Thread: LED bars vs HID Lights

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).

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.

Originally Posted by def-90

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.

Originally Posted by 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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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...

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.

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

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 ) 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.



davo

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

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