You are on target about dust, fog, snow dust. Any and all lighting produces glare mounted high or low in the conditions. Low is better in some situations. I have not run any lights above the cowling in a long time, they are cool up on the roof when it is clear but the glare on the hood is tough and that is why we see the blacked out hoods. Black on the hood is functional not just for a mean look.
I just mounted a set of Baja XL racer editions on hood mounts and they are a big improvment over my 4.5" vision x hid, more lumens and more light at distance. Also the focus and shape of the beam is better. I am very impressed and may replace my 21" bar with Baja stuff as well. I think that Baja, vision x and KC are my top picks right now. Depending on where you mount and the size of light can dictate what brand you go with.
I am very impressed the the Baja XL racer and the XL 80. I have not looked into their bars yet. I love the KC Carbon pods but they are crazy money and very big. A set of XL racers on hood mounts and 3 or 4 XL 80s or a Onx bar on or in a bumper would most likely be all the white light you would ever need them some type of amber for dust and fog (blue in snow).