The Hella Black Magic light bars have been around for a while. It felt like they led a quiet existence. Now Hella has really upped its game, though. Plenty of models and variants with different approvals have become available recently, and they’re very appealing. By now they’ve proven themselves as tough, very good-quality light bars.
The first Hella light bars, the 350 and 470, were real shelf-warmers. Their looks didn’t quite convince, even though quality and light output were good. Then the first Black Magic Slim came onto the market, now called “Edgeless” because of their slim frame. What all the Black Magics share is the black housing with black-tinted reflectors. That makes them look understated but strong.
They come as straight light bars in 20″, 32″, 40″ and 50″, and double-row in 21.5″. All carry the E mark for radio interference suppression “10R” and count as work lamps. The beam pattern, though, is that of a driving light, so it reaches into the distance.
Hella Black Magic Tough
Where the Edgeless look comparatively delicate and refined, the Tough series signals ruggedness. The wider frame with its hinted screws actually gives better protection for the impact-resistant polycarbonate, because it stands out beyond the lens. The range is about as complete as you could want.
Straight single-row (Slim) versions in 20″, 32″, 40″ and double-row (Double) in 21.5″, 30″, 40″, plus two mini versions in 7″ and 13″ with driving-light approval (UN-ECE R149). As work lamps there’s also a single-row 50″, and among the double-row a 50″ and 52″ version.
The whole thing also comes curved, which gives a slightly wider spread of light, in 20″, 32″, 40″ as single-row light bars and 21.5″, 30″ and 40″ as double-row versions, with driving-light approval. As work lamps the 50″ light bar is added again, plus a 52″ version among the double-row.
Power ranges from 28 to 546 watts, depending on the number of LEDs and the length. Effective lumens span from 2,100 to 20,000 lumens.
Hella Black Magic Pro
New too are the Pro versions of the Hella Black Magic series, both as Edgeless and Tough. They add wrap-around light guides that can glow white and yellow, and either all the way round or only partly. The real trick, though, is the boost mode, which leaves the legal path and improves the light output massively. You can switch the boost mode on and off easily via the high-beam switch. With it, the legal auxiliary driving lights reach 19,800 lumens, the same level as the work lamps.
Tipp
From a length of 40″ (about 1 metre) it’s recommended to use the matching extra brackets to stop the light bar from swinging. Depending on the mounting platform, it may be essential for all the other light bars too, since the supplied side L-brackets may not fit the platform.
Where to buy and get advice: Scheinwerfer LUXX