Upgrade Your Ride with Auxbeam’s RA80 Switch Panel and RGB LED Pods

Introduction

If you own a truck, off-road vehicle, or marine rig, you know the struggle of managing multiple electrical accessories. Light bars, winches, air compressors, and auxiliary lighting all need dedicated controls, and factory switches rarely offer the flexibility or capacity to handle them. That’s where a purpose-built switch panel and high-quality LED lighting come into play.

Auxbeam has been a recognizable name in the off-road and marine accessory space, and two of their current offerings—the Auxbeam 8 Gang Switch Panel RA80 XL RGB and the Auxbeam Color Play Series 3″ 116W LED Pods—aim to simplify your setup while adding style and functionality. In this guide, we’ll break down what these products bring to the table, who they’re best suited for, and where they might fall short.

Key Features

Auxbeam 8 Gang Switch Panel RA80 XL RGB

This switch panel is designed to centralize control of up to eight separate 12-24V accessories. The “XL” designation hints at its larger physical footprint compared to standard switch panels, which accommodates more robust internals and easier-to-read labeling.

RGB Momentary Pulsed Toggle Switches – Each switch can be configured for momentary (press-and-hold) or latching (click-on/click-off) operation, giving you flexibility for accessories like air horns or winches.
Dimmable Backlight – The entire panel’s backlighting is adjustable, allowing you to reduce glare during nighttime driving without losing visibility of switch labels.
Memory Function – The panel remembers your last switch configuration when the vehicle’s power is cycled, so you don’t have to re-enable accessories after restarting the engine.
Rugged Construction – Built for 12-24V systems common in trucks, off-road vehicles, and marine applications.
2-Year Warranty – Backed by a two-year coverage period, which is above average for aftermarket switch panels.

Auxbeam Color Play Series 3″ 116W LED Pods

These compact LED pods are designed for accent lighting, off-road trail illumination, or marine deck lighting. They offer color-changing capability in a small form factor.

RGB 7 Color Changing – The pods can cycle through seven distinct colors, or you can lock in a single hue for a custom look.
RGBW Ambient Backlight – In addition to the main beam, there’s an ambient backlight feature that provides subtle glow around the housing.
Gradient Cycle Accent Lighting – The pods can automatically transition through colors in a smooth gradient effect, ideal for shows or campsite ambiance.
Spot Flood Combo Beam – Each pod combines a spot beam for distance and a flood beam for wide-area coverage, giving you versatility in one housing.
Amber White Lens Covers Included – You can swap between amber and white lens covers to change the light output color for different conditions (e.g., amber for fog or dust).
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars from 739 reviews – A strong indicator of customer satisfaction.

What I Like

Switch Panel Flexibility

The RA80 XL’s ability to toggle between momentary and latching modes per switch is genuinely useful. Many switch panels lock you into one operation type for all switches, but here you can have your winch on a momentary switch (so it only runs while you hold the button) and your light bar on a latching switch (click on, click off). That level of granular control is rare at this price point.

The memory function is another welcome touch. If you frequently run accessories like dash cams or coolers that should stay on after a quick fuel stop, the panel will restore their state automatically. No need to remember which switches were on.

LED Pod Versatility

The Color Play pods are surprisingly capable for their 3-inch size. The combo beam pattern means you don’t have to choose between a spot and flood setup—you get both in one pod. The included amber lens covers are a practical addition for off-roaders who encounter dusty or foggy conditions, where amber light cuts through haze better than white.

The RGB features are more than just a gimmick. The gradient cycle mode works well for campsite ambiance or showing off at meets, while the fixed-color option lets you match your vehicle’s existing lighting scheme. The ambient backlight around the housing adds a nice touch without being overpowering.

Build Quality Perception

Based on the ratings (4.7 for the switch panel from 21 reviews, and 4.5 for the LED pods from 739 reviews), early adopters are generally satisfied. The 2-year warranty on the switch panel suggests confidence in its longevity.

Honest Caveats

Switch Panel – Limited Review Volume

While the RA80 XL holds a strong 4.7 rating, that’s based on only 21 reviews at the time of writing. That’s a small sample size, and it’s possible that long-term reliability issues haven’t surfaced yet. If you’re an early adopter, you’re accepting some uncertainty about durability over years of use.

LED Pods – No Specific Beam Distance Claims

The Color Play pods are rated at 116W total, which is respectable for a 3-inch pod, but Auxbeam doesn’t provide specific beam distance numbers in the materials we have. If you need precise throw measurements for high-speed off-roading, you may want to look at larger pods or light bars with published lux and distance specs.

Both Products – No Integrated Wiring Harness Details

Neither product’s fact sheet includes information about included wiring harnesses, fuse ratings, or relay requirements. For a DIY installer, this means you’ll need to verify compatibility with your vehicle’s electrical system and possibly purchase additional wiring components. Always check the manufacturer’s website or product listing for full installation requirements before buying.

Who It’s For / Who It’s NOT For

Who It’s For

Overlanders and Off-Roaders – If you run multiple accessories like lights, winches, air compressors, and fridges, the RA80 XL centralizes control in one clean panel. The Color Play pods add both functional trail lighting and campsite ambiance.
Marine Enthusiasts – The 12-24V compatibility and weather-resistant design make both products suitable for boats, where saltwater and vibration are concerns.
Truck Owners with Custom Builds – Whether you’re building a show truck or a work rig, the RGB features on both products let you match your interior and exterior lighting theme.
First-Time Accessory Installers – The switch panel’s straightforward labeling and memory function reduce the learning curve. The LED pods are a simple bolt-on upgrade.

Who It’s NOT For

Budget-Conscious Shoppers – At roughly $186 for the switch panel and $179 for a pair of LED pods, this is a mid-to-premium investment. If you need basic on/off switches and plain white lights, cheaper options exist.
Professional Racers – The lack of published beam distance and the relatively small pod size mean these aren’t ideal for high-speed desert racing where maximum light throw is critical.
Minimalists – If you only need to control one or two accessories, an 8-gang panel is overkill. A smaller 4-gang or single-switch solution would be more appropriate.

Verdict

The Auxbeam RA80 XL switch panel and Color Play LED pods make a strong combination for anyone looking to upgrade their vehicle’s electrical control and lighting. The switch panel offers genuine flexibility with its per-switch momentary/latching modes and memory function, while the LED pods deliver versatile beam patterns and color options in a compact package.

The main considerations are the limited review count for the switch panel and the lack of detailed performance specs for the LED pods. If you’re comfortable with those unknowns and value the feature set, these products represent a solid upgrade path.

For the price—around $186 for the panel and $179 for the pods—you’re getting above-average build quality, useful features that go beyond basic functionality, and the peace of mind of a 2-year warranty on the switch panel. Both products earn a recommendation for their intended audience.