You should try running them until they're hot then submerging them. Thermal expansion might allow some ingress.

@e.c.8668

2 ай бұрын

Actually, fill it. Then turn them on and see if more bubbles come out. Then turn them off and let them cool As it cools the air in side will contract and try to suck in air (or water if submerged).

@KyleKaplanOfficial

Ай бұрын

I test light like this for work and water ingress usually happens more as it’s cooling down not heating up

Harbor freight is everywhere! If their product goes down you can just pull up to a store and exchange them. I did a weekend trip to Leavenworth with my wife and passed 7 stores depending on what way you take. You never have to wait or send out products to get replacements with all the locations.

@RileyMonthule

2 ай бұрын

That's a great point. I hate doing warranty claims. If I was racing, building a high end rig or just had a ton of expendable income I'd spring for the higher end light brands but other than that I don't see a reason. Harbor freight and really a lot of other budget companies have been super impressive in recent years. Good to see some competition either way.

@p4th0s_

Ай бұрын

100% agree with this. Father in law recently called me asking about winches and him swapping it around, using it on multiple pieces of equipment. Told him in the end, the Badlands winch you can just turn around and basically return it when it breaks and get a new one with no questions asked, and at a better cost. I think every brand has a place and time, just like Nate showed with BajaDesign vs harbor freight.

@goforbroke2

Ай бұрын

@@p4th0s_ Matts Off Road Recovery uses Badlands winches. That’s what sold me on them. If they were junk he wouldn’t be running them, even if they sponsor him. When it’s freezing outside or 100+ degrees out and a customers car is hanging off a cliff…….your equipment has to work.

@p4th0s_

Ай бұрын

@goforbroke2 and in the end, if it breaks on him, he brings it to harbor freight and it's replaced, no questions asked.

@EvrttGrn

Ай бұрын

@@goforbroke2 He also abuses the hell out of them at times, Same with Paul at Fabrats.

HF is killing it lately! I wish they had a yellow lense instead of a cover.

@JoshLC80

2 ай бұрын

Definitely would be nice, but I love having to option of having both colors!

@p4th0s_

Ай бұрын

might be possible, depending on heat signature where you could do a transparent yellow PPF if you planned on keeping it on there.

@mattbrew11

Ай бұрын

The best lights have 3000k LEDs themselves

I was told by a harbor freight manager who works closely with the owner they hired a former rigid lighting engineer.

@HedgeMaster26

Ай бұрын

Would not be surprised. Seems like Harbor Freight hires former disgruntled members of competitors, not hating in fact loving it.

@CanadaDoesntExist

Ай бұрын

They did the same with their winches. Hired an old Warn engineer

@HedgeMaster26

Ай бұрын

@@CanadaDoesntExist That makes sense as well. From what i've seen their winches are really nice for the money and even hit above their weight class.

@mattbrew11

Ай бұрын

Rigid shed all their best people. The top tier people left and started Nacho

@dcmotive

Ай бұрын

But their stuff isnt innovative, its usually just a cheaper version of the same thing. The truth is closer to the chinese factory got their hands on the competitions product and took it apart to imitate it. Thats what they do, thats pretty much all they do. Ive had companies actually ask me to buy and export parts to them so that they can make something similar instead of figuring it out themselves.

Anybody else watching the background of the video for shop progress that has not yet been revealed? I would expect nothing less, but it looks like Nate is going all out.

@mattpeterson7074

2 ай бұрын

I'm super intrigued by the giant toolbox at 0:08. Icon? US General? Did Nate go full "money don't matter" mode and pick up Matco or SnapOn? From the looks of it, I'm thinking he did a full build of Icon.

I recently did some testing like this myself and and ended up opting for the Nacho brand because they are a small, innovative startup company and the way they modulate the function of the lights is really impressive the price was between the HF & BD and they are made in the USA. Big W from my standpoint

This is exactly what I wanted to see. Wanting to pick up several of these, obviously didn’t want to spend $2k on BD lights

@mattbrew11

Ай бұрын

Look at Nacho. I had no idea who they were. Emailed them some questions and ended up going with them after testing them myself

As soon as I saw these I knew they’d end up on your channel in some matter of time. Thanks for the comparison!

Great video! very informative. I really enjoyed the sneak peak of the shop at the end! Can't wait for that video

Awesome and outstanding as always.Thanks for sharing and taking us along

Shop is looking awesome, can't wait to see the walk through video.

I like the Road Shock. If the lens light bleed is the caveat, I would get some Krylon Fusion flat black mask off and paint the lens cover.👍

@DirtLifestyle

2 ай бұрын

It's definitely a solvable problem 👍

Would be cool if they made something like the BD XL Linkables - the 4 LED roadshock light looks like the same form factor and could maybe be linked up in the same way using the existing holes, but you'd have to come up with your own bracket solution to link them together. If there was some kind of off the shelf or easy DIY solution for the brackets so you could build light bars out of them, that would be really cool. It doesn't look like a very complex part.

I can’t wait for the shop update video!! Love the light testing! Would love to see these installed on a build of yours,

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

The final shop video update should be in just a couple weeks! I'm almost there 😎

In Australia we get very fine dust (guessing elsewhere gets it too), ANY light that has a clip on cover will get dust between the cover and the lens and limit light strength output. I wish lighting companies would put dust seals on their covers. Yes there are work arounds, in the day we used to use Cibie Super Oscars and put silicone around the perimeter and install a sheet of clear acrylic to them (used in 4wding and rally driving), lights have come a long way since then but all the clip on covers still seem to be an after thought.

Shop is looking great man. Can’t wait to see the builds that come out of it.

Great Review Nate, definitely a game changer with HF getting more into offroad, from the winches, to the offroad jacks now to lights, pretty sweet for us offroaders.

I love your spin on this, Nate! I dig the new shop! 🤘

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

That shop is an amazing space! I love putting products thru their paces, nice job! 💪🍻

Awesome Video, Looked up the HF lights, they are way more affordable. Also looking forward to your Shop Video. Thank you for keeping us up to date.

Great video Nate.

Awesome job man! It looks great!

Been waiting for this from you!!

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Dude me too! I've had these for a few months now but haven't had the time to do the testing. I'm glad I finally got to play with them and make a video 👍

What a great video!! I’ve always wondered about the difference between a super high end light and a lower end light… definitely some food for thought! That’s said, I’m sooooooo looking forward to this full shop review and how you set this up and all the work to come!! Keep up the incredible work!! 👍

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Thank you for the positive comment 🙏. I can't wait to share the shop in its final form!

Definitely looking to pick some of these up here soon for my truck

Looking forward to the shop tour!

The new set up is INCREDIBLE!!!

Love these value comparos!

Love your content more more more hahaha keep up the great work

I love the performance you get out of them for the money. I’ve been eyeing them lately and really want to get a set of the Roadshocks now.

I think eventually they will have to lower there prices most people think hf is cheep crap I have been a fan since they came to Cincinnati I have there second gen. Rotary hammer it's been abused quit a bit since 09 10 somewhere and it works great still use it. They used to sell I been wet saws I think is what there called best wet saw I have ever owned was better than my $1,200 saw I had bought in around 03 I always used a rigid diamond blade unfortunately I lost it I still have one of there cheep plastic 4" saws with a $50 rigid blade makes all the difference using those blades I have cut a lot of 24" porcelain tile with it love the store and thank you for the video always good to no how a product is before u buy them and a honest review is hard to find!!!!! Love your videos can't wait to see more about the buggy!!!!!!!!!!!

Timely video, I just picked up a set of the Roadshocks yesterday. I've been looking at the Lp6 for a while, but as much as I like the look and performance, spending $1k on 2 lights just isn't worth it for me. Looking forward to seeing a shop update!

@xXxXcrosbykidXxXx

2 ай бұрын

I've never seen a Baja Designs product that isn't insanely exorbitantly priced. I would never buy a product from them.

Thank you again for a great review

Shop's coming along nicely!

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Thank you!

Awesome video! That toolbox on the 2nd floor is gonna wake me up in the middle of the night lol.

I always run cheap Chinese leds from Amazon for one simple reason.. the cost. In offroad use these things don’t have an easy life, whether it’s rain, snow, mud, rocks, branches, beer cans.. who knows what they’re going to run into. And if it goes foggy, stops working, or gets broken I’ll be so much less heart broken if i didn’t spend almost $700 CAD on a single bd pro6 amber. (Im assuming the prices I see on their site are USD) Also I’ve had great luck with the Amazon specials too, 5+ years and still work fine.

@youcanthide004

Ай бұрын

yup , same!

@kmin3434

Ай бұрын

I do the same thing. As soon as I get the Chinese lights, I take the lens covers off and carefully add black RTV all the way around. I do the same to where the power cable goes thru the housing. I have a $100 thirty inch light bar that's been on my front bumper for 5 years and all I've ever had to do to it was buff out the lens haze one time just a couple days ago.

I just bought the smaller spot lights harbor freight and put on my 4runner they are very good no problems yet. Also you have put in some dang work on that shop awesome job dude bada$$💯🤙

Lumens vs Candella, it's a thing.

The new shop looks great!

I also live in Washington (Port Orchard). I was encouraged to do some modifications to my 4th gen 4runner after watching your Toyota Tacoma build. Right now I am in the middle of a regear of 4.88 and ARB air lockers. I did get Nitro rear axles and RCV front axles. I keep breaking axles when I offroad with my OPUS trailer. I also upgrading my brakes with POWERSTOPS brake system. I did upgrade my springs to a heavier spring in the rear now due to the dreaded 4runner sag when towing. Plus the addition of air bags. I am only running 33's right now. Currently I am putting the parts on and everything is here. Looking to try it out memorial day weekend. Maybe Tahuya area, but not sure. I have had a few hiccups with the build. Like the Nitro axles grooves are not big enough for the bearing retaining clips after I had the new ones pressed on by Rears and Gears. So I have to find a clip that would work. I also put bigger bump stops in as my tires rub the top of the wheel well under full articulation. Now I just have to adjust them to just enough to keep the tires from rubbing while not reducing my flex too much. Thanks for the content and hopefully run into you on the trail someday. We are towing the OPUS on the whole Idaho BDR this July and my picture is from Burnt Know lookout.

Great comparison. For someone who has just dumped money into a build these lights fit the bill for me. I try to support American made as much as possible but it’s really tuff how expensive everything has gotten. Being that I’m crawling there’s no reason to spend twice the money.

Nice comparison. Being a primary daylight stomper (curfew at the nursing home), I would go with the HF. Thanks for posting.

Really enjoyed this comparison, pros vs cons. For me, I choose HF for the value. Excellent shop progress. Also, nice cameo while in Utah.

Thanks Nate I've been wondering about the harbor freight lights and wanting someone to do a comparison.

There are two differing customer groups when it comes to lighting as is the case with tools, weapons, engines, tires, and even toasters. The average weekend dude that has a minimal budget will opt for the China Freight brand while the dude with a thicker wallet will spring for the higher end items. Does the HF light offering have a place? Absolutely. The HF hand tools are a testament to the same and let's not ignore their US General tool storage line as that has really made a big splash in that market segment. Shop's coming along VERY nicely. Cheers!

@FRMN8R_T4R

Ай бұрын

Yeah I’ve also found a great deal of value in the fact that HF stores are literally EVERYWHERE in the US. We’ve learned in years of overland/RV/family road trip travel that if I break something from HF, I don’t have to worry about going without my light/winch/whatever for the trip until I can do a warranty claim. I can stop at a HF in tiny town North Dakota and just exchange it and be on my way.

Looks like a wicked set up!

Workshop is looking fantastic

I just added 6 road shocks to the top of my ranger... the build quality on these light impressed me and was great to see they did well on this test thanks for doing it! just couldn't justify the cost of the BD I was also looking at esp when I dont use the off road lights a lot.

Keep up the good work !

Well timed video. I was eyeballing those Roadshock lights. Thanks man!

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Glad I could help!

Nice to see more options on the market for lights 👍 A question 🖐️ what happened to the onx build off? Haven't seen anything from anyone so far.

Holy smokes Nate you've been busy!!!

Guys. We are stomping around in the woods. Not running KOH. If you are running KOH, you can afford a bulletproof light. I’ve run NiLights from Amazon on my vehicles for night driving. They are cheap and I live in Washington. I need all the money I can save to pay for gas. I pulled them apart, lubed the o-rings, and made sure all of the bolts and fasteners went back on snug because I read the reviews and that the failures they were whining about. If I do have an issue, I buy a new one. If one goes out when I’m driving, that’s what I have headlights for. I’m not piloting the space shuttle.

@nathanklemm179

2 ай бұрын

In general I agree. However, outside of the woods I’ve had a couple instances where I was glad I had brighter lights. Specifically on a couple highways in the winter in the middle of nowhere in Alaska. It felt like the brighter lights helped get an extra half second of reaction time if Mr moose decided to jump out of the woods. Over years I never actually ran into that situation but it at least felt like fancy lights could have kept me from a wreck. YMMV

@ExpoXj1

2 ай бұрын

My nilight leds have failed and failed. They inhale all water in my experience and I live in a desert. Definitely going to try these hf lights.

@tylerbuhite5432

2 ай бұрын

@@ExpoXj1 Take a look into LASFIT as well, been running them for years and there quality to price to performance is very good. Also had the same problem with all NIlights stuff. My buddys tacoma is just covered in there stuff and i just shake my head. Remember beam pattern matters!

@PeakDecline

2 ай бұрын

Huh? There's tons of people at KOH with immediate medical help. That's the exact place I frankly don't really care what lights I have. Meanwhile when I am solo in the middle of absolutely nowhere I care way more about what lights are on my truck. I think you've actually got your priorities really mixed up. And that's not saying those cheap Amazon lights won't work, particularly since you've put in your own QA basically, but yeah... huge mega event where I can literally sneeze and a new light falls into my lap is not where I care if one dies, frankly.

Thank you for sharing, I hope consumers are rewarded.

@DirtLifestyle

2 ай бұрын

Me too!!!

Good video, Nate

Man the garage is looking great. Hopefully you have a video coming out about .

At some point I’m planning to flush mount a couple harbor freight lights in my bumpers on my tracker. It’s nice to see a good review.

Love this kind of video. I think the questions remaining are: what's the expected service life? and what does the quality control like?

Thanx for the info, Ill probably visit the harbor freight and update some of my lights before i drive my rig from washington to texas.

I mounted my harbor freight lights on the A piller, and you are right. The side shooters do blow back into your eyes. But, I made a shield to block it on the inside of both lights. It's kind of like a blinder for horses. Otherwise, I love them.

I didn’t buy this style of off road lights but I did buy an led light bar from Harbor Freight about 4 or 5 years ago. It still performs flawlessly on my Jeep. The quality and performance is fantastic. I think it is great for these budget products that are being well engineered to reign in the name brand companies who are charging an arm and a leg for their products. I understand the cost of engineering and design, but come on, $1k or higher for a pair of lights? $4k for a roof top tent? Naturenest is showing that a well engineered tent doesn’t have to make the average Joe take out a loan for a tent. Harbor Freight is doing the same thing. The name brands set their prices because they were the only ones in the blossoming off road market, especially overlanding, where prices are sky is the limit. Thanks, Nate for another great video, and the shop is looking awesome!

I'm glad you posted this video when you did. I was debating about some bumper lights, and I'm already heading to Harbor Freight tomorrow. I'm likely going to be spending more than I had intended, but I'll be saving in the long run. Maybe when companies like BD brings their prices down to account for this crap economy, I will give them a shot, but buying a brand name, just for the name in this economy, just isn't smart! Thank you Nate!

I've gone with morimoto 2 bangers and 4 bangers. I've been impressed and pleased with there performance and they offer a life time warranty.

I'm going to have to go with team Harbor Freight on this one 🤓. Looks like you're putting a lot of thought and planning into how you're using wall space in your new shop! I recently moved and my new property has a barn/shop. I'm having the hardest time in figuring out how to arrange it so I have space for working on vehicles and occasionally woodworking or fixing home stuff. All that to say, I'm looking forward to any videos you do that go over how you're setting up your shop, and why.

I like these HF offerings. I’m wanting to test them out on my beater so I can figure out the wiring complexity. I like to have my aux lights run off factory switches with relays. Looks like they come with back light, flood, and spot options. I would probably want them set up so back light is on with markers, spot with high beam, and flood with low beam, and all disabled with one switch. I usually have a flood light set up to come on only when in reverse with high beams on (very handy), also with a manual bypass / enable for at camp.

I know you have a lot going with the new location and current build, and I don't know if anyone else would be interested in you to build a Jeep Patriot up... but it would cool if you built it. Thanks for all the great videos. Hope to see more on the new shop.

Really good comparison and methods of testing there! Are you the one causing all the commotion with the sky lighting up at night this weekend? Hehe

Harbor Frieght lights it is! Thanks for the video!

The shop is looking good!!!

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Much appreciated! I can't wait to get it "done" 😎

Great Nate did another HB review. Now this item will sell out! I still haven't been able to get my hands on the welding table!!

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Lol dang! I hope you can find the welding table soon! They are very handy in the shop

I would love to see you do a race build with the tightest budget possible. DirtCheap Racing.

I put amber fogs on my winter daily XJ last year, ended up going with Rigid and so far they’ve taken a lot of rocks salt and snow with no issues. Idk if they’re any brighter than the cheaper competition but you do really feel the solid build quality. Harbor freight seems to be catching up though they’re putting out some really solid stuff lately.

Just like anything, all depends on placement on the vehicle and what you want out of the lights. For me, a nice set of pod lights from AuxBeam work just fine for my night time trail needs.

Happy trails, Cowpoke

The new shop looks amazing! Coming along. I went with the Baja Design lights 2 sets yellow (bumper) and clear (ditch) both wide-angle Squadron Sport. After many, many hours of research. Definitely money well spent when you want clear light. With that being said, I believe your test, like another one I watched, shows dark spots. Which I personally find distracting. For me, I would rather pay more to see more. The LP9 is on my wish list. I will say last open house we went to in PA at Main Line Overland. I saw 2 rigs with LP9. Both had rusted brackets. I was shocked! I don't know if it's due to road salt or the road brine. I would almost think a stainless steel bracket would be a better way to go. My point at that price range that was disappointment. It's not a deal breaker, so I still plan to purchase a set. 😂😊 🛻+⛺️=🙂! Mark (& Teresa) Hampstead Maryland • Purpose Built Adventure Rig © • Ford Ranger FX4 - GFC Camper V2 # 1919 • Kia Soulverlander • Nissan Xterra Off-Road •

I love these lights!

Love my light bars from there too.

Sylvania came out with a line of light bars too I'd love to see a video on those. Might be in the same category of cheap but surprisingly quality lights

@Tyler-es

2 ай бұрын

I've wondered how good those are too? They are relatively cheap as well.

Id love to see more into this comparison, more brands of similar products, we have Stedi here is Australia as one of the key brands for high quality automotive lighting

My only loyalty is to price. Love that this will increase the competitiveness of the market

I put the 4 LED road shock on my enduro and I can’t praise these lights enough, for the price you really can’t beat them.

I appreciate the video. I wished you would’ve also included those Amazon “Baja Design” knockoffs in your test as well. I know nothing about lights other than they help me see better at night and be seen in the day/night, I’m curious as to why did you mount your Amber lights so close together? I recently purchased a Randy Ellis Designs bar for the front on my Ram 3500 that holds up to 4 Circular lights and was curious about where to mount my amber lights. In the two positions that are closer together or the outer positions. Anyways just thought I’d ask your opinion. Thanks for the video. I just became a new subscriber after watching that Napa Air Compressor DIY upgrade video or should I say videos! ✌🏽😜

You hit the nail on the head, application! If you’re racing in the desert you either use Baja designs or you’re sponsored by someone else. For slow speed keep stuff any brand auxiliary lighting is fine. Quality only matters when you’re hauling ass in the desert.

@adayoftruthandknowledge6357

Ай бұрын

This is True for 90% of the 4x4 population. I'm not racing and getting my income from Four wheeling. Meaning, the Value is the most important part of the purchase. I love the idea that I can spend 1/3-1/2 the price and get a product that is 80% as good as the Premium item. I've used the EarthQuake brand tools in my shop over the past 7 years and I'm a Big Fan. It's not an IR or Milwaukee but it's almost as good and is a lot more affordable. I also like the Ryobi brand of power tools.

i have 3 set of pods and 1 small light bar facing front, all rigid industries. i also have a set of bd s2 sport combo flush mount for reverse lights. i have to say the bd lights seems nice and bright but the beam pattern is not as precise as the rigid lights. i do not regret having the bd lights. very nice video.

An interesting experiment; once again: "Nothing is greater than an ideal that's time has come! "😎😎

Great video! Hows the finish going to hold up on the harbor unit? my kc pro 6 was rusting and peeling after a few months and my bajas still look new. In the flathead(Montana) we have similar weather but man for the cost difference the harbor looks like a win to me

Love harbor freight! They actually try hard to be the best they can, and I respect that. Also shop looks very different,/ cool so far 🤙🏻

Puget Sound area here............ I buy cheap amazon lights. There is way to many crack heads around stealing light bars for me to care about spending more than say $50 for a light. I have been running them for a bout 4 years now. I drilled weep holes in to them to drain, and they really do not fog that bad. Are they getting a bit "worn out" sure. But say under $100 for a 20" light bar + (2) 4" cube pod lights that are both spot & side flood I can get new ones every 3-4 years, and still be cheaper than Harbor Freight. Love this video. There is a farm guy whom does product reviews with solid "Science" like tests. Nate if you went that rout with these" reviews" I bet you would kill it. Cheers!

I love all of my BD lights, last time out 1/3rd of my BD light bar was out. Kinda bummed out about it. Do you think BD will fix or replace it?

Got a pair of HF. They are pretty great. I can’t see needing more light than these put out.

Have been running the HF roadshocks for a few months now, really happy with them. The only other difference than lumens I can tell, however, is that the baja seems to have a more "even" beam spread. The HF lights have a bit more of a "splotchy" beam pattern, but nothing you'd notice without having them side by side like in the video.

Shop is looking sweet.

I say harbor freight for me, because if I break one I can just stop and grab another one or toss a spare in. Nate the new shop is looking dope.

Love the spray paint storage wall using p v c simple but very Good idea.

@DirtLifestyle

Ай бұрын

Thanks! I stole it from something I found on google images while looking for storage ideas 😁. I've been spending alot of time, research and consideration when laying out every aspect of this shop! I can't wait to share!

I have the road shocks on the front of my 80, at night I have a ton more visibility at the left and right. Very bright at night. No experience with the Baja ones but really, these HF are very bright and HF are everywhere to swap out if any issues arise. No wait time.

I've been running led replacements in my halogen housings and yea they are way way brighter which helps on the backroads at night and I've noticed even though they are way brighter and whiter then the old bulbs but yeah you lose definition and detail. Been thinking of putting a light bar on the roof for more upper angles and maybe more definition. Looking for something as close to 45-50in wide and I was looking for amber but now I'm curious if I could get just white and maybe an amber cover. Never thought about a cover lens before this vid. Cool idea.

Yeah I agree with you that I’m not a race runner, so HB is definitely my favorite.

When it comes to lighting there are two things I'm willing to pay extra for- durability and, depending on application, a clean long distance beam. For most off road vehicles long distance isn't a requirement, and from my experience with lights, expensive doesn't necessarily mean durable. For my long distance motorcycles I tend to run two pair of aux lights- long distance pencil beams and shorter range flood lights. I spend the extra for the long range lights, but so far I haven't found a brand that holds up particularly well. I've had several fail. On the other hand I buy cheap flood lights- one set is from Amazon, and another bike has some from tractor Supply. So far the Tractor Supply lights have outlived two expensive long range lights. For my Jeep I only have whatever I can get cheap. There are a couple pair I got used for free at work (Amazon brands) and a couple LED bars I got from Amazon. None have failed yet after several years. It's great low cost alternatives have gotten so good. It's really sad that for the very high premium prices big name lights cost, that they aren't more durable. I expect more from lights that easily cost more than $500 for a pair (up to a couple grand).

thank you!

I have a set harbor freight 6-in lights on my hood of my Toyota. I love them! Super bright. The only thing is the side markers are on both sides of the light. It does light up the inside of my truck. Not sure how to take care of that. Was thinking maybe a black sticker. Other than that they are very nice quality for the price and super bright I like them?