Who made the best rotating halogen dash light?

[mr. awesome]

The title says it all, who made the best rotating dash light? I sold my Dash master and I'm now looking for a nice halogen rotator, ideally firebeam or dashlaser-like with multi flash mirror, however it is not a deal-breaker if the light is incredibly bright. My question is, what am I looking for? Is the cadet any good?

 

[FCV96]

The FireBeam is probably one of the best dash lights out there IMO, but the Dashlaser isn't a slouch either.

I am quite partial to North American Signal's offerings as well. http://catalog.nasig.com/item/revolving-warning-lights/revolving-lights-bbp-series/bbpp-a

 

[dmathieu]

FireBeam is the brightest I have a single fast speed, and a dual speed, both unused, for sale.
I use one on my plow truck...killer!

 

[NESQ115]

There are several good ones but my favorite is the old Smith & Wesson model L-11 Volunteer halogen light. It is bright plus it has a nice wide mirror. I found it to be very effective. They still turn up from time to time.

 

[dmathieu]

I also like the Premier Hazard Model 880. Excellent light, bright, and well made. Too bad I can't find them anymore!

 

[Nolines]

I like the Cadets if you can find the Mirrors to go around it, super bright and fast.... though I have had the Firebeam in ocillator ( Sp ) Version for split colors... lost it to a friend when he quit the company we were working for and never returned it..

 

[dmathieu]

If you don't need 360 degree coverage, the MagnaBeam beats them all.

 

[Sparky_911]

Firebeam all the way. The Cadet is nice but much smaller than FB or dash laser. The hotshot II was pretty bright as well. Adding the mirrors helps with flashback too.

 

[mr. awesome]

If you don't need 360 degree coverage, the MagnaBeam beats them all.

I would kill for a magna beam in any condition. I seen yours out there a bunch, dan but I cant afford the NOS one. The wife would shoot me.

 

[mr. awesome]

Finding decent firebeams with the multi flash setup is proving to be difficult

 

[dmathieu]

I have 2 NOS FireBeams, no mirrors.
I have 1 used MagnaBeam, still not cheap.

 

[mr. awesome]

I respect the hell out of your collection Dan, but I'm not going to do any of your lights Justice by putting them in active service LOL

 

[LineSpotter]

The most 'effective' halogen light Ive used is one of the Code 3 Dash Lasers I own.
Its not the common one with the translucent top and bezel, but rather all black with a metal base. (to me the common Dash Laser isn't nearly as bright/effective as the one with the metal base, the reflector seems different).

It uses the same output bulb as the most of the rest, but the way the reflector is fully filled and focuses the light, in addition to the slower speed, makes it appear brighter than anything else Ive seen or used including Firebeams, Fireballs, Responders, etc.

 

[BLUELIGHT]

In decending order, Firebeam, Dash Laser, Fire Ball Halogen, Hotshot II, Fireball2, Responder, Cadet. Those available with mirrors, especially the ones that allows the use of color and white, are a full order of magnitude better than the ones without. Probably best bang for your buck is the Dash Laser with a mirror. I didn't rate the Magnabeam due to rarity and cost. Some of these allow roof use, which is a plus, especially on scene.

 

[Nolines]

i just took out my responder, appears theres corrosion or loss of copper on the copper of the rotator, what can I use on that if the contact is causing it, maybe dialectric grease?

 

[BLUELIGHT]

i just took out my responder, appears theres corrosion or loss of copper on the copper of the rotator, what can I use on that if the contact is causing it, maybe dialectric grease?

Can you get to it to polish it with steel wool? Clean with water, let dry, apply silicone grease.

 

[Nolines]

not unless i disassemble it, but ill investigate it a bit more, looks like the copper is missing in areas...

 

[BLUELIGHT]

I also like the Premier Hazard Model 880. Excellent light, bright, and well made. Too bad I can't find them anymore!

Is that the light made by Gyrophare? It looks a lot like a Dash Laser.

 

[BLUELIGHT]

not unless i disassemble it, but ill investigate it a bit more, looks like the copper is missing in areas...

I forget how the Responder is made. I'll have to dig mine out and look at it.

 

[dmathieu]

Is that the light made by Gyrophare? It looks a lot like a Dash Laser.

Similar to DashLaser in shape, but a very different light.

 

[Phillyrube]

Five-0 light, and Federal Fireball with a pie of IV tubing on the motor shaft.

 

[CHIEFOPS]

Dashlaser-M over Firebeam everyday and twice on Sunday. The Firebeam and mirror have an entirely impractical footprint compared to the Dashlaser-M.
If you don't need a mirror go with the Cadet, IMO the horizontal bulb and reflector project a warning signal identical to a rotating sealed beam.

 

[LineSpotter]

Federal Fireball with a pie of IV tubing on the motor shaft.

-What is the purpose of that?

 

[Nolines]

its air cooled... thats why its called a fireball... when it goes up... it really goes up!

 

[cmb56]

-What is the purpose of that?

To increase the flash rate.

Michael

 

[cmb56]

-What is the purpose of that?

”To increase the flash rate.”

I tried to put in two quotes in my previous reply, which did not work.

Michael

 

[cmb56]

Is that the light made by Gyrophare? It looks a lot like a Dash Laser.

Is Gyrophare a manufacturer?
It means ”Revolving light” in french.

Premier Hazard is a British manufacturer of warning lights and sirens included in the ECCO group.

Michael

 

[dmathieu]

Correct, the brand is Premier Hazard. I can't find a U. S. supplier.

 

[cmb56]

Correct, the brand is Premier Hazard. I can't find a U. S. supplier.

I checked Premier Hazard’s catalogue and the 880 is permanent mount and 880M is magnetic mount.
They are available in amber, blue, ECE blue, red and green.
ECE-R65 approved so that means high speed rotator. They did not tell what speed.
Have you contacted ECCO to see if they can order one for you on special order?
Or maybe someone in Europe are able to help you out if you want one.

Michael

 

[cmb56]

dmathieu,
Regarding the MagnaBeam, I have one of the last available from Federal when it still was able to order.
I got the version with side mounted reflector instead of the front mounted one.
Can you tell me which one is the most effective, if you know?
Front oscillating or side oscillating.
I have not been able to compare.

Michael

 

[dmathieu]

Front and side are equally effective, there is no difference. The reason for the side mounted is to allow for 2 different color 1/2 domes to give a 2 color signal. That is the only difference, and the only reason. It is very easy to convert side to front, or front to side by switching the arm hole in the black rotator gear.

 

[cmb56]

dmathieu,
Thank you for your answer.
Yes, I know all this but I was not sure if the lens shape did something with the effect of the beam.
I have a FireBeam with mirror, clear lens and split red/blue lenses.
It very easy to change lenses between these lights.

Michael

 

[Nolines]

I still have my red, blue and Black cover for the magnabeam, Wish I still had it it made a great traffic clearing sweep light.. wish they had made a sideways reflector to it that would definately have added to its presence.

 

[dmathieu]

Read post#31. Is that what you mean?

 

[dmathieu]

dmathieu,
Thank you for your answer.
Yes, I know all this but I was not sure if the lens shape did something with the effect of the beam.
I have a FireBeam with mirror, clear lens and split red/blue lenses.
It very easy to change lenses between these lights.

Michael

No effective difference.

 

[Nolines]

no no i always used mine in sideways mode but i mean adding a mirror for the sideways mode instead of head on single color flashing. dual color with a wider flash would have been one heck of a light...

 

[dmathieu]

LOL, use 2!

 

[Nolines]

im actually considering making a reflector for my responder but would it be better to use metal and spray the reflectors Chrome to reflect the light ( should weigh less then the original Plastic/Lexan material they used originally ).

 

[dmathieu]

Go original. Weight is not an issue.

 

[Nolines]

you know thinking about it... isnt the newer version ( cadet ) a little taller but not as wide at the top as the responder was even all the way around...