Besides the shape I don't see anything different.

Is the BAL-3 brighter? It's more expensive...

http://brightasslights.com/

 

BAL-1 4 Super-LEDŽ Tail Light WITH License Plate Light (Red Lens with Clear Section). Multiple attention getting patterns with Steady & Brake-Tap functions. Hardwired input & wireless pattern change standard.

BAL 3 ST 4 Super-LEDŽ SMOKED Lay down Style Tail Light WITH License Plate light (Smoke Lens with Clear Section). Multiple attention getting patterns with Steady & Brake-Tap functions. Hardwired input & wireless pattern change standard.

Just from this it looks like the biggest difference is the smoked lens. I went with the smoked one because it goes better with my Lo. I'm really happy with it and get a lot of comments from my coworkers who end up behind me on the way to work. They can't take their eyes off it. That works for me.

 

BAL3 is a lay down style instead of vertical rear surface like stock or the BAL1

 

Do you think they're the same brightness?

 

By the description I would think so. Call them, they are very helpful.

 

I think the BAL-3 has many more LEDs inside it.

I just got a BAL-1 and it's ridiculously bright to the point that I could not imagine needing or wanting brighter.

 

You are thinking of the BAL2 which has 12. Bal3 is a lay down version of the 1.

http://www.brightasslights.com/site/browse-all-products