How to Choose the Right Driving Lights for Your 4x4
Picking the right driving lights comes down to four things: where you drive, what you're chasing (spot, spread, or both), your vehicle's mounting options, and your budget. Here's how to work through each one.
1. Spot vs Combo Beam
Spot beam lights throw a tight, long-range beam ideal for open highway and outback driving where you need to see well ahead at speed. Combo beam lights blend spot and spread, giving you both distance and peripheral vision — the better choice if you're driving winding tracks, state forest trails, or anywhere obstacles can appear from the side.
2. Round vs Bar Format
Round driving lights (like the Onyx TB-7 and TB-9) mount neatly on bull bars and give you a concentrated, long-throw beam — the traditional choice for serious touring and highway driving. Light bars spread illumination across a wider arc, better suited to slow-speed off-road work where side visibility matters more than outright throw.
3. Size and Output
Bigger isn't always better — it's about matching output to your driving. A 7" light is a strong all-rounder for most tourers. A 9" light like the TB-9 gives you extra throw for highway and outback driving where you're regularly pushing past 100km/h at night.
4. Build Quality That Survives Corrugations
Look for genuine IP68/IP69K waterproof ratings, not just a sticker claim, and a housing built to handle vibration over corrugated roads. Onyx driving lights are Australian owned and operated and built for the toughest conditions our roads throw at them, backed by up to a 5-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Wiring and Fitment
Check whether a wiring harness is included — the TB-9 ships with one — and confirm your light will clear any existing bull bar hoops or brackets before you buy.
Quick Recommendation
Highway and long-distance touring: round spot-beam lights like the TB-9. Mixed touring and trail work: a combo-beam light bar. Not sure which fits your vehicle? Our stockist network of 40+ locations across Australia can help you check fitment in person.
