How To Choose A Good LED Light Bar

LED light bars are incredibly popular for off-roading. The powerful lights illuminate the trail making it easier to navigate and spot obstacles on the rugged terrain. That's why enthusiasts know that they are a crucial piece of gear to add to their off-road lighting arsenal. However, with so many options available on the market, choosing a good LED Light Bar for your off-road vehicle can be challenging. 

In this article, we will provide you with tips on how to choose a good LED light bar. Keep reading to learn more. 

How Will You Use The LED Light Bar?

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a good LED light bar is to think about how you will use it on your vehicle. 

Your intended use of the LED light bar will determine the type, size, and color of the light bar you need. If you need the light bar for illuminating the trail for off-road adventures, a large light bar is appropriate.

If you're looking for a more conventional driving application for the LED light bar, you will need something smaller. 

For example, if you want to be able to use the LED light bar as an auxiliary high-beam light, then you'll need one like the Stage Series 6" SAE/DOT White Light Bar. They meet SAE J581 as driving/auxiliary high beam lights for on-road use.

If you want to use LED light bars as fog lights, the Stage Series 6" SAE Amber Light Bar with the SAE/Fog optic meets SAE J583 as a fog lamp for legal, on-road use. 

For more examples of how LED light bars can be used, see our vehicle-specific listings of LED light bar mounting applications.

Brightness

Brightness is arguably the most important factor to consider when choosing an LED light bar. After all, the whole point of light bars is to better illuminate your vehicle's path and improve visibility in low-light conditions.

The brightness of an LED light bar is typically measured in lumens, which is a unit of measurement for the total amount of visible light emitted by the LED. The higher the lumens, the brighter the light.

For most off-roading situations, a light bar with 10,000 to 15,000 lumens should provide plenty of illumination.

However, lumens are not the only thing to consider when choosing a good LED Light bar. Greater lumen measurements don't equal better performance.

An LED light bar that offers brighter light output, but is not focused can inadvertently become a hindrance and make it harder to see what's ahead. 

That's because generic light bars don't capture all the light that is emitted from the LEDs. Their reflectors and optics throw a little bit of light everywhere which results in a light bar that creates glare and a poor light intensity. 

A good LED light bar will combine the high-intensity output of the LED with good optics to produce focused beam patterns. Stage Series LED Light Bars utilize TIR (Total Internal Reflection) Optics that capture all of the light produced by the LED and direct it where you need it. This prevents light from being lost to glare and produces a focused beam pattern with high intensity. 

While brightness is an important factor to consider when selecting a good LED light bar, it is equally important to look for a light bar that has good optics that efficiently collect and focus the light into a useful beam pattern. 

Beam Pattern

Beam patterns are an important consideration when choosing a good LED light bar. Different beam patterns are suited to different types of terrain and driving conditions.

For example, Stage Series LED Light Bars feature a Driving beam pattern designed for both supplemental high beams at driving speeds and effective off-road auxiliary lighting. This rectangular 20Wx8H pattern surpasses the size of standard spot patterns and is tailored for higher-speed driving.

The Driving beam pattern accommodates off-roaders who transition between off-road and on-road use. The 6 and 12-inch sizes of this driving pattern, when installed correctly and aligned according to local regulations, meet the requirements of SAE J581 as a legal driving or high beam pattern for on-road use.

A Flood beam pattern is ideal for illuminating a wide area and providing even, diffuse light. The Flood beam pattern of Stage Series LED Light Bars utilizes a pillow optic that emits an 80Wx50H wide spread of light. This pattern illuminates the area around your vehicle, making it easier to navigate tight turns or avoid obstacles while engaged in off-road activities. 

Stage Series LED Light Bars offer both of those beam patterns and a combination of Driving and Flood beams. This allows for a more versatile beam pattern for those tackling changing driving environments and conditions with their LED light bars. 

Light Bar Size

The size and shape of your vehicle will have a significant impact on the type of LED light bar you should choose.

If you have a larger vehicle such as a truck or SUV, you may want to consider a longer LED light bar to provide maximum lighting coverage.

However, if you have a smaller vehicle, a shorter LED light bar may be more appropriate.

A good LED Light Bar will come in a variety of sizes to fit your needs. 

The Stage Series LED Light Bar is based on a narrow profile housing to allow fitment in small and tight areas.

At less than 42mm tall, they fit in many places a traditional dual-row LED light bar won't while cutting the total weight as well. 

The Stage Series LED Light Bar is available in various lengths with options from 6 inches all the way up to 50 inches. This is ideal if you're looking to discretely add lighting behind the grille of your vehicle, a stealth bumper light, or a roof-mounted light bar. 

IP Rating

A very important factor in choosing a good LED light bar is considering a light bar's IP rating. 

An IP (Ingress Protection) rating is important for LED light bars because it indicates the degree of protection they have against solid objects and liquids, such as dust and water.

Since LED light bars are often exposed to inclement weather conditions and off-road environments, having a high IP rating can help ensure the LED light bar will continue to perform reliably and withstand exposure to harsh conditions.

Higher IP ratings indicate a greater level of protection against, so as a general rule good LED light bars will have a higher IP rating.

Stage Series Light bars, for example, have an IP 68 rating. This means that they are completely dustproof and can survive being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. So you can trust that they'll continue to function no matter what the trail can throw at them. 

Brand Reliability

When choosing a good LED light bar, look for a brand with a good reputation. It's important to consider because some generic light bar companies do not create LED light bars with quality and durability in mind. 

Diode Dynamics is a reputable company that was founded in 2006 and has since grown into a well-known brand in the automotive lighting industry. The company is known for its high-quality products that are designed to be reliable, durable, and easy to install.

Diode Dynamics uses advanced technology and high-quality materials to ensure that its products provide superior performance and longevity. 

Good LED light bars also have warranties. This is a good sign that the company stands behind its products. 

Stage Series LED light bars all come with an 8-year warranty. 

A good LED light bar will also come with good customer support. 

Diode Dynamics is also known for its customer support. They have a team of knowledgeable professionals who are available to provide technical support and assistance to customers when it comes to LED Light bar products and installation.

Conclusion

Choosing a good off-road LED light bar can make a big difference in your off-road driving experience.

By thinking about how you will use the light bar on your vehicle and then considering the brightness, beam pattern, light bar size, IP rating, and brand reliability you can easily choose a good LED light bar for your needs.

Remember to choose a reputable brand with good customer service and read reviews from customers to ensure that you are getting a quality product. With a good LED light bar, you'll be able to see further and go faster. 

Where Can I Buy Stage Series LED Light Bars?

If you're ready to take your vehicle to the next level, you can upgrade to the best LED Light Bar by clicking here or using our dealer locator to find a dealer near you.

Want to know more about Diode Dynamics products? Visit DiodeDynamics.com and subscribe to our Newsletter for new product releases and more!