What is the best LED HAW out there on the market right now, Im looking for brightest and best flash patterns, plus the optics(as these will be mounted in a few different styles of housings).
Best LED Hide A Way
- Thread starter Scoops
- Start date
Sound Off Universal undercover, they have different lenses so you can change the type of optics you get from them.
http://sirennet.com/soeluc2s010.html
http://sirennet.com/soeluc2s010.html
Personally, the best bang for a buck is the Axixtech TRI. Just all around a good lighthead. Not too impressed with Vertexes as HAW but surface is great as I have some on my running board area. The Whelen LAWs arent too bad either just pricey.
Three good examples of Vertexes. The Tahoe's were pretty effective but that has been the only vehicle I have seen them in and they look good. Our Chiefs have them as well and they are great but any other vehicle, crap.
This is going to be 8 pages of bantering and arguing about it, let the strong worded arguments begin! 
vertex clear suck. red's are not too bad. LAWs, eh.. spendy for just a little better performance than the vertex. And the whole cableing and box is a PITA. SO old style inserts, outstanding performance, but directional and very obvious when off. Haven't seen or used the TRIs or SO new style first hand, but from what I've read, they are probably the best performers.
vertex = overpriced garbage.
get real strobes, still the most cost effective by far and have been getting the job done effectively for the past god knows how many years.
6 head strobe = $200 6 head vertex = $400 Strobes are brighter.
get real strobes, still the most cost effective by far and have been getting the job done effectively for the past god knows how many years.
6 head strobe = $200 6 head vertex = $400 Strobes are brighter.
My input, seeing as I just tested (at least) 5 different types: (see the "review" sub forum for more details)
1st place- BOTH Axixtech TRI and Sound off Signal's NEW universal LAW. I would rank the Sound off just a Tad higher, since it has lens options. No, I am not a vendor, I was not given any equipment free or at discount, I am not bribed or paid to "push" a product, its my own personal opinion, from my own personal experience and testing.
The ONLY reason they are both in first place is the following: Both are bright as snot, and FULLY FILLED the side marker housing during direct early evening sunlight. (5 pm) Mind you, it was mostly washed out, but still very noticeable from 80 feet away. The other reason both are first is I was comparing RED TRI's against CLEAR (and blue) Sound Off Universals. Also, if "noticeably" is an issue, go with the Sound off, its a smaller "footprint" when installed, plus they have different lens (optic) options.
I would say if your going to go the LAW route, go with one of the two above. you will be wasting your time with anything else.
As a side note: I have also heard good things about the Whelen LAW's (not the vertex, as they are not good unless directly head on) but I have yet to test/compare them. I am fully planning on it ONCE I sell some of the other LAW's I have as surplus after testing. The one main thing I do not like about the Whelen LAW's is their size, they are rather long, and very noticeable when off. (imo) But, if you don't mind it being noticeable, give it a spin.
Or, if you don't mind waiting a while, I have heard rumor of some (even more) new technology coming out in the next 3-6 months, which will rival headlight high beams- regardless of mounting position- with full light spread- but I cannot comment any more than that. (mainly cause I have not heard much more)
1st place- BOTH Axixtech TRI and Sound off Signal's NEW universal LAW. I would rank the Sound off just a Tad higher, since it has lens options. No, I am not a vendor, I was not given any equipment free or at discount, I am not bribed or paid to "push" a product, its my own personal opinion, from my own personal experience and testing.
The ONLY reason they are both in first place is the following: Both are bright as snot, and FULLY FILLED the side marker housing during direct early evening sunlight. (5 pm) Mind you, it was mostly washed out, but still very noticeable from 80 feet away. The other reason both are first is I was comparing RED TRI's against CLEAR (and blue) Sound Off Universals. Also, if "noticeably" is an issue, go with the Sound off, its a smaller "footprint" when installed, plus they have different lens (optic) options.
I would say if your going to go the LAW route, go with one of the two above. you will be wasting your time with anything else.
As a side note: I have also heard good things about the Whelen LAW's (not the vertex, as they are not good unless directly head on) but I have yet to test/compare them. I am fully planning on it ONCE I sell some of the other LAW's I have as surplus after testing. The one main thing I do not like about the Whelen LAW's is their size, they are rather long, and very noticeable when off. (imo) But, if you don't mind it being noticeable, give it a spin.
Or, if you don't mind waiting a while, I have heard rumor of some (even more) new technology coming out in the next 3-6 months, which will rival headlight high beams- regardless of mounting position- with full light spread- but I cannot comment any more than that. (mainly cause I have not heard much more)
Let me know next time your down in Niagara Falls area, I will prove otherwise in person.GranPrix said:
I only put in LED's these days. I think the days of strobes are over. yes I agree HAW LED's need to be perfected but I would still go LED. I have LAW's, Vertex's, and I am thiking of trying out on a new install a Suberban SOS Univ. haw. Tomar told me they are working on a new LED HAW. Im sure when it comes out it will be very bright.
All i know is, whelen dropped the ball on the vertex.
When tomar comes out i would go with that. Considering they have taken the longest to release an LED HAW, that probably means they perfected on the problems of other brands.
When tomar comes out i would go with that. Considering they have taken the longest to release an LED HAW, that probably means they perfected on the problems of other brands.
The strobes still punch a better pop, you are right, but I'll agree with the Axixtech as being the best universal LED high a way.
The Vertex isn't terrible, but I would try one in a housing first before buying it if possible (I have a local Whelen dealer which allowed me to do so). My truck has "older" style taillights that have a faceted lens and frosted reflector, in comparison with new designs that use a multifaceted mirrored reflector and clear lens. The latter generally allows more light to pass but can be more difficult to fill up with a hideaway because the reflector is designed around the position of the OEM bulb. The former can fill the reflector reasonably well but the light output is diminished by the faceted lens, frosted reflector and translucency (rather than transparency) of the lens.
Currently I have Whelen/Sho-Me strobe tubes in the red and amber portions being powered by a Whelen CSP690, firing in a top-bottom pattern - both red, then both amber (I'm not a fan of X-patterns). The tubes enter from the side of the housing at the same level as the OEM bulb, but aren't long enough to reach the center of the lens. Now we all know that red is the worst color for light output, and with 15 watts per tube the strobes are barely noticable in the red section. In fact they are better in the daytime when you can see the flash, whereas at night the running light actually drowns out the strobe. It's still noticable but it's nothing more than a slight flicker. The ambers are a different story, but still not stellar performers. They make for decent auxilliary warning with my arrow stick.
I had an opportunity to try a couple of Vertexes in place of the strobes and I made a few observations. Firstly the Vertex provided a much deeper hue of red compared with the pinkish blast of the strobe, though I found I prefered the strobe as it looked more like a warning device; the Vertex looked like OEM equipment if it weren't for the strobe-like flash pattern. The Vertex did seem to give better coverage within the reflector, but still didn't have the same punch as the strobe tube. The side warning on the taillights was stellar since my tubes entered from the sides, and the Vertex has all its LEDs pointing straight up. This is the inherent problem with the Vertex and is why it will never function properly as a true universal LED HAW. In the end I decided the marginal gain in reflector coverage wasn't worth $75/piece, given how often I use them.
Another time I had an opportunity to test a set of Axixtech TRIs in my front turn signal assemblies, both of which also house Whelen strobe tubes fed by the same CSP690. These housings suffer from the same problem as the taillights, that being a frosted reflector and a faceted lens which diminishes output on anything but the OEM bulb. Nevertheless the strobes are reasonable, and I found that the TRIs were about on par with a 15 watt strobe bulb. The TRIs would have the tremendous advantage of not generating the same amount of heat as a strobe which makes their use in smaller housings preferable. Again though I found that the cost associated with upgrading to the TRIs wasn't worth it as the performance was equal.
I am very interested to try the new Sound Off universal LAWs as I expect the lens options will allow for greater flexibility and coverage for my style of housings. Just can't justify the purchase price for the amount of times I use them. I have an UltraLite arrow stick and a Mighty Nite Lite and I'm very happy with them so I expect the LAWs won't disappoint. Of all the types out there so far they seem to be the most well thought-out design with the interchangable lenses, and their split color models alternate LEDs for better coverage (unlike the Vertex which is split side-by-side; another strike against it). Whelen needs to completely redesign the Vertex if they intend to continue marketing it as a viable hideaway in the face of rather stunning and sensible competitive designs. Given the mediocre output of the Vertex as a HAW in the first place, splitting it down the middle in a dual color model is just silly. Furthermore, ANY dual color light (and this goes for the SOS as well) ought to have independent color control. The wires are already running to the head to fire each color separately from the other, so give the user the option to do it themselves!
Anyways, anyone have some SOS LAWs they want to loan out in red/amber/white?
Currently I have Whelen/Sho-Me strobe tubes in the red and amber portions being powered by a Whelen CSP690, firing in a top-bottom pattern - both red, then both amber (I'm not a fan of X-patterns). The tubes enter from the side of the housing at the same level as the OEM bulb, but aren't long enough to reach the center of the lens. Now we all know that red is the worst color for light output, and with 15 watts per tube the strobes are barely noticable in the red section. In fact they are better in the daytime when you can see the flash, whereas at night the running light actually drowns out the strobe. It's still noticable but it's nothing more than a slight flicker. The ambers are a different story, but still not stellar performers. They make for decent auxilliary warning with my arrow stick.
I had an opportunity to try a couple of Vertexes in place of the strobes and I made a few observations. Firstly the Vertex provided a much deeper hue of red compared with the pinkish blast of the strobe, though I found I prefered the strobe as it looked more like a warning device; the Vertex looked like OEM equipment if it weren't for the strobe-like flash pattern. The Vertex did seem to give better coverage within the reflector, but still didn't have the same punch as the strobe tube. The side warning on the taillights was stellar since my tubes entered from the sides, and the Vertex has all its LEDs pointing straight up. This is the inherent problem with the Vertex and is why it will never function properly as a true universal LED HAW. In the end I decided the marginal gain in reflector coverage wasn't worth $75/piece, given how often I use them.
Another time I had an opportunity to test a set of Axixtech TRIs in my front turn signal assemblies, both of which also house Whelen strobe tubes fed by the same CSP690. These housings suffer from the same problem as the taillights, that being a frosted reflector and a faceted lens which diminishes output on anything but the OEM bulb. Nevertheless the strobes are reasonable, and I found that the TRIs were about on par with a 15 watt strobe bulb. The TRIs would have the tremendous advantage of not generating the same amount of heat as a strobe which makes their use in smaller housings preferable. Again though I found that the cost associated with upgrading to the TRIs wasn't worth it as the performance was equal.
I am very interested to try the new Sound Off universal LAWs as I expect the lens options will allow for greater flexibility and coverage for my style of housings. Just can't justify the purchase price for the amount of times I use them. I have an UltraLite arrow stick and a Mighty Nite Lite and I'm very happy with them so I expect the LAWs won't disappoint. Of all the types out there so far they seem to be the most well thought-out design with the interchangable lenses, and their split color models alternate LEDs for better coverage (unlike the Vertex which is split side-by-side; another strike against it). Whelen needs to completely redesign the Vertex if they intend to continue marketing it as a viable hideaway in the face of rather stunning and sensible competitive designs. Given the mediocre output of the Vertex as a HAW in the first place, splitting it down the middle in a dual color model is just silly. Furthermore, ANY dual color light (and this goes for the SOS as well) ought to have independent color control. The wires are already running to the head to fire each color separately from the other, so give the user the option to do it themselves!
Anyways, anyone have some SOS LAWs they want to loan out in red/amber/white?
Solvarex said:
my thoughts exactly..... I have them in my 02-05 Explorer corner lights and they are awesome, for side warning only though. Bright as anything directly out the side, but head on they aren't really good for much. However, this is based on me mounting them facing out the sides. So I guess a conclusion would be they are only effective at full force to where they are pointing. Now in a reverse light may be the best place for them since light is projected in one direction only.
Also my .02 on strobes. Ill Start with I really do like them. But ever since being in LE, front strobes really can be unsafe. Car stop, dark area and everytime the strobe flashes it seems like everything is moving in slow motion.....
Maybe you should not shut the rest of the car down and leave only the strobes on... if you have all your lights running this should be no issue.
I think the Whelen LAW is the brightest if you can afford it. Tomar is coming out with a haw led Im sure it will be very bright . I have vertex's as well they are very good for a small housing that cant fit a LAW or Strobe, like a 2010 toyota sienna reverse lights in the door. I put Vertex's in the back up lights and LAW's in the corners and synced them .
Iam going to have another special of Whelen LAW2CC and LAW4CCCC kits ,so keep an eye on my listings or pm me. The last time i had 6 of each all sold in 2 days
Scoops said:
depends completely on which housing they're to be mounted in and what u define as "best" (just optics? or a combination of optics, price, flexibility, etc.).
vertex, imo, is one of the most flexible options (can be mounted anywhere) that has a reasonable price, but i don't think that it works very well in some of the larger headlight housings (i.e. cvpi turn signals)
for larger LAWs for housings at the front of the car or large brake light housings, i personally'd go with SOS undercover or axixtech TRI
so me and a guy who sells Axitech stuff were showing each other some hideaways day before yesterday and I hooked up a white Sound Off universal beside the Axitech and he just looked at me and said "hey, the Sound Off is brighter".
IMO they are close but the 3 different lenses really does good with the Sound Offs
IMO they are close but the 3 different lenses really does good with the Sound Offs
It seems everyone says the sound off Univ are the brightest haw leds . My only question is,is the sos brighter then the Whelen LAW's .
If someone wants to send me some Whelen to compare, I am more than willing to.
And yes, I will return them
And yes, I will return them
Jared @ 911Lights said:
It was pretty much right after I picked up my Vertex's over a year ago. It was a W600 model. All I did was simply power one of them on, and thought the light output was very weak and the throw was pretty directional compared to the vertex I had just powered up beforehand. (and the vertex was pretty directional as well)
Mind you, at that time I had NOT tossed either into a housing, I was simply playing around with a power supply in my office, and watching the light output on the walls/ceiling.In hindsight, they may be better in a housing, the same way the Code 3 Hide a blast surprised me when I tossed them into a housing. (thought they would not perform well, until they were in a housing)
I also thought the build quality of the W600 (overall) did not look that great..
Regarding the N500 looking like the original SOS undercovers- they sorta do, minus the optics the SOS original has...
I had a set of the Whelen LAWs, was not immensely impressed. They were about as bright as the Axixtech TRIs but double the cost and needed that ballast flasher unit. Compared to a 15 watt strobe HAW they had no discernable advantage in the housings I was trying them in, especially for the price.
In fact, I traded the LAW2CC kit for a CSP690 and bulbs/cables.
In fact, I traded the LAW2CC kit for a CSP690 and bulbs/cables.