Baja Design Pro Squadron vs Piaa 530s
- Thread starter Chump
- Start date
wtwill
New Member
::017::
I have the same question!
I have the same question!
Depends on intended use. If you spend most of your time on pavement, the extra 200.00 is best spent elsewhere, IMO.
I own the squadron LEDs. They definitely throw more light than the PiAA 530's, but dimming them for on-coming traffic is a must because the beam dispersion is in a large circle, which is great for off road. Mine are dimmed while in low beam and switch to full bright in high beam, through the optional PWM dimmer unit.
The PIAAs have a more directed beam that is intended for on-road use. They are plenty bright for that purpose. The don't dazzle on-coming traffic, so there is no need for a dimmer. They also do a great job of filling in the dead spots left by the OEM headlight, and also help for corners. With the Squadrons set full bright, you are illuminating road signs way above your head as well as the roadside signs. The BAJAs are very rugged, and built to Milspec. I've never heard of them malfunctioning because of rough off-road riding, but I have read about cases of the PIAAs coming apart inside when subjected to the same.
Anyway, many plusses and minuses that are on/off road specific.
I own the squadron LEDs. They definitely throw more light than the PiAA 530's, but dimming them for on-coming traffic is a must because the beam dispersion is in a large circle, which is great for off road. Mine are dimmed while in low beam and switch to full bright in high beam, through the optional PWM dimmer unit.
The PIAAs have a more directed beam that is intended for on-road use. They are plenty bright for that purpose. The don't dazzle on-coming traffic, so there is no need for a dimmer. They also do a great job of filling in the dead spots left by the OEM headlight, and also help for corners. With the Squadrons set full bright, you are illuminating road signs way above your head as well as the roadside signs. The BAJAs are very rugged, and built to Milspec. I've never heard of them malfunctioning because of rough off-road riding, but I have read about cases of the PIAAs coming apart inside when subjected to the same.
Anyway, many plusses and minuses that are on/off road specific.
Sadly I am pretty much 100% on road. However there are a lot of critters up here that like to roam around at night. I have no problem spending the extra $200 if they are vastly superior. I came off a VStrom and I'm pretty disappointed in the Tenere ' s headlight. That was one thing on the Vee that did not need improvement.
superjet
New Member
I will throw another curve ball in here. I got a pair of ADV Monster LED lights and I like them a lot. I bought two lights and mounted them where the PIAA's would mount. I also bought the dimmer module that allows you to set the lights below 100% and then when you hit the high beam switch, they go to 100%. Mine are at 10% and I don't get much static about them. Like Tenerator12 said, these lights throw light EVERYWHERE.
http://stores.advmonster.com/model-44-led-off-road-flood-light/
http://stores.advmonster.com/waterproof-wireless-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass/
http://stores.advmonster.com/model-44-led-off-road-flood-light/
http://stores.advmonster.com/waterproof-wireless-led-dimmer-with-high-beam-bypass/
Shovelhead
Member
that certainly interests me. On the way to work I run through a pretty tight S curve. I noticed on this bike that the headlight beam seemed wide enough but vertically narrow, if that makes sense. It was hard to see much into the second part of the curve. Kinda freaked me out because I've been through this S curve a jillion times with other bikes and never experienced that before.Tenerator12 said:
Does this scenario sound normal for the stock headlights or could they need adjusting?
~TABASCO~
RIDE ON ADV is what I do !
Founding Member
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Vendor
Do the Piaa's have a life time warranty ? I've been 'investing' in the Baja brand way before I sold the product.. To be fair, I've bought and used the Piaa brand on ATV / bikes / trucks / Etc... In my own opinion the Baja are probably a better long term ADV light.
Mount a couple of those 2 LED bundles on your handlebars. They turn with ya!
And Jaxon puts the switch for them cleverly at your Clutch hands' fore finger. Click on. Click off. sweeeeeet!
And Jaxon puts the switch for them cleverly at your Clutch hands' fore finger. Click on. Click off. sweeeeeet!
Go Rigid or go home... LOL, just kidding, you don't have to go home..
racer1735
Member
From the PIAA website:~TABASCO~ said:
PIAA Corporation, USA (“PIAA”) warrants our lamp kits (except bulbs) to be free from defects in workmanship and materials under normal use for as long as the original purchaser owns them. PIAA warrants all HALOGEN BULBS for a period of 1 year, all LED bulbs for a period of 2 years, and all H.I.D. bulbs and ballasts for a period of 2 years from the date of purchase.
superjet
New Member
snakebitten said:Mount a couple of those 2 LED bundles on your handlebars. They turn with ya!
And Jaxon puts the switch for them cleverly at your Clutch hands' fore finger. Click on. Click off. sweeeeeet!
This is bad ass and I think I need to do it. Is there a write up somewhere on what parts were used and how it was done?
Back when Tabasco first did his own personal Tenere, I suspect the details were discussed. He did mine personally, recently. Those bar mounts are by him too, I believe. That thumb switch you can see in the pic is for the Squadrons he mounted below the headlights. Thus, my HID headlights, Squadrons, and Handlebar LEDs are all controlled separately. Really cool setup. And crazy amount of lumens on tap.
burnoil
Member
Exactly the same setup I run and am very happy with BD lights. Jaxon hooked me up. I run them on road day or night, but have them tilted slightly downward so oncoming traffic doesn't get an eyefull...
snakebitten said:Mount a couple of those 2 LED bundles on your handlebars. They turn with ya!
And Jaxon puts the switch for them cleverly at your Clutch hands' fore finger. Click on. Click off. sweeeeeet!
Donk
Well-Known Member
I have the PIAA on my '14, I ride on road and they work great. I had Denali from Twisted Throttle on my Explorer and they were frickin amazing!
superjet
New Member
Thanks for the replies.snakebitten said:
So I rode home at lunch and looked at my set up. Don't you get some nasty reflection off your windscreen at night when these are on, or do you have the canted out slightly?
There is a fair amount of light that bounces and lights up the cockpit.
And it's noticeable.
But it is kind of relative, because they throw SO MUCH light beyond that.
Keep in mind I don't run with them on. They gotta be offensive to oncomers.
I just flick the tiny switch he mounted right by my forefinger while I'm on the clutch. It immediately throws a blanket of light all around my turn radius.
You can angle them outwards even more to lessen the cockpit light. But my windshield is painted black on the inside about halfway up. So maybe that's why it isn't bothersome?
And it's noticeable.
But it is kind of relative, because they throw SO MUCH light beyond that.
Keep in mind I don't run with them on. They gotta be offensive to oncomers.
I just flick the tiny switch he mounted right by my forefinger while I'm on the clutch. It immediately throws a blanket of light all around my turn radius.
You can angle them outwards even more to lessen the cockpit light. But my windshield is painted black on the inside about halfway up. So maybe that's why it isn't bothersome?
I went a slightly different route than Snake...I have the BD OnX Bar, and a pair of Lazer Star 10W LED Spots up on the handlebars on Tabasco's brackets:Chump said:
I'm using the BD wiring harness, with a modified left switch cluster to control it (the hazard light button turns on the bar, the FTP button changes between the 50%, 100% and strobe modes), full write up on that project HERE. For the handlebar lights, I am using the Skene Designs controller, and am using the original BD switch and location to change intensities for those lights. I also went with the alert feature on the Skene controller, so a double tap on the horn flashes the handlebar lights, and holding the horn button kicks them up to 100% for as long as I hold the button.
Thank You for taking a look at our products!Chump said:
Our Squadron Pro is a great option for your Super Tenere
Squadron Pro LED Adventure Bike Kit
http://www.bajadesigns.com/ProductDetail?ItemNumber=497083
49-7083
MSRP: $499.95
Forum: $449.95
When going with Baja Designs (BD) you have many options when it comes to lenses and patterns!
Our U-Service technology allows you to change lenses in a matter of minutes.
As time goes on, so does the type of riding you're doing. Why get stuck with a light that only can use one pattern?
Take a look at our website for more information
www.bajadesigns.com
Thank You,
Bailey, Baja Designs