[pics] Easy Light Transformation and Some Color Theory!

While most of us use the clear lenses that come with our off-road lights or are forced to choose the lens that comes with the light we purchased, Baja Designs enables us to change things very easily. My Jeep Wrangler LJ runs the BD XL Pro lights up on the A-pillars. I chose the Driving/Combo clear lens since I expected to use them for better visibility in clear weather. For the installation of the lights see this article: A-Pillar lights

Although laboratory tests have shown that yellow or amber lenses do not improve people’s reaction time, depth perception, visual contrast, or the ability to see better in low light, and in fact reduce the transmittance of light through the lens, to the eye, making it even harder to see at night, there are benefits!

Color temperature is how cool or warm the light source appears. The color temperature of a light source is a numerical measurement of its color appearance. This temperature is based on the principle that any object will emit light if it is heated to a high enough temperature and that the color of that light will shift in a predictable manner as the temperature is increased. This system is based on the color changes of a black metal as it is heated from a cold black to a white-hot state. As the temperature increases, the color would shift gradually from red to orange to yellow to white and finally to a blue white. Color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). Colors and light sources from the red/orange/yellow side of the spectrum are described as warm (incandescents) and those toward the blue end are referred to as cool (natural daylight). Short story long, lights appearing Amber are in the 2500-4000k range and lights appearing white or even bluish are in the 5000-6000k range.

Baja Designs XL Pro

With a 4,900 lumen count and power draw of 40 watts, the XL Pro LED light is the only single housing LED light on the market that has the distance of an 8” HID with the smooth spread of an LED. Perfect for enthusiasts that need a vast amount of light and are looking for something other than a light bar. The XL Pro includes three interchangeable lenses, and is capable of covering more lighting zones than any other light on the market. An industry first 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee & Limited Lifetime Warranty is included for the ultimate in purchase protection.

Changing out the lenses on these lights is very simple and only requires a small Allen wrench…and of course the Lens Kit, in this case part no. 660115.

Its a simple matter of removing the 4 screws, removing the existing cover and replacing it with the new lens. The kit also comes with a new gasket which also can be replaced at this time. It really is a 5 minute process.

Even though the amber lens will let a lesser amount of light pass through the lens, its much better than a “whiter” light when used in bad weather. Amber light has a longer wavelength and the wavelengths shorten the color temperature rises. A light that appears white also has more refraction. To keep things simple think of this as reflection or glare. The shorter wavelength tends to “reflect” off of the particles in the air (dust, rain, snow, fog, etc.) whereas light with a longer wavelength can “punch through” those particles.

A 5 minute project and walla! Better visibility in inclement weather, and in my opinion, overall…but I’m color blind, so take it for what its worth 🙂

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