Tested: Narva Ultima MK2 driving lights

Buying a 4WD vehicle and heading well off the beaten track is a dream for many, but few off-road vehicles come straight off the factory floor ready for adventure.

Depending on where, and how far away from civilisation you plan to travel, there are a few basic accessories you need to add to or carry in your 4WD, like bull bars for protection against wandering wildlife, a snorkel for deep water crossings, and recovery gear if you get bogged.

One often overlooked item is high-output driving lights, as sooner or later you're likely to get stuck driving in low-light conditions, through heavy bush or Outback highways where hidden dangers lurk and standard 'high beams' just don't cut it.

Aftermarket LED lights are all the rage with 4WD adventurers these days because of their powerful output, low current draw and long service life.

Narva has brought these features to its new Ultima MK2 driving lights, which it boasts deliver 30 per cent greater light output and a 20 per cent longer light beam compared to its already excellent first-generation versions.

Mounted to the aftermarket bullbar of a Jeep Wrangler that we took recently to Victoria's High Country region, the 215mm Ultima MK2 LEDs provided a much-needed boost to the Jeep's relatively lacklustre OE halogen headlights.

They delivered intense and consistent long-range illumination that was similar to daylight and without the harsh contrasts of many conventional driving lights. Unlike a lamp with a globe, there's no single focal point and they offered a close to 180-degree spread with no hot spots.

It's all thanks to the use of higher output Osram LEDs in the latest Ultima 215 MK2 lights (in tech-speak, that's 33 x 5 Watt producing 21,780 raw Lumens and 1 Lux of brightness at up to 1093 metres per pair).

The Narva lights were also up for some harsh treatment, with heavy-duty features including pressure die-cast aluminium housing, a 'Gore-Tex' breather vent, tough UV-resistant polycarbonate lens, and an 'Active Thermal Management System' for heat dissipation.

To minimize vibration on bumpy roads, they come with a polyurethane mounting and suspension system, while their IP66 and IP67 rating for water and dust ingress ensured they kept going after multiple water crossings.

The Narva lights also looked the goods, with the option of different fashion bezel colours available including the ‘Black Edition’ kit fitted to the Jeep.

To top if off, the supplied wiring kit and instructions made them a relatively simple DIY fit. By law in Victoria spot lights must work in conjunction with the vehicle’s high beam and the plug-and-play loom had all the necessary fittings to get them wired up and running in around 30 minutes. The MK2 lights also fitted the bar's mounting points with no modifications.

While it's early days for longevity, the early signs are good and there's a five-year LED warranty if something does go wrong.

The twin Narva MK2 Ultima driving lights fitted to the Jeep cost around $1400 depending on retailer, although you may be able to find them cheaper online. For further details click here.

Related:

Beginners guide to successful Outback touring

Top-5 must-have 4WD accessories