IPF "Spot lights"

[Steyr22]

Firstly, this is a cross post with an older set of posts, which I think is closed. My Question:

I have recently installed a) 2 IPF XS900 "Spot lights" to my car with TOTALLY DISAPPOINTING results (even a set of Narvas would have been a 500% improvement!), b) 2 IPF "spread beams" which greatly improved my belief in IPF lights, and c) mounted 1 "spread beam" and 1 "spot light" (which confirmed my DISAPPOINTMENT in IPF Spotlights.

The problem may be a "batch" problem but the "spot lights" had a VERY DISAPPOINTING pattern. The pattern had a small "hot spot" in the centre with a fairly dim halo around it and a "finger" of shadow up the centre of the road leading to the "hot spot".

I initially changed these lenses for the "spread beam" lenses which were EXCELLENT! though a little disappointing for their "reach" (naturally).

So I bought a single "spot light" lens and installed it (thinking that it may have been misaligned by me originally), but with the same DISAPPOINTING pattern resulting in the DIMINISHMENT of the total light output of the 2 "spread beams" (exit 130W of "spread beam" overlaying the single "spread beam") and no noticeable improvement in the "reach" of the lights.

I am now in discussion with ARB as to where I go from here. Note: I had excellent response from ARB on my first contact.

I expect that I will go back to my Hella's or my Bosch's with which I have had satisfactory performance in the past. I may even try Cibie Super Oscars which have had an excellent reputation for many years.

As I have said, the IPF "spread beams" leave nothing to be desired except "reach" (which is to be expected). But my experience of the "spot lights" is TOTALLY DISAPPOINTING!

Can anyone else comment on their experience of the "spot lights"?

[samo]

i had a set of cibie super oscers awhile ago, while they werent hid, they were 100w halogen spots and they would burn koalas eyes out at 300m, great light, great distance, just old technology good for bang for bucks.

[clifton]

If you are not happy give them the flick, my HID IPF 900's (spot and spread) are more than adequate for night driving in the sticks in NQ. But I appreciate that we all differ with our requirements for spotlight performance.

I have also used Cibie Super Oscars on previous vehicles and concur they produce a great light, the lightforce series are also another option but the mounting brackets ? and the forward protrusion past the bull bar no thanks :) :) :)

The same experience for me too, totally disappointed. I find the spread to be average and the spot to be totally useless with the same hotspot and shadowing as you describe. The spots might add only about an extra 10% to the range of the std high beams (and yes, they're correctly aligned). They're certainly of good build quality and they look nice but that's about it. A huge waste of $400 in my opinion.

I must admit, I haven't approached ARB about them as yet and I've had them for about 4 months now, just been too busy. What did they say when you spoke to them?

[Steyr22]

Hi wannawodka

ARB were very helpful. They replaced the "spot light" lenses with the "spread beam" lenses (including putting them in) at no charge.

It was through this process that I was given information that made me think that I had misaligned them, hence my purchase and trial with another "spot light" lens (purchased by me).

They thought it might have been a problem with a batch of lights as others (they say) are extremely happy with them.

Contact them for 2 reasons 1) Get yourself the "spread beams" (excellent lights) and 2) to let them know that there is more than one customer that is unhappy with their product. Maybe they'll investigate and find a solution.

[Piggy]

If you want distance go to Hella HID 4000 compacts, these lights have been tested to have the longest reach of nearly all brands on the market.

We have 4 installed on the rally car and they are great.

I run IPF 800's and have had the same set for 12 + years now, I converted them to HID a year or so ago and they are great. I personally thought the Square IPF had a bettter reach than the round.

As a note, this didnt really need another thread created as the post you describe is still well and truly in use and not closed. http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?t=871&start=15

[CJ]

G'day Steyr22
I just installed my IPF 900's yesterday and have found the same problem. The little finger shadow down the road. I havent had the chance to test them properly as there's not many dark long roads in the northern suburbs of brisy. It will be interesting to see when I install the HID conversion to the car lights, if I'll be able to even see the spotties.

I'm up in Townsville for a couple of weeks and called into the ARB outlet to pick up a few bits and pieces. I mentioned the problem I was having with the 900XS pencil beams to the guys there and one of them was aware of 3 other instances of customers having the same problem.

He said the fix in each case was remove the lense and turn it upside down. Apparently there is a minor tell tale in the lense moulding which creates this effect and inverting the lense fixes the shadowing. You also have to dremel out a small notch in the outer bezel to refit the light properly. Sounds odd to me but he seemed pretty sure.

[plucker]

I might have to try that.
Thanks for the tip off wannawodka