Originally published April 26, 2013. Updated with current product context.
When Baja Designs introduced the High Speed OnX LED light bar in 2013, long-range LED lighting was still emerging as a practical alternative to HID systems for fast off-road driving. The new OnX was developed to project usable light far enough ahead for desert racers, UTV drivers and other high-speed off-road users.
The original release followed months of testing under demanding racing conditions. Its defining feature was Baja Designs’ proprietary High Speed Spot optic, which concentrated the output of the LEDs into a long-distance beam designed for high-speed terrain.
LED Lighting Designed for High-Speed Off-Road Driving
Early LED light bars offered durability, efficiency and long operating life, but producing a tightly controlled long-range beam was a significant challenge. Baja Designs developed the High Speed Spot optic to address the concern that a driver could effectively outrun the useful reach of an LED light.
Baja Designs founder and chief engineer Alan Roach reported testing a prototype while driving a Trophy Truck at more than 115 mph. The production version incorporated additional refinements based on that testing.
The OnX also received an important proving ground in the 2012 SCORE Baja 1000. According to Baja Designs, an OnX-equipped vehicle was the first across the finish line, and the light was used by three additional vehicles among the top 10 overall finishers.
Original OnX Operating Modes and Dual Control
The 2013 OnX offered high, medium and strobe operating modes. Baja Designs also introduced a Dual Controlled OnX that divided the light bar into independently controlled sections.
Each section retained the available operating modes, giving vehicle builders more flexibility over the light’s output. The sections could also be configured with different colors, allowing drivers to select lighting better suited to changing dust, fog and nighttime trail conditions.
The company’s uService technology allowed owners to replace lenses and alter the beam pattern or light color without replacing the complete light bar. That serviceable design became one of the distinguishing features of Baja Designs’ off-road lighting products.
How the OnX Evolved Into the OnX6+
The original OnX has since evolved into the Baja Designs OnX6+ family. The current lineup retains the emphasis on high-speed off-road performance while adding newer LEDs, refined optics, additional beam patterns and modern electrical management.
Current OnX6+ options include straight and curved light bars, Dual Control configurations and dedicated Racer Edition models. Depending on the version, buyers can select Driving/Combo, Spot, Wide Driving or focused Racer Edition patterns. Clear and amber lighting options are also available.
The modern OnX6+ lineup is offered in sizes from 10 to 50 inches. Baja Designs lists output ranging from 10,817 raw lumens for certain 10-inch configurations to 39,430 raw lumens for its 50-inch bars. Features include a 5000K color temperature, replaceable lenses and optics, MoistureBlock waterproof construction and a limited lifetime warranty.
Choosing an OnX6+ Beam Pattern for a UTV
For most recreational UTV use, a Driving/Combo pattern offers a useful balance of distance and peripheral illumination. It provides forward reach while spreading light toward the shoulders of a trail.
A Spot or Racer Edition pattern is more specialized. These configurations concentrate more light downrange and are best suited to open desert terrain and sustained high-speed driving. Wide Driving optics place more light closer to the vehicle and toward the sides, making them useful for slower trails, cornering and reduced-visibility conditions.
A properly designed UTV lighting package may combine more than one beam pattern rather than relying on a single roof-mounted bar. Long-range lighting can be supplemented with lower-mounted cornering lights to illuminate turns, washes and terrain immediately in front of the vehicle.
A Significant Step in Off-Road LED Lighting
The High Speed OnX represented an important point in the transition from HID lighting to high-output LEDs for desert racing and recreational UTV use. Its race-developed optics, configurable output and serviceable construction established ideas that continue in the OnX6+ lineup more than a decade later.
Learn more about current models, beam patterns and available sizes on the official Baja Designs OnX6+ product page.
