STEDI Type X EVO 7" LED Driving Lights
Patrick Allen
The latest addition to the Type-X™ range from STEDI™ are the Evo 7-inch LED driving lights. A continuation of the Evo light range, the 7-inch variation continues the STEDI™ mission of crafting an affordable yet modern solution to on & off-road visibility with a compact twist. In this blog post, we will explore the key benefits and features of the Type-X™ Evo 7-inch.
DESIGN.
Like its big brother, the EVO 8.5-inch, the EVO 7-inch was envisioned by STEDI over the last three years as a truly modern solution for the driving light market. When evaluating the landscape of auxiliary lighting, they noticed a distinct lack of options that actually complemented the styling of contemporary 4WDs. The STEDI design brief was uncompromising: create a light that looks like it rolled straight out of a cutting-edge vehicle manufacturer's factory.
The STEDI team spent years meticulously refining this light. Recognizing that the hexagonal front grille is a defining feature of modern vehicles, they adopted a hexagonal silhouette for the EVO range. This is accented by two key components: a metalized coloured fascia (an evolution of the Type-X™ Pro Ring) and a 3D lens with top and bottom panels.
When it comes to durability, don't be fooled by the old myth that glass lenses are superior. The EVO range utilizes a Lexan polycarbonate lens—the exact same material used in riot shields—making these lenses completely shatter and chip-proof. Even better, all of the fascias and covers feature a snap-on design. Say goodbye to screws and Allen keys, and hello to tool-less simplicity.
Performance
Many of you will be familiar with the legendary Type-X™ Pro, a versatile light that merged flood and spot capabilities into a single unit. With the EVO range, STEDI took a different approach, focusing on exclusive, singular performance.
Like the 8.5-inch model, the EVO 7-inch comes in dedicated Spot and Flood models. This gives you the ultimate freedom to mix and match beams across the EVO family to perfectly suit the tracks you drive most. By pairing their new dedicated reflectors with 32 CREE XPL2 LEDs, STEDI has produced the most intense Lux output of any 7-inch driving light in their lineup to date. These phenomenally powerful LEDs are slightly underdriven to ensure absolute peak performance without sacrificing running lifetime.
Night Driving Footage.
When evaluating light performance, understanding "Lux" is critical (1 Lux is the minimum light required to read a newspaper).
- A pair of EVO 7 Spots delivers 1 Lux at a staggering distance of up to 948 meters.
- A pair of EVO 7 Floods delivers 1 Lux at 625 meters, while pushing an immense 140 meters of horizontal spread.
The Critical Zone: This is the optimal distance required to safely stop a vehicle traveling at 100km/h. To safely avoid an animal strike, you need 200-300 meters of perfectly placed light. The EVO 7’s powerful output brilliantly illuminates the critical zone and the road shoulders, giving you the time needed to spot potential hazards—like wandering livestock, possums, or deer—long before they become a danger.
Fitment
Through years of supplying and fitting various rigs, we’ve found that a bigger light doesn’t always mean a better setup. While the EVO 8.5-inch offers more raw output, the EVO 7-inch holds a massive advantage when it comes to compatibility.
Its compact footprint is the perfect solution for modern bull bars with strict height restrictions, lightweight 4x4 builds, or for achieving a traditional staggered look alongside the larger 8.5-inch models.
Installation is heavily streamlined. The EVO 7-inch lights feature a plug-and-play Deutsch 2-Pin Connector, allowing for easy integration into pre-existing wiring systems without complex modifications. To ensure seamless operation with modern vehicle electronics, STEDI™ also offers a comprehensive range of vehicle-specific high-beam adaptors. (Note: If you plan to run more than two EVO 7s, or pair them with 8.5-inch lights, we highly recommend utilizing the STEDI Smart Harness to properly manage the electrical current).
Customisation
Colour Fascia Rings
When elevating the driving light experience, STEDI wanted their optional accessories to feel premium. Moving away from the basic brightly coloured rings of the past, the EVO utilizes refined, metalized finished fascia rings. This premium material choice allows the light to perfectly accent your vehicle's aesthetic. The EVO 7-inch features STEDI’s™ signature colour palette, including grey, red, green, pink, orange, and blue, with more options in development.
Blackout & Filter Covers
The new 3D lens design brings an entirely new generation of functional and aesthetic covers. The blackout range features returning fan favourites like the STEDI Smiley, Carbon Fibre, and Owl designs.
STEDI has also introduced driving-condition-specific coloured filters:
- Amber Filters: Converts the crisp 5700k white beam to amber, cutting through haze and fog.
- Blue Filters: Creates a cool blue beam to increase visibility and reduce glare on roads with ice, snow, or excessive moisture.
Beyond aesthetics, blackout covers are incredibly useful for maintaining road compliance. Depending on current regulations, covering your auxiliary lights ensures your rig remains road-legal when transitioning from the bush back to sealed highways. Please note laws and regulations are constantly changing and it's important that you're up to date with the latest rules.
For theft prevention, our team has cooked up a new iteration of an Anti-Theft nuts and bolts kit. This kit will make any would-be thief, work extra hard to pinch any of your Evo 7-inch driving lights off your vehicle.