent lights but that alone makes me hate them personally. I personally have that same conversation with other people who feel the same. Never seen a company that super proud. Diode doesn't need to do that.


Wonder who makes this?

You know those are optional covers, right? This is how they look without them. That’s just a customer that chooses the retro KC covers. I use them occasionally for nostalgia.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Probably cause they plaster their logo all over their products.

I personally hate seeing jeeps riding up with light bars that look like...KCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKCKC

Like we get it already. I'm sure they're decent lights but that alone makes me hate them personally. I personally have that same conversation with other people who feel the same. Never seen a company that super proud. Diode doesn't need to do that.


Wonder who makes this?

All four lights on my bumper are KC. No logos unless I choose to use those covers to protect them offroad during the day. How long has diode been around again? I haven’t checked, but KC has been at the center of offroad lighting for decades and decades. I’d be proud of that heritage too.

Edit: I looked it up. KC has been around since 1970. Diode since only 2006. Lots more history, and experience.

 

[Sarge502]

All four lights on my bumper are KC. No logos unless I choose to use those covers to protect them offroad during the day. How long has diode been around again? I haven’t checked, but KC has been at the center of offroad lighting for decades and decades. I’d be proud of that heritage too.

Edit: I looked it up. KC has been around since 1970. Diode since only 2006. Lots more history, and experience.

Not debating that. Regardless of longevity Diode is quality at its finest and don't have to plaster their logo on everything.

Basketball existed before Jordan. Ali wasn't the first boxer. First isn't always best is all I'm saying. As mentioned im not even debating their quality as well. I also get not literally everything they have has their logo but its pretty few far in between cause seeing the big ass KC literally steers me away. It's all about opinions but I've literally had other Jeepers agree on this. Just like a Quadratec brand stuff generally ruins their stuff with their logo just not as blatant as KC.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Not debating that. Regardless of longevity Diode is quality at its finest and don't have to plaster their logo on everything.

Basketball existed before Jordan. Ali wasn't the first boxer. First isn't always best is all I'm saying. As mentioned im not even debating their quality as well. I also get not literally everything they have has their logo but its pretty few far in between cause seeing the big ass KC literally steers me away. It's all about opinions but I've literally had other Jeepers agree on this. Just like a Quadratec brand stuff generally ruins their stuff with their logo just not as blatant as KC.

FWIW, they don’t come with the KC logo covers. You need to buy those as accessories only if you want them.

 

[Sarge502]

FWIW, they don’t come with the KC logo covers. You need to buy those as accessories only if you want them.

I get that. Diode makes covers too. I'm being a little facetious but slightly serious too. Just seems like a lot of people choose those cause I see it all the time and think it looks like crap. Especially on the light bars. makes me not even interested without them.

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