Auxbeam vs. Caliraised: help me choose a budget LED bar

(Sorry if this has been asked. I've done some cursory searches and am overwhelmed by all the info! I'm very new to this world, but am a fast study.)

2014 Tacoma double-cab, 4x4, SR5 V6 (with tow package), 80k miles.

After getting stuck at night on a near-empty lake bed this weekend I discovered my headlights were close to useless when I was trying to find my way back, and I'm considering to adding some budget off-road LEDS. My truck is primarily for in-town, hauling ski-boat, kayaks, trips to Costco, HD and Lowes, but also the occasional trip over the Sierra Nevada's when it's snowing. I won't be lifting it, but I'd like to be as functional as possible with stock suspension, wheels, and drive-train.

I'm currently comparing this Auxbeam bar:
https://www.auxbeam.com/catalog/product/view/id/242/s/zd000249/category/116/

And to this Caliraised bar:
https://caliraisedled.com/collectio...ower-bumper-hidden-led-light-bar-brackets-kit

The Auxbeam is much cheaper and is curved, but it has less power. I'm assuming the Auxbeam will have a wider coverage due to the curved bar... will this functionally overcome some of it's lower power? This is more of a want than a need, and I don't want to spend a ton, but I don't want shitty equipment either. Should I be considering a different brand?

All constructive comments are appreciated!

Bonus: Can I replace my OEM fog lights with more powerful LEDs that can select white AND/OR amber light?

 

Start by making your OE headlights and fog lights function better than stock. Here are the two best links on how.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-headlight-upgrade-h4-not-led-or-hid.398066/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-ultimate-foglight-upgrade-h11-not-led-or-hid.435419/

If you over drove your lights after these changes, you will be way above legal speeds.

Once you've got that all done, consider if you still need a lightbar. They generally will cause more issues in heavy snowfall (reflectivity) than help, unless they are aimed really well. Personally if I chose to add a lightbar, 'cheap' would not be a criteria. Yes, budget is important, but the quality of what you are trying to accomplish is more important. Especially in cases where you are 'lost' at night.

 

Point taken about cheap quality stuff. "Lost" didn't literally mean LOST, more like "I can't see the tracks well, and the darkness absorbs so much light I can't see very far."
I've had disappointing results in the past with brighter halogen upgrades on cars and MCs in the past. They burnt out SOOOOO quickly. I've never really had fog lights that seemed to throw much light (I know their function is to get "under" fog), although my OE Taco fogs are a LITTLE better than my Exploder fogs were.

 

I love my caliraised bumper bar. As for real lighting just pony up the cash for diode dynamics

 

I have ss3 pro fogs
CLiraised 30 inch bumper w amber covers
Hid low beams
Side shooting ditch lights

 

Both of those light bars will leave you disappointed between moisture intrusion and actual capability. Skip cheap and go reasonable with the diode dynamics light bars.

Also the adjustable color fog lights are purely for looks. You're not going to get much capability out of those, especially if you're considering the Cali raised led ones. Again, get the diode dynamics fogs SS3s.

@memario1214 is a moderator in this forum and DD dealer. He's super friendly and very helpful and will answer all of your questions. I'd start a conversation with him if you're serious about lighting solutions.