$20 Vs. $200-$300 fog lights.

[SketchMaster]

I've been wanting to get a set of fog lights for my car but I don't want to spend $197 for the OEM driving lights, but at the same time, I also don't want to bolt a bunch of $20 junk to my car.

So what are the cons of buying a cheap set from AutoZone?

Oh. And before people start screaming "rice", the lights will be properly aimed no more than 8ft-12ft in front of the car and only used in heavy fog/snow or when driving on dirt roads.

 

[RagingBITCH]

The same difference as buying anything that's $20 vs $200-$300. Quality, life of bulb, better instructions, (not that it matters) prob better interior on/off switch, etc.

 

[Zenmervolt]

OEM lights are expensive because they are the only choice for lights that fit exactly for your vehicle.

ZV

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
The same difference as buying anything that's $20 vs $200-$300. Quality, life of bulb, better instructions, (not that it matters) prob better interior on/off switch, etc.

Generally, yes, but not in all cases. The question is too vague. There are very good cheap lights, and really crappy cheap lights; there are excellent expensive lights, and pretty crappy expensive lights. You really have to shop by brand/model. Usually more $$ = better, but not always.

 

[shabby]

If you want a proper foglight go with one that has a cutoff like this bosch mini h3 foglight, add some hella yellowstar bulbs and you have a set of top notch foglights. But you have to fit this into a housing so it might not work for most people. Enclosed foglights with a cutoff will be a bit more expensive.

If you get a foglight without a cutoff it'll eventually blind cars in front of you, aiming them low will make them kinda useless.

 

[dirtboy]

Foglights are worthless, I wouldn't spend more than $1 on them and before you say I dunno wtf I'm talking about, I live in an area that's foggy. kthxbye.

 

[SketchMaster]

Really what I want is to get more light in front of the car so when I'm driving on dirt roads the light will better define the dips and bumps in the road. I put new bulbs in the headlights and it helped a bit but I'm still looking for a bit more light. I don't really care about fitting them in the OEM housing but still want something tasteful.

Here is a shot of my front end. I'm going to mount them in the lower grill area, any ideas?

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: dirtboy
Foglights are worthless, I wouldn't spend more than $1 on them and before you say I dunno wtf I'm talking about, I live in an area that's foggy. kthxbye.

So you've used real fog lights (not the little toy things that come as options on most cars now) to arrive at this decision?

Or have you just observed the poorly-aimed junk "fog lights" that your buddy's econobox came with?

I'm betting on the second.

ZV

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
I've been wanting to get a set of fog lights for my car but I don't want to spend $197 for the OEM driving lights, but at the same time, I also don't want to bolt a bunch of $20 junk to my car.

So what are the cons of buying a cheap set from AutoZone?

Oh. And before people start screaming "rice", the lights will be properly aimed no more than 8ft-12ft in front of the car and only used in heavy fog/snow or when driving on dirt roads.

you got off cheap, fog lights for my car were outrageous. Still I did it because they go under the car's warranty if bought and installed at the dealer.

(honda civic fwiw)

 

[Vetterin]

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
Really what I want is to get more light in front of the car so when I'm driving on dirt roads the light will better define the dips and bumps in the road. I put new bulbs in the headlights and it helped a bit but I'm still looking for a bit more light. I don't really care about fitting them in the OEM housing but still want something tasteful.

If that is what you want you need to look at DRIVING lights, NOT Fog lights.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: Vetterin

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
Really what I want is to get more light in front of the car so when I'm driving on dirt roads the light will better define the dips and bumps in the road. I put new bulbs in the headlights and it helped a bit but I'm still looking for a bit more light. I don't really care about fitting them in the OEM housing but still want something tasteful.

If that is what you want you need to look at DRIVING lights, NOT Fog lights.

My dad's 1985 300D came with some awesome fog lights. Not only were they incredibly helpful when it was foggy, but, (I think) because they were mounted high on the car, they really improved visibility at night and, combined with headlights, illuminated the road very, very well.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: Vetterin

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
Really what I want is to get more light in front of the car so when I'm driving on dirt roads the light will better define the dips and bumps in the road. I put new bulbs in the headlights and it helped a bit but I'm still looking for a bit more light. I don't really care about fitting them in the OEM housing but still want something tasteful.

If that is what you want you need to look at DRIVING lights, NOT Fog lights.

Just FYI, true driving lights are wired to only come on with the High Beams and they will illuminate the road like a set of landing lights. They're excellent to have out in the country, but should never be used when there are other vehicles around.

ZV