Basic Overview of Lighting

 

Lets Shine Some Light On This Subject 

We get a lot of questions about light setups: “What’s the brightest light? Which light fits my panel? Should I get one or two lights?” The list goes on. Today, we’re taking a closer look or a shallow dive into our light offerings to help you decide which setup is best for your needs.

 

The Specs

 

 

Brightness Isn’t Everything

Let’s talk about brightness, or more specifically, lumen output. The KC Flex Era 3 tops the list with 4,385 lumens, and trust us it’s impressive. On the other end of the spectrum, the Baja Designs S2 Sport produces 1,581 lumens, but don’t underestimate these little lights they pack a punch. The Heretic BA-4 and Baja Designs Squadron Sport sit in the sweet spot with 2,904 and 3,150 lumens, respectively.

However, more lumens don’t always mean a better light. It’s about how those lumens are used. The distribution and beam pattern spot, flood, or combination are key factors in how well a light performs in real-world conditions. For example, the Heretic BA-4 produces 2,904 lumens with a combo beam distance of 447 meters, while the KC Flex Era 3 has 4,385 lumens but a combo beam distance of just 223 meters. The takeaway? Consider the type of riding you’ll be doing before choosing your light.

For fast desert or dune riding, where visibility at a distance is crucial, we recommend the Heretic BA-4 or Baja Designs Squadron Sport. If your rides lean toward wooded, technical terrain, the KC Flex Era 3 or Baja Designs S2 Sport are excellent options for their broader beam patterns and closer-range lighting.

Which Light Is Right for Me?

To determine the best light for you, think about your riding style and terrain.

Desert or High-Speed Riders:

• You’ll need a light with strong spot and flood capabilities to illuminate obstacles at a distance. The Heretic BA-4 and Baja Designs Squadron Sport are top picks for their long-range performance.

Woods or Single-Track Riders:

• A broader flood light is better for tight, flowing trails. The KC Flex Era 3, Baja Designs Squadron Sport, or Baja Designs S2 Sport are great choices, especially if you’re supplementing a stock headlight.

If you’re a high-speed rider, prioritize spot and flood combinations. If you’re sticking to wooded terrain, lean toward flood-type lighting for better peripheral and vertical visibility.

 

Why Two Lights Are Better Than One

Running a dual-light setup has its perks. You can aim one light as a spot, pointing far ahead for distance visibility, and the other as a flood, angled downward to illuminate the immediate area. This combination is effective across a variety of terrains and conditions.

Lately, we’ve been pairing clear-lens lights with amber lenses to cut through dust or fog. Amber lenses are available as snap-on accessories for Baja Designs and KC lights, while Heretic lights come with amber lenses already built-in, eliminating the need for extra covers.

Which Light Will Fit My Panel?

If you’re running an Apex Panel, any light offered on our website will fit perfectly. Using our light mounting brackets, they bolt on with ease. However, if you’re using the smaller, lightweight Alpine Panel, we recommend sticking with the Baja Designs S2 Sport lights. These are incredibly lightweight and make an excellent addition to a bike with a stock headlight. Use them to push light further into the distance or pair them with a second S2 Sport to flood your surroundings with extra illumination.

 

Still Undecided?

At Gravitas, our go to light setup is a dual Baja Designs Squadron Sport configuration, with one clear lens and one amber lens. As mentioned earlier, one light acts as a spot for distance visibility, while the other illuminates the immediate area. This setup works perfectly for our typical riding, which includes tight woods in the summer and desert terrain in the winter. We believe the Squadron Sport is the most versatile light we offer.

 

Note from the writer:
My personal setup is an Alpine Panel with dual S2 Sport paired with my stock XC-W headlight. I often find myself outrunning the stock headlight, and the S2 Sports provide the added light I need for confidence and security while riding at night. My riding includes tight woods and technical desert terrain. I’m not the fastest rider out there, but the extended visibility on open, fast trails has really boosted my confidence.

 

 

Okay Thats All We Got For Now

By understanding your terrain and riding style, you can pick the perfect light setup to keep you safe and perform at your best, no matter where your adventures take you. If you have any questions just reach out to us through our contact tab and we will be happy to help you out!