badge22
Member
lafd55 said:
These lights have only been around since late 2008 / 2009. They want a LED beacon, no problem, go with a cheaper one that doesn't have to be built from parts.
MSP Charger With half breed Beacons..................................
- Thread starter deputychief301
- Start date
These lights have only been around since late 2008 / 2009. They want a LED beacon, no problem, go with a cheaper one that doesn't have to be built from parts.
lafd55
Member
badge22 said:
I meant the single chrome base beacons that they have, the current style has been around, for what, over twenty years. I know they switched to LEDs but it's the age of LED, and I don't see them breaking tradition. Not to mention not one Michigan car has ever had a full lightbar, that i have ever seen..
jprleedy4680
Member
I would weep on the day an MSP Blue Goose has a full lightbar; same if the shark-fin on the hood disappeared or if they changed to a different shade of blue. Yes, adapt with time; but time-honored traditions this unique should be cherished.
Every nite while coming home from work I get to see one of these over priced beacons in action
and once again the talons in the back window are brighter then the beacon, good thing they
wig wags if not I would think it was a tow truck behind me at night. Michigan has been known
to spend money that they don't have and line the pockets of the friends of the law makers.
Most of Michigans stuff is leased at a very high cost from a friend of a friend in Lansing/
just sating
Jim Rogers
and once again the talons in the back window are brighter then the beacon, good thing they
wig wags if not I would think it was a tow truck behind me at night. Michigan has been known
to spend money that they don't have and line the pockets of the friends of the law makers.
Most of Michigans stuff is leased at a very high cost from a friend of a friend in Lansing/
just sating
Jim Rogers
jprleedy4680
Member
I've had quite the opposite experience. When I was doing my clinicals, we were en route to a MVA. A trooper was responding at least a half-mile ahead of us, and the new beacon stood out like a lighthouse next to the Talons. I've also encountered my local post out on the freeway, and I thought the beacon was sufficiently bright.
I do wish they had more forward warning, though. Put a pair of TIR6 500's in the grille and Ion or 500 Linear MirrorBeams, and I think it world be a killer set-up.
Just my $0.02
I do wish they had more forward warning, though. Put a pair of TIR6 500's in the grille and Ion or 500 Linear MirrorBeams, and I think it world be a killer set-up.
Just my $0.02
Jman423
Administrator
Aside from our opinions of style, is this really enough to protect the officer, and the traveling public for that matter, while responding or requesting the right-of-way when it is most important?
Personally, I don't care for the look, but aside from our fascination with lighting, is this setup a good mix of effective & safe?
Personally, I don't care for the look, but aside from our fascination with lighting, is this setup a good mix of effective & safe?
CenTexPSE
Member
What is the purpose of the shark fin?
Oh and also, that was a MAJOR spike strip FAIL in that one vid!!!!!
Oh and also, that was a MAJOR spike strip FAIL in that one vid!!!!!
jprleedy4680
Member
The shark fin dates back to the 30's? when the troops would pull along side of the vehicle, and activate the light in the fin, which reads "STOP" with state police on either side of the "stop."
I do not know if the current ones still light up, but they remain on the cars today as tradition.
I do not know if the current ones still light up, but they remain on the cars today as tradition.
lafd55
Member
jprleedy4680 said:
They do light up. It sucks for resell value of the car thought when you have like six small holes in the hood...
JGG said:
The TIR3s are amber for driving thru their lots so they can be seen. I have only seen them turned on at the upfitters shop.
jprleedy4680 said:
Oh yes, and light up they do!!!!
I agree with Deputychief, the LED beacon is no more than a blinking red light. Easily mistaken for a brake light or turn signal if seen from a distance in your rear view mirror, and the flash pattern is too slow for a fast moving goose. Two troopers were responding to a call outside our city and I was stopped at our busiest red light with a bunch of other cars. (It was dark), The frist troop car came up behind us and turned on just his beacon to get through the light and not one car moved or seemed to notice. The flashing light mimicked the red flashing light of the traffic signal. The second troop came up behind us and turned on the rotating beacon, and that bright swooping pink light moved the path quickly. No siren was even needed at that point.
qball
Member
The official explanation. A friend of mine sent me this link yesterday, and I didn't see this in the thread anywhere...
MSP - MSP Goes LED: Traditional Patrol Light Receives Modern Upgrade
It is not necessarily pretty, but it works.
MSP - MSP Goes LED: Traditional Patrol Light Receives Modern Upgrade
It is not necessarily pretty, but it works.
lafd55
Member
Thanks! That makes sense, but an obvious waste of money since they don't use them. Not that I blame them, either. But, in similar fashion, an LED takedown and LED alleys could be mounted on the beacon housing.Detroit VAP said:
I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks the flash pattern is, uh, just a little sad. I hadn't seen the rotator pattern before; interesting. I have to say, the LED beacons definitely appeared bright (and brighter than the rotator) in the videos. Still, nothing says MSP like the Unity Spitfires.
Strobe Craft
Member
Zapp Brannigan
Lifetime VIP Donor
At 3:40 you hear the radio traffic between a Sheriff and MSP where they are coming to a County line and the Sheriff lets the MSP become lead in this pursuit.
You see how bright that mofo is on the roof of the Charger!
You see how bright that mofo is on the roof of the Charger!
7d9_z28
New Member
The post in my city has one slicktop charger and one with the old style unity, not led YET. It looks badass with the sealed beams!