Lighting recommendations?

[Storm Cloud]

Hey y'all. I'm looking to get various pods and bars for my jeep and am overwhelmed with all the brands and types available. I'm not a die-hard off roader, so I don't need the best of the best, with sky high pricing, but I'm not looking to save a buck, only to regret it when things go bad. What brands should I be looking that are good quality, without the luxury price tag?

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[AcesandEights]

Hella 500/700

30 mph = 44 feet per second
60 mph = 88 feet per second

If you need three seconds of reaction time for an animal that jumped in the road, you need a beam that provides at least 40/80 meters of projection. If you have a fog/spot beam with a 55 watt bulb, it will provide approximately 300 - 400 meters of projection. There is no reason, based on your need for projected light, to buy a light that costs more than the $75/pair Hella 500/700 which has a projection of ~350 meters.

/thread

ETA: off road, you need even less light, as you're not driving (typically) 60 mph

 

[Philly_]

Baja Designs, Rigid Industries, and KC Hilites are considered "best of the best" in my book, so I would recommend any of those brands all day long if you can find a deal.

If you like/don't mind halogen bulbs, I believe KC still has some more budget friendly options. Hella has a great reputation as well, but I don't have any personal experience with them.

 

[BajaDesigns]

Hello Storm Cloud,
To answer your question, you are going to get a number of answers, As some who is "not a die-hard off roader" honestly you wont need anything crazy. But you need to decide how you want the light because it is personal preference.

Where do you feel you lack the most light? How do you intend on using the light?

As said by AcesandEights, speed plays a big part in how much light you really need. If you are going high speed maybe you are interested in a brighter more powerful light, if you are rock crawling maybe you are interested in rock lights.

First decide on the area you find yourself off-roading the most, is that open desert or in the mountains? Then decide where you need light the most, this will help narrow down the list of possible options.

For an easy guide I posted a lighting zone chart below, this can give you an idea of how certain lights will be better used in different areas. The lighting zone chart helps you establish your needs and or wants. They help you mix and match the right lights and lenses.
Lighting Zone Video Walk-through LINK

After you decide on the light you want; the next major question is what lenses do you want. There are a few lens options that will manipulate the light to how you want it. This is important because to much light in one location will cause hot spots or glare. A hot spot is the abundance of light in a single location, this effect your ability to locate hazards as well as cause eye fatigue and strain. For reference on lenses I included this link. Also I added two photos of the same light with different lenses, check out the difference on how the light is projected. A combo lens projects light slightly wider however it does not go as far, the spot lens is the opposite slightly farther but not as wide.
Lenses Link

As you can see there are a number of possibilities and it comes down to what suits your needs.
Best,
Brock Brunkhorst

Driving/Combo Lens

Spot Lens

 

[Storm Cloud]

Thank you for all the information!

 

[BajaDesigns]

Thank you for all the information!

No problem, if you have any questions feel free to ask I will be more than happy to help or point you in the right direction
-Brock

 

[CjMiller7]

In the same situation and between KC and Baja Designs. What did you end up going with if you have decided?

Currently, I'm at KC has more favorable pricing (flex era 4 @ $640 w/discount vs LP6 @ $1063) but Baja tends to put out a little more light (7900lumen vs 8600lumen).

 

[Storm Cloud]

In the same situation and between KC and Baja Designs. What did you end up going with if you have decided?

Currently, I'm at KC has more favorable pricing (flex era 4 @ $640 w/discount vs LP6 @ $1063) but Baja tends to put out a little more light (7900lumen vs 8600lumen).

I still haven't received my Jeep order, but I've settled on the KC Flex 4's. The Baja's are nice, like you say, but for my needs, I think it's overkill. I've already had to justify the $640 KC's so I don't see myself spending more for the Bajas.

 

[AcesandEights]

I know we're not comparing apples, but I like both, apples and oranges, depending on the time of year, the variety of apple, ripeness, etc. Obviously, you get the picture. But, turning our attention to lights, I'm mildly disappointed in the performance of my KC 4" Rally 400s. They seem to provide less light than the Hella 700 I had before, with the same 55W bulbs. Because they use the same bulb, in theory they should taste the same as the Hella, but they don't. The Rally 400 were about twice the price of the Hella 700 and even more than the Hella 500 I would have otherwise used. So, whether it's an apple, or an orange, a pear for that matter, I'd make sure you know what you're buying.

 

[Storm Cloud]

I know we're not comparing apples, but I like both, apples and oranges, depending on the time of year, the variety of apple, ripeness, etc. Obviously, you get the picture. But, turning our attention to lights, I'm mildly disappointed in the performance of my KC 4" Rally 400s. They seem to provide less light than the Hella 700 I had before, with the same 55W bulbs. Because they use the same bulb, in theory they should taste the same as the Hella, but they don't. The Rally 400 were about twice the price of the Hella 700 and even more than the Hella 500 I would have otherwise used. So, whether it's an apple, or an orange, a pear for that matter, I'd make sure you know what you're buying.

Well the Hella's are a helluva nice light for the price. If it comes down to value, they win hands down. Aesthetically, I like the look of the Flex 4's and the LP6's though. But you really can't beat the Hellas on performance, especially at that price point. It's not even close IMO.

 

[GATORB8]

Well the Hella's are a helluva nice light for the price. If it comes down to value, they win hands down. Aesthetically, I like the look of the Flex 4's and the LP6's though. But you really can't beat the Hellas on performance, especially at that price point. It's not even close IMO.

One thing I’ve realized on the trail is the peripheral really come in handy. Started with KC Pro6 Combos on the bumper, but recently added floods on the pillars angled 45* out. Figure it will help with trail ditch lighting and camp setup.

@BajaDesigns the zone lighting video is awesome, wish I had seen that when I was shopping.

 

[CjMiller7]

One thing I’ve realized on the trail is the peripheral really come in handy. Started with KC Pro6 Combos on the bumper, but recently added floods on the pillars angled 45* out. Figure it will help with trail ditch lighting and camp setup.

@BajaDesigns the zone lighting video is awesome, wish I had seen that when I was shopping.

yeah I’ve gone back and forth with what to go with. I think because I’m doing rock lights also that those will help a little with the peripheral because I think I’m doing either combo or spot on the A pillars. The last time I went night wheeling (and only time) the two things I wanted was more lights out front and right under the Jeep so figured the spot and rock light was a good start.

 

[BajaDesigns]

yeah I’ve gone back and forth with what to go with. I think because I’m doing rock lights also that those will help a little with the peripheral because I think I’m doing either combo or spot on the A pillars. The last time I went night wheeling (and only time) the two things I wanted was more lights out front and right under the Jeep so figured the spot and rock light was a good start.

I think rock lights would be a great solution for wheel well lighting. If you have any questions about it let me know.
Best,
Brock

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