LED bars vs HID Lights

[Barney2803]

Hi everyone,

Can you shed light on the pros and cons of LED bars vs HID lights? I'm tossing up whether to get say 4 HID blitz lightforce lights or to get a light bar. Do I need both HID's and light bar for long distance illumination as well as short distance flood type? I am doing a lot of country road driving at 110kmh.

Also, what do I need to look for in a led light bar? Lumens? Watts? Does size directly relate to brightness?

Any advice would be appreciated.

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[Michael2]

From my reading, LEDs give a wide spread of light in the foreground, and sides (ideal for twisty roads / off road etc). While HIDs throw light further forward, (better for long straight distance).

[def-90]

x2 good quality hid's are better for pure distance, whereas u cant beat the light of a GOOD light bar for widespread close to mid range light, keep away from the cheap chinese ones though, they are crap.

[alexturner]

keep away from the cheap chinese ones though, they are crap.
Tis all about the optics in these units. I'm just finalising the second aulro group buy for a chinese light bar product and it's brilliant. I've got four on my vehicle and I've got nothing but good things to say.

Sticking to the topic of the thread - it is a very different type of light. Personally I'd go Xenophot over HID purely because a HID ballast is just one more thing to break and I like the colour contrast between my light bar and warmer tones of a halogen-type globe.


If you were to invest in one I'd go with the HID's as they will throw a lot of light very far. I find light bars to be a luxury and not so much a primary driving light. Although with that said as soon as i'm on a dark road - everything comes on.

[Tombie]

Hi everyone,

Can you shed light on the pros and cons of LED bars vs HID lights? I'm tossing up whether to get say 4 HID blitz lightforce lights or to get a light bar. Do I need both HID's and light bar for long distance illumination as well as short distance flood type? I am doing a lot of country road driving at 110kmh.

Also, what do I need to look for in a led light bar? Lumens? Watts? Does size directly relate to brightness?

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Gday mate...

Lumens is a really subjective method of quoting light output...

Alex for instance has a light bar, with LESS LEDs which claims to have more lumen output than Rigid Industries Bars... Same LED rating, better optics on the Rigid bar and better power handling...

I also have a 2000Lumen 3 Cree Torch... A mate has the X21 Led Lenser (800 lumens with 7 Cree emiters)

The only accurate way to compare 2 products is LUX @ Location
eg: 5 Lux @ 500 mtrs

Also, Theres a new light in town.... Not HID and damn good....
If you want to discuss it, PM me...

For fast driving... Penetrating light is the key...
For corners... Spread light...

[BigJon]

Barney,

I have Hella Rallye 4000 spread beams converted to HID on my Rangie and LED light bars on my ute. You are welcome to compare them some time.

[roverfan]

I'm trying to find an attractive led light bar, any suggestions?

[D3V1L]

from personal experience playing with hids and light bars

best combination is a big light bar on your roof combined with a good pair of hid spots in your bar for long distance.

ive mucked around a lot with lighting (im mental about lights :D) and i found this to be the best combination.

i run a 34" light bar on the roof of my datto with 50w hid spottis in the bar, and it tears everybody elses lighting arrangement apart by far.

:D

davo

[Barney2803]

Thanks davo exactly what I was after. Tombie... Pm sent.

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[Barney2803]

Hey big Jon.

Glad the new business venture is working out so well for you.

If I'm down your way before I buy something for my lighting needs I'll be sure to come visit and check out your setups!

Thanks for the info!

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[BMKal]

I'm trying to find an attractive led light bar, any suggestions?

Baja Industries "Stealth" LED Lightbar is by far the best looking and least obtrusive one I've seen so far. There's a couple of vehicles getting around Kalgoorlie with them fitted.

How they perform compared to others I don't know though. Would love to hear any comments from anyone who has seen these working.

[Drover]

I have Had Hella Ralley 4000 HID's spots, for well over 18 months now with out any problems at all, turn the switch and on they come.

These lights are the most power full thing I have ever seen, if I go past a sign on the side of the road the reflection is sometimes so bright it nearly blinds you, at least you HAVE to dip back to low beam.

The useable light is well over 1km easy, they look like two big round circles joined in the middle and they well and truly light up everything.

Go the HID's.

[NavyDiver]

best combination is a big light bar on your roof combined with a good pair of hid spots in your bar for long distance.

davo

Agree with Davo but would suggest you look at where your drive before spend all your cash. Up in the mountains tracks travelling at 10kph HID spots lighting up the tree a few metres away are a little pointless. LED spread works best in twisty and hilly stuff.
Out on the road or wide open places HID spot or driving lights are best for range. Having both like Davo suggest covers both. I have a led light bar which with HID lights already on our D3s or D4 give me range and spread via the snake racing LED bar. 4wd tv had a segment showing both last night. you might be able to see it on Watch 4WDTV and Your4x4 online - 4x4 Earth Australia for 4WD Tracks (http://www.4x4earth.com.au/tv/)

[BigJon]

Baja Industries "Stealth" LED Lightbar is by far the best looking and least obtrusive one I've seen so far. There's a couple of vehicles getting around Kalgoorlie with them fitted.

How they perform compared to others I don't know though. Would love to hear any comments from anyone who has seen these working.

I have a 10 inch one on the front of my VS ute. I also have a 20 inch ebay special. I think the Baja Industries one puts out at least as much light as the twice bigger (but same price) ebay special. Both of them are lacking in range comapred to the HID converted Hella Rallye 4000 spread beam lights fitted to my Rangie.