It seems every influencer is running Novsights’ off-road lights, so I wondered, are they any good, or just seeding a bunch of product to generate hype?
After running two versions of their Cyber 3″ cube lights for past few months, I say it’s the former…they’re good. See them in action in this video, and scroll down for pics, specs, and the complete review.
The TL;DR version is that they’re definitely worth a look thanks to a combination of features, pricing, and quality. Specifically, they have:
- Solid build quality
- Excellent beam patterns
- Decent light output
- Great price
And it’s all backed by a 5 year warranty, which makes Novsights a compelling option in general, but these Cyber series cubes in particular, and I’ll explain why at the bottom of this post. Here’s what you need to know…
Overview & Tech Specs
Key specs for the Novsights Cyber 3″ Cubes:
- Spot, Flood/Ditch, Fog, and Driving beam pattern options
- 4,600 lumen output per light (9,200 total/pair)
- 6000K color temp (2500K with amber cover)
- 40W draw per light (80W total/pair)
- $159.99 for the kit
Novsights doesn’t list the amperage draw in their specs, but quick math puts it at 3.3A, well within the limits for all modern switch panels if that’s how you want to control your lights.
The Cyber 3″ kit comes with two light pods, wiring, switch, mounting brackets, and amber and black covers. The mounting brackets have small tabs to prevent the nut from turning, making it easier to install with just the two included Allen wrenches…a very nice touch.
Many brands sell the wiring kits and covers separately, which can easily add $30 to $100 or more to the total. Here, $160 gets you everything you need to install plus a few extras. From a lumens per dollar perspective, these are winners.
The switch is a push-button on/off unit with separate lights for on (green) and off (red). The wiring is plenty long enough, uses Deutsch-style 2-pin connectors, and include the relay. The back of the switch has pre-installed double stick tape. I’d prefer to see a more permanent/stronger attachment method, but this at least makes it super quick nd easy.
My van was already wired with compatible switches and wiring, so it was a quick plug ‘n’ play for me, but you can also wire these directly into any switch panel, or directly to your preferred power source.
One thing to note – these little LEDs can become distracting at night, so I’d recommend installing the button switches where they’re hidden from direct view to avoid additional eye strain at night.
I tested the Fog and Flood/Ditch lights, which use the reflectors to shape the beam pattern, as does their spot light version. Their driving light is the exception, using a ribbed lens cover to disperse the light. Novsights says these are replaceable and swappable, but you’ll need to reach out to order different/new reflectors.
Above are the official beam pattern graphics (click to enlarge), I’ll talk more about this in the next section.
The 3″ pod light category is a popular size. Many aftermarket bumper brands build pockets specifically to fit them, and they’re the standard for ditch lights…compact, yet plenty bright.
Novsights’ Cyber 3 measure up perfectly, and they fit into my van’s bumper just fine. One of the reasons I wanted to switch from my original cube lights was that I could never get them aimed quite right due to their bracket design and extended housing length. The Novsights are shallow, and the mounting bracket is relatively low profile, allowing me to better aim and position them for proper light placement.
Performance Review
Overall, I’m very happy with the light output and beam shaping. Above you can see how the fog lights (with amber cover) and flood lights add to my headlight output.
FWIW, I’ve upgraded to 5000K LEDs in my OEM headlight housings, which made a huge improvement over the miserable factory bulbs. But for off-road driving at night, additional lighting is a must to improve visibility and detail. For example:
Above is with just headlights (left), and headlights plus flood lights (right). Notice not just how much more of the trees and surroundings are visible, but also the depth perception of the road surface. Adding the flood lights gave me a much better idea of the terrain in front of me.
Of course, any flood light will do that. What I appreciate about the Cyber 3″ is that the light spreads evenly without hot spots, and the output is bright enough, but not too bright. They hit the sweet spot. Novsights calls these “Ditch/Flood” lights, and I can see them being great for ditch lights, too, filling in the front quarters and blending in with front lights. Maybe I need another set…
The Cyber 3 Fog Lights use an elliptical reflector shape to keep the light wide and low, with a mere 12º spread up and down (24º total spread), and 72º spread left and right (144º total). The pic above is with the camera further forward than my head – when driving the lower cutoff isn’t as visible.
The better illustration is this pic – notice how the light barely even hits the reflective road markers? I was able to drive an hour home from the trails on rural roads, highways, and interstates with these on and not a single driver flashed me – the light just stays really low, and…
…it has a definitive cutoff. The light stays low, below the fog or falling snow and mist, helping you see the road without the light getting bounced back into your eyes.
My only complaint with the amber covers is that they cut the lumen output significantly, something even Novsights admits happens (though they don’t list a lumen output figure for use with their amber covers).
Why the Cyber Series?
My only caveat with Novsights is the brands flashy designs on most of their products. If that’s your thing, then you’d be hard pressed to find a more styled option.
If you like wild designs, colorful backlighting, and animated illumination, they’ve got plenty for you. Personally, I like a simpler, cleaner profile, and the Cyber 3″ cube lights are one of the most “normal” looking lights they offer. I think there are several benefits to this:
- They don’t attract attention when parking in bad areas
- They fit in with other brand lights if you’re mixing & matching
- They don’t distract from the rest of your build
The trick with using some of their fancier-looking lights is that you basically have to commit to doing all of your lights in that style, otherwise something looks out of place. Since I already have other lights on my van that I like, these made the most sense.
The Takeaway
Novsights told me these Cyber 3″ cubes are positioned as a cost-effective option for drivers who still want good performance and durability, and by simplifying the styling (and therefore manufacturing complexity IMO), they’ve achieved just that.
There are “cheap lights”, and then there are brands like Novsights that bring real design effort and quality to the market in an affordable way. I’ve already recommended these to a few friends, and have been impressed with their output, light quality, beam shape, and package. If you’re looking for more off-road lights (and who isn’t?), Novsights is worth a look.
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