DENALI DialDim Versus CANsmart, Which is the Best Lighting Controller?

December 09 2021

DENALI DialDim Versus CANsmart, Which is the Best Lighting Controller?

 

Now that you have outfitted your bike with the best auxiliary lighting, you need a way to control everything to make sure it all works together seamlessly. Sure, you can wire individual switches and relays for each set of lights, but no one wants a cluttered cockpit if they can help it.

A lighting controller like the DENALI DialDim or DENALI CANsmart will declutter your bars and provide extensive control over your lights, signals, and horn. 

DENALI DialDim vs CANsmart

The two most significant deciding factors when choosing a DENALI lighting controller is the motorcycle year, make, and model that you plan to outfit and the number of lights and accessories that you plan to install. If we do not offer a CANsmart device for your motorcycle, the DENALI DialDim is the right choice. If a CANsmart is available for your bike, the decision is a bit more nuanced. 

Control Up to 2 Sets of Lights with DialDim Controller

If your lighting setup is simple and involves only one or two light sets, the universal DialDim is the perfect solution for wiring and controlling your lights with ease. Even if a CANsmart device is available for your motorcycle, a DialDim controller might be a better choice if you are not planning to coordinate more than a couple of accessories. The DialDim Controller is available as a plug and play solution to conveniently connect to the most popular bike models. Don’t be discouraged if your bike isn’t on the plug and play list, hooking up a DialDim Controller to any vehicle is as simple as connecting a 12V power and ground lead and tapping any inputs from the stock high beam, turn signals, and horn that you desire functionality for. Do you only want to control the on and off and dimming function? Simply connect your DialDim to power and ground and your light set and you are ready to roll. Simply connect other inputs to widen the functionality of the controller. 


Our ground-breaking DialDim Lighting Controller features a multicolor halo dimming switch that allows you to independently turn on/off and dim two sets of auxiliary lights from a single consolidated wiring harness. The LED halo switch displays your exact settings and allows for effortless dimming on the fly. The blue halo controls light set one and the green halo controls light set two; simply double click to switch between the two circuits.



The controller also features high beam, turn signal, and horn inputs to unlock intelligent flash features that can cancel your aux lights with your turn signal, flash your aux lights as a turn signal, or strobe your lights when you sound your horn. Last but not least, the switch halo doubles as a battery monitor with a low-voltage cutoff feature. Our industry-first design will flash different colors on startup to display your battery health and automatically shut off your auxiliary lights if the battery voltage drops below 10.8 volts.


Our designers are constantly working to improve the DialDim including the development of plug and play brake light and turn signal kits for the most popular adventure motorcycles. Keep your eyes peeled for further developments that simplify using the DialDim on your motorcycle. 

Complete Control of Lights, Horn, Signals, and More with DENALI CANsmart

If there is a CANsmart Controller available for your motorcycle and you plan to run an extensive system of auxiliary brake lights, turn signals, and other electrical accessories, the CANsmart is a great choice. The DENALI CANsmart Controller provides the most control and customization of your lights, horn, signals, heated gear, and more. Arguably the most convenient feature of the CANsmart is the ability to control all of your accessories from your factory handlebar switches.

 

The DENALI CANsmart Controller provides plug-n-play installation and integrated control of up to four accessories to enable dozens of customizable settings that can be controlled right from the BMW "WonderWheel" and stock handlebar controls on KTM or Harley Davidson models. If available for your motorcycle, the CANsmart controller is hard to beat. Not only are the CANsmart's four circuits preprogrammed to connect and independently control two sets of DENALI lights, a SoundBomb horn, and our B6 auxiliary brake light but the entire system is plug and play as well. That’s right, when you receive your DENALI CANsmart, you will have everything that you need to simply plug in your lights and accessories and hit the road or trail! 


 

 


Once installed, the DENALI CANsmart can be programmed to control your accessories and lights in a variety of ways. Some features include:

  • High/Low Sync - Set auxiliary lights to switch between a programmable high/low setting with the factory high beam switch.
  • Flash to Pass - Need to get someone's attention? Pulse your high beam switch three times and your auxiliary lights will strobe three times fast.
  • Strobe with Horn - With this feature selected the CANsmart™ software will automatically strobe your auxiliary lights when you sound your horn. This feature works whether you have the factory horn or SoundBomb™ horn installed.
  • Switched Power Source - The CANsmart™ provides a universal "accessory" option which simply gives you clean switched 12V power. That means whatever accessory you connect to this circuit will turn on and off with your ignition.

The DENALI CANsmart is available for the following motorcycle models:

BMW F650GS Twin 2008-2012

BMW F700GS 2013-2018

BMW F800GS 2008-2018

BMW F800GS Adventure 2014-2018

BMW F800GT 2013-2019

BMW F800R 2009-2018

BMW F800S 2006-2010

BMW F800ST 2006-2013

BMW K1600GT 2011-2021

BMW K1600GTL 2011-2021

BMW K1600GTL Exclusive 2014-2017

BMW K1600B 2018-2021

BMW K1600 Grand America 2018-2021

BMW S1000XR 2015-2022

BMW F900XR 2020-2022

BMW F850GS Adventure 2019-2021

BMW F850GS 2019-2022

BMW F750GS 2019-2022

BMW K1200GT 2006-2008

BMW K1300GT 2007-2010

BMW K1300S 2009-2016

BMW R1200GS 2004-2012

BMW R1200GS Adventure 2006-2013

BMW R1200R 2006-2014

BMW R1200RT 2005-2013

BMW R 1200 GS LC 2013-2018

BMW R 1200 GS LC Adventure 2014-2018

BMW R 1200 RS 2015-2018

BMW R 1200 R 2015-2018

BMW R 1200 RT 2014-2018

BMW R 1250 GS 2019-2022

BMW R 1250 GS Adventure 2019-2022

BMW R 1250 RT 2019-2022

BMW R 1250 RS 2020-2022

BMW R 1250 R 2020-2022

Harley Davidson CVO Limited (FLHTKSE) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson CVO Pro Street Breakout (FXSE) 2016-2017

Harley Davidson CVO Road Glide (FLTRXSE) 2015-2020

Harley Davidson CVO Road King (FLHRSE) 2014-2014

Harley Davidson CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE) 2015-2020

Harley Davidson Dyna Fat Bob (FXDF) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider (FXDL) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Dyna Low Rider S (FXDLS) 2016-2017

Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob (FXDB) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide Custom (FXDC) 2012-2014

Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide Custom 110th Anniversary (FXDC) 2013-2013

Harley Davidson Dyna Switchback (FLD) 2012-2015

Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide (FXDWG) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Electra Glide Police (FLHTP) 2014-2015

Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCU) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Classic Low (FLHTCUL) 2014-2016

Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited Low (FLHTKL) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Electra Glide Ultra Limited S.E. (FLHTKSE) 2014-2015

Harley Davidson Freewheeler (FLRT) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Road Glide (FLTR) 2015-2020

Harley Davidson Road Glide Custom (FLTRX) 2014-2019

Harley Davidson Road Glide Special (FLTRXS) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Road Glide Ultra (FLTRU) 2016-2019

Harley Davidson Road King (FLHR) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Road King Police (FLHP) 2014-2015

Harley Davidson Road King Screamin' Eagle (FLHRSE) 2014-2015

Harley Davidson Road King Special (FLHRXS) 2017-2020

Harley Davidson Softail BlackLine (FXS) 2012-2013

Harley Davidson Softail BlackLine (FXS) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Breakout (FXBR) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Breakout (FXSB) 2013-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Breakout Screamin' Eagle (FXSBSE) 2013-2013

Harley Davidson Softail Cross Bones (FLSTSB) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe (FLDE) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe (FLSTN) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe (FLSTN) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe Screamin' Eagle (FLSTNSE) 2013-2015

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Bob (FXFB) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy (FLFB) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy (FLSTF) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy (FLSTF) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy Lo (FLSTFB) 2012-2015

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy Lo (FLSTFB) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy Lo 110th Anniversary (FLSTFB) 2013-2013

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy S (FLSTFS) 2016-2017

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy Special (FLSTFB) 2012-2015

Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy Special (FLSTFB) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail FXDR 114 (FXDR) 2019-2019

Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Classic (FLHC) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Classic (FLSTC) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Classic (FLSTC) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Heritage Classic 110th Anniversary (FLSTC) 2013-2013

Harley Davidson Softail Low Rider (FXLR) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Rocker C (FXCWC) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Slim (FLS) 2012-2017

Harley Davidson Softail Slim (FLSL) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Slim S (FLSS) 2016-2017

Harley Davidson Softail Sport Glide (FLSB) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Softail Standard (FXST) 2012-2015

Harley Davidson Softail Standard (FXST) 2011-2011

Harley Davidson Softail Street Bob (FXBB) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom (XL1200C) 2014-2019

Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 SuperLow (XL1200T) 2014-2017

Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight (XL1200X) 2014-2019

Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Special (XL1200XS) 2018-2020

Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 1200 (XL1200) 2018-2019

Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 (XL883N) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Sportster Roadster (XL1200R) 2016-2019

Harley Davidson Sportster Seventy-Two (XL1200V) 2014-2015

Harley Davidson Sportster SuperLow (XL883L) 2014-2019

Harley Davidson Street Glide (FLHX) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Street Glide Screamin' Eagle (FLHXSE) 2014-2015

Harley Davidson Street Glide Special (FLHXS) 2014-2020

Harley Davidson Tri Glide Ultra Classic (FLHTCUTG) 2014-2020

KTM 1290 Super Duke R  2017-2020 

KTM 1290 Super Duke R  2014-2016

KTM 1290 Super Duke GT 2017-2020 

KTM 1290 Super Adventure S 2017-2020

KTM 1290 Super Adventure R 2017-2020

KTM 1290 Super Adventure 2015-2017

KTM 1190 Adventure R  2013-2016

KTM 1190 Adventure 2013-2016

KTM 1090 Adventure R 2017-2019

KTM 1050 Adventure 2015-2017

KTM 790 Duke 2018-2020 

KTM 790 Adventure R 2019-2020


We are constantly working to add new models of CANsmart controllers and plug-and-play DialDim Controllers, check back to see if your motorcycle has been added. Whether you choose the DENALI DialDim or CANsmart Controller, we are confident that your riding experience will be more enjoyable and safer because of your DENALI lighting controller. If you have any questions about which controller is right for you or if you need help setting up your lighting system, contact us and we will be happy to help!