Spot beam vs. Spread beam

I am ordering the Rago hidden bumper brackets and I'm wondering about lights. I was going to order 8" KC HID's but they offer them in spot beam and spread beam. Can anyone shed some "light" on the differences besides their actual function? I get that part. Not sure what circumstances would make you pick one over the other, that's all.

Thanks,
Shane

 

Spot is narrow and best for high speed usage (racing or straight desolate highways)

Spread helps to see the shoulders and up close at slow-medium speeds. (Most wheeling, forest roads, etc).

A balance of both is best to limit tunnel vision from the long beam of the spots.

 

Thanks!! I ordered the brackets and some other goodies today from Rago. I went ahead and got the KC 20" light bar for now. I'll get that installed and then see how much room is left for 6" or 8" spots.

 

Some more reading is available all over the Baja Designs website. Specifically the zones they focus on. https://www.bajadesigns.com/Science-of-Lighting/Lighting-Zones.asp

Getting options to cover the whole spread from the bumper to the limit of your needed vision plus some extra on the sides for cornering/shoulder Views is awesome.

On my truck, I've got 2 pairs of pods. 1 set of Squadron Pros with clear combo lenses. These have a lot of throw with plenty of brightness to work well almost solo. The other pair are Squadron Sports in Amber Wide. These are nice as dust lights as they are easier to see, plus keeping the spill low and wider when all the light isn't needed.

KC are a highend option as well. I'm not sure what pattern your bar is or how their Spread beam compares. But be conscious of trying to get a blend of Zones 1 & 3 with the bonus of Zone 2, then Zone 4. Id consider true spot HIDs as overkill and not really needed with typical 4Runners that only have bolt on suspension.

 

I think next to do would be the Squadron Sport Amber in driving/combo. I almost got those today but I spent enough $$$ at lunch time already.

 

I know that feeling. Glad I've been able to work some deals so far. Truck and Crawler are exclusively BD and now the GFs T4R will need stuff at some point.

I like BD since I jumped on the bandwagon a couple years ago. The U-Service option of changing lenses with the o-ring seals helps so that you can cater the lights to fulfill your needs if they change or were slightly off.

KC would be in the running if I wasn't already this deep into it. I personally think Rigid has fallen behind while catering to the bros more than the users. VisionX isn't bad, but I really haven't tried to keep up with them. But always do what you can within your budget, it's a hobby that should be fun not stressful.