Heading to the North Cape: hit the road with good lighting

On the road to the North Cape: good lighting is more than a luxury.
Thousands of kilometres north, increasingly quiet roads and, finally, that famous sign at the North Cape. For many people, a road trip to northern Norway is a journey to make at least once in a lifetime.

But if you head towards the North Cape in September or later, you’ll also notice how quickly the days get shorter. There’s a welcome upside: darker nights give you a better chance of seeing the northern lights. On the road, it mainly means that good vehicle lighting becomes essential. Alongside tyres, oil, warm clothing and tools, your lighting deserves some attention too. With good driving lights, an LED light bar, replacement bulbs and a reliable torch, you’ll be much better prepared for the journey north.

Long roads call for good driving lights
The further you travel into Scandinavia, the more often you’ll encounter long stretches of road with little ambient light. That’s when you really notice the difference good lighting can make.
Driving lights are designed to project extra light further ahead of your vehicle. At MobiLED, you’ll find various models, including the M-LED Co-Pilot. And if you want the best of the best, choose the Lazer Sentinel Highline range.
When fitting additional vehicle lighting, always check its E-mark approval and permitted use. Not every light or function may be used while driving on public roads.

An LED light bar for extra illumination

Another option is an LED light bar, which combines multiple LEDs in a single housing. Depending on the model, you can choose from different lengths and beam patterns.
The M-LED Sergeant LED light bar, for example, is available in various sizes and in single-row and double-row versions. This provides a suitable option for a wide range of vehicles, from 4x4s and vans to trucks.
For more demanding applications, there is the LAZER Triple-R 1250 Elite+. This LED light bar delivers an impressive light output. Its advanced electronic design combines 24 white LEDs with 20 yellow LEDs. The yellow LEDs can supplement the already powerful white high beam to provide outstanding visibility at night. You can also operate the yellow LEDs separately. Their light is directed slightly downwards and towards the sides of the road, making this function ideal in snow, fog or dust.

A small spare bulb can make a big difference

It’s easy to focus on flood and spot lights and LED light bars. Yet it’s often your vehicle’s standard lights that you really need on the road. Before setting off, check your dipped beam, high beam, brake lights, indicators, rear lights and number plate lights. Take a few suitable replacement bulbs with you too.
MobiLED offers replacement bulbs for fittings including H1, H3, H4, H7, H11, HB3 and HB4. Check which fitting your vehicle uses while you’re still at home. That’s much easier than finding out somewhere in Scandinavia when a bulb has failed. Always check the approval of LED replacement bulbs. Just because a bulb fits the socket doesn’t automatically mean it is approved for use on public roads.

Breakdowns rarely happen at a convenient time

A flat tyre or a technical problem doesn’t wait for daylight. And just when you need to look under the bonnet, your phone’s torch turns out to be less practical than you expected.
A good torch, head torch or LED inspection lamp should therefore be part of your kit for a long journey.
MobiLED offers various rechargeable inspection lamps and work lights. For example, you can attach an inspection lamp with a magnet or hanging hook under the bonnet, leaving both hands free to work.
Ideally, take two independent light sources with you. You’ll usually discover that your only torch has a flat battery at precisely the wrong moment.
If you end up stranded at the roadside, being clearly visible is essential. The M-LED beacon with a rechargeable battery attaches to your vehicle with a magnet. This makes you clearly visible to the emergency services and other road users.

And then, everything can go off for a moment.

From September onwards, the nights in northern Scandinavia become dark enough again for a chance to see the northern lights. Of course, you’ll also need a clear, dark sky and sufficient solar activity.
If you’re lucky and the northern lights appear above you, for once, do exactly the opposite of what the rest of this blog recommends:

Find a safe place. Switch off the engine. Turn off the lights. And look up.