Best rotating or strobe light?

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 15, 2002

What is the brightest, most noticable, rotating or strobe amber light you have ever found that runs on 12V? I'm looking for something that I can use on the road and which it is almost impossible to ignore.. but which is also legal.

Any hints/links appreciated!

Thanks,
Bob

Mike_Dumond · Jan 16, 2002

Bob, check out: <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.whelen.com/>http://www.whelen.com/</A>

It'll give you an idea of what's out there. And go with strobe over rotating. And, the more lights, the more noticable. Light colored amber over the darker amber.

If you really want to be noticed, you could use blue, but I don't think the cops would be too awful thrilled./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Bird · Jan 16, 2002

Mike, you need to edit your post to take out the extra "http://" so it'll work as a link. And of course, I don't know anything about them after this many years, but when we did some comparison testing 14-15 years ago, Whelen light bars were what we bought for police cars. They were the most visible, day and night, of the brands we tested back then.

Mike_Dumond · Jan 16, 2002

They still are Bird. We buy two new ambulances every two years, and everytime we do, I have the reps come up and try to change my mind on the whelon lights. Competition has never come close, but it is fun to see all those different lights flashing.

Thanks for pointing out that extra http//.

MikePA · Jan 16, 2002

Here's an amber strobe light at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=42451&prmenbr=6970>Northern Tool</A>. 2.5 million candlepower

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 16, 2002

...2.5 million candlepower

Yikes! And this would be so much easier than trying to keep 2.5 million actual candles lit while moving down the road. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

This thing must really show up!

MChalkley · Jan 16, 2002

All right, that does it! I'm putting 4 more LED lights on every side! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Harv · Jan 16, 2002

easier than trying to keep 2.5 million actual candles lit

Bad enough, Bob, but you have to keep relighting all of them twice a second. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Yep, Mark, the bar has been raised. I'll be keeping an eye out on that eastern sky. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

MChalkley · Jan 16, 2002

Harv - Interestingly, when I was researching lights, I found out that Whelen makes a "strobe" flasher module for any LED light. It sends several pulses to the light, followed by a steady on, then off, then the pulses, etc. They claim it's a very attention-grabbing effect. I'd like to see one. Maybe that should be next on my list...

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 16, 2002

...All right, that does it! I'm putting 4 more LED lights on every side! /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Aren't the LEDs incredible? I have a flashlight with 10 of them, and you can leave it on for a month and still be able to read with it. With fresh batteries, it's so bright it hurts.

Good thing for you they are so efficient, or you'd need a small cold fusion nuke to supplement your alternator. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Don't worry, Mark.. I'm not even in the running yet. But someday we'll have a show down.. kind of like those kids do with their loud stereos. The first guy who reaches for his shades loses. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

MChalkley · Jan 16, 2002

Bob - I'm just joking about adding more LEDs, of course. I'm already a little worried that I'm liable to get stopped by some overzealous cop because the lights are so bright. They're SAE approved, though, so I should be fine, but I suppose the fact that they're obviously added to the machine by yours truly could make the issue debatable. I don't know exactly what the law is on that. For example, if I were to put 10 of them on each side, it certainly could be dangerous. But, as it is, it's certainly not brighter than a patrol car's strobe. Considerably longer duration, though. But with regard to staring at them, hey, if it hurts when you do that, don't do that, right?

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 16, 2002

Hi Mark,

... I'm already a little worried that I'm liable to get stopped by some overzealous cop because the lights are so bright. They're SAE approved, though, so I should be fine, but I suppose the fact that they're obviously added to the machine by yours truly could make the issue debatable.

Interesting point, that I hadn't considered. I'll add this to my research about all of this. If one light is SAE approved, does that mean 10 of them together are also? Hmm. Thanks for the thought!

MChalkley · Jan 16, 2002

Bob - Sure - you're welcome! Questions, I can give you them all day long! Opinions, no problem! Answers, well, now we have a problem... /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jan 16, 2002

I run an auto repair shop. We like the lights with rotating mirrors better than strobs. Yes you have moveing parts to wear,but they seem to be seen better in the day light. We run them on tow and service trucks. They one I have in my truck is a two light three mirror mini bar and you will see it! If your eyes are open of corse.

MikePA · Jan 16, 2002

According to the Northern Tool catalog, the 2.5 million cp light is a Whelen.

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 16, 2002

Hi Bryan,

...They one I have in my truck is a two light three mirror mini bar and you will see it! If your eyes are open of corse. 

Can you perhaps give me a link to this type of light, or the name of it? Do you run them permanently installed, or magnetic mount?

And yes, it helps if the drivers have their eyes open. Nothing much I can do to control that part of it, though. Except maybe run a siren too. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Thanks!

Anonymous Poster · Jan 18, 2002

Hopefully this link will attach properly and you can just follow it : http://www.northerntool.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prrfnbr=771&prmenbr=6970

I run both magnet and permanent mount -- all my lights will be magnetic mounts in the future.

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 18, 2002

...Hopefully this link will attach properly and you can just follow it

There was one extra space inserted, but removing it allowed your link to work fine. Is this a light you use yourself? I looks really nice. I have three magnetic lights now, and a fourth on order. I'm thinking of ordering the one you pointed me to.. do you like it? Or is it just an example of what you have found while surfing the net?

Thanks Bryan!

Bob

Bob_Trevithick · Jan 18, 2002

P.S.

...I run both magnet and permanent mount -- all my lights will be magnetic mounts in the future. 

Bryan,

May I ask why you're arrived at this decision? I've been leaning this way myself, and many have tried to disuade me. I'm interested in your own reasoning about this, if you care to share it.

Thanks,
Bob

Anonymous Poster · Jan 19, 2002

This light is the same one I have on my truck. I bought mine from a local supplier for 2$ more than Northers. Magnetic mounts are easy to move for maintenance, but do not move on the truck. The trucks may some times go in excess of?
they stay put. The tow truck has a full light bar. that has 11 light bulbs in it, work, brake,tail, and two 55 watt with four mirrors.