School me on LED light pods

[Tugela]

My wife and I recently bought a LR Discovery Sport because she wanted a more modern car than my modified 1998 Discovery (see summer 2024 issue of Overland Journal for my feature article about driving this Disco through Joshua Tree and Anza Borrego).

I put a Yakima LocknLoad platform roof rack on the Sport and would like to add LED lighting to the roof rack. I don't know squat about it. There are so many models, options, and variations that I'm not sure where to start, so inform me. Here's what I have in mind:

• I want something compact with several mounting options. So probably light pods as opposed to a light bar. Probably two.
• I don't need football stadium intensity lighting. Just something to augment the headlamps.
• Pattern - probably floods. This is what I have on my D1 and I find these more useful than pencil beams for my applications. Seems like there might be models of light pods that have multiple modes you can toggle through for different situations.
• Simplicity is key. I gather that there are newer systems in which the lights wire directly to the battery but the switch to operate them works via remote control so you don't have to run wires through the firewall. This sounds appealing.
• Prices cover a wide range. I've seen options from $24 up to $1,800. I don't want low quality junk but I also don't need high end components. For demanding trips I will take my D1. If I can keep the budget for the whole setup under $200, that would be ideal.

Based on all that, I would appreciate pointers for specific models to contemplate - both the lights themselves and the remote control systems. What's out there that fits my use case? Is there something else I'm missing? Any other questions I should ask?

 

[carterd]

You may want to reconsider mounting lights to the roof rack. There can be significant glare off the windshield and hood. This is especially true on steeply slanted windshields. It helps that your hood is black, on a white hood it would be way worse. Flood lights are best on the bumper.
For under $200 you are probably going to be looking at Chinese knockoffs. Do a search on this forum for driving lights and you'll see a lot of posts that give good advice.

 

[ExpoMike]

As for lights, I would highly recommend Diode Dynamics. They have been awesome and they have a few different power levels. They have a number of different options of form factors, so you should be able to find something that fits your needs. Very high quality but at a lower price than some of the other big name brands.

 

[ws6616]

Baja Designs is the brand you want.

if you want to mount lights to the roof, then it's better if you use SPOT pattern instead to avoid spilling lights onto your hood.
If you want to compliment your headlights, consider fog light position (BD S2/ S1 in SAE fog)
If you want some distance, use BD LP4 or LP6 in combo pattern. I would mount them on the bumper instead of the roof though.

i would also not get Diode Dynamics... i've had their harness melt on my customer's SSC5 Linkable almost cause a fire as well. I build rigs for a living and I am biased toward Baja Designs and Switch-Pro 9100. I know BD blows your budget but hey, it's never a bad idea to stretch the budget a bit for quality stuff

 

[chet6.7]

With your price range in mind, I have been using these as back up lights.
''Hella Black Magic LED Series 3.2 Inch Cube Kit - LED Flood Light with Wiring Harness ''

 

[JJEH]

Not sure what's out there in that price range, but I can recommend the KC Flex Era 1.
They are a bit out of your posted budget, but worth every penny.
I use them as ditch lights, and they make a big difference.



Relatively easy to install if you can find the right hood brackets.



This is with the orange covers, and it was not pitch-black outside, but they are great short-range lights.

EDIT: I had to look. The lights come in "spread" pattern, but the box includes both "spot" and "flood" lenses.

They do offer mil discount (if that applies to you), and they also have some specials sometimes. Email newsletter or social media will be the best way to take advantage of it.
I'm not getting paid to say this, but I had KC on my old Ram, and I like their products.



But the prices have gone up, it ain't fun anymore....

I hope this helps.

FLEX ERA® 1 - 2-Light Master LED Light Pod Kit

www.kchilites.com