Do You Need an LED Light Bar or Visor Light?

Posted by Extreme Tactical Dynamics on Jun 26th 2019

When setting up police cruisers and fire department trucks, one of the best options is going to be an LED light bar on the rooftop. While this is ideal for these vehicles, there are some situations where an led visor lights may be a better choice. Below, we will go over the pros, cons, and similarities of these units to help you determine whether you should buy a light bar or visor light.

Light Bars

Pros

  • Exterior light
  • Easy to customize
  • Rooftop placement
  • Easily recognizable by civilians
  • Offered in many different sizes including mini, mid, and full-size
  • Ideal as a police light bar, fire truck light bar, and utility vehicle or tow truck light bar
  • The car or truck will always be identifiable as an emergency/utility vehicle
  • When turned on, a vehicle is seen from the front, back, and both sides at the same time

Cons

  • Offers no discreetness
  • Limited mounting options
  • Installation can be complicated
  • Usually requires a hard installation
  • One of the most expensive light types
  • A full-size unit will need permanent installation

visor light bar

Visor Lights

Pros

  • Interior light bar
  • Easy to install
  • A modern alternative to a full-size unit
  • Can be mounted in a front or rear windshield
  • Can be powered with a cigarette lighter plug
  • More affordable than a full-size LED light bar
  • Excellent option for detectives, undercover vehicles, and POVs that want a discreet set-up

Cons

  • Must be paired with surface mounts, hideaways, or other units for 360-degree illumination
  • Cannot be installed on the exterior

Light Bar and Visor Light Similarities

Now that we have distinguished the strongest and weakest features of each light type, it is time to discuss how they are similar.

  • Flash patterns and memory are built into the units
  • Can be synced with other emergency vehicle lights
  • Both are offered in split or solid color combinations
  • LED light bulbs are designed to last for about ten years
  • Usually comes with a digital controller to operate lights
  • Offered in traditional LED colors including red, blue, green, white, and amber

Which One is Right for You?

Now that you have all the facts, it is time to determine which emergency led light bar is right for you? When making this decision, it’s important to think about your long-term goals. Is discreetness important to you? Do you want your vehicle to be recognizable whether the lights are on or off? Another important question to consider is whether you are using your vehicle to warn others of a hazard or just to move traffic?

If you want your vehicle to look like an emergency or utility vehicle whether lights are on or off, a full-size LED light bar or a mini light bar is going to be your best option. If your biggest concern is discreetness or you just need a unit to move traffic, a visor light may be your best option.

In general, a visor light will be less expensive than a light bar. However, if you want a light bar but can’t afford the higher price tag, you can opt for a small led light bar or mid-size unit. Many small light bars are offered with magnetic mounts, which also means you won’t have to commit to a permanent installation either.

If you have any questions or need help to determine whether you need an LED light bar or visor light, please feel free to contact us, and we will be glad to help.

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