LED Off Road Driving Lights
Designed to supplement your high beams, LED driving lights provide a wide swath of light that illuminates the ground and road ahead of you. They’re great for off-road trail riding or night driving on the highway for improved visibility.
Keep in mind that it’s illegal to blind other drivers with auxiliary lights, so be sure to use a cover to prevent other drivers from seeing your bright lights. Also, understand the difference between raw and effective lumens.
Light Output
Having the right amount of light on your off road vehicle is crucial. Not only does it help you see the trail and obstacles in front of you, but it can also prevent damage to your truck and other vehicles on the road.
Depending on your specific needs, you can choose from a variety of different off road lighting options. LED bulbs are the newest technology, LED Off Road Driving Lights and they’re extremely popular because they use less energy than other types of off road lights. They can also last up to 50,000 hours and are unaffected by vibration and shock. LED off-road lights are available in a range of colors and shapes, and they can be combined with reflectors to create unique beam patterns.
HID (high-intensity discharge) off-road lights are another great option. They’re more expensive than LED lights, but they can produce a powerful beam that reaches farther than standard headlights. HID off-road lights are often used with projector heads, which provide more focused lighting.
Regardless of which type of light you choose, be sure to consider how much power it consumes and the state laws where you live regarding the use of auxiliary lights. You’ll want to avoid blinding other drivers on the road, as it’s considered unsafe and could lead to accidents. Some states have even made it illegal to drive with a brightly lit auxiliary light bar turned on.
Color Temperature
Light bars are a popular off-roading modification that improve visibility. They can be mounted to a grille or the top of a windshield. Some states allow them on public roads, but they are illegal in others.
If you are planning to use your lights on paved surfaces, consider purchasing a set that meets the legal requirements of the state where you will be driving. A legal set will feature a beam pattern that doesn’t interfere with oncoming traffic.
The color of the light is also important for safety reasons. The color temperature is measured in degrees Kelvin, with lower values appearing more yellow/amber (warm) and higher values closer to white and even into the blue/violet range (cool). KC uses LED technology to provide maximum performance for your vehicle.
Depending on your needs, you can choose from different bulb types and light-beam patterns. Halogen bulbs are the least expensive but draw significantly more power and have a shorter lifespan than other technologies. LEDs are the latest technology and offer a brighter, more durable option than halogen bulbs. They are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with options for mounting positions and features like polycarbonate lenses and finned aluminum housings.
If you frequently traverse Forest Service trails and overland on unpaved surfaces, opt for a set of lights with a driving beam pattern that can reach farther down the road than your headlights. This allows you to see obstacles, rocks and other terrain while maintaining good vision near the edge of the road.
Lumens
When shopping for LED off road driving lights, a high lumen count is an important consideration. A higher number indicates a brighter light, which is ideal for banishing the dark.
Aside from luminosity, a driver should also consider the effectiveness of a light. Rather than using a raw Lumen figure that doesn’t take into account factors such as thermal losses, absorption, and reflection, quality lights will use an effective Lumen rating. This figure is calculated via high-tech photometry equipment and reflects actual light output.
KC HiLiTES offers an impressive range of LED lighting products for off-road vehicles. These include both single- and dual-row LED light bars, as well as a variety of multi-function LED lights for fog, running, and signal functions. Whether you’re on the trail or in the pits, these powerful lights will illuminate the way ahead with just the flip of a switch.
The Nilight spot and flood LED work light two-piece set is another excellent option for off-road driving. These powerful pods deliver a combined 24,000 lumens custom headlight parts for exceptional brightness. They’re easy to install and feature a 6000K temperature, blending a spotlight with a flood pattern for enhanced visibility. They also offer a waterproof design and come with a two-year warranty. They’re the perfect choice for any UTV, ATV, or Jeep vehicle. You should also be sure to check for features like heat-dispersal, as well as an IP67 rating that ensures dust and water resistance.
Ingress Protection
A lighting system isn’t complete without the parts that protect the LEDs from extrinsic factors such as dust, moisture and debris. Typically incorporated into the light bar’s design, these components work together to deliver the quality and performance that discerning four-wheel drive enthusiasts demand from their auxiliary lighting.
For instance, LED off road driving lights are protected by polycarbonate and glass lenses and aluminium housings that resist the corrosive effects of salt, dirt and other contaminants. They are also IP68 rated, meaning they can be submerged in water for half an hour, so there’s no need to fear the effects of a puddle or stream crossing!
While conventional halogen off road lights are still available, they use a dated technology with tungsten filaments that draw more energy and have a much shorter service life. LED driving lights, on the other hand, consume a tenth of the power that halogens do, while being more compact, durable and long-lasting.
They are also street legal, so you can be a good citizen when off-roading at night. Aside from their superior output, LED off road driving lights are easier to control, have a lower heat signature and require less maintenance. You can even select a specific colour of LED for your lightbar, depending on what you’re after. Baja Designs, for example, offer a range of different colours and a choice of high or low beam, plus an amber daytime running light.