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Is it possible? Cheap LED light bars.

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by PackCon, Jan 17, 2016.

  1. Feb 17, 2017 at 2:02 PM
    #21
    Overland_Tennessee

    Overland_Tennessee I don't even own a Tacoma

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    You know rigid sources their parts from China and assembles it in the USA, right?
     
  2. Feb 17, 2017 at 5:51 PM
    #22
    snowbrdd

    snowbrdd Well-Known Member

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    Just because it was sourced from the same country (or even factory) doesn't mean it went through the same level of quality control. A lot of times the cheap ones use rejected parts for the expensive ones.
     
  3. Feb 17, 2017 at 5:59 PM
    #23
    Overland_Tennessee

    Overland_Tennessee I don't even own a Tacoma

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    I do not know if your statement is true, but let's assume it is for a minute.. you buy an $80 lightbar like mine, and it lasts you 4 years (like mine has so far, and is still going strong) That means you could buy this $80 light bar again every 4 years for the next 40 (yes FORTY) years for LESS THAN the same price as a rigid. Do you see a return on your 1k high end lightbar investment worth it? I certainly do not. Again, I'm not saying these are of the same quality as higher priced models but they are most definitely an option for people who want a bright light at an affordable price.
     
  4. Feb 17, 2017 at 7:07 PM
    #24
    Joethebugman

    Joethebugman Well-Known Member

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    I just wanna see in the dark. If it does that I'm happy.
     
  5. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:06 PM
    #25
    WOODEX M.E.

    WOODEX M.E. Well-Known Member

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    Whatever floats your boat man. The difference is like comparing a spacer lift to coilovers. Do they work, yes. Do they work the same....no.
     
  6. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:11 PM
    #26
    ChemDawg

    ChemDawg Well-Known Member

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  7. Feb 17, 2017 at 8:21 PM
    #27
    medic2230

    medic2230 @Koditten Pirate Radio member #002

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    The research I did on them they used the same leds but the quality of the drivers for the leds were the difference. Regardless a friend of mine bought a $69 20" bar on Amazon and it was bright as hell and has lasted. Personally I'd buy the amazon bar before I'd spend the money on a Rigid. When someone decides to relieve you of your bar at least you're not out $1,000.
     
    outlawtacoma and ChemDawg like this.
  8. Feb 19, 2017 at 12:47 AM
    #28
    Faheygf87

    Faheygf87 Well-Known Member

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    Rigid is probably the best you can reasonably get at a consumer level, nobody is arguing that. The light output is just better......but......you pay for the privilege.

    A quick search on Amazon for "rigid industries 30" gives you lots of 30 inch bars from rigid that range from $700-900. I bought my 30 inch Chinese bar for ~$40 about a year ago, i guarantee its not as bright as the high dollar stuff, but for 1/20 of the price i'm probably at 80-90%, which is a hard ratio to ignore. Money no object, i'd buy rigid, but it is an object, and most people don't have enough of it.
     
  9. Feb 19, 2017 at 6:31 AM
    #29
    ChemDawg

    ChemDawg Well-Known Member

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    It really depends on what you need light for.
    I would not want to use ebay cheapo lights for underwater diving at night err..
    Life and death situations.
    I have no need for $1,000 lights on my truck.
    Even when I have the extra cash...I'd keep my ebay lights and buy different shit.
     
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  10. Mar 11, 2017 at 10:11 AM
    #30
    djcharlee

    djcharlee RETIRED SSGT OF MARINES

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    Ordered a pair of Amazon rear LED lights and they work for me. It has been over a year of driving with them and I have had not fogging or water inside them. They set me back $29. I figure if they did fog, I would just reseal them.

    Some of us take things more serious than others. Some of us rather have the bullet proof warranty.

    Just get what you can afford and makes you happy. If its crap, then move on. In the end it's your money and your vehicle.
     
  11. Mar 11, 2017 at 11:05 AM
    #31
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

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    Yupper. In fact most electronic components are actually built in China. (Cost & environmental regulations here make it pretty much cost prohibitive to build a Wafer Fab in the USA.) Some LED bars are then built in China from components sourced in China. Most of them are junk.

    My main point was that many of the LED bars from China claiming to utilize CREE LEDs are actually using junk Chinese made LEDs of much lower quality and output.
     
  12. Mar 11, 2017 at 12:21 PM
    #32
    snowbrdd

    snowbrdd Well-Known Member

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    It's not just about how long it lasts. You won't get the same level of light output because it is generally inferior. Whether or not that is important depends on the buyer.
     
  13. Mar 11, 2017 at 12:29 PM
    #33
    outlawtacoma

    outlawtacoma Well-Known Member

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