Having trouble choosing between a visor bar and a full size light bar? We get it—both options provide long-standing performance and are designed to be bright, powerful, and incredibly durable. Visor bars and full size light bars are very versatile, and we’ve seen both options on police cars, fire trucks, tow trucks, public works vehicles, and more! So which one is right for you? We’ve put together a quick comparison guide to help you make the right decision for your unique application!
Interior vs. Exterior Mounting
The most obvious difference between a visor bar and full size light bar is their installation location. Visor bars are installed in the interior of your vehicle (either in the front or back windshield), while full size light bars are typically mounted on the roof or headache rack of your car or truck.
An interior-mounted option is always going to require less modifications to your vehicle than an exterior-mounted light. Visor bars are generally easy to install and can even be powered up with a cigarette lighter plug. On the other hand, you will need to drill into the outside of your vehicle to install your full size light bar. In some cases, you may even have to consult an expert to ensure that you’re installing and hardwiring your full size light bar correctly. When you’re exploring both of these options, you have to ask yourself: do you prefer the ease and flexibility of a visor bar? Or are you comfortable with drilling into your car or truck to accommodate your full size bar?
Do You Need 360° of Visibility?
Full size light bars are particularly helpful if you need 360° of visibility. Unfortunately, visor bars cannot provide this kind of range without supplementing them with additional LED warning lights. If your state requires 360° of visibility, or if you’re looking for a standalone option, this is an important point to consider.
What’s Your Application?
Again, both full size light bars and visor bars are extremely versatile, but they may not always work for your application. This could not be more true for undercover vehicles. A full size light bar would be an immediate giveaway, so it’s simply not practical or feasible to install an exterior light bar to your unmarked car.
Are you using your POV to respond to emergencies? If so, you may not want to permanently modify your car with a full size light bar. Instead, try a visor bar. As we mentioned before, they’re generally easy to install and can even be unplugged and installed in other vehicles later.
Choosing between a visor bar and full size light bar can be a difficult decision, but considering your application, installation preferences, and cost requirements can help you make the right choice. Concerned about brightness? Don’t worry! Both options are available with the latest optics and are mega bright! If you’re still undecided, feel free to reach out to our support team for more information!