txff914
Member
If you clean the windshield and the bracket real good with alcohol wipes that should stick real good.
Feniex Bracket and Suction Cup Failures
- Thread starter Firenhp
- Start date
Blaine B. said:
That's what I'm trying now. So far it's held up for 2 days. My only concern is there might not be enough surface area on the side rails of the bracket to support the weight of the light in the long term. But it will definitely not fall off the windshield. I'll let you know how it holds up.
NFD-102
Member
Hoff
Member
Blaine B. said:
Yes it is. I used that stuff to put a external hard drive on the back of my laptop... it takes some serious pulling to separate it. If you have the surface area for it, this stuff should work wonders.
TritonBoulder47
Member
NFD-102 said:
Then you were using the wrong stuff... I've been using 3M Molding tape for years to hold things... You have to make sure you get the gray molding tape from the automotive section, not the white shit from the arts & crafts department... lol I even used it to mount my mobile antenna on my '95 Tahoe... Stuck without a problem for 3+ years and was still a PITA to remove...
You can also use 3M trim adhesive tape, for holding door moldings on to your car. That is super strong. But you can't remove and reinstall the light like you can with the 3M velcro. It depends if you want to be able to remove it or not.
I suppose for cleaning the window properly, the option for temporary removal would be a good idea.
I suppose for cleaning the window properly, the option for temporary removal would be a good idea.
All,
Sorry it took so long to get these drawings completed. Had a few other projects to finish up. Here are the rough drawings for the new Cobra dash light concept. My thoughts are to remove the extruded metal housing all together and follow the Apollo design. Everyone's feedback seemed rather positive regarding that platform. I am working on the permanent (aka headliner) mount version now. I will share in about 1 week.
*********FYI*************
DO NOT call you account manager about this new version, DO NOT assume this is going to be accept in production, DO NOT post or advertise it to a customer. This is just the first stage of product development "The 3D Sketch".
Let me know everyone thoughts.
-Nick
Sorry it took so long to get these drawings completed. Had a few other projects to finish up. Here are the rough drawings for the new Cobra dash light concept. My thoughts are to remove the extruded metal housing all together and follow the Apollo design. Everyone's feedback seemed rather positive regarding that platform. I am working on the permanent (aka headliner) mount version now. I will share in about 1 week.
*********FYI*************
DO NOT call you account manager about this new version, DO NOT assume this is going to be accept in production, DO NOT post or advertise it to a customer. This is just the first stage of product development "The 3D Sketch".
Let me know everyone thoughts.
-Nick
JPolston
Member
New bracket idea looks VERY good. Now, it's time to look at expanding flash patterns. There are some very good flashes for the Cobra 2x series, but there are also some awful ones... I REALLY like the [X ][X ] - [ X][ X] pattern but I had to flip a module to get an in/out pattern I really wanted. Quick easy fix but there could be a bit better flash pattern selection. That is the ONLY "downfall" to this light that I have came across so far.
Other than that, I'm going to have to put a drop of silicone on my suction cups as well.. Has fell once on me, but that very well may have been me removing my gear bag so I'm waiting before I do anything just to see if it was that.
Other than that, I'm going to have to put a drop of silicone on my suction cups as well.. Has fell once on me, but that very well may have been me removing my gear bag so I'm waiting before I do anything just to see if it was that.
Kent@MoveOverOutfitters
Member
Winner.. winner.. chicken dinner.
I love it and it was exactly what I had in mind right down to the narrower opening on flash shield. Why make it flare out so much for tir style optics. Please get this pushed through.
The headliner type bracket could use the head rotation screws on the sides although with the new design I still don't think they will be needed.
Again, you are all to be commended for bringing this to the forum for input.
Thanks
Kent
I love it and it was exactly what I had in mind right down to the narrower opening on flash shield. Why make it flare out so much for tir style optics. Please get this pushed through.
The headliner type bracket could use the head rotation screws on the sides although with the new design I still don't think they will be needed.
Again, you are all to be commended for bringing this to the forum for input.
Thanks
Kent
Now this looks like a great idea. I hope it is approved and put into production. I also love the fact that Feniex is asking for end user input and actually listening, this should be a lesson to all the other manufactures...
Just an FYI, I've had a cobra 1x stuck to the windshield of my crown vic for 2 weeks now, specifically to test the holding power of the cups since there was talk about issues with them. In that time period, it's come down on its own in South Carolina heat... I've had worse luck with suction cups from Whelen...
That being said, the new design looks awesome but I personally find suction cups to be "tacky" on permanent install jobs so an actual bracket option would be awesome!
That being said, the new design looks awesome but I personally find suction cups to be "tacky" on permanent install jobs so an actual bracket option would be awesome!
Readers digest version: The swivel to allow the flash shield and cups to mount tight to the glass and allowing the customer to adjust the angle is AWESOME.
The Apollo bracket is the absolute winner for every suction bracket I've ever worked with. Pushing the suctions to the side allows the center of gravity to be more centered on the light which makes the light to get closer and hold tighter to the glass without the weight pulling on the suction cups like it does when the suction cups are behind it. The other advantage is you can push the light all the way to the top of the windshield and then adjust the angle of the light head independent from the flash shield.
I haven't had any issues with the Apollo series light falling off the glass, even on bumpy roads. One Apollo we installed on an F150 had the top two suction cups overlapping the black dots in the glass (which normally causes seal issues) and even with only the bottom two cups getting a full suction it still holds. That never would've happened with the Cobra mount.
The Apollo bracket is the absolute winner for every suction bracket I've ever worked with. Pushing the suctions to the side allows the center of gravity to be more centered on the light which makes the light to get closer and hold tighter to the glass without the weight pulling on the suction cups like it does when the suction cups are behind it. The other advantage is you can push the light all the way to the top of the windshield and then adjust the angle of the light head independent from the flash shield.
I haven't had any issues with the Apollo series light falling off the glass, even on bumpy roads. One Apollo we installed on an F150 had the top two suction cups overlapping the black dots in the glass (which normally causes seal issues) and even with only the bottom two cups getting a full suction it still holds. That never would've happened with the Cobra mount.
Jarred J.
Lifetime VIP Donor
Yeap. I'd buy it for my two 2X's and likely use the 3M ez-pass tape. While suction cups would allow for a great versatility in installation, I'm not a suction cup fan cause of the way it looks really *shrug*. Personal preference for me.
I've already hacked the crap out of a cobra headliner mount. Got it to work for my application, but this could have saved me a ridiculous amount of time and allowed me to do what I've wanted to all along.
You should mock some up and send them to a few of us for testing
I've already hacked the crap out of a cobra headliner mount. Got it to work for my application, but this could have saved me a ridiculous amount of time and allowed me to do what I've wanted to all along.
You should mock some up and send them to a few of us for testing
cybercop
Member
i really like the new bracket design. I'm sure we all made positive suggestions and Feniex took the feedback from its users and came up with the design. Kuddos to Feniex for listening to their customers.
The only problems is now I am going to have to buy a new dash light. Any trades?
The only problems is now I am going to have to buy a new dash light. Any trades?
Zapp Brannigan
Lifetime VIP Donor
cybercop said:
This is what sets them apart from other manufacturers. Hear that \/\/ and C3 and FS??? A Manufacturer upfront and vocal, and listening to their top consumers???
THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!! ELB BABY!!!! :2thumbs:
opo:
cybercop
Member
Zapp Brannigan said:This is what sets them apart from other manufacturers. Hear that \/\/ and C3 and FS??? A Manufacturer upfront and vocal, and listening to their top consumers???
THIS IS WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS!!! ELB BABY!!!! :2thumbs:
Free Apollo's for everyone!
SireLite
Member
SireLite said:
No, I regularly get "attacked" by my GPS (took me a second to figure out what a satnav was) but I've got much better luck with my warning lights.
Jamey@NNE said:
Jamey,
What if we did something like this? I ran some tests on this VHB Glass to Metal bonding tape today. Its crazy strong! Took 2 of us to rip the dash light off the window.
Pro: SUPER STRONG!
Con: You really only have one shot at getting it right :cry:
FYI* tape is shown in red but production models would use black tape.
-Nick
IDK if it's even possible, but I'd love to see a way to position the light then remove the protective film that's over the tape while it's still in position... kinda like rolling the film back over its self.
Kent@MoveOverOutfitters
Member
We install 3m body molding and the recommended way is just peeling backs small amount at a 90 degree angle outward like a flag and then using it to pull the rest after its tacked into the right spot.
Feniex, will this be the heavy duty 3m Velcro or just two sided tape, I think I missed that part. I can't imagine using something that doesn't allow removal for cleaning. I would also be concerned about people breaking glass pulling on it if the metal housing was used as a fulcrum. Finally, in your tests did you include extreme high or low temps?
Feniex, will this be the heavy duty 3m Velcro or just two sided tape, I think I missed that part. I can't imagine using something that doesn't allow removal for cleaning. I would also be concerned about people breaking glass pulling on it if the metal housing was used as a fulcrum. Finally, in your tests did you include extreme high or low temps?
TritonBoulder47
Member
foxtrot5 said:
I do this all the time... You only peel back a slight bit of it... It will hold enough to see if it is positioned correctly but also be "lose' enough to remove it and re position it... Then when its In the correct spot, peel the tape off and just give a press on it and you're done... Thats how my dad and I install vehicle moldings and such...
TritonBoulder47
Member
Kent@MoveOverOutfitters
Member
AutoDetailer said:
Me too... I haven't had any issues with the Apollo suction cups giving out and even are very difficult to remove for windshield cleaning.
Jarred J.
Lifetime VIP Donor
id say use that and then have magnets on it so it can be removed easily to clean or swap out lights....
lets say im a volunteer firefighter and a whacker or some other use where I need more than one color or set of colors...
I could use one bracket in that spot and with magnets (5lb in strength or so) then I could easily swap out the different colored dashlights.
also it would make it easier to remove the mounted tape later by not having to work around the light with a box cutter type knife to remove the tape later on to remove it.
that tape works well but it does have a shelf life. I have a dual talon taped to my headliner trim in my f 150. the tape lasted 7 years before it no longer held.
we have folks on this board that swap out lights every 7 weeks vs 7 years so you don't want to be so "permanent"
lets say im a volunteer firefighter and a whacker or some other use where I need more than one color or set of colors...
I could use one bracket in that spot and with magnets (5lb in strength or so) then I could easily swap out the different colored dashlights.
also it would make it easier to remove the mounted tape later by not having to work around the light with a box cutter type knife to remove the tape later on to remove it.
that tape works well but it does have a shelf life. I have a dual talon taped to my headliner trim in my f 150. the tape lasted 7 years before it no longer held.
we have folks on this board that swap out lights every 7 weeks vs 7 years so you don't want to be so "permanent"
But on the same token we have customers that have large fleets that the light wont be touched for 5-10 years and dont want cups rotting of magnets failing. Thats why whelen c3 and fedsig all make perm mount lights.
SireLite
Member
Are the lightheads adjustable once the dash light is mounted? As it would be a pain in the but if you had it stuck to the window only to find out that the lights are pointing too far down.
SireLite said:
I had an apollo dash light that I bought to play with and I was able to adjust it while it was mounted to the windshield with the current suction cup mounts. Wasn't as easy as adjusting it when it was "free" but it was still very doable.
TritonBoulder47
Member
Jarred J. said:
And this was in an "interior" setting...? Like I said in my post on the second page, I used the 3M Molding tape to mount my mobile antenna on my '95 Tahoe... It held for 3+ years on the outside of my truck and was still a PITA to remove it... I've NEVER seen this tape fail in all my years... I'm not saying that it doesn't or wont. just that I've never seen it... And a good majority of the vehicles on the road have this 3M Molding tape used somewhere on the vehicle...
Jarred J.
Lifetime VIP Donor
yes on the interior. I don't drive my truck as much and it sits in direct sunlight most days. it did fail. I got in the truck one day and I saw the light leaning. I readjusted it and the next day the light was hanging by the wire.
to top that I just replaced that tape this year. either I put the tape on backwards or didn't clean the surface well enough cause that tape failed after a few months of 90 degree outside temps. I flopped the tape around and double cleaned the service area and not had a failure as of yet but its only been 3 weeks so maybe itll last.
last time I checked Jamey magnets don't fail... unless you drop one and desense it which is very very very rare.
rare earth magnets will never fail
to top that I just replaced that tape this year. either I put the tape on backwards or didn't clean the surface well enough cause that tape failed after a few months of 90 degree outside temps. I flopped the tape around and double cleaned the service area and not had a failure as of yet but its only been 3 weeks so maybe itll last.
last time I checked Jamey magnets don't fail... unless you drop one and desense it which is very very very rare.
rare earth magnets will never fail
Feniex said:
I'll take one! Tape looks so much cleaner than suction cups, and you don't have to worry about it falling.
SireLite
Member
Kent@MoveOverOutfitters
Member
For Feniex
The Apollo has a slight V area where the suction cups go, I assume this was to allow the shield to suck up to the windshield.
Is the design you are looking at for the vhb tape able to include the tape and the suction cups? I assume the flanges would have to be flat to use the tape. Although the tape is not my favorite idea it seems that some like it and it would add value to include the suction cups and tape (or the 3m super Velcro).
If the idea functions for the cobra I would also recommend a slight mod to include it on the Apollo product.
Any renderings on the bracket idea yet?
The Apollo has a slight V area where the suction cups go, I assume this was to allow the shield to suck up to the windshield.
Is the design you are looking at for the vhb tape able to include the tape and the suction cups? I assume the flanges would have to be flat to use the tape. Although the tape is not my favorite idea it seems that some like it and it would add value to include the suction cups and tape (or the 3m super Velcro).
If the idea functions for the cobra I would also recommend a slight mod to include it on the Apollo product.
Any renderings on the bracket idea yet?
A bit late to the party here, but seems like the apollo's side mount is superior to the Cobra top mount, and everyone likes that idea. It also could be a GREAT selling point if both lights had these multi-mount side wing brackets (I'm sure you guys could come up with a better description) that could accept either suction cups or the VHB tape. Include both options, and make everyone happy. Still trying to figure out what Feniex light to put in my new mustang, maybe this will help!