Off road lights, what do you have/use?

[Seeker]

Consider mounting your lights on your front bumper. Mounting them on the roof will create a reflection on your hood that will hurt your night vision and otherwise reduce the effectiveness of your roof-mounted lights (unless you're considering putting something on the hood to reduce the reflectivity).

I had a pair of LightForce 240's (the old incandecent ones) that were AMAZING offroad. One "combo" filter and one "spot" filter and I could see enough to do 35-40MPH on dirt roads. You mention you're running at low speed. Two lights will likely be more than enough unless things get rocky, in which case some "rock lights" might help.

 

[XJLI]

The reflection isn't terrible, I've been debating blacking out the center of the hood

 

[94Discovery]

Consider mounting your lights on your front bumper. Mounting them on the roof will create a reflection on your hood that will hurt your night vision and otherwise reduce the effectiveness of your roof-mounted lights (unless you're considering putting something on the hood to reduce the reflectivity).

I had a pair of LightForce 240's (the old incandecent ones) that were AMAZING offroad. One "combo" filter and one "spot" filter and I could see enough to do 35-40MPH on dirt roads. You mention you're running at low speed. Two lights will likely be more than enough unless things get rocky, in which case some "rock lights" might help.

The reflection isn't terrible, I've been debating blacking out the center of the hood

Reflection or no reflection when your light are under mud in pitch black at 2am you need roof light

 

[roverandom]

I use old second hand Piaa or Hella or whatever I can find in the classifieds at the time I need some. The recent LED craze has left us with loads of used 'normal' lights at cheap prices to choose from

I use my truck in the bush so having $1000s tied up lighting that could be easily damaged is not something I'm keen on.
As long as they don't cost too much and make dark nights brighter, I'm good.

My 2c.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[A.J.M]

This is how the car ended up after the weekend, bumper mounted stuff would be rather muddy..... haha.

That LED bar is VERY effective! I had no idea they were that good.
One of the stages will be driving though dense forest at night, some will be going over off road courses, which will be interesting.

I'm going to get a bonnet wrap to help reduce glare as the car is silver in colour.

 

[ZG]

I am sold on LED light bars, just got mine installed...here are some screenshots from a video I shot. Keep in mind this is only the 20" version.

With low beams -

With high beams -

With only light bar -

 

[Dmarchand]

I hate to agree. The LED's clearly throw far more light. I was behind a 110 with a 40" plus bar at winter romp this Feb and even with 6 hella 4k's, my light output down the trail at night was night and day compared to his.


I just wish they had better (i.e. classically round) aesthetics of the Hella's such as the compact 4k's.

 

[ZG]

True... I love the look of the 4000s, it's a classic look. I think the 50" bar will look pretty lame on my rack, but at 80 less watts and twice the light output I'm not going to care much.

 

[xray132]

Love my LED's

I”m an LED fan now. Loved my Hella’s and Piaa’s and Cibie’s in the past.
I own both the 20” Rigid and they’re now $664 at 4wheel parts, and a 20” Chinese version off of Amazon, $89 on prime (free shipping arrived in 2 days). Rigid puts out in my opinion and my sons, a better color. Rigid puts out a little better pattern but it’s has better reflectors and probably slightly better color. I haven’t taken a rock hit on the Amazon one but I don’t think it will handle it as good as the Rigid. But I don’t know if the Rigid has ever been hit. But you know, the $89 amazon puts out a heck of a lot of light. It’s pretty dang comparable in light. It has a pencil beam pattern in the center with floods on the outside just as the Rigid. Will the lens break easier, is it as water resistant, or will it short quicker? Don’t know yet, but there are no issues with either. The Rigid is a fine finished piece of equipment, reliable, with a warranty. I think if the $89 unit breaks a lens I will cut me a new one out of a high impact glass, if it gets water inside I will dry it out and re-caulk it myself. There are only a couple of screws holding it together. If the exterior fades in the sun, I hit it with a can of high heat temp epoxy. You could even by Rigid lexan covers to help with rocks if you caravan. I can trash 7 of them for the difference in $$. I’ll buy some other Amazon LEDs for my new diesel Grand Cherokee when I find mounting places. If you want your alternator and battery to last longer go with LED’s. I think the compact size in front of my grill is far better for cooling. But, I do love a big light look though, bigger was better in the past for me. Now, LED is technology.

 

[TheOverlanders]

Go for LED light bars . They FAR outweigh regular spots and use less power. The light they produce is incredible

 

[XJLI]

pod lights?

http://olympusoffroad.3dcartstores.com/Pod-Lights_c_16.html

 

[A.J.M]

Thank you all for your various ideas, inputs and suggestions.

I'm going to go with LED light bars, the pictures of them lighting up stuff and the low power draw has sold it for me.

So, in true fashion for all ideas i have, i'm applying my usual logic of, " if you can't take it to the extreme, don't bother.."

So, i shall be ordering this.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/50INCH-28...=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cdc09e0aa

It's a 50 inch curved light bar, with a power of 288w, and 24000LM, it has both flood and spot light capability.
Is water, dust and shock resistant and comes with a 2 year warranty.

Now looking for smaller curved ones to attach to the A bar for the front of the car...

My mate/navigator for the weekend and i have agreed, we are NOT telling our fellow mates who are entering it, what we are planning for the car, so all parts will be ordered and stored away till October before we bolt, and wire up everything to the car.

Now i just need to get the following.
Expo roof rack,
Rear access ladder.
Safari Snorkel.
4x 255/55/19 Duratrac's.
interior LED lights for map reading etc.
3 way adjustable height rods.