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lambert.the.farmer



Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: harrogate
Posts: 2006

England 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi PU Rutland Red
Lightbar?
Notwithstanding the practical benefits of a lightbar in increasing the ability to see in the dark, are they a bit naff aesthetically on an otherwise standard looking vehicle even if mounted fairly discreetly on the front bumper?

Thanks in advance. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
Post #647764 2nd Sep 2017 3:22pm
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19568

United Kingdom 
I think LED bars are the way to go for the future.

So long as, as you say they are tastefully placed.
Many now are 'E' marked and fully road legal also.

There are some good 20" one so around @ 6000 lumens approx and current draw quite low also. I'm still not 100% a fan of roof light bars but front looks good.
Very popuar the Cree ones in the USA. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
Post #647797 2nd Sep 2017 5:40pm
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RoddyK05



Member Since: 08 Apr 2015
Location: Inverclyde
Posts: 633

Scotland 2004 Defender 90 Td5 SW Yellow
Can anyone who has a roof mounted light bar comment on whether it lights up the bonnet or not? I'm not against the idea of one for the coming winter, but don't want to be put off by my eyes being drawn to the bonnet if it makes it too bright.
Post #647869 2nd Sep 2017 11:11pm
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lambert.the.farmer



Member Since: 11 Apr 2012
Location: harrogate
Posts: 2006

England 1998 Defender 90 300 Tdi PU Rutland Red
The nearer the light is to the height of the headlights the better the ability to see undulating terrain, in my opinion. Roof lights are better for working around the car. Rhubarb and custard let fly with their secret weapon.
Post #647877 3rd Sep 2017 6:40am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11240

United Kingdom 2013 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Orkney Grey
I'd have to disagree with that, I'm afraid. I've done a fair amount of off-road driving in a vehicle equipped with roof lights and found them to be a big help. The higher position allows them to light up dips and hollows that would otherwise have been completely hidden in shadow, making it much closer to ordinary daylight driving.

Glare on the bonnet can be a real problem but there are ways and means to mitigate it, from painting the bonnet black to fitting shields to the bottom edges of the lights to control the cut off of the beam.

Choice of light beam is also important - in pre-LED days I ran with two spots in the centre and two fog lights at the outer edges as the latter gave a wider spread of light immediately to the sides of the vehicle front. I believe that light bars can be had with this sort of combination built in.

As for aesthetics of light bars, I do tend to agree. I'm not keen on the look on the 'traditional' Defender front end and prefer individual lights. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #647883 3rd Sep 2017 7:58am
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Devon-Rover



Member Since: 22 Jan 2015
Location: South Devon
Posts: 906

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 USW Aintree Green
I only find a LED lightbar Aesthetically naff when it is a 35 - 42 or thereabouts one roughly bolted to the bonnet of a clapped out Vitara or Discovery. Call me snobbish but the ragged to death redneck hill billy isn't a great look, Imagine the thought process of

Hmmm where should I bolt this"..

Maybe let it into or behind the grill?

Nah

Brought a better quality smaller one so it's easier to fit up front

Nah

Roof mount to provide high spread of light

Nah

I know straight through the bonnet at the front!

Best idea ever

Rolling with laughter
Post #647887 3rd Sep 2017 8:08am
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custom90



Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 19568

United Kingdom 
There is problem a 3M anti glare clear wrap that could be applied to the bonnet I would imagine and you'd never know it's there.
Probably need professionally applying though but I'm damn sure such things exist.

My only real objection to light bars is the look of them on the roof, I don't know why but just is.

For some reason to me the D44 bar and 4x IPF square lights looks better to me.

I can't answer why but just does, I think to just the chrome like reflectors that does it. Diesel$ Live$ Matter. ⛽️🛢️👨‍🔧🧰⚙️ RED, WHITE & BOOST! 🇬🇧
Post #647963 3rd Sep 2017 2:02pm
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Pilgrimmick



Member Since: 16 Nov 2015
Location: Highlands
Posts: 581

United Kingdom 
If the lamps are mounted so the light pattern just misses the bonnet then they are fine, if it is catching the bonnet, either tilt the lamps, or move them back slightly so the roof provides shadow over the bonnet! 80" 1948
Lightweight V8
Bowler Tomcat
130 Station wagon
90 300tdi
(Santana PS10 pick up)
Range Rover L322 (Ful fat)
Post #647965 3rd Sep 2017 2:27pm
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