I just picked up PIAA 540 Xtremes and windshield mounts yesterday, but I'm having doubts as to whether driving lights (~10-25 degree spread) are what I need as opposed to fogs (90-100 degree spread) or "All-Terrain-Pattern" (40 degree spread) lights. I'm leaning toward returning the lights I have and getting these: http://www.piaa.com/Lamps/Lamp-pages/510atp.html

They're 135w instead of 110w, and have a wider spread. They're a little more obtrusive, especially as I'm going to windshield-mount them, but since I can only afford 1 set of lights for now I want to get the most well-rounded set available. I'm specifically looking to be able to see around corners, over humps, etc., so I imagine something too narrow will not help much in that department.

Does anyone have an opinion, in general, on whether driving lights are going to be too narrow a beam? I really don't want to install these only to uninstall and return them if they're not well suited to my needs.

Thanks for any insights and experiences you have!

 

In time you will wind up getting a second pair of lights.

So for now where are you going to actually use this pair the most? On road? get the driving pattern, Off road? a broader beam give more usefull light. And like I said, in time you will have a pair of off roaders on the windshield and the drivers on the bumper.

I know that this seams upside-down but I find that having the "fogs" up higher gets more light pointed down on the dirt and the drivers down low doesn't offend on comming drivers as soon as if they are up higher.