Lightbars

I am looking for a 40-inch lightbar. I know there are many. This will be going on my roof rack. I currently have diode dynamic ss2 pros and ssc3 pros. I do like the amber because it's really comforting to the eye when driving in snow and rain. I do like the single-row light bars. Any recommendations? Biased and non-biased opinions or constructive criticism is greatly appreciated

 

Roof rack light bars suck.

 

hahahah.... please enlighten me. why so?

 

The light reflects off of the hood and into your eyes. Plus they look really bro.

 

the light throw just isn’t going to be that functional.

however, if you want to buy a Baja designs racing quality light for like 5 grand, it might be functional.

behind the grill works great

 

I'm not sure how that is even possible. Even with a flood pattern, any light reflected off the hood would still be reflected forward.

But, a spot pattern would be a better choice, as the hood would be out of the light's beam pattern.

Edit: I do agree that they can look a little silly, especially if they're taller, like a double row.

I would agree that a cheapo light bar on the roof isn't going to do much. But, you don't quite need to spend $5K to get a functional light bar. I have a ~$500 Rigid SR 20" in my bumper and find it useful. A 40" SR (probably around $1K) produces almost 30,000 raw lumens, and projects light 1364 meters, a little over 3/4 mile. That sounds plenty useful to me.

 

@Shnook718 , I would stick to Diode Dynamics, Rigid, or Baja designs. Be ready to spend a good chunk of coin, if you really want something worthwhile.

For a roof mounted light bar, stick to a spot pattern, or possibly a spot/driving pattern.

If I were going to buy a light bar for the roof, I'd probably go with this Rigid:

https://www.rigidindustries.com/sr-series-pro-40-spot-drive-combo-941314.html

I wouldn't hesitate to purchase the other two brands I mentioned. I'm just biased because I already have Rigid ditch lights and a Rigid light bar. I've been very happy with the quality of both.

 

It's one of the best 42" spot-flood combo led light bars you can get at HF.

 

Spot may be better but really lights need to be higher up.

 

It's definitely lighting up the hood too much. That is definitely the wrong beam pattern for a roof mounted light. I haven’t personally used a roof light, but I would think that a good spot pattern would not have that issue.

 

I’m talking about their racing bars that are meant to be mounted up high, but even then, those vehicles don’t have much hood real estate. Any bright light shining above your head is going to be annoying. I have a 30” bumper led and a 20” behind grill bar. Would never mount up higher than that

 

I really need to go take night shots to put this whole roof light debate to bed...

 

Please do so.

Unless you're going to post pictures of a roof mounted light bar with the wrong beam pattern and claim that they all suck because you bought the wrong one.

 

You don't have to pay $5,000 to get a light with a proper spot pattern.

I could see how having a light above your head would be annoying. But, it's not going to be directly in your eyesight because it's going to be on the roof. And, if you get a good spot pattern it should clear the hood.

 

I'm hurt that you'd think I'd do such a silly thing

 

I wouldn't expect you to.

Sorry, I might have been a little hasty to reply there.

 

Haha all good, I was like oh shit I haven't been called out like that in a while.

Guess I better put up or shut up and get these night pics.

 

Sorry. I should have worded that better.

I'm definitely interested. I'd really like to see what a quality roof mounted bar can do. I like my bumper bar, but I actually think a roof mounted bar could be better, it it has the right beam pattern.

 

I should have specified, I have KC Gravity 6's (round not bar light) but I think the pictures would still apply.

Anyway my point is that there is an echo chamber effect that roof lights suck. I'd agree with that somewhat... except there are a few out there that are actually quite good for the application.

Like you said though, beam pattern is the name of the game.

 

I have an LED Xtreme (or Extreme LED, forget which way it goes) in White / Amber mounted on the top of my truck integrated with the Sherpa Crestone rack I have. I mostly use the amber in the snow, heavy rain at night as my night vision is not what it once was under those conditions. It has been good for that use case. White is very bright and I don't notice the hood glare that others have pointed out when I have had occasion to use it. I do have to confess that I cringe a little whenever I see it up there because, as others have pointed out, it is a little bro.

 

I would not recommend amber for the roof (unless you prefer the aesthetic). Amber is better at cutting through snow and fog, but you should not be using a roof light bar in inclement weather (regardless of color) because it will just reflect light back at you. Roof light bars are for seeing as far down the road/trail as possible and white lights are slightly brighter than amber, therefore slightly better for the application.
As others have stated, beam pattern is fairly important. You want to maximize light throw down the road and minimize glare off the hood. A spot (aka driving) pattern is best for the roof. Most manufacturers make a combo beam pattern which results in glare or wasted near-field illumination (better for lower mounting location for example the grille), so that should narrow your search down significantly by finding spot beam patterns in 40" size. The popular brands listed by other in this thread should qualify but you will also find a few cheaper alternatives.

I went with the Hella Black Magic 40" slim light bar for my roof. It is a spot pattern and it comes in cheaper than the big name brands. Hella is mainly known in the USA tuner car world for loud car horns but they appear to be more established with their lighting products in other areas of the world. I decided to give them a try and I have been pleasantly surprised. The light bar is very bright and the spot pattern definitely throws light far down the road. For the price, I would not hesitate to purchase it again and I am even considering swapping my grille light bars to Hella bars. I'm happy to share more info if anyone is interested and here is the product page on Hella's website and an Amazon link (not affiliated):
https://myhellalights.com/product/black-magic-led-40-slim-lightbar/
https://www.amazon.com/Hella-Black-Magic-Inch-Lightbar/dp/B09RWD8LHD/?th=1

This is not a sponsored product placement, I simply did my research and landed on this light bar. My criteria was spot pattern, single row, a "stealthy" look, and fairly priced. Here are the few others I was considering:
- DRZ off road: https://drzoffroad.com/collections/...th-black-led-light-bar?variant=20488165916742
- Rough Country: https://www.roughcountry.com/product/40-inch-curved-led-light-bar-70740bl

 

For my use case I really like my Extreme LED 30" X6S dual function lightbar (I got on sale for $250) in my C4 bumper and CaliRaisedLED 27W ditch lights.
Less than $400 of lighting and it's more than enough for me.

I've heard many complaints about roof mounted light bars causing glare on the windshield or reflecting off the hood. As other have stated though, maybe that is due to the beam pattern?.. I have no need for one personally

 

Wow i really didnt think light bars were really TRD Bro. Hahahah. I always thought raptor lights and those “fang” lights were TRD Bro. Thanks for the input.

 

It's only BRO if you don't use it.

 

My folks are down here visiting n my dad just said “oh shit” for whatever reason while I read that…the little things

I have some exLED’s uptop
Dual row, dual function 30 with their now called (previously predator) 4” blocks covered in orange laminx
Level height but angled outward n down providing surrounding n distance light

Any hood glare is just reflection, nothing that makes me feel like the Ark was opened

however….
Once it came to be…
…I do see the bro but I just imagine 80s rock in my head n I’m all good

 

Yup.

 

LOL

what about Raptor Lights BRO or or NO BRO?

 

They're in the lame category with roof lights, rock lights and ditch lights.

 

So any additional lighting is weak for you? LMAO

 

More about positioning. People only use rock lights and ditch lights at the mall. Raptor lights don’t help at all on anything leas than 80 inches in width. Roof bars look lame and can be moved to the front of the vehicle for better light use instead of blinding yourself.