Offroad LED Light Pod Ditch Light - Good Partner on Roads

INTRODUCTION

Speaking of ditch lights, they first came from the use of locomotive to illuminate the side views on both sides and inform passers-by of the existence of the locomotive. With the continuous development of automotive lighting technology, ditch lights are now also developed and promoted to the automotive off-road field and night driving field. 3-inch pod ditch lights are most commonly used for additional vehicle lighting because they can illuminate rough terrain in low light conditions. But if you need a larger lighting range and a stronger beam, the 7-inch driving lights is worth your consideration. The higher brightness and lighting range conditions make them more suitable for long-distance lighting situations such as night highway driving or long-distance off-road driving.

They all can be mounted and well fit for Jeep, Ford, Toyota, GMC, Chevrolet, Ram, Subaru, Nissan, Lexus, Rivian, and a variety of other off-road and overland vehicles. They can also be installed on motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, tractors or boats for different functions. In this article, you'll have a solid grasp of ditch lights, enabling you to use them for a safe and enjoyable adventure in uncharted terrain. Let’s enter the world of ditch lights together.

What are ditch lights？

Today's ditch lights are an auxiliary lighting for automotive lighting, mostly used on off-road vehicles or commercial trucks. Sometimes, you will hear them called Cowell lights or A-pillar lights, but the most common name is ditch lights. This is because the most prominent function of ditch lights is to illuminate the ditches on both sides of the road. They are designed to enhance visibility to the sides of the vehicle, improve safety and expand the driver's field of view in low-light conditions.

The Installation Location of Ditch Lights

Pod ditch lights can be installed on the vehicle at a suitable location. Here are some common installation locations:

A-Pillar Mounting: When the vehicle is driving on a small road without street lights, the headlights and additional LED light bars can only illuminate the front, but the ditches and turning points on both sides cannot be seen clearly. The pod ditch lights installed on the A-pillars can provide side lighting, allowing the driver to see the roadside conditions on both sides and the direction points where they need to turn, thereby finding the correct route and improving night driving safety.

Bumper Mount: Some people also choose to install pod ditch lights on the bumper of the car, because the lights at this location are more suitable for ground lighting. The pod ditch lights on the bumper can clearly illuminate obstacles on the road ahead and potholes on the ground. It can satisfy the needs of wide road lighting and at the same time add a cool look to the appearance of the vehicle.

Grille Mount: Ditch lights can be attached to the vehicle grille via a dedicated bracket or related mounting hardware. This location is more suitable for drivers with slightly higher lighting needs and can provide a clean and complete appearance.

Roof Rack Mounting: The car roof is also a suitable location for installing ditch lights. The ditch lights shining down from the roof rack can produce a wider range of light. This position lighting is suitable for drivers who have higher and wider lighting needs.

Generally, the front of the car can be installed according to your own needs for lighting angle and beam pattern as well as based on the actual situation, and please make sure that the mounting point is safe and solid.

Beam Patterns of Ditch Lights

Suitable and high-quality lights can add a sense of safety and adventure when driving in the dark or off-road. But it is not easy to find suitable beam pattern lighting. It always requires driving tests of your own vehicle and multiple measurements to know whether it is suitable. In order to prevent you from being confused about so many beam patterns when buying pod ditch lights, the following is an introduction to the three commonly used beam patterns of pod ditch lights.

Spot beam: Spot beam, which can also be said to be a point beam pattern. It can emit a narrow and elongated concentrated beam on the road, providing long-distance illumination. This is very suitable for driving at night in areas with many forks or animals, because it allows you to see road signs, forks, or sudden deer appearing ahead of you in advance. In addition, because the beam pattern has concentrated point-like characteristics, the light projected into the distance can be concentrated in one place as much as possible when it is reflected on the hood, which can reduce the chance of the driver being distracted when driving at high speeds. Therefore, this type of beam is ideal for mounting high on the car such as the roof rack, above the windshield, etc., so that the beam can reach as far away as possible.

Flood Beam: It can be said to be a diffuse beam pattern because it produces a wide and diffuse beam. The widely dispersed light makes it particularly suitable for short-distance lighting of wide areas around the perimeter. A wide range of lighting can give you more confidence when walking through thick bushes or terrain with lots of mud holes and ditches at night. This type of beam that irradiates close to the ground is more suitable for installation in lower parts of the vehicle such as the front bumper of the car.

Combination Beam: Combination beams are a combination of a spot beam and a flood beam that provide both width and depth of illumination. It is the best choice for drivers who need both wide-area illumination and long-range illumination, and can be installed in any front position of the vehicle. It is very similar to the traveling beam, the difference between the two lies in the different applications. The traveling beam is more balanced between spot and flood beams, and is suitable for daily use when driving a car. The combined beam is relatively more suitable for off-road vehicles, commercial trucks, etc. to be used at night when visibility is low.

Additionally, some brand merchants may offer additional or specialized beam patterns for ditch lights to suit a driver's specific application or preference.

If understanding the characteristics of different beam types helps to choose the right pod light, then aiming at the pod light beam pattern facilitates better use of pod lights.

How to aim a ditch light

If you choose to mount them on the hood or A-pillar of your vehicle, the general rule of thumb for aiming is to adjust the pod ditch lights to form an approximate 45° angle to the front of the vehicle or the A-pillar - that is, illuminate the ditch lights as far as you can to both sides, which minimizes harsh glare on the hood and provides more horizontal coverage on both sides. Of course, if you need more long range illumination, then just aim them straight ahead.

Here is a video about the introduction and aim of the A-pillar ditch lights.

If you choose to install it on the front bumper or grille of the car, you can adjust the aiming direction of the pod ditch light by moving it left, right, up and down in a timely manner according to the driving scene, based on the light's widest lighting range and furthest distance lighting.

You can also set the aiming range before installing the pod gutter lights by slowly aiming the front bumper mounted pod gutter lights parallel to the headlight beam pattern, then you will see them start to overlap and the pod ditch light beams on both sides return to each other. Once the wedges of light themselves begin to blend into each other, you can roughly look for the 25% to 30% overlap area that you want to install the pod ditch lights in.

From 8:45-10:00 below is a video related to the aiming of the pod ditch lights installed on the front bumper of the car.

If you choose to install it on the car's roof rack, this means that you need to use it in conjunction with the headlights on the front of the car. Then the pod ditch lights on the roof rack play the role of long-distance lighting. So you can start by facing the sky, and then slowly tilt it downward until you see that the beam of light you want to emit gradually begins to overlap with the beam of your headlight. And you can roughly observe that there won't be much of a blind spot of illumination in front of it. Finally you can adjust it according to your actual needs.

The video below at 7:12-9:18 is related to roof rack pod ditch light aiming instructions.

Conclusion

The further you get away from civilization's light pollution, the darker the night becomes. The closer you get to uncharted new areas of nature, the more variables there are in the pitch black. Whether you're an avid adventurer or just want to improve your nighttime driving experience in areas with limited artificial lighting, ditch lights can help illuminate the road ahead and ensure a safer ride. They are a valuable addition to a vehicle, raising awareness and helping us to tackle challenging situations with confidence. If you've become interested in ditch lights, act now.

(By the way, if you are interested in its upgraded driving lights on the way to learn about ditch lights, you can read our driving light review blog-AUXITO 7-INCH ROUND LED DRIVING LIGHTS INSTALL ON A LEXUS GX470)

FAQ

What is the best beam pattern for pod ditch lights?

The beam pattern you choose depends largely on where you want to illuminate.

If you want more frontal illumination, a spot beam pattern with a relatively long illumination distance will be suitable; if you want to illuminate the side of the car, a flood beam pattern will be suitable.

Of course, the combination of a spotlight beam and flood beam is the best, which not only satisfies long-distance lighting but also expands the peripheral lighting field of view. Like our 7-inch driving light, it combines spot beam and flood beam to provide multiple lighting modes. The powerful output of 24000LM ensures excellent brightness and visibility for off-road adventures, hunting trips and more. Besides, TIR optics are used to capture light and guide it precisely to the desired target, thereby reducing glare and maximizing efficiency.

What color should ditch lights be?

The most commonly used colors for trench lights are white and amber. As for choosing amber or white, it depends on your needs and the conditions you see most often when driving. For example, if you often drive off-road in adverse weather conditions: fog, heavy rain, and other scenarios, then amber may be more appropriate. And white light is the typical choice for most people.

When to use ditch lights?

For cars, ditch lights are not suitable for traditional roads and highways because they may distract drivers and other passing vehicles. Ditch lights are best used when off-roading, or in rural areas where natural or artificial lighting is limited. At the same time, commercial trucks that often transport items at night in remote or rural areas are also suitable for ditch lights.