After debating whether I wanted to do a HID retrofit on my stock headlights, or go with an LED light bar... I ended up going with a Baja Designs 22" OnX Pro LED 3 Cell bar. LED bars in the past, really weren't that impressive in terms of light throw. However, I have been really impressed with Baja Designs products.

The specs:
22" OnX Consumes - 126 watts at 12 volts = 10.5 amps
Total Lumens - Newest version = 13,800 the older was 12,900
Price - $995

So when comparing to other lights be sure to compare apples to apples.
For example, Rigid offers a 20" or 24" bar that costs $600. Now you say to yourself... why wouldn't I go with the rigid light... its the same size and costs way less. However, the rigid throws out 8,600 lumens. Comparing a rigid that has 13,000 + lumens and the price won't be much different. Secondly, the Rigid comes how you order it. You can change the lens to amber but you cannot change light pattern, unlike the OnX that you can changer to multiple configurations.

Three reasons I chose their product:

1) They use Cree XM-L2 Bin 6 LED's. These are some of the best on the market, in terms of output, efficiency, and color. I'm not regurgitating info either. I do a lot of research on LED's, and recently converted most of my house to them as well. Cree is a industry leader in LED technology.

2) Each LED has its own reflector, and you can mix and match reflectors to suit your needs. Whether it be, high speed spot, spot, driving, flood. You can change it pretty quickly on your own by unscrewing a few hex bolts.

3) After tailoring each LED to what you want, you also have the option of a lens that covers the light. You can go with clear, amber, or a spread lens. Some of their other lights offer red, blue, green. I like this because I can use amber if I know im going to be in foggy conditions.

They offer a bolt on bracket, and a wire harness that taps into your upfitters. If you don't want to use your upfitter, you can get a complete harness.

The OnX has 3 modes built into it that are controlled with a momentary switch aside from your upfitter switch to turn them on and off. The modes are High, Low, and Strobe. I wired into my upfitter switch, and hid the momentary switch in an empty cut out in my dash that you can see in the pics. In the video (the last image) you can see the strobe mode.

My impressions of the light:

It blows away any other light I have ever used or seen so far, and that includes my HID retrofits. There is literally light everywhere, smooth, even light. And the light throw (distance) is significantly further than I was expecting. This light must be used with extreme caution on the road. I use the light often but only when I know I won't meet any oncoming traffic. These lights are beyond blinding in high mode at night, and just blinding in low mode. Strobe mode could cause epileptic seizure if you aren't careful haha. The one picture of the output is a road with street lights.

So for anyone thinking about going with an LED bar, I hope this info is useful to you. And if you have any questions feel free to shoot em over.

I am in no way affiliated with Baja, and have no financial interest in their product. I just know a good product when I see one, and would like to share with the forum.

 

I've been doing quite a few light bar installs for friends recently. Very cool.

Was there a reason why you chose not to use your upfitter switches? All used up already?

 

Trent, I was thinking the same thing at first but then I read that the light has high, low and strobe modes so I'm guessing maybe that is the mode switch?

That is a sharp looking light bar, but I don't know if I could survive the cost!

 

Yeah I have done a few that have strobe mode, Just used aux 2,3,4 for those.

No, no problem at all just wondering.

 

Interesting

 

I must have not written that clearly. I wired mine up to my upfitter switch, using their basic wiring harness. There is a third green wire that comes out of the light that goes to the momentary switch to control the different modes. I ran that momentary switch to a flush mount spot in a cutout on the dash.

The price is definitely no joke.... but aside from tires, lighting is one of the most important things in my opinion.

My next plan if I am not broke is to install Squadron XL LED lights in my fog light openings.

 

Very nice! I've been thinking hard about putting one in myself but am concerned about theft since I have to park outside. How quick/easy would it be for someone to steal this $1000 light?

 

I have been thinking the same exact thing. There is some hardware out there that would make it more difficult to get off. There is a plain black plastic cover that goes over the light and makes it look inconspicuous. As the popularity of these grow, so will the thefts. I will devise something of the next few weeks. The thought of heavy duty red thread locker should would make it tough.

 

Same exact spot, one just headlights, other with LEDs on.

 

Never heard of Baja, really neat idea on the interchangeable lighting pattern. I've seen Rigid's products and liked what they had, but this seems even better. Are the LED's lenses changeable on a single basis or is it like a cluster where you can change the reflector? After driving through eastern Washington and Montana in the middle of the night, you need these things out there!

Thanks, and Reps sent.

 

Each LED has it's own reflector bowl that is interchangeable for different throws and spreads of light, and is very easy to change. After you finish messing with light patter you have the option of the lens (light cover). Clear, amber, clear spread, amber spread. Other Baja lights offer other color lens.

 

 

Rigid's aren't bad - but they only use 2w LED's, the Baja Design ones use 10w CREE XM-L2 LED's (pretty much the best LED's money can buy).
Apart from Baja Design, VisionX is the only other brand that I am aware of that makes Automotive light bars that use the same 10w CREE LED's.

I did find this (a guy that made them up of his own accord, and look a bit cheaper than Baja Designs/Vision X)
https://www.rydelfab.com/index.php?r...&product_id=50

 

Hmmm, Rigid finally has a little more competition!
Competition = more competitive pricing (hoping...) = happy consumer.
Nice lights!
Thanks for the post LaxPlaya