Learn the different types of off-road lighting along with the key features you should keep in mind when shopping.
From navigating difficult terrain to enhancing visibility during nighttime adventures, off-road lighting is an essential upgrade for any outdoor enthusiast. But with the wide array of options available, it can be overwhelming knowing which setup is right for your rig. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different types of auxiliary lighting, so you better understand how each type works to light up the trail ahead. Discover the power of beam patterns, brightness levels, mounting options, and more, and pick up a few essential care and installation tips along the way.
Types of Off-Road Lighting
The off-road lighting market has grown quite saturated in recent years, creating some serious power-of-choice where brand, style, size, shape, and price point are concerned. Unfortunately, all these options can make the actual choosing seem like a daunting task.
It helps to focus on the main features – namely, brightness level for maximum visibility, beam pattern for optimal coverage, durability to withstand harsh conditions, and mounting options for easy installation.
First though, you need to choose your fighter. Or rather, your form-factor.
Light Bar vs Pods
In the world of auxiliary lighting, two popular options divide opinions: light bars or pods.
Each offers unique benefits and characteristics that cater to different off-roading needs, as well as style preferences.
Light Bars
Typically mounted to the roof of a vehicle or in the front bumper, a light bar is simply a long, rectangular-shaped lighting fixture consisting of multiple lights arranged in a straight line or a curved shape.
Light bars are a popular choice among off-road enthusiasts due to their versatility. They come in different sizes, ranging from compact 9- or 10-inch units to large 60-inch bars that run the entire width of a rig. Users can also customize the configuration, such as single-row or dual-row LED arrangements, which provides flexibility in achieving desired beam pattern and coverage.
Most light bars offer flood beam configurations, which offer a wide, uniform spread of light that illuminates a broad area around the vehicle. For those engaged in slower off-roading or rock-crawling, this type of lighting is really important to spot surrounding obstacles and pick the right line.
Some light bars offer spot beam configurations, which are ideal for long-distance visibility. As the name implies, they provide a concentrated beam of light that reaches far into the distance. This type of illumination is critical for off-road rigs that plan to move fast over open terrain.
Those who like having the best of both worlds – or who participate in fast-moving, treacherous wheeling like King of the Hammers or the Mint 400 – a combination beam pattern helps provide both distance and peripheral illumination.
Usually mounted just above the windshield on a vehicle’s roof, light bars can also be installed inside a bumper or grille guard cutout. Since they are exposed to wind, vibration, dust, dirt, bad weather and the occasional impact, they are designed with durability in mind. Or at least, they should be. When shopping, you want to select a light bar that features a rugged housing made from quality aluminum or polycarbonate that can withstand the rigors of off-roading.
Light Pods
Light pods (sometimes called driving lights) are smaller, individual lamps with their own housings. Usually found in circle, square, or rounded-square formats between 3 and 7 inches in diameter, they can be mounted almost anywhere on a vehicle but are typically found on grilles, bumpers and A-pillars.
Like light bars, they are available in different beam configurations, which means they can easily be pressed into service for specific tasks or scenarios.
For example, spotlights can help illuminate objects in the distance such as trail markers or obstacles. Meanwhile, rock lights can provide low-level lighting around the vehicle's wheels and undercarriage to make navigating bumpy terrain easier. Fog lights, which also offer lower-level lighting are designed to cut through dense fog and rain, reducing glare and improving visibility.
While pod lighting won’t throw as wide a beam pattern as light bars do, they’re more adjustable. This allows users to really control the beam direction and focus it to suit their needs.
Bulb Type & Brightness
Quality construction and durability are important features to consider when shopping for any off-road light, but so is the type of lighting in use. Most off-road lighting, especially light bars, use LED technology but there are a few different bulb types available:
Halogen. The oldest and cheapest bulb option, this was the standard for decades. Operating much like a traditional incandescent light bulb, halogens are not very efficient and can suck a lot of power from your rig.
HID. A step up from halogen, high-intensity discharge (HID) lights ditch the delicate filaments for inert noble gas – which is how they earned their alternate name of “xenon” lights. The interior chemistry allows for a brighter, whiter beam than halogen (roughly 2.5x more powerful) that reaches out further and draws less current. They do take longer to fire up, but the real drawback is price. If you want quality HIDs with durable housings that will last on rugged off-road adventures, expect to pay over $200 per light.
LED. The new standard, light-emitting diodes (LED) are dependable, long-lasting, and extremely resistant to road shock and vibration. They’re also much more energy efficient than comparable options, as they illuminate by passing an electrical current through a semiconducting material (or diode). This allows them to turn electrical energy into light, rather than heat. High-quality setups aren’t cheap, but they’re more affordable than good HIDs. A downside, however, is that if one LED dies, you end up with an unsightly dead spot in your pod or bar.
When shopping for off-road lighting, brightness is obviously a key concern. There are two terms you should be familiar with:
Lumens, which measures the total amount of visible light emitted by a light source.
Wattage, which measures the amount of electrical power consumed by the light source.
Since there’s not always a clear correlation between lumens and wattage (e.g., LEDs put out a lot of light without drawing much power), let lumens be your guide when gauging the brightness of an off-road light.
Generally, a higher lumens rating indicates a brighter light output. Just remember that a very high lumen count might not be necessary for every off-road situation. You want to strike a balance between brightness and the specific requirements of your off-roading activities.
Legal & Safety Considerations
Another important consideration to keep in mind when shopping for auxiliary lighting is that different regions may have specific restrictions on the number, color, and placement of lights. Complying with these regulations will help you avoid legal issues and ensure that your lighting setup is within the allowed parameters.
For example, many off-road lights are not legal on public roads. Using them in such situations can blind or distract other drivers and may lead to accidents. Even when you’re on the trails, take care to properly aim your off-road lights to prevent excessive glare and blinding oncoming traffic. (This goes for animals, too. That poor opossum has enough to stress over without having disorienting lights in his eyes.) Installing covers or shields can help control the light beam pattern and reduce light spillage.
Installation, Maintenance & Care
When installing off-road lights, take care to follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions. To ensure everything goes as planned, keep these tips in mind before, during, and after installation.
Take the time to prep your work station, tools, and supplies. Inspect the new lighting for any defects or special considerations, and map out where you’ll be drilling holes, placing brackets, or routing wires.
Before you start drilling, measure everything, mark it out – and then measure it again.
When setting up the wiring harness, follow the path of existing wires through the firewall and keep an eye out for any sharp surfaces that could puncture or cut the wires.
After everything is installed, be sure to continually monitor the position and performance of your off-road lighting to ensure it is working correctly.
Different types of off-road lights may have different care requirements, so following the manufacturer's instructions is always your best bet. However, here are some general guidelines to help keep your setup in tip-top shape:
Check for damage. Regularly inspect your off-road lights for any damage, loose connections, or signs of wear (cracked lenses, loose mounts, water ingress, etc.). Regular maintenance and inspections help ensure that your off-road lights are functioning properly and safely.
Keep it clean. Clean the lenses and housings to ensure optimal light output and visibility. Use a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth or sponge to gently wipe the surfaces. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that could damage the lenses or protective coatings.
Secure the mounting. Ensure that your off-road lights are securely mounted to withstand the vibrations and jolts encountered during off-road driving. Check the mounting brackets, bolts, or other attachment mechanisms to ensure they are tightened properly. Loose mounts can lead to misalignment, reduced light output, or even detachment while driving, posing a safety risk.
Reinforce connections. Regularly inspect the wiring connections of your off-road lights. Look for loose or frayed wires, corrosion, or signs of overheating. Ensure that all electrical connections are properly insulated and protected from moisture or off-road debris. Any compromised electrical connections should be repaired or replaced promptly to maintain reliable performance.
Run a test. Periodically test the functionality of your off-road lights. This can include checking the light output, beam patterns, and tweaking any adjustable features like beam angle or beam spread. Verify that all lighting modes and features, such as spotlights or floodlights, are working correctly. Testing ensures that your lights are operating at their optimal performance levels.