LED light bar suggestions

So I put a couple light bars on my truck. I just went the cheap route because they wouldn't be used THAT often. The 30" I only paid $100 for and it's great, actually. But my 50" curved keeps getting condensation inside. I've taken it apart twice and siliconed it but it doesn't help so i don't know where it comes from. I only paid $135 for it so I'm just going to trash it and get a decent one.

Any suggestions on brands, besides rigid or anything that costs an arm and a leg, I don't really want to spend over $500ish. I've seen a company called extreme, KC, ledconcepts, rough country. I mean there's a million, anyone used one that's not outrageously priced and not garbage?

 

I'm a fan of KC. Been around for years. They make all kinds of off road lighting products in AZ. Their LED light bars are certainly in your budget. KC has one of the best warranties. My KC Apollo Pro's have a 23 yr warranty which is a little unusual. Some companies claim "life time" warranties to only disappear in a few yrs. Most lifetime warranties don't mean squat. Rigid makes very good lighting products but on the high end price wise. Race/Expedition quality stuff. KC's are more than good enough for the weekend off roader. actually quite good for the money. Definitely not cheesy like Chinese knock offs. A lot of suppliers don't even make their own lights. They are made somewhere in Taiwan/China and re-labeled. You will see some USA made 50" light bars over $1500. Top end stuff. http://www.kchilites.com/

 

I've heard of KC as well that's the only one I mentioned that I actually knew. The 50" curved is about $650. I live in a more rural area I guess you could say so a lot of backroads with no street lights so I wouldn't even call mine a weekend off-roader use that's why I went so cheap but I can't stand the condensation, it shows everyone how cheap it is. I might go with KC bc like you said they are a very well known company and their warranty actually means something since they won't disappear in a couple years.

They were more expensive than the other brands but I guess it would be more beneficial to pay more for a brand that's well known than have a $500 one ruin on me too.

I appreciate your feedback matluth!

 

Yea, KC's HID and Halogen lights are priced somewhere in the middle (actually higher) of Chinese sourced lights and the top end stuff. KC's LED light bars can get pretty pricey. I'm still trying to decide whether to go with a KC 30" light bar ($500) or KC LZR LED's ($390/pr)

 

I got my prices mixed up. A 50" KC is $1,100 and I don't think that's curved. I have to have curved bc my brackets are for a 50" curved. Too rich for my needs. Lol

 

A grand for any light is a little steep for my use. The other problem is getting it stolen off the truck. It's like taping a thousand dollar bill onto you truck next to a sign that says "Take it". I keep checking out Craig's List. I don't mind used if in good condition.

 

Yeah exactly, I emailed the guy on eBay for shiggles. He's got really good reviews and even reading the negative reviews he worked hard to fix the issue so maybe l'll get lucky and he'll send me a new one. But price comparison alone, I have to buy 15 cheapos to break even on one rigid and they can't all be crap.

 

Today after work I'm going to check out a 120W 22" 40piece Cree bar that is 6000K spot/flood and IP68 rated. (no harness) The seller is only asking $75. Worth taking a look for that price.

 

I agree! I got my 30" off Amazon for $98 free shipping, no tax and it's been great it's actually more useful than the 50".

Idk if you've ever done one before but I priced out the pieces to make my own harness and just the 12g wire was $14 and i bought my whole harness for $11 off amazon. All I did was cut and re-splice all the excess length to clean it up but if you have no use for the extra wire it's more cost effective to just buy a pre made harness

 

Going to order a 130W harness/relay kit from KC. Their harnesses are are very good and will match up identically with my other 100W KC harnesses/panel switches for a clean look (and I'm getting a little lazy).

 

Let's see some pics of all this stuff...

 

My setup

And my swimming pool

 

Like the setup. Definitely have an condensation issue. I just got back from picking up the 125W Cree Bar. The seller works out of his very very nice house. Has boxes of lights all over. Literally.The seller is ED. He has a one year warranty. Easy for me if something should happen. 25 minutes away. He has plenty of spare led's (cree) and led drivers for the occasional repairs that he has to do. He checks each light for integrity before shipping. My light is IP68 rated. If you are interested in talking with ED here is his ph#303-770-6666. Tell him you heard about from Matt. I told him about Tundras.com He has all kinds of LED lights. Bars,cubes, round. All Cree's. Stopped dealing with Epistar LEDs. Anybody can call him. Just remember you were referred by Matt. He is still working on a web site. By the way he sold me a 150W harness/with 40A relay/switch and is very similar to my KC harnesses. $20 bucks. Ed sells a lot of lights to his jeeper friends. He is saving money for a new Jeep. A decent guy. At least I know the source.

 

Heck yeah, thanks for the info. I'll give him a call Monday and see if he has a 50" curved. Does he build them on his own or does he just order some, quality test, and resale?

Regardless, a 1 year warranty from someone within the states is a lot better than 90% of the eBay stuff that all comes straight from China

 

He orders them from overseas made to his specs, then does the QA, resale, and repair if needed which is good. That's why he gets them with Cree's not Epistars and IP68 rating. Apparently the led driver quality is very important too. Each driver powers 12 LEDs. He sells to his friends so he doesn't what to sell them a POS light. I saw a straight 52/50?". He should be able to get (or have the curved). He showed me a pair of Tundra roof brackets for the 52". Ed is Asian American.Young guy. He showed me some marine rated LED light bars which would be neat to have for all the boat owners here on T.com Ed was thinking about doing his own web site design but did get a quote for $1400. Any web site designers here on T.com?

 

I wouldn't mind having a 52 it'll fill out the windshield better but that would only work if my bracket holes can be in the exact same spot so I think for safety I need to drink to a 50" curved.

 

I just got off the phone with Ed. He just got back from a trip to China. Was there for a month to check out the various light mfrs. Best way to do business. Told him you may be giving him a call. Ed said he can get you hooked up size wise. He's starting up so I don't mind helping him out. May be good to have someone like Ed sell us decent lights that are within most peoples budget. (and someone who you can call and get a response not a recording) Another good Craig's List find.

 

Can he ship them?

 

He had some cool LED cubes that I probably get next week. He has the flush mount type too.

 

He will ship. He asked where do you live? He has been selling locally pretty much thru Craig's and word of mouth. He wants to be able to charge as low as possible for shipping. Like I said he's branching out now so he's going to find the best shipping options. His light prices are decent so added shipping cost should still make them a good deal. I just have to drive 25 mile or so to his house. heh heh

 

I live in Tennessee. If they are quality and you're happy with yours, (not knowing what he would charge for a $50" curved) but basing what you paid for the 22" I'm sure it's still a steal of a deal, i don't care to pay shipping. It can't be that much.

 

I am going out now to install the light/harness. I will post pics/results on my modest build thread tonite. I know the lights are freaking bright when we hooked up to his redtop bat that he uses to test each light.

 

Going to be hard avoiding shipping. Most places hit you up. Amazon has a lot of leverage in that department (free). Hard to compete against that juggernaut. Providing good service is a way to overcome that for the small vendors. You may have to do some dickering. Ed said he has sold a lot of lights to guys who own tractors and heavy equipment. You might know some one who needs some good led work/running lights. Save on shipping.

 

If you end up pleased with your light I'll be ordering from Ed when I do this again.