Driving / Fog lights - stupid question

[os1kne]

I am looking to get a set of driving lights and I have noticed that lights that have a relay tend to cost at least 2x as much as lights that don't.

Would it be a good observation to say that, in general, lights that have a relay are considerably brighter than lights that don't?

Would simply adding a relay to one of the lower cost lights make much of an improvement?

Thanks.

 

[mattadams]

if the lights don't come with a relay I'd recommend buying one. You are able to go to a higher wattage bulb with a relay that you couldn't if you didn't have one, and its much safer for your overall wiring system. Problem is if you don't have a relay then your switch has to have the power capacity for the lights. Most switches don't have nearly enough power capacity for that and thus you are limited to a much smaller wattage bulb and you risk frying your switch quite often .
I say spend the extra bucks, get a unit designed to work with a relay, you'll be happier in the long run.