Riding off-road at night can be one of the most exhilarating experiences you’ve ever had. Off-roading by itself is pretty exciting, and going at night can enhance the entire experience. However, just like you need proper illumination in front of you when you drive around town, you’ll need even brighter illumination that can cover a larger distance for off-roading. This is where aftermarket LED light bars come into play. Why LED light bars? Well, LED is the latest lighting technology used on vehicles, and light bars are made specifically for off-road use, as they project a bright, wide beam in front of them. Here’s everything you need to know when you look at all the different LED bar auto products.
First Things First – LED Lighting
As aforementioned, LED technology is the latest technology for car lights. LED stands for light-emitting diode, which is basically a semiconductor projecting lights in the form of electroluminescence with the help of electricity. As complicated as it may sound, these lights have grown in popularity in the past few decades, and you’ll find LEDs everywhere around you, including your home. But what made LED lighting so popular? Well, they’re the most energy-efficient type of lighting, run for over 50.000 hours when compared to conventional halogen bulbs that have a lifespan of around 5.000 hours. In terms of efficiency, LEDs operate at over 80% efficiency, whereas conventional incandescent bulbs operate at only 20% efficiency. In other words, LEDs produce more light using less electricity.
Now that you have a general understanding of the benefits of LEDs, let’s talk about what else you need to look for when shopping for LED bar auto parts.
Steps to Choosing the Right Light Bar
To make sure you choose the right light bar for your off-roader, you must consider all the different features that light bar models come equipped with. Some features may be more important than others, so it’s up to you to decide what matters to you and what doesn’t. This will not only ensure you pick the right product, but it will also ensure you get the most use out of it.
Keep in mind that different states have different laws about LED light bars and how and where you can use them. That being said, do your due diligence and learn what’s allowed and what’s not allowed. This is not only important for avoiding trouble with the law, but ensuring you and everyone else you share the roads with is safe.
Consider Size
The size of the LED light bars is probably the most important thing to consider when shopping for these products. Why? Simply because the larger the light bar, the more LEDs it will feature, meaning more illumination. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, because some LEDs can shine brighter than others, so you should also pay attention to the number of lumens the bar is rated to. The size of LED light bars can range anywhere between 10cm to 125cm. It also goes without saying that the larger the light bar, the more expensive it will be.
Consider Shape
The shape of the LED light bar isn’t a significant consideration, but you should still know your options, speaking of which, you only have two – curved and straight LED bars. Their names are pretty self-explanatory, and one doesn’t have advantages over the other, so your choice will come down to personal preference.
Consider the Number of Rows
When it comes to deciding the number of rows you want the LED bar to have, you have only two options as well – single and double row LED bars. It goes without saying that double-row light bars produce more light, but keep in mind that they’ll also be more expensive. Double row LED bars are the more popular choice, but if you aren’t looking for the most illumination, then a single row LED bar might be the better option. Depending on the type of vehicle you have, single row LED light bars may look better than their double row counterparts.
Consider Beam Colour and Pattern
Choosing the beam colour and pattern of a light bar are arguably two of the most significant features to consider. In terms of beam pattern, you’re left with three choices – spot beam, flood beam and a combination beam pattern. But what exactly does the beam pattern do? Simply put, it refers to how wide of a beam the light bar will produce. Spot beam light bars produce a narrow beam that reaches quite far, whereas flood beam patterns provide a wider beam that only illuminates the immediate area. Combination beam patterns, on the other hand, provide the best of both worlds, but at a higher cost.
In terms of light, you can choose between white light, ambient light, as well as green, red or blue colours. White and ambient light are the most popular choices, as the rest are typically reserved for emergency vehicles.
