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ozzie1989

Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Bonatti Grey

Wipac vs Bearmach LED Lights

For those interested I have some pictures of the Wipac LED lights against the Bearmach LED lights.

The background for the change is that I was going off the 'clear' Bearmach lights against my grey Defender - they looked a little bling. Also as the Bearmach lights are not waterproof, they often mist up even though the instructions say they have a breathable gasket that should prevent this. I'd dread to think what would happen if I dunked them in water whilst off road. I settled in the end on 'smoked' lights and I have to say I love the new look. Sadly the Wipac lights are a bit let down

The first thing I noticed is that the Wipac lights are very directional e.g. if you look right at them they are bright, to the side they are dim. In comparison the Bearmach lights have an even spread all the way around.

These are the rears (Wipac left, Bearmach right):

Click image to enlarge

These are the front, indicators aren't much different, but the side lights are worlds apart (Bearmach left):

Click image to enlarge

The number plate light is particularly useless, big shadow at the top (not present on my last LED light from BoB) and it basically lights up more of the road behind me than the sidelights do on the front

Click image to enlarge

Also worth mentioning is the reverse lamp from Wipac - it has a very 'spot' like beam, so is good at lighting up a wall or vehicle behind but the light hardly reaches the road. Sadly another failure compared to the Bearmach!

I really like the look of these lamps but much prefer the brightness of the Bearmach lamps. I love that these are sealed units and hate the Bearmach lamps which are not. Stuck between a rock and a hard place

Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)

Last edited by ozzie1989 on 21st Jan 2019 10:22pm. Edited 1 time in total

21st Jan 2019 10:16pm

grafty99

Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4785

The wipac numberplate light is much better mounted without the plinth. I have one on my 90 and my parents on their 110

2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton

21st Jan 2019 10:20pm

ozzie1989

Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Hadn't thought of that!

will just need to shorten the bolts, as without the plinth I would hazard a guess one would impede on the speaker.

Thank you for that tip though

Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)

21st Jan 2019 10:29pm

grafty99

Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4785

Here's what they look like without the plinth

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton

21st Jan 2019 10:33pm

ozzie1989

Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

Looks good, but still not as good as my old one which I'll probably re-fit.

Just had a wild thought... I wonder how hard it would be to take a Bearmach lamp and fill it full of epoxy resin to waterproof it? Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)

21st Jan 2019 11:51pm

grafty99

Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4785

My BoB numberplate light resembled a terrible 90's disco after about 6 months, I threw it in the bin and fitted a wipac one - 5 years later and it's still as good as day one

22nd Jan 2019 12:02am

grafty99

Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4785

Regarding the epoxy thing, it's probably better to dry the lights out fully and seal up the vent rather than filling with epoxy, you might find it alters the light output as it will act like a giant lens.... 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton

22nd Jan 2019 12:05am

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20356

I think my number plate light is Wipac with SMD chips, you do not want the ones with regular dome style LED's it.
Mines still on the plinth, I could surface mount it but seem little point.

All my exterior lights front and rear are RDX, they've been superb right though.
Naka side repeaters.
Nolden headlights.

No issues ever, and they weren't silly prices either. $W33T $0U7H3RN $UG4R
🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇮🇪🇺🇸⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪

22nd Jan 2019 12:08am

ozzie1989

Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

grafty99 wrote:
My BoB numberplate light resembled a terrible 90's disco after about 6 months, I threw it in the bin and fitted a wipac one - 5 years later and it's still as good as day one

I had my first BoB one changed out for free. They had an issue with the first batches but the one I removed today must be 7 years old and has been on both of my Defenders.

I used to have an early BoB RDX led set too, but unfortunately again due to early batches my indicator lights became whiter over time, to the point where it would fail MOT. Not sure how an LED could loose it's colour but can't fault BoB for their lights overall. That set took some serious abuse over the years!

If only BoB did smoked lenses

Regarding the epoxy, I could seal up the breather but I would imagine that would make things worse as the lens isn't fully sealed to the base. I'd imagine when it heats up slightly it would mist again

Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)

22nd Jan 2019 12:15am

grafty99

Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4785

Sounds to me like a pretty naff design

22nd Jan 2019 12:24am

ozzie1989

Member Since: 25 Feb 2009
Location: Wales
Posts: 282

If Bearmach did an IP67 rated lamp, it would be the best of them all.

Their lights are the closest match to standard, the brightest and are the least directional...

As I've found out today

Now: 2010 2.4 TDCi 110 Utility Wagon
Then: 2004 2.5 TD5 90 Hard Top (X-Tech Edition)

22nd Jan 2019 12:32am

Moneypit

Member Since: 27 Feb 2018
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 271

After looking at several show vehicles at Peterbrough only ones dry inside the lenses where Wipac. Bought the clear led full set and never had any issue with them . 5☆ from me

22nd Jan 2019 1:00am

Mo Murphy

Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2227

1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey

I found the Wipac 95mm LED tail lights very directional. I replaced them with Perei LED tail lights with diffusers in the lens. They are far better, much less directional and with the diffused lens a bit kinder on the eye. Dun bri seem to sell them for much less than other suppliers and they cost not much more than the Wipacs they replaced.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey

22nd Jan 2019 12:01pm

PCM

Member Since: 25 Jan 2019
Location: North East
Posts: 874

Fitted frosted bearmach to mine last week as the factory units were dripping wet.. Didn't know the bearmachs were not fully sealed, but so far not a touch of misting in them.
Look got too and so easy to fit I surprised myself.
Led number plate lamp works a treat too.

25th Jan 2019 8:04pm

williamthedog

Member Since: 29 Dec 2012
Location: south wales
Posts: 3441

Rdx lights on mine, all ok no issues at all

25th Jan 2019 8:38pm

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