Wifey Doesn’t Like My Raptor Lights

How could they possibly help with visibility? Are you driving around in the rain and snow without your headlights on?

 

It's based on human reaction time, and feet traveled per second/per mph, and the throw of common lights. It's also based on common usage, "ditch" lights meaning to see ditches. It's obviously dependent on usage (why you have them), as I stated in my original post. Tight trails? Do the math yourself, as I don't really care.

 

No It just gives more light from your vehicle to be seen.Haven't you ever noticed them in on coming traffic or in rearview mirror in bad weather?

 

Which "common lights " are you referring to? And, what is their throw?

My ditch lights are much brighter than my headlights. I'm sure plenty of available models are brighter than average headlights. And, with manufacturers offering multiple beam patterns, it seems possible that some options will have more throw than average headlights.

So, I'm not sure how you can claim that they don't provide any benefit over your headlights.


Edit: why should I do the math? You are the one claiming they do not provide any benefit.

 

Yeah, I usually notice them after I notice the headlights.

 

Common lights are Baja Designs, KC, Rigid, Diode Dynamics; although, there are more, and many are very similar. Like I said, you can do the math. You said you travel tight trails.

How fast are you traveling on tight trails at night?

 

Even my inexpensive CaliraisedLED 27W ditch lights help a ton on the trail. They are aimed to the side and provide way more lighting around the vehicle to help identify obstacles.

What are you talking about reaction time for? lol

 

I assumed you had already done the math, since you are claiming they do not throw enough light to provide any benefit. I was just curious what the beam distance is on the lights you are basing that claim on.

 

I'm pro functional ditch lights. Anti useless raptor lights


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWXGXa7XgOI&t=37s

 

I did do the math. I wouldn't have made the comment if I hadn't.

 

If they are aimed to the side, they don't identify obstacles in front of you.

I'm talking about reaction time because it's relevant to a conversation on lighting, while driving, especially if there are obstacles you're reacting to. If it doesn't apply to you, as I said, "depending on why you have them", then so be it. That being said, lighting up an object, that isn't an obstacle, probably means they aren't functional in a driving situation.

 

This may be hard for you to understand but vehicles can turn. Seeing what is there before you turn is kind of helpful.

 

Never found the need to turn, or use lights. Otherwise, why would it be difficult for me to understand?

 

So, what was the beam distance you are basing your math off of?

And, how long does the beam distance need to be in order for it to be useful in a driving situation?

You claim they're not beneficial to driving, but you have nothing to back that up.

Meanwhile, I have used them, while driving, and found them beneficial. I don't really need to do any math to figure that out for myself.

I still find it odd that you can make the blanket statement that they are not beneficial, even though many of the name brand ditch light pods are brighter than most Vehicles headlights.

 

How do you get past the end of your driveway?

 

Hold on guys. He's busy doing the math

 

@Acesandeights

We're waiting

 

No heritage grille - mine's old school but unique. And yes I blacked-out everything, but “I don’t see color”
Hey I’ve only added 15 lights actually !
LOL
Grille x3
Hood x4
Roof x6
Rear bumper x2

 

Math

 

Never needed to.

 

Right!?
My wife thinks I’m an asshole but guess who still got laid last night and did a stellar job

 

I understood perfectly.

You said that they were "not functional, depending on why you have them." Which is false. Because if they provide function for the reason people have them, then they are functional.

You also said "They do not provide enough long-distance light to show the side of the road before you meet it; meaning, at "regular" driving speed your vehicle travels farther than the beneficial light that's thrown", which is also based on assumptions.


My ditch lights project 167 meters according to ridgid's website. They also have lights that project to the side, so I don't have to aim them to the side to light up the ditches.

Also, having them tilted to the side does not mean they're turned 90° to the side of the direction you're driving. Generally they are just tilted slightly off center, so some of the beam is reaching down the road.

I base my speed on the conditions, and the trail. But, I find seeing my surroundings better beneficial at almost any speed. Obviously, if I'm going highway speeds, I don't want to have more illumination right in front of me than down the road, so I don't use them at high speeds. But that doesn't make them non functional.

 

I guess this is kind of what I'm trying to get at in a very roundabout way. Just because they are not functional in everyday driving does not mean that they are not functional. Depending on the beam pattern and how you aim them, they can be beneficial at high speed or at low speed.

 

I never saw ditch lights in action like the one poster posted. I always thought they were pointed more to the ditch! Very interesting watching his video & now I know! I still like my raptor lights I use them at dawn & dusk W/anytime Fog lights. Have Raptor wired to tail lights.

 

My wife doesn’t like Math, so I don’t do it.

 

I used to hate on ditch lights. I thought "who wheels at night anyways"

Until I found myself handing my wife a flashlight to look out of the passenger side window while I did the same out of the driver window... trying to find a camp site in the middle of Kaibab national forest. We arrived very late due to poor route planning and excessive optimism.

Got home and saw CaliraisedLED's 27W ditch lights were going for $175 complete with brackets, wiring and an OEM style switch.
They work very well and I've used them many times off road. I'm happy to have them.

I still hate on raptor lights... but honestly who cares? It's your truck, your money. If you like them for looks or for functionality rock em. Life's too short to care about other people opinions!

Edit* Except maybe the wife's opinions lol

 

This phrase had me laughing!

I run into similar situations occasionally, due to me expecting everything to go smoothly.

 

Your wife?