Don't get me wrong, I think they look really cool! I wasn't criticizing, just curious when you guys use them. Didn't think about waterproofing... Thanks for that- have to check it out. I just don't know if I would use it enough to justify buying an expensive one- I would rather spend the extra $$ on some rotopax cans or something I think.

 

Just one thing about the LED comment. These LED's only need to put out 200 lumens each for the light bar to hit its 20k lumen rating, and that's not a lot for an LED. It can be hard for the drivers to push that much current though, especially for all those LED's. That's where using XM-L's or XM-L2's is better. They are much more efficient, which means they need much less power to create those 200 lumens, and they'll generate much less heat. While that should mean it's easier to hit big lumen numbers, it still comes down to the design of the driver. How big of a difference I'm not exactly sure about because I haven't been able to confirm which Epistar and Cree emitters are being used, much less find a data sheet. I do have a light bar that claims to have Cree emitters though, and I'll be tearing that apart to see what kind of modifications can be made, and hopefully I find that it actually does have legit Cree emitters. One thing I'm sure I won't like is the pcb design. It seems that all the light bars use a single pcb for the emitters and drivers, which can create some significant thermal issues no matter how many vias they use, at least if they actually pushed these LED's hard, which they don't, at least not those with XM-L/XM-L2's or we'd be seeing light bars with over 100k lumens.

 

Get a cheapie and seal it. These things are getting better so fast that no matter what you get, the light bars that will be available in a year or two will be incredibly tempting. The cheap light bars will be incredibly bright, and you'll minimize buyers remorse and theoretically have more money for a much improved future light bar.

 

I use mine every-time I'm out past sundown. And honestly I'm usually leading because of the light but I occasionally ride behind people and no one really complains. And on the eBay vs. "quality" bars, I bought mine on amazon for like 270 shipped, 50" Cree bar, its brighter than a friends rigid 50'' and a couple other Chinese bars. If you looking to buy check out OPT7 on amazon.

 

Has anyone heard good things about engo light bars

 

I use my small light bar and LED pods as driving lights all the time when I'm the only one on the country roads. They throw a lot of light on the side of the road and in the grass where I'm sure I won't hit any deer because I'll seem them coming.

The 50-incher, on the other hand, is mostly for looks. There is 100% no way to legally get away with running that on the road. It's too bright and it's mounted too high.

I've used the 50-incher as a spotlight before in the dark when there was no electricity, and I've used it for Geocaching, but other than that, I use it as a, "look guys, see what my Jeep can do?!"

 

The pods that are flushmounted in my headlights I use as dims and drive with them on 100% of the time. The other set of pods on my bumper are a little different and come on as my highs. I hardly ever use them. The 50" is really hard to drive with on. It hit a cars 1.5-2 miles away. My 20" is the same way pretty much.

 

I love to offroad at night mainly and yes the additional light is well worth the extra dollar to me... but its a personal choice and the added benefit is it looks great off as well. If you wheel with one just be respectful if your following someone and give adequate distance cause you can light the night lol

 

They just shipped it out today, can't wait to get this on next week

 

I didn't even consider the dropping price of them into the equation.. good point!

I think what you recommend is exactly what ill do.

 

I'll see if I can finally get my Ebay cheapie mounted tomorrow. Maybe some video, but more likely pictures since I can manually adjust exposure on my camera.

 

The Ebay specials can be great light bars. They're just generic brands, but they all come from the same place. It took me 3 tries, but I finally got one that doesn't leak.

The reflectors are the only real difference between China-bars and Rigids/other name brands.

 

Did you try and seal any of them? I'm probably gonna end up going the ebay route like you in the near future here so I was wondering what most of you guys use to seal them with? Just RTV?

And for those who did try to seal them, how well did it work?

 

You would want to go with an Ebay light with Cree bulbs not epistar correct?

 

Get Cree if you can find it for about the same price. If nothing else, it gives you the ability to upgrade the emitters. I wouldn't pay much more for it if you're never going to upgrade the emitters though.