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LED Light Bars. Which ones?

13K views 53 replies 27 participants last post by  gf0012-aust  
#1 ·
G'day all. I'm wanting to buy a couple LED light bars for my Pootrol. To be honest I don't know the first thing about them other than that they can be expensive. Can you blokes on here shed some light in the subject for me so I can get a bit of an understanding of what I should look out for and what I should stay away from? I'm not keen on spending a bomb on them. There are some cheapies on eBay for up to $200, has anybody purchased these and what are they like? Cheers
 
#2 ·
Yep, I got a $200 buck 20" on my GU and it works very well.
Mine is a full spread beam and I have got it mounted on my front bar between my HID narva bull lamps (which are pencil beam) and it fills the void nicely.
 
#8 ·
Agree, I just ordered a 37" bar on Friday thru him, great to deal with, always responds to questions, exactly what you want from a vendor.

cheers.
 
#6 · (Edited)
they're all pretty well "much the muchness" nowadays

the average ebay stuff is usually epistar based and they shouldn't have too many probs

whether you go epistar or cree gets down to what you're prepared to spend and whether you want to buy overseas or local (support issues etc...)

just be aware that if you get mixed reflector combos. not all shops do it properly. ie if they don't do the changeover in a dry environment you will end up with condensation or fogging happening - and that can be a PITA to resolve, especially if they've used bitumax or sikaflex to seal and waterproof them.

personally I prefer CREE based lights, but there's nothing wrong with the Epistars as a vanilla light. It's a personal preference thing

I also prefer the single row 10watt bars as they're a lower profile and the tech is pretty well bulletproof now.

mine is a 200w single row - I've backed it up with 70w HID conversions on my Nanes (an Aust version of the super oscar)

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I prefer driving long distance at night, hence why I prefer that combo. the shadow on the right is due to the fact that the Nanes have inbuilt wide and narrow beams, and the drivers side is wide.

I'm also using Micks projector conversions in my headlights, so they're doing a stellar job even by themselves
 
#11 ·
Image




Item Description
■LED Power: 120W
■ Operating Voltage: 9-48V DC
■Waterproof rate: IP 68
■12pcs*10w high intensity LEDS
■ Body Color: Black
■Color Temperature: 6000K
■Material:Diecast aluminum housing
■Lens material:Toughed glass
■Mounting Bracket: Alu firm bracket
■Life Span:5000H
■Dimensions:20 inch
■Beam Type:20°SPOT BEAM, 40°FLOOD BEAM

■Theoretical Lumens Output: 11400 LM
■Operating Lumens Output: 10320 LM
■ Amp Draw(DC): 10A /12V , 5A / 24V
■ The suitable design for heating elimination.
■ The high performance of tight waterproof,dustproof,quakeproof.
■Weight: 2.90kg (Per Unit Included The Box)
■Size:508x64x92mm
.■2 year warranty.


■Package included:
1PC 20inch 120W CREE LED Light Bar
4PCS Mounting Brackets
1PC Wiring Kit





Overview
Integrated Electronic Thermal Management (ETM)
20 Inch 120W Single Row LED Light Bar Low Current Draw means no harms to battery and save gas.
20 Inch 120W Single Row LED Light Bar fine craft and easy to install brackets.
Their super efficient reflector uses patented Hybrid Technology, allowing these lights to runs at 93% optical efficiency, which is unmatched in the industry. Each LED light bar consists of two rows of high intensity LEDs, each sitting in their patented reflector assembly, measuring about 1 inch square. Each LED is independent, so if one LED fails the other LEDs will not and the LED light bar still works fine.
Its Single row of High Powered LED lights and 20 inches in length, so its both compact and powerful. The single row LED Light Bar is perfect for front mounting to any 4×4 or other vehicle, have been used by ski race teams on boats, for camping at night and in competition use, they are compact enough to mount inside on the front of most vehicles or bull bars.





This is the one I bought works very well.
 
#13 ·
I chose that position mainly because the bar isn't so evident at first glance...plus it affords a bit of protection for the lens. I use the light mainly for driving in thick fog and it works really well in that situation. In clear weather the output is similar to the photo posted by gf0012 above. It's a Japanese bar and only 80W (lost/threw out the box, so can't remember the brand), but I'm happy with it.
 
#15 ·
I can also vouch for Paul's service, excellent.

www.ledlightco.com.au

Check over at Mudrhino also, have a read through his vendor thread, very happy customers.

Im also of the opinion that 10w or at least 5w led's are a must these days, the old 3w stuff is good, but just not up to the same level or value for money.
 
#21 ·
I'm looking at these hybrid ones I know there pricey but they look pretty good the 2 banks of LEDs can be powered up separately or all together, this is there website the hybrid ones are the 1st ones in the list LED Work Light Bars - Pro-Vision range of heavy duty LED Bar lights to suit every application.

View attachment 110137
just to qualify my prev

Oledone are very good lights, but they are flogging off a combination of their old 36w small bar modules and a 10w middle module

the LEDs on the flanks are 3watters

they're the same modules as what I had as my first LED light bars

 
#18 ·
They look good but I'd never buy a long lightbar (or any lightbar) that has those ghey feet on the end. The adjustable ones that slide along the length seem to support it better, and easier to fit..

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
 
#19 ·
mate they have just modified old stock

the B Type bars are being phased out everywhere - so all they've done is get rid of the old bar/heat sinks, got rid of some dual row modules and stuck in a switchable controller.

ie they're charging a premium to give you a combination of old stock and old tech along with a smart controller and one single current gen module


Personally I'd save your coin and look elsewhere
 
#20 ·
i tend to agree with gf0012, all the cheap ones are all becoming much the same. its not till you step up to baja's, rigid industry stuff that you see improvements.

whatever you do, don't buy the great white range. over priced and terrible.

the baja design stuff is excellent, warranty is equally good but you pay for them. i had the baja stealth and now have the onx. either id highly recommend but id get it from the US direct, forget RooSystems. they're pathetic!!!

in the cheaper end, i quite like the look of the aurora's. yet to see one in the flesh working but they seem to be getting a great spread across the forums.
 
#40 ·
yeah mate, can't fault it so far, the finish on them is bloody awesome but for the price soo it should be. probably too much money for what it is but they are awesome. personally id go with the stealth model for the roof. for the bull bar id go the 30inch onx but either way id still have spotties to complement them as the bar bounces off the street signs like a mofo

if you want the best quality and awesome light, definitely the onx is your pick. on the cheaper end but still not bad is the aurora bar. they seemed to be getting good reviews, look great quality and through out a pretty good light as well

one word of advice, if buying an onx buy it from baja direct. roo systems are hopeless and a royal rip off. Was at the tinnie and takle show on the weekend, just thought id ask what they had them on special for and he quoted me $3500 for the 51inch then after i rolled my eyes he gave me some bull**** about he has some old models still in stock that he can do for $2700. 2 things, they have them on their website for $1995 free postage and there is no old model.

i figured id see how long he could keep up the bull****, the moment i asked about the 51inch his ears *****ed up and started pushing, he asked if i had done any research on light bars and which ones i was comparing, after telling him that i was comparing it to snake racing and monster lights but preferred the kelvin rating and spread on the onx,he started quoting all this random no related bull**** to get the sale. after that i got over him and walked away shaking my head. such a shame that they're exclusive distributers for such a good brand
 
#33 ·
I have two mounted to the front of my bar. $140 ea from that very same seller. They have survived the weekly pressure wash, being submerged for 6 hours when I got bogged last (that was a long night) and are a very good investment in my opinon. They light up my street like day. Have one spread/pencil and one pencil. VEry happy and would not hesitate to buy again.
 
#34 ·
I'd like to replace my 2xhid spotlights with a lightbar.
I can probably use the same holes as mount points.
Does anyone know what size bar fits nicely in the centre hoop of a factory GU winch bar?

Sent from my GT-I9505G using Tapatalk
 
#39 ·
I use QVEE gear.
We did a comparo between cheap 40w lightbar and a QVEE - the lenses are so different, the 40w QVEE threw light further and cleaner than the cheaper. The owner of the cheaper 40w wouldn't believe that it was only a 40w lightbar.
QVEE - Premium Auto Electrical Products


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Landy, awesome mate. You sure you have enough lights on that thing?

What do you think of the distance and cover from these QVEE you have. Their site does not give any price either.

I have nice wide cover from my Baja Stealth bars on my front rack but I am thinking of some longer distance spot bars for the front (possibly the ONX) and a small but wide bar for the rear roof rack.