Light Bar Advice Please

Monaro Pete · 12-07-2018, 21:18

I'm looking for a light bar & I see there's lots of cheap ones on eBay for around £30.00.
What would you guys recommend? I don't really have a budget, but I don't wanna be spending really silly money.
I've watched some YouTube, but they all seem to be Americans talking in Dollars

I would like as cheap as possible, but quality too, with good range & obviously waterproof
which the cheap ones don't seem to be.
The size would need to be 21"-23"

RJL Services · 12-07-2018, 23:12

i bought a 20inch cree one of ebay for £24 with 2yr warranty still works fine bit of a mine field with various prices for the same thing and did not want to spend much that was 18 months ago and all still ok

jims-terrano · 12-07-2018, 23:32

I’ve had a number of LED lights and bulbs that have been cheap but crap. That’s why I haven’t bought a light bar. Saw some very costly bars at a 4x4 show for hundreds of pounds but they seemed really good light and quality but so they should be. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

Jay666d · 13-07-2018, 01:12

The problem with the cheap LED bars (Like I have on top of mine) is two fold...

The waterproofness and general build quality is questionable. Being at the front of the truck it takes a battering. The last two I've had, and now the one that is currently on all face the same issue. They start to get condensation inside, then the LED's fail to illuminate.

The next issue is light projection. It would appear that you can choose flood or spot style projector lenses. (Some come with a combo) I opted for Spot as I wanted to project the light right out there...

It doesn't work.... I illuminate my bonnet very well and that just stops me seeing the road in front!

There's a company called Lazer who do some awesome light bars. I couldn't afford them, but I have a friend who has them... Those bad boys really do throw the light way out there!

Monaro Pete · 13-07-2018, 15:59

Thanks for the replies guys. I did look at the Lazer ones & unfortunately that will all I'll be doing at £380.00 for a 300mm one

I have basically gone for a cheapo one off eBay & I'm sure with where I'm placing it & some extra sealant I could make it last a while longer

I plan on placing it behind the grille so it sits in front of the A/C condenser.
So apart from spray & any water that gets in through the front it'll be covered.
Once again thanks for the help, it is appreciated

elty001 · 13-07-2018, 17:25

I've had a 42" ebay special on the roof for a good few years now
Took some knocks over the years but no condensation or dim leds.
Cost me 80 quid

12-07-2018, 21:18	#1
Monaro Pete Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Nr J28 M1 Vehicle: 03 Terrano 2.7 TDi Posts: 995	Light Bar Advice Please I'm looking for a light bar & I see there's lots of cheap ones on eBay for around £30.00. What would you guys recommend? I don't really have a budget, but I don't wanna be spending really silly money. I've watched some YouTube, but they all seem to be Americans talking in Dollars I would like as cheap as possible, but quality too, with good range & obviously waterproof which the cheap ones don't seem to be. The size would need to be 21"-23"

12-07-2018, 23:12	#2
RJL Services Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: southwest gloucester Vehicle: Nissan Terrano 2.7 2003 Posts: 615	i bought a 20inch cree one of ebay for £24 with 2yr warranty still works fine bit of a mine field with various prices for the same thing and did not want to spend much that was 18 months ago and all still ok

12-07-2018, 23:32	#3
jims-terrano Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 12,965	I’ve had a number of LED lights and bulbs that have been cheap but crap. That’s why I haven’t bought a light bar. Saw some very costly bars at a 4x4 show for hundreds of pounds but they seemed really good light and quality but so they should be. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.

13-07-2018, 01:12	#4
Jay666d Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Northumberland Vehicle: Patrol GU3 (Y61) 3.0 SVE Posts: 1,375	The problem with the cheap LED bars (Like I have on top of mine) is two fold... The waterproofness and general build quality is questionable. Being at the front of the truck it takes a battering. The last two I've had, and now the one that is currently on all face the same issue. They start to get condensation inside, then the LED's fail to illuminate. The next issue is light projection. It would appear that you can choose flood or spot style projector lenses. (Some come with a combo) I opted for Spot as I wanted to project the light right out there... It doesn't work.... I illuminate my bonnet very well and that just stops me seeing the road in front! There's a company called Lazer who do some awesome light bars. I couldn't afford them, but I have a friend who has them... Those bad boys really do throw the light way out there!

13-07-2018, 15:59	#5
Monaro Pete Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Nr J28 M1 Vehicle: 03 Terrano 2.7 TDi Posts: 995	Thanks for the replies guys. I did look at the Lazer ones & unfortunately that will all I'll be doing at £380.00 for a 300mm one I have basically gone for a cheapo one off eBay & I'm sure with where I'm placing it & some extra sealant I could make it last a while longer I plan on placing it behind the grille so it sits in front of the A/C condenser. So apart from spray & any water that gets in through the front it'll be covered. Once again thanks for the help, it is appreciated

13-07-2018, 17:25	#6
elty001 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Aflreton,Derbyshire. Vehicle: 2000se+ 2.7tdi terrano II Posts: 6,832	I've had a 42" ebay special on the roof for a good few years now Took some knocks over the years but no condensation or dim leds. Cost me 80 quid