LED light bar vs. auxiliary LED lamp pods

I'm trying to decide between driving light setups to mount on my Relentless bumper. I think I've narrowed it down to a couple options, listed below. Whatever works best I might copy to my Subaru on a light mount as well.

1. Rigid 20" E2 bar, Combo light pattern
2. Baja Designs XLR80 80W pair
3. Baja Designs XLR Racer 40W pair
4. Baja Designs XLR Pro 40W pair

It looks like the XLR80 puts out about the same raw lumens as the Rigid 20", but otherwise I'm scratching my head on what's going to be more effective augmenting my high beams on quiet backroad highways at night. Price wise they're all fairly similar, too.

 

I would say it kinda depends on your lighting needs. Remember it's not all about the lumens... I wanna say the Baja designs will most likely outperform the rigid, but again depends on your lighting needs. The 20" is gonna be a set pattern. You'll get some spill and flood, but probably not as much as the BD's simply due to the reflector design. The 20" would Probly be good for distance. I'm really not sure. I'd have to find some output pictures. Whereas the BD's will have a much better spread and flood, giving you a more even light distribution. Rigids, iirc the few output shots I've seen, tend to have multiple patterns. As in an distinct spot pattern noticeably different on road from the flood pattern wit a combo bar. Like an intense spot, with a dimmer flood. Bd seems to have more of an even distribution of light throughout due to the larger reflectors and lenses.

So do you want an intense spot pattern with a 20" for down range?(even though it is a combo, I'd consider it a spot)
Or a nice even spread of light that would be considered a flood light great for awesome spread and even awesome side lighting, along with fairly good distance, with the squadrons?

Try and Google some output pics of both to compare and you'll see what I mean, then decide.

 

Here's a raptor forum I stumbled upon with some good output shots of the squadrons. And a video link in post#3.
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f179/baja-designs-xl-series-new-products-44364/
They're really awesome lights. And I was also ignorant to the fact you had listed different versions of those, so you have options there. I personally wouldn't go with rigid. They're good lights, but BD is better
On another side note, I hate to promote clones, but you could get a combination of clones for cheaper. Or a ton of clones around the same price budget, albeit slightly lesser quality and output than the name brand because they will outperform them by quite a bit, and maximize your lighting needs. I don't think they make the 80watt versions in clones, but at least the 40's. Just another option to consider. But if you got the coin, definitely go all out.

 

It does seem like the larger reflectors make most of the difference. I was doing some additional digging last night, and it sure looks like Baja has the better stuff.

Thanks for the info and links. Very helpful.

 

Main purpose is driving dark backroad highways in early morning or winter evenings, where animals are the main concern. Speeds from 40-65mph or so in the truck. Not much in the way of hard sharp corners that might justify cornering lights. Need enough of a spot to give good braking distance and reaction time. Enough flood to spot critters (deer, boar) on the sides of the road.

 

Happy to give you some information on why a lot of customers choose Baja Designs (BD) over our competitors. I will also posts output shots of the XL Racer, XL80, and XLPro. This will hopefully make your decision a little bit easier

uService Technology
https://www.bajadesigns.com/science-of-lighting/uservice.asp
Baja Designs unique use of O-ring seals instead of silicone allows users to change their beam pattern and lenses with ease. This allows the user to fine tune their light setup without buying a new light. You can easily change from Spot, Driving/Combo, and Wide Cornering in a matter of minutes. You are not stuck with the pattern you buy. Try that with most of our competitors and you will be left in the dark without a warranty.

ClearView Optics
https://www.bajadesigns.com/science-of-lighting/clearview.asp
ClearView™ is our proprietary optics, which are computer designed in-house by Baja Designs’ team of racing engineers who have first-hand knowledge of the lighting needs of all types of drivers and riders. Each optic is designed to put light exactly where you need it. These are designed to light up 1 or more lighting zone. A High Lumen Count is great but almost useless if the light isn't being focused on a desired area.



5000K Daylight Color Temperature
https://www.bajadesigns.com/science-of-lighting/5000k-daylight.asp
Human eyes have evolved to see best at noon on a sunny day which translates to a color temperature of 5,000 Kelvin. A color temperature of 5000K greatly reduces driver fatigue and increases terrain recognition. BD exclusively uses 5000K LEDs to ensure the safest and highest performing driving experience.

MoistureBlock™
https://www.bajadesigns.com/science-of-lighting/moistureblock.asp
O-ring seals and proprietary cord technology make BD lights completely waterproof, rain proof, dustproof, submersible and washable. O-ring seals are considerably more effective at blocking water than the beads of silicone. In addition the patented MoistureBlock™ on BD’s cords is an innovative new technology that completely stops water from wicking its way up the cord and into the light. Even if you cut the connector off, your light is still waterproof and you won‘t void your warranty.

And Much More!

And Don't Forget !!! All of our LED/HID Lights are backed by a Lifetime Warranty.
https://www.bajadesigns.com/about-us/Lifetime-Warranty.asp

Take a look at the Science Of Lighting and About Us pages on our website for more info!
www.BajaDesigns.com

 

Here are 3 Night Shots with our XL Pro, XL80, and XL Racer :

Night Shots - XL Pro Combo by Baja Designs, on Flickr
XL Pro, Driving/Combo, $349.95 ($314.95 TW)
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/xl-pro-led-driving-combo.asp


Night Shots - XL80 Combo by Baja Designs, on Flickr
XL80, Driving/Combo, $399.95 ($359.95 TW)
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/XL80-Driving-Combo-LED-Auxiliary-Light.asp


Night Shots - XL Racer Spot by Baja Designs, on Flickr
XL Racer Edition, Spot, #399.95 ($359.95 TW)
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/xl-racer-edition-led-high-speed-spot.asp


NOTE: XL-R Models offer same Performance. Pictures above are Individual Lights. Pair Pricing Available.

The XL Pro and XL80 share the similar distance while there is a noticeable difference in light output between the two. These Lights are great for speeds up to 80 mph and will provide great distance, midfield, and near field lighting. The XL Racer Edition does have a lower lumen count but offers ~40% more distance over the XL Pro and XL80. This was engineered for speeds exceeding 100mph. Great for the user looking for the most Long Range Light!

Hopefully this helps you pick between the three. Let me know if you have any questions! I apologize if this is an overload of information.

www.bajadesigns.com

Thank You,
Bailey, Baja Designs
bailey@bajadesigns.com
800-422-5292x114

 

Those are great comparisons. Perfect for what I needed.

One of the XL's looks to be the ticket, with the Racers being overkill for distance.

New question. How do the XLRs have the same performance if the housings are larger? Are the optics the same? If so, what is the difference between them?

 

Glad I could help! The XL-R models feature a Round Bezel instead of a Square Bezel. The housings and performance specs are all the same. Only difference is the bezel.

XL Pro



XL-R Pro

 

Good info...once I'm in the market for lighting, I know where I'm going....Thanks BD!

 

Thanks! Feel free to take a look at our General Discussion Thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baja-designs-general-discussion-thread.371890/

Check it out and post up if you have any questions on BD Products or Lighting in general!

-Bailey, Baja Designs

 

Wish I would have known you where on here. Your lights are by far some of the best lights I have ever had. The build quality is amazing and the attention to detail is a real plus. I especially like how you add dutch connectors to the end of your cables and don't just send them out like other companies with just pre-striped cables. If I knew you where on here I would have called you about my pods, flush mount pods and my 20" Racer edition bar before I bought them. Here is a few pictures of my set up

 

Nice Truck! We are here for any future light related needs ... but I think you're pretty set for the front end

-Bailey, Baja Designs

 

I am for with that one now I need some for the wife. She is looking at some pods for the hood of her Raptor. I was thinking of going with some Combo Squadron Pods for her hood lights.

 

Along with the variety of lights, We do carry Raptor Hood Mounts and Vehicle specific wiring. I'll send you a PM

 

Baja Designs, I'm about ready to bite the bullet on some lights. Could you speak to a comparison of your OnX6 Hi Power 20" driving light bar to the XL80s?

 

We don't have any night photos of the Hi-Power since it was released after the Night Photos above were taken. Here is a little bit of comparison between the two:

XL80, Pair, Driving/Combo
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/XL80-Pair-Driving-Combo-LED-Auxiliary-Light.asp
$789.95 ------ $710.96
Lumen Count : 19,000
Wattage/Amps : 160W/11.58A
LEDs : 8 - 20W

OnX6, Hi-Power 20" Driving/Combo
https://www.bajadesigns.com/products/OnX6-20-Hi-Power-Driving-Combo-LED-Light-Bar.asp
$999.95 ------ $899.96
Lumen Count : 23,300
Wattage/Amps : 202/16.8A
LEDs : 8 - 20W / 4 - 10W Racer

The 20" Hi-Power features 4 of our Racer Edition LEDs giving you more distance over a Pair of XL80s. The Hi-Power 20" is like having a Pair of XL80s and 1 XL Racer Edition all in one bar. You have the maximum coverage in near field, mid field, and distance. Having two or three individual lights does allow you to fine tune the aim and adjustment more so than a light bar. A lot will come down to preference on a LED Light Bar vs. LED Auxiliary Lights.



Thank You,
Bailey, Baja Designs