Agent☣Orange
04-04-2012, 10:29 PM
Product review: Vision X Solo S1101 LED fog light with wide angle lens
The Miata is harder to see than a motorcycle and the phenomena of cars swerving into us or turning into our lane is pretty well known. A pair of aftermarket blasting horns are just part of the solution but it would be better to be seen before heard.
Not a new concept since daytime running lights have been around a long time and many folks have already equipped their Miatas with fog lights. But so far, these lights have been conventional, 55w-100w H3 variety that strain the Miata's small alternator, generate tremendous heat and depending upon the size of the light housing, can eat bulbs like M&Ms.
Enter the Vision X Solo. It is next to the smallest of the product line next to the Solo Mini but packs a lighting whallop that must be seen to be appreciated. It is a 2"x2" solid aluminum enclosure with a 1.7" lens covering the industry's most powerful LED bulb: a 10W mini monster that consumes a paltry .7 amps per light.
You read that right, a mere three quarters of 1 amp at its fullest brightness. I say fullest brightness as a pointer to a slightly more expensive version of the Solo that comes with a dimming switch but that is not being reviewed here.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/729da77a.jpg
The waterproof enclosure is designed with slots that allows combining multiple Solos together for more effect such as a light bar on a truck and also to attach the included mount for the bumper. Vision X sells other mounts for the Solo to allow attaching to bike handlebars, helmets and even a handheld battery pack so it can be used as a flashlight.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/50c3f8a4.jpg
Now, we won't admit it but we've all looked right into the light of even the smallest LED keychain light and been amazed how bright they are. And we're familiar with nice 1w LED flash lights that are too bright to look at. Now imagine what 10w looks like...so bright, it'll burn your retinas if you look directly at it for a moment too long. That's the tiny Vision X solo.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/2843f119.jpg
The basic package includes everything you need to mount the light to your Miata including very nice, waterproof connectors.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/64f76f57.jpg
The electrical draw is so minimal, 1.5 amps for the pair compared to 16-20amp for normal Halogen bulbs that no relay is needed, just a simple Add-A-Circuit in the fusebox. Since this particular install is for DRLs, I did not install an interior on/off switch but I did mount one in the engine bay to turn them off while working on the motor with the key on.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/2325e422.jpg
A quick power up test on the workbench is like watching a miniature nuclear explosion.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/cdcef38f.jpg
The Miata is harder to see than a motorcycle and the phenomena of cars swerving into us or turning into our lane is pretty well known. A pair of aftermarket blasting horns are just part of the solution but it would be better to be seen before heard.
Not a new concept since daytime running lights have been around a long time and many folks have already equipped their Miatas with fog lights. But so far, these lights have been conventional, 55w-100w H3 variety that strain the Miata's small alternator, generate tremendous heat and depending upon the size of the light housing, can eat bulbs like M&Ms.
Enter the Vision X Solo. It is next to the smallest of the product line next to the Solo Mini but packs a lighting whallop that must be seen to be appreciated. It is a 2"x2" solid aluminum enclosure with a 1.7" lens covering the industry's most powerful LED bulb: a 10W mini monster that consumes a paltry .7 amps per light.
You read that right, a mere three quarters of 1 amp at its fullest brightness. I say fullest brightness as a pointer to a slightly more expensive version of the Solo that comes with a dimming switch but that is not being reviewed here.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/729da77a.jpg
The waterproof enclosure is designed with slots that allows combining multiple Solos together for more effect such as a light bar on a truck and also to attach the included mount for the bumper. Vision X sells other mounts for the Solo to allow attaching to bike handlebars, helmets and even a handheld battery pack so it can be used as a flashlight.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/50c3f8a4.jpg
Now, we won't admit it but we've all looked right into the light of even the smallest LED keychain light and been amazed how bright they are. And we're familiar with nice 1w LED flash lights that are too bright to look at. Now imagine what 10w looks like...so bright, it'll burn your retinas if you look directly at it for a moment too long. That's the tiny Vision X solo.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/2843f119.jpg
The basic package includes everything you need to mount the light to your Miata including very nice, waterproof connectors.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/64f76f57.jpg
The electrical draw is so minimal, 1.5 amps for the pair compared to 16-20amp for normal Halogen bulbs that no relay is needed, just a simple Add-A-Circuit in the fusebox. Since this particular install is for DRLs, I did not install an interior on/off switch but I did mount one in the engine bay to turn them off while working on the motor with the key on.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/2325e422.jpg
A quick power up test on the workbench is like watching a miniature nuclear explosion.
http://i1194.photobucket.com/albums/aa375/YellowYata/Lighting/VisionX%20fog%20lights/cdcef38f.jpg