Altiq Rogue 8.5-inch LED driving lights put to the test

Plenty of drivers want the largest diameter driving lights with the longest and brightest beam light they can muster into their bull bar. All good in theory, but this mentality has a few downsides.

For my newly acquired HiLux, I figured I would break a few of these rules to improve the night-driving experience, both on and off the road and at high and low speeds. For starters, for my long on-road drives, both the highways and the back blocks, I wanted a long enough beam that would fill not only the road but also onto the verge of both sides, plus provide plenty of reaction time for anything that needed avoiding. The same goes for long, high-speed gravel and dirt tracks; plenty of distance, with more than the standard pencil beam spread to help spot hidden hopping dangers that lurk off to the sides. 

I also wanted a light for slow four-wheel driving through tight, twisty tracks, picking a line through ruts, and wanting to see all track options at the front of my 4×4. Enter the Altiq Rogue 8.5 Mk3 driving lights.

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On paper, these lights should fulfil all my requirements and then some. They are smaller than the often sought-after nine-inch rounds, have a wide standard beam pattern that doesn’t resemble a light sabre being waved about by a lunatic at night, and can be transformed into a 180-degree flood spread via clip-on lenses. This beam versatility should return everything I wanted.

Added to that, the light temperature output of 5700 lumens, with a CRI (Colour Rendering Index) of 87 isn’t as harsh to the eyes as higher-valued units that appear overly white and bright.

While the claimed 1 lux at 1900m is impressive, the even spread of the hybrid beam pattern up to 800m gets my interest. Given the 180-degree spread with the panoramic flood covers installed, overall beam length is reduced, but that’s to be expected, and it is still more than usable to spot anything on the tracks or road. Also impressive is the near seamless coverage all the way from the long-distance spread to the mid- and close-range wider spread.

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While I’m not one for snazzy accompaniments, Altiq offers a host of 20 different coloured fascia trims, as well as two solid blackout covers. There are also amber flood covers – perfect for dusty conditions, snow driving and fog – to drop the colour temperature to 3120K. These offer a full 180-degree spread, like the clear clip-on covers. There is also the option of an Arctic White-bodied version of the 8.5 Rogues if black is not your thing.

The Rogue 8.5 lights boast a few impressive credentials: 165 watts of power, 7-watt Osram chips in combination with Lexan indestructible lenses, and hybrid optic reflectors, which together result in the one lux at 1900m claim. Daytime running lights (DRLs) provide enhanced visibility to other road users, even with the covers installed. 

All fasteners are marine-grade stainless steel, and the body and 17mm alloy mounting brackets have been coated in DuPont paint. Given that some others have failed over the years, it’ll be interesting to see how these stand up in my coastal living environment. The Gore-Tex breather should allow the equalisation of pressure as temperatures change, keep moisture from entering the lights, and add to the IP69K waterproof rating. A fast-fit wiring harness is also included, making for easy installation. It includes H4/HB3 beam adaptors for halogen high-beam globes.

Rockarmor GT bull bar

Many new-style bull bars on the market cannot accommodate a large diameter or deep-dished driving lights, so before you spend your hard-earned on a set of driving lights, double-check they’ll fit your bar.

If you’re also purchasing a bar at the same time, I can confirm these Altiq lights will fit a Rockarmor GT bar, as that’s what I have fitted to my HiLux. Besides looking damn fine, the GT bull bar has an integrated lightbar housing that offers a recessed fitment if required.

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A bull bar should have a whole host of attributes; this bar is ADR-approved and airbag-compatible and has rated recovery points and twin-slotted antenna mounts. The E-coating, combined with powder coating, gives the best chance for the steelwork to survive the extremes of outdoor life, while the underbody skid plate also offers protection for the HiLux’s radiator. Fog and turn indicators are neatly recessed into the wings to give protection and additional modern design cues.

Of course, the sturdy driving light mounts keep the Altiq lights rock solid over any terrain, and the 55mm tubing mounted to the cleverly designed main section returns a modern touch to my older vehicle.

Verdict

Given that these Altiq lights come with a 10-year warranty, I’m confident they’ll continue to impress in their workings and aesthetics, but only time will tell. 

While I haven’t tackled long-distance, outback red dirt drives yet, my highway, rural bitumen and faster dirt track adventures, along with a little low-range playing, have been nothing short of brilliant. Once the spread beam clips were installed, my ear-to-ear grin was almost enough to light up the cabin of the HiLux. 

I’ve now permanently fitted one clip-on lens to one light while the other goes without, returning what I believe to be the perfect lighting setup with two lights. A collection of LED light bars, LED light conversion kits, work and rock driving lights are also available from Altiq.

RRP: $870 (inc. wiring harness)