What's the lowdown on Kragens?

So, I just dropped the $$ for an Avid light bar, after a year of saying I'd never get one. I justified it by telling myself that I wouldn't need to get a color-matched grill surround because the chrome won't be as obvious with the bar and lights, lol.

So...what's the lowdown on the Kragens? There's a group buy right now and I can get a couple for like $165 total. The price is bordering on too good to be true though, and it seems like some folks love them and some think they're cheap Pacific rim crap.

Is there a light I should look at instead for a similar price? I definitely don't want to go ver $100/light. I'll honestly only use them for backroads when I'm nervous about deer. I don't really offroad, though I am planning a trip out west to hunt some BLM land.

Thoughts? Are the Kragens a good value or are you pissing money away on something that's not going to hold up after a year? Any opinions are appreciated.

 

Dang, nobody? It's cool, I'll probably hold off for a while since the bar is probably a month out.

 

My take on kragens. Great light output. I drive on dirt roads (pot holes) icy roads etc......etc. they can take a good beating. They vibrate alittle but nothing out of the ordinary. No problems what so ever so far. They have held up in -30 below temps, numerous mud baths and car washes, no leaks, no ballast problems. They take a few seconds to warm up but that is normal with any HID.
In short I don't regret buying them. I would recommend them to anyone.

 

the group buy is over I believe

 

PM the guy that started it...He is pretty good at cutting a deal...

 

Word of warning since I ran into it - the lights will not fit between the bars of the avid but since you're talking about hiding the chrome, that prolly wont be an issue for you. Here's a pic of of the 4" and the 7" sitting on top of my avid to help you visualize.

 

I love mine! No complaints.

 

Thanks guys. I think now that the GB is over I'm going to go with the PIAA 520 ATPs mounted between the bars. Seems like a proven light with a slim design.

Can't wait to get the bar!

 

From what I've read, the PIAAs have instructions on how to flip them in the casing if you run them upside down. I know jack about lights though, so I'm just going off of research.

 

Thanks for the advice. This is a great point, actually. I do have to retain the front plate. I haven't decided for sure yet - I'll probably try between the bars but I have a feeling I might want them up higher for farther throw anyway.

 

Ha, I didn't actually do that - I just was doing a size comparison

about sums it up tho