Whelen Slimmiser vs. Star Mini Phantom

jeeper2269 · Regular Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 277 Location: Oregon

I know this was brought up in another thread, but no one answered it. I like the looks of the new slimmiser, and the price. The star is pretty close priced though.

Anyway, we have an unmarked car that is used primarily for training commutes and the occasional supplement to patrol. I am looking to rotate this vehicle in as a DUII only rig. Officers would be able to take it when working a grant shift. Money is not that big of an issue, but I would like to keep the lighting as descrete as possible. I may even put regular plates on it. It is much nicer when traveling, not to be as obvious. Anyway, I am thinking of putting a slimmiser in the top part of the dash and maybe two on the back deck. At my old department, we put some towels over the tops of them on the back deck, and you could not tell they were there until they were on.

Any ideas?

bisho1p

[quote:bba2281891=\"jeeper2269\"]At my old department, we put some towels over the tops of them on the back deck

Posted: Tue 17-Apr-2007 20:48 Post subject:

I think I explained it pretty well. several of these vehicles were detective, training, undercover etc. the towels were over the top of the light housing, not the faces.

Posted: Wed 18-Apr-2007 13:17 Post subject:

I would go with the slimmiser, seems like a good economy light. It also covers a wider area than the phantom.

Posted: Wed 18-Apr-2007 14:00 Post subject:

I agree with pp01fd. The Slimmiser would be a better choice. It is just as low profile as the mini phantom, but covers a wider area.

Posted: Wed 18-Apr-2007 16:22 Post subject:

I just ordered a R/B Slim-Miser from LSH Lights. Yeah it's a Gen I light but for $77, you can't beat it. Also, I really like the look of the narrow side-by-side color rectangles. Can't wait to get it in soon.

Posted: Wed 18-Apr-2007 21:48 Post subject:

thanks for the input. Depending on the decision of my admin, I will be hoping to purchase three slimmisers. I am also thinking about installing HAWS as well, just in case a code response is needed.

Posted: Thu 19-Apr-2007 15:31 Post subject:

Not too uncommon. I saw my sheriff cover his single R/B talon and R/B Slimlighter with pantyhose before. \"Old cop trick\" he said.

Posted: Thu 19-Apr-2007 16:43 Post subject:

I've heard of people putting ball caps over rear lighting (PAR36's, etc...) The ball caps had the mesh in the rear, like trucker caps, thus allowing the light to show through when on. Works pretty good from what I understand.

Posted: Thu 19-Apr-2007 17:06 Post subject:

A guy that used to be on my FD had a big bubble type beacon he used on his dash. He did that same method but the mesh facing the front of the vehicle and the thicker part of the hat \"shielding\" his eyes.

Posted: Fri 7-Dec-2007 20:48 Post subject:

I prefer the mini phantom...I've used both but the whelen version is perfectly flat on a vertical plane and the flash back guards kill ur off axis coverage...the mini phantoms do not have this problem and the led's are even mounted on a rounded tpye setup

Posted: Fri 7-Dec-2007 21:13 Post subject:

I am kind of riding the fence on this one I have both in my vehicle. I think that the mini phantoms are just a little brighter that the miser. I have two Slim Misers in the front and two Mini Phantoms in the back. http://www.elightbars.org/bb/2003-ford-escape-install-11-16-07-more-videos-added-vt31578.html Last edited by hawkspringsfire on Sat 8-Dec-2007 14:51; edited 1 time in total

Posted: Fri 7-Dec-2007 23:15 Post subject:

I have two of both. I have a video if wanted of my rig. I have Phantoms up high in the back, and SlimMisers on the side decks. I like the Phantoms a lot more. They're a lot nicer looking, not as bulky, but put out the same amount of light, if not more. http://youtube.com/watch?v=1jCqrKng5AA It's a nighttime shot, so things are bright. I just walked around the car as someone wanted to see my lights online. It was a quick shot, so it may not best represent the lights.

Posted: Sat 8-Dec-2007 09:34 Post subject:

We've had a few guys add SlimMisers to their supplied package- They work VERY well at night, but in direct sun I'd go with a linear LED or a TIR3/4 setup. The difference in price is worth the traffic you'll move. Oh, and in regards to the pantyhose... yes it does work, but it'll nullify the already low output of Gen 1 lights at an angle.

Posted: Sun 9-Dec-2007 07:21 Post subject:

Sounds all very complicated when you can do much simpler... If lack of conspicuosity is of the essence, why don't you go for HAW LED inserts all over ? White or blue in the front, red in the back. You could also add a single TLN1 -stashed away under the dash or in the central glove compartment- that the driver could just pull out and velcro the dash or the sunvisor when the need for CODE3 run arises. Just my 2 euros worth....

Posted: Sat 8-Dec-2007 08:02 Post subject:

Although I'm not a huge fan of Galls, they have an upgraded version of the Phantom---called the MAX Phantom with 25% more LEDS. You can get a 3 piece set (1 front and 2 rear units) for $289.99 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=DL186 Granted, they are GEN 1 lights, but they do a pretty good job for the price. My LEO agency mounted these against the top of the rear headliner, and you really have to look to see them when they aren't activated.

Posted: Sun 9-Dec-2007 12:03 Post subject:

Basically, with the slimmiser, you are going to get a larger,but dimmer color of light. Mini Pahntoms will give you a brighter more concentrated area of light. Personally, either way you go, you will get a good light that will do it's job. They both have their pros and cons, it just depends on what you want out of it. Dave

Posted: Sun 9-Dec-2007 13:20 Post subject: Re:

[quote:918daab16a=\"medic2078\"]Although I'm not a huge fan of Galls, they have an upgraded version of the Phantom---called the MAX Phantom with 25% more LEDS. You can get a 3 piece set (1 front and 2 rear units) for $289.99 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=DL186 Granted, they are GEN 1 lights, but they do a pretty good job for the price. My LEO agency mounted these against the top of the rear headliner, and you really have to look to see them when they aren't activated.

Posted: Sun 9-Dec-2007 16:56 Post subject: Re:

[quote:b13646fbd6=\"toubis\"][quote:b13646fbd6=\"medic2078\"]Although I'm not a huge fan of Galls, they have an upgraded version of the Phantom---called the MAX Phantom with 25% more LEDS. You can get a 3 piece set (1 front and 2 rear units) for $289.99 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=DL186 Granted, they are GEN 1 lights, but they do a pretty good job for the price. My LEO agency mounted these against the top of the rear headliner, and you really have to look to see them when they aren't activated.

Posted: Sun 9-Dec-2007 17:54 Post subject:

I have both, go with the mini phantoms. The dash miser is larger but does not put out any more light. If you are looking for an undercover light the mini -phantoms are a lot smaller. I hope this helps Joe

Posted: Sat 16-Aug-2008 18:11 Post subject:

Thought I'd mention I tried the Pantyhose idea and it works fairly well. Below is my install link, where it is at the top of page two: http://www.elightbars.org/bb/post359529.html#359529

Posted: Sat 16-Aug-2008 18:33 Post subject:

i have two mini phantoms in the back of my truck and i love them their very bright even behind my limo tint

Posted: Sat 16-Aug-2008 21:52 Post subject: Re:

[quote:3ea0318e0c=\"JETT\"]i have two mini phantoms in the back of my truck and i love them their very bright even behind my limo tint

Posted: Mon 18-Aug-2008 05:30 Post subject: Re:

[quote:06d34de6bf=\"medic2078\"]Although I'm not a huge fan of Galls, they have an upgraded version of the Phantom---called the MAX Phantom with 25% more LEDS. You can get a 3 piece set (1 front and 2 rear units) for $289.99 http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=general_catalog&style=DL186 Granted, they are GEN 1 lights, but they do a pretty good job for the price. My LEO agency mounted these against the top of the rear headliner, and you really have to look to see them when they aren't activated.

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