The LED SAE J583 Fog Pod & Fog Light Review

Thanks! Beam patterns will be substantially more useful... nothing with only a simple "laser spot."

A shootout will be provided, but it'll be a little unfair. The current laser options on the market are tight patterns, but their intensity (throw) doesn't even come close to the focused spot LEDs on the market, like Rigid Hyperspot and Diode SS3 Spot, since they rely on reflector optics.

That said, there's more you can accomplish with lasers, with beam shaping after collimating the light.

More details to come!

Paul

 

Every time I just get happy with my newest lighting additions, you guys come out with something new for me to buy. I hope Santa knows I was a really good boy this year because mama just isn't going to understand.

 

Laser excited phosphor based? Very excited, especially to see the performace of the C1 sized pod, it may be an excellent addition to boost distance reach if using a sport pod as a driving lamp.

 

Are we going to see laser fogs?

 

NEXT GENERATION SQUADRON SAE​

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If you want to learn more about the new Squadron SAE, check back in January.

 

Looking forward to it! That optic style looks like they will perform much better in terms of cut off.

Do note that those lamps are required to meet the SAE F 2020 regulations, on the lens it appears to be stamped "SAE F16", indicating SAE F 2016 compliance. While that was required for your last SAE lamp released in 2019, any new products released after the updated compliance regulations went into effect in 2020 need to meet the 2020 regulations, and should be stamped SAE F 20. Any 3rd party testing will test against the latest regulations, so actual compliance based on year shouldn't be an issue. I'd also suggest the appropriate space between the F spec and year since an edit will need to be made anyway. Hopefully that is just a pre-production photo and this information is helpful in time to make stamping changes.

 

Hey @crashnburn80, Thanks for the suggestion. All adjustments will be made prior to the release date and this photo is a pre-production teaser.
Best,
Brandon

 

Diode Dynamics Elite Fogs



Unlike Diode Dynamics previous fog offerings, these Elite series units are designed to have an OEM like appearance vs the off-road styling of the SS3s.


Elite white


Diode Dynamics specs 17w for the white Elites. Mine stabilized at about 19w in 69 degrees ambient.


One of the truly unique things about these Elite fogs is the output gradient.


That blue band at the top of the pattern that fades from high color temp at the top down to a warm yellow band near the lower pattern is classic Toyota LED fog. I've not seen any aftermarket products replicate Toyota's gradient. Diode Dynamics appears to have matched the style of Toyota's unique OEM LED gradient found on Toyota's OEM LED fogs and on the TRD Pro Rigid LED fogs. (Note the unique gradient is not found on the non-Toyota Rigid fog equivalents). Also note the 2 stage light gradient.

Toyota OEM LED fog output


Vs Diode Dynamics Elite fogs


While the Elites look like an OEM light and they match the Toyota gradient, they also have a slightly taller pattern than Toyota and put down an impressive 1.9x+ more output intensity than Toyota OEM LED.

Comparing to the SS3s
SS3 Elite vs Sport (white)


Output is so close, but the SS3 Sports in white just barely squeak out more intensity. However the focus on the Elites is so extreme with superior even distribution and better gradient and cutoffs compared to the SS3s.

Comparing patterns
SS3 Sport yellow top vs Elite yellow bottom


Admittedly not the best width shot with the pillar obstruction. But with both lamps spec'd at 80 degrees, the SS3s appear just slightly wider. The Elite series obviously have the superior fog pattern and are an F3 lamp. In comparing colors, the Elite series lamps have a richer and deeper yellow color that the SS3s. The Elites also have the stepped gradient like OEM Toyota. Recall that in optimal optics pattern design, you want the highest intensity part of the beam at the top of the pattern to project furthest, and lower intensity lower in the pattern to minimize excessive vision limiting foreground light from being closer to the driver.

DD Elite selective yellow vs DD SS3 Sport selective yellow


Diode Dynamics specs the SS3 sport output intensity just barely higher (+4%) than the Elite's in selective yellow. My measurements show it basically as a dead tie, while the Elites come out with better pattern, better cut offs and better color.

Spectrum output comparison of Elite selective yellow vs SS3 selective yellow


The Elite selective yellow chromaticity falls comfortably in the SAE selective yellow window.


The unique optic that created the blue band at the top of the Elite white fogs, creates a green band with the selective yellow fogs (because blue + yellow = green). Again with the 2 stage gradient, like Toyota OEM.


The Elite selective yellows do pull less power than their white counterpart at 17.5w stable at 69 degrees ambient. Again I am about 2w over DD published spec.


Comparing Elite selective yellow output vs white


The output numbers are so close, with just a slight favor to the white Elites.

Elite selective yellow vs white spectrum comparison. It is pretty obvious the selective yellow will be more ideal in poor weather with absence of short wavelength light.


For some a fog is needed for snow, and if the fog fails to clear snow it becomes useless. In 69 ambient the Elite fog lens runs about +30 degrees F over ambient, the majority of the heat is on the back of the unit. The OEM like appearance design uses a full plastic front lens, which minimizes heat transfer to the front of the housing. The yellow filtration optic is also internal vs external like the SS3, which adds a heat reducing insulation layer. In addition the SS3s use an aluminum ring around the lens which helps with heat transfer to the front of the lamp. For comparison the SS3 selective yellow sport runs about +45 degrees F over ambient with advantages in front heat transfer and lens heating and will still fail to clear snow. I would not recommend the Elite fogs in heavy snow environments if snow clearing ability is desired. For relative comparison the lamps recommended for snow use push 200+ degrees F on the lamp face.

Stable thermals of the Elite selective yellow lamps in 69 ambient.


Another OEM grade trait, actual fine tuning aiming adjustment screws, just like OEM. No more frustrating guess and check hand adjustments.


The lamps have a backlight that can be optionally hooked up, DD calls it an amber backlight but it appears far more yellow than amber. The semi-opaque light distribution optic on the top and bottom of the lamp actually seem very similar to that used by Tesla in the 3/Y DRLs. Personally, I find backlighting unnecessary. The fog has 4 pin connectors on back to attach to a harness that can be tapped into a backlight power source. I'd rather just plug a 2 pin source into my 2 pin OEM fog harness and keep it simple.

Backlight close up


The backlight pulls next to nothing for power. The power supply reads 0.13w, but it is at the min reading.


On paper this product didn't look super exciting, it seemed to be an SS3 Sport equivalent product with a more OEM appearance. But it is not. It takes the very unique OEM Toyota gradient optics and significantly ups the output intensity while enlarging the pattern height, and has the best cut offs of any selective yellow fog product at this output level, while having a better pattern design and more OEM appearance and also better color for selective yellow. The output intensity measurements are so close between the SS3 Sports vs the Elites, that the advantages of the Elites easily outweigh the almost non-existent output intensity difference of the SS3 Sports.

Based on the fact that neither the Sports or the Elites are qualified to melt significant snow, and the Elites are superior in almost every other metric and so close to output intensity vs the Sports, I'd recommend the Elites over the SS3 Sports as the better product at this price point and performance level (unless wanting the 4000k color temp from the Sports).

 

Has anyone seen pictures of what these elite series look like in real world environments? I can’t seem to find any online. Im skeptical of how the sharp/thin rectangle actually looks on the road. I’ve only seen pictures of it on a wall.

 

I'll take a picture when I leave for work here in the next hour or so. You want the output or the lens on the truck?

 

Output on the road, appreciate it!

 

Notes:

• I did not clean my lenses
• ground isn't level
• I have 200ish extra pounds in bed right now and did not adjust aim for the weight

Wide angle shot from 25-30ft


Regular shot standing outside driver door 25-30ft


Approximately 7ft, just highlighting the gradient here

 

Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

 

As always, thank you for the data-focused review and analysis crash!

Paul

 

Do the selective yellow elites look clear when not on? I.e. do they pass for OEM or are they clearly aftermarket?

 

They have a yellow internal optic that is visible when they are off, just like the OEM Subaru JDM selective yellow fogs covered in post #3822.

 

When I think I'm done with my lighting


When higher performing products are released

 

Original SS3 bezel gang

 

6 months reading. Hoped the Elites would do the job. With my nonnegotiable commute, the Max fog yellow with its high temperature is my only real option for the lights I'll need four times a year. I don't want to spend twice, crying once will suffice.

 

Unless @Diode Dynamics intoduces an elite with a heated lens