Amber vs. White LED Light Bars: Which is Best for Your Truck?

Color selection is often a key part of choosing the ideal LED light bars for any kind of emergency response vehicle, trucks included. Two common colors often utilized as emergency lights for trucks are amber and white - which is right for your truck?

At LED Equipped, we offer the best selection of LED emergency lights for trucks, cars and other emergency vehicles, including both white and amber LED light bars. Here are some of the basic factors to consider when choosing between white and amber LED light bars for any kind of emergency response truck, helping you make the ideal choice for your needs.

Basic Road Visibility

If your primary goal is to increase visibility on the road, white LED light bars are the way to go. White lights provide a brighter and clearer illumination that can cut through rain and snow more effectively than amber lights. They are also better for illuminating dark or poorly lit areas, making them ideal for emergency vehicles responding to accidents or incidents at night.

Now, this isn't to say that amber LED light bars are bad for visibility. In fact, they can still be quite effective in certain situations, such as when driving in heavy rain or fog where amber lights are less likely to reflect back at the driver and cause glare.

Range

Another area where white LED light bars tend to hold a small advantage over amber ones is in range. This can be especially important for emergency responders who may need to see objects or hazards from a further distance. White light tends to have a slightly longer range compared to amber light, allowing for increased visibility and reaction time.

However, it's worth noting that both types of LED light bars still offer significantly greater range than traditional halogen lights, making them a much safer and more efficient choice overall.

Reflecting Off Particles

One area where amber LED light bars tend to win out over white options is in dusty or foggy conditions. In these scenarios, the amber light has less reflection than white light off of these airborne particles - which, in turn, makes them better for visibility in these settings.

On the other hand, white LED lights may reflect off these dense particles, creating a hazy or obscured view for drivers. This can result in increased response times and potentially dangerous situations.

Color Temperature

For those who are concerned with the temperature of their LED lights and where they sit on the Kelvin scale, white and amber LED light bars have some key differences. Most amber lights tend to be lower on the Kelvin spectrum, between 2700K and 4000K - this means they emit a warmer, more yellowish light.

White LED lights typically fall in the 5000K to 6500K range, giving off a cooler, bluer tone. This color temperature can be compared to natural daylight, making it ideal for outdoor and task lighting. However, some people prefer the softer, more natural glow of amber lights in certain settings.

Common Applications

What are some common applications for amber and white LED lights on emergency trucks? Both types have a wide range of uses, depending on their color temperature and brightness level. Some common examples of uses of white LED lights for trucks:

• Long-range needs: White LED lights are particularly useful for long-range applications, such as spotlights or floodlights. These lights have a high brightness level and can effectively light up large areas from a distance.
• Emergency response: When emergency trucks need to respond quickly to emergencies, white LED lights are helpful for providing bright, visible lighting that can be seen from far away. This is especially important in low visibility situations such as heavy rain or fog.
• Task lighting: For tasks that require precise visual accuracy and clarity, white LED lights are an excellent choice. Their cool tone provides a clear view of objects and details, making them ideal for activities like search and rescue operations.

On the other hand, amber LED lights also have their own role in emergency lighting. They are often used in a few settings:

• Fog or dusty settings: Amber lights are less likely to reflect off particles in the air, making it easier to see through fog or dust.
• Nighttime: Amber light is also gentler on the eyes at night, allowing for better peripheral vision and reducing strain on the eyes. This can be especially useful for tasks that require prolonged periods of focus, such as long-distance driving or conducting nighttime operations.
• Wildlife preservation: Many animals have a strong sensitivity to white light, which can disrupt their natural habits and behaviors. By using amber emergency lights, we can minimize this disruption and protect wildlife in the area.

Importance of Quality LED Light Manufacturing

Whether you're going with white or amber LED light bars for your truck and emergency response needs, it's important to invest in quality LED light manufacturing. This ensures that your lights will have a longer lifespan and perform at their best when you need them most. Poorly manufactured LED lights may not be as bright or durable, which can compromise safety on the road.

Additionally, investing in quality LED light manufacturing supports sustainable practices and reduces environmental impact. Quality manufacturers use materials and processes that are more energy-efficient and produce less waste, making them a better choice for both your emergency response needs and the planet.

And at LED Equipped, we're proud to say that our LED lights are designed and manufactured with these principles in mind. We use state-of-the-art technology and carefully source materials to ensure top-notch performance, while also minimizing environmental harm. Contact us today to learn about any of our LED light bars for trucks, including white, amber and other color varieties!