RIGID Radiance Pod XL Review & Comparison to D-Series

[@PottersWork]

This is a longer video, but I wanted to be thorough for anyone that might be spending the money on these lights. I contacted Rigid a couple of times about all the issues in the video hoping to maybe be able to exchange them directly. They were friendly, but didn't really offer up much for resolution with the exception of spending more $ on swapping the internal optics. I offered to ship them to them at my own expense in hopes they might exchange them for me with my original receipt, but no dice. Rigid has many other awesome lights, I just wasn't impressed with these specifically. They do have a great warranty as well. Thanks for watching!

[@McCoymiked]

This is in-depth look is much appreciated. Thank you.

[@PottersWork]

Mike McCoy, glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@hakenkreuz7076]

Not one video I watched helped me on these, until this one. Much appreciated.

[@PottersWork]

Hakenkreuz, thanks! One of the reasons I made the video...I couldn’t find any that were helpful either. Appreciate the feedback

[@curlyhoward6434]

Thanks for a great review. You showed the differences and you showed what the lights looked like both from outside and from the inside, just want I wanted to see. I agree with your comments about the Rigid connectors, I'll stick with the old D series myself so you saved me some money. You did one of the best reviews I've seen on RUclips for showing the differences between models and the amber view at night. Kudos!

[@PottersWork]

Curly, thank you for the kind words! I was frustrated before I bought them that I couldn't find a decent review of them. Would have saved me some $ and time. I have been looking at the 360 series lately and thinking about buying the 4" driving beam style. You don't happen to have any experience with those do you?

[@Jurnymn]

Thanks for the video. Watching if this morning helped me to decide to go with the D series. 👍🏻

[@PottersWork]

Jurnymn, glad it was helpful! I couldn’t find any good videos on them when I was looking. Thanks for watching too!

[@MrAllegiant1]

This is a great video on the differences. I appreciate the side by sides and it really helped by making a thorough video. I have D Series on my jeep and really like them. I was looking for assistance on my new Flog Industries bumper lighting. I wanted to see what options I had for the replacement of the fog lights. I think I'll stick with a new set of D-series and adjust their angle of projection.

[@PottersWork]

Chris, glad it was helpful! I am still running with the same D-series that I had in this video. They are still going strong. I have been eyeing the 360 series lately, or the Diode Dynamics SS3 Pro's. Just can't really find good comparison info anywhere. I may end up having to buy them again and do another side by side. I haven't heard of Flog industries, I am going to look them up

[@vietitalia]

this radiance pod is exactly what i need! thank for sharing this vid!

[@PottersWork]

Viet Nguyen, you bet! Glad the video was helpful!

[@D6EH]

Thanks for doing this video, it’s good to know D-series is still the way to go.
Quick question: did you have your D-series aimed straight ahead or slightly out towards the sides of road?
I get they are “ditch” lights, but I’m looking to use these in same location to fill more of a down range spot light function.

[@PottersWork]

I aim mine more down the road…to basically assist my brights. I do aim them a little wider than my headlights though to catch more of the shoulder/ditch. Hopefully the video was helpful. I am currently running 360 series with the driving beam…I like them but I do think I’ll eventually go back to spots for more light down range

[@TheLost216]

Gotta give props to rigid for listening to customer complaints. They're not built for mall crawlers worried about how "clean" an install is. The old plugs were useless in many applications because they're too large to fit through a small hole. I know lots of folks who had to cut the giant plug off. This new design is a practical upgrade. The bracket on the outside is the same way, less space taken up for no practical reason.

[@PottersWork]

I think they still could have used the old plug, the new style leaves a weak point where the wires can eventually fail because they aren’t supported with an outer jacket. They still could have left a pig tail, but why not just have the deutch connector there so that all of us that bought their harness they sell with those exact plugs don’t have to cut the plugs right back off. That still leaves an option for anyone than needs to navigate through a tight area to chop it off if need be. And as far as the mall crawler comment goes, rigid is one of the only company’s I know that makes their backlighting in many different colors, so it’s right up the mall crawler alley (not saying their lights aren’t quality, they are usually). Just saying they seem to be marketing a lot to those guys that want the look. I appreciate your comment and opinion though, and I can see some of your points.

[@stevehillphotographyhill3632]

I have the XL spots, perfect off road light. But suck in snow so I need a more focused light for my grill so I get less glare from snow...

[@PottersWork]

Steve, do your XL’s bounce/vibrate very much? That was one of the things that bothered me the most.
I ended up getting some 360 series with the driving beam…I bet if you could do that with maybe an amber colored or yellow light they would be good in the snow.

[@2manyhobbies76]

Thanks for the video. I have the same D-series midnight spots as ditch lights and was thinking of swapping them to Diode Dynamics SS3 driving beams to give more spill to the sides. I sure do like the D-series though

[@PottersWork]

2manyhobbies, I have actually been thinking of the same thing! I’ve been eyeing them for a couple weeks and trying to decide.

[@carvdecarv]

This was a great video...surprised by the performance being so different. I wonder if you used them for long-distance straight down the road if there would be a considerable difference... You're kind of using a spot beam for a driving/flood function

[@PottersWork]

Thanks man! I probably should have done a side by side straight down the road for a full on comparison. I was surprised though that the XL’s were supposed to be a combo pattern and yet they weren’t lighting up as much area as the D series spots.

[@wadewalker6231]

I would have kept both sets & gotten a 2"x6"x .25" piece of flat steel. Drilled 3 holes mounted it to the base then attached all 4 lights. You already paid for them might as well use All of them...? Aim 2 down the road & 2 for the edges of the road...

[@PottersWork]

I thought about that a while back after I sold them, I saw Rago Fabrication made a bracket to do just that. Ended up selling them though to a guy near me who is a pretty cool guy, and ended up making a friend out of the deal lol.

[@rarityd]

I am with you on staying with the D series. Great call man

[@PottersWork]

rarity, thanks, really liked the amber backlighting on the XL’s...wish it would have worked out.

[@rarityd]

@@PottersWork my series D Radiance Scene have amber backlight and red backlight for the rear. Thanks for a great video as well

[@PottersWork]

@@rarityd, if I recall, they don't have a spot beam though do they? I may have to revisit that. Thanks for watching and the feedback!

[@Jaydayallday]

Nice vid. Now I know not to go with the radiance. They are suppose to a better price light for similar quality as they say but now we see. Love the back lighting but think I’m going to stick with Baja designs

[@PottersWork]

Thanks Jacob, BD makes some awesome lights, just wish they weren’t so expensive! I’ve been looking at the Diode Dynamics pods lately. Their pro series are supposed to compete with Baja from what I have read. They just don’t have the cool back lighting unfortunately

[@paulli1874]

Thanks you helped me choose between them thanks

[@PottersWork]

You’re welcome! Glad to help! What did you end up going with?

[@chrisdickson1192]

Incredibly helpful. Thank you.

[@PottersWork]

Glad it was l Chris! Thank you

[@Ram-vt3rm]

Great video. Rigid makes come great products! However, I have never been impressed with many of the Radiance series lights. I agree with your impression and the video was very well done. I would have left those original pods on too. Sucks you are stuck with that light. Baja Designs gives you the flexibility to switch out lenses and optics. I wonder if the BD Squadron Pro is more what you are looking for.

[@PottersWork]

Ram, thank you for the feedback and for taking the time to leave a comment! I did end up putting my old lights back on, they just have way better light output. Now I'm stuck trying to sell these ones and I think I'm going to lose my butt on them. I would LOVE to have some Baja Designs, but my budget wouldn't allow it. I have a friend that has some of the new LP4's and LP6's...they are really nice and are crazy bright. I hated having to do this video from a disappointed standpoint, and I was super excited to get these when I ordered them.

[@Ram-vt3rm]

The problem I have with Rigid is their vast line of lighting products. My first Rigid light was years back when the E-Series and D-Series composed the majority of their products. Figuring out a lighting solution was easy. Now? Very challenging. It doesn’t help matters when there minimal videos on RUclips showcasing/ comparing various lights from Rigid. Rigid should 100% let you switch out that tacky/ low output radiance light. If they do, which I believe they should, then I would opt for the Dually XL in driving. I had a pair and they are awesome. Highly recommend. If that is too much money, then the spot or flood pattern. I would email Rigid, ask for an exchange and put a link to this video in the email too. God speed amigo. Sucks getting a high end product and it is not what you expected.

[@PottersWork]

Ram 1500, I sent them a video of the beam pattern shaking when I hit bumps and pointed out some of the other things I didn’t like about them but all they kept telling me was I could send them in and for a fee they would swap optics. I really thought I could get them to exchange them for a better light seeing that they are pretty much brand new and show no signs of wear...plus they have a sweet powder coating job on them now lol. I figured they could use them on one of their vehicles or resell as an open box. I will agree with you as well on there not being a lot of resources online to see the lights in action before you buy. That was one of the reasons I made this video. I still have the XL’s and was thinking of making another video head to head with my D-Series where I turn them off and on back and forth at different distances to see how they compare in other areas.

[@jacobsellars7910]

Ram 1500 i agree. I have the squadron pros for foglights on my second gen and they are unbelievable. Also the fact that you can interchange lenses for different patterns is very nice

[@PottersWork]

Ford Gt, maybe someday I’ll save you for some squadrons or some LP4’s, never thought about placing them in the fogs

[@tunintunin3417]

You’re not complaining, just stating the Bigger companies get the more they sell the more they skimp on customers...

[@PottersWork]

I think you are right!

[@markbristol4924]

Just watched this video and I'm surprised at the cheapo cable with exposed wires. I hope rigid isn't going the way of optima batteries. All my rigid lights which are a bit older have stainless steel brackets and completely sealed wiring and excellent beam pattern.

[@PottersWork]

Mark, I was just as surprised! I am still running my old D-Series for now. I was thinking about trying some of the 4" 360 Series driving beams sometime soon...hoping for a better experience.

[@nicholasmapes]

Maybe the different style connections is due to the lights needing two positive supply (one for main and one for backliight) and one negative. Three pin vs 2 pin

[@PottersWork]

trix4free, might be the case for sure, I wish they would have made the pigtail out of the back of the lights like normal, then you could hide the connector under the hood. I ended up selling them and putting my old D-Series back on, the guy I sold them to loves them. So I guess it worked out with the exception of me losing $ selling a set of used lights.

[@nicholasmapes]

@@PottersWork yeah, it sure looked like the D2s worked better for your application anyway.

[@PottersWork]

trix4free, yes they did, no complaints with the D’s. I just need a few more now ;)

[@Garth2011]

What is the backlighting feature for? Rigid website says nothing about its function. Is it for looks?

[@nicholasmapes]

@@Garth2011 it just is a dim light that can be on, i think more for like a daylight running light or accent lighting.
Not strong enough to illuminate the path, but just to accent.

[@UploaderNine]

Did you use the washers from the kit? mine overlap and the assembly picture is totally goofed up

[@PottersWork]

Honestly I cannot remember now...I sold them shortly after I made this video lol.

[@chadmoore8834]

Are these D series regular size or the XLs? I'm building a 1st gen tundra and trying to choose lights with insane reach downrange and width wise.

[@PottersWork]

Chad, the D Series that I had originally and ended up swapping back to at the end of the video are just regular sized. Only difference is that they are the midnight editions so the lenses are smoked gray and the mounting brackets are black. If you want good down range distance, take a look at the hyper spot lights rigid sells. They are a more focused beam, but shoot way further down range.

[@Deerector]

great revivew.... thanks bro

[@PottersWork]

Deerector, no problem! Glad I could help!

[@suzuki14258]

Good honest video 👍🏻

[@PottersWork]

Ford Ranger2004, thank you! I was trying to be genuine and hopefully it helped you make a decision!

[@suzuki14258]

@@PottersWork it just randomly popped up for me. I have a lot of rigid products on raptor and was considering these for my Jurassic park Jeep but after this video definitely not.

[@PottersWork]

@@suzuki14258, I was wanting to look into the 360 series they have now, but didn't really want to spend the $. I would really like some Baja Designs lights if I had no budget.

[@suzuki14258]

@@PottersWork very happy with my Baja designs chase lights on raptor. They blow the rigids away. However I still like rigid. They always work.

[@By_Any_Means_Necessary]

Why have the lights pointed down like that why not setup so they are pointing down the trail seems like a waste

[@PottersWork]

Daily Driver, I have other LED's already pointed down trail, these are ditch lights to help illuminate the area next to the truck that doesn't get hit with the other lights. Thanks for watching!

[@larrydarnellfilmandvideoll6226]

Great video thank you

[@PottersWork]

Larry, no problem! Thanks for watching

[@VanillaGorilla502]

Any issues with the D-series brackets fitting properly?

[@PottersWork]

Vanilla Gorilla, no, they seem to fit just fine. Are you having issues with yours?

[@VanillaGorilla502]

Potter's Work Yes, I previously had them as replacement fog lights in my Nissan titan. I’m trying to use the factory brackets that shipped with the D2. midnight pros for ditch lights on my 4Runner and cannot get the bracket to insert.

[@PottersWork]

Vanilla Gorilla, really, that’s odd. Mine fit right in with no issues. You have that problem on both of them?

[@VanillaGorilla502]

Potter's Work Both unfortunately. Maybe they sprayed the powder coating too thick on the brackets. I shot them an email now.

[@Garth2011]

D Series are better in light pattern and in the electrical connection.

[@PottersWork]

Garth, yep I agree 100%

[@Garth2011]

@@PottersWork I looked up the D Series in flood and they only come in white ?

[@PottersWork]

Garth, as far as the case color or the light color?

[@Garth2011]

@@PottersWork The housing, not the lens.

[@redline870]

Thanks for the video! Helped me decide NOT to buy these lights

[@PottersWork]

No problem! Hope I didn’t steer you away from their products all together, they have some other awesome products. These could be great lights if the base was beefier and the light output was different.

[@redline870]

@@PottersWork no not at all! I’ll be getting the standard D series pro in a spot configuration. Was strongly considering the D series SS but I have a white truck with a small hood scoop (Tundra) and I didn’t want to get glare from it. I wish Rigid made a SS version that only had the side firing LEDs on one side so they wouldn’t glare off the hood. Those would be the ticket!

[@PottersWork]

@@redline870 that would be awesome for sure! I’m in a tundra now too, and I have the rigid 360 series driving beams installed right now. They glare off the hood quite a bit as well. I might end up with another spot beam at some point to help with that some. The driving beam doesn’t throw as much light down range as I thought it would, but it illuminates a decently wide area.

[@redline870]

@@PottersWork very nice, I was considering going with the 360’s but since I have the Pro trim, I thought the D-series would match the factory fogs better. I was torn between driving and spot but I’m looking to project light down the road further. The factory low beams are pretty good, but the high beams leave something to be desired. I’m in white tail deer country and I want to avoid them like the plague!

[@PottersWork]

@@redline870, you want the spots for sure! The brights on my truck are terrible as well, I did swap to LED’s, but still have the halogen headlights. I wish they made a spot with a little more spread on the pattern, I want to see those eyes reflecting in the ditches from far away lol.

[@DynoDieselWagon]

You'll get what you'll pay for

[@PottersWork]

Yes, that’s usually true for sure. These weren’t cheap lights though however and I feel like the more expensive lights (like Baja Designs) have priced themselves out of the market for people like myself.