The REAL POLICE FORUM is a leading community of police officers and law enforcement professionals. The forum includes police chat and restricted areas for police officers only. The ask-a-cop area allows you to ask questions to real police officers and only verified police are allowed to respond. REALPOLICE.com also features law enforcement jobs, news, training materials and expert articles.kab012345
12-30-09, 04:40 AM
I almost thought they went to bars at first from the title.
http://www.michigan.gov/images/msp/oldmsplight_304146_7.jpg
Under Red "Bubble" Cover (Old): The old MSP beacon used motor-driven technology from the 1950s.
Since the 1950s, Michigan State Police (MSP) patrol cars have been adorned with a unique rotating red light on the roof. As the only state police department in the country to use this design, the single overhead red light is unmistakably identifiable to both Michigan residents and other law enforcement agencies. Many people often inquire about the "bubble" or "gumball" light and usually assume it is used today solely as tradition.
While the department is accustomed to this look, the benefits go beyond tradition. The single overhead light has been proven to enhance acceleration and performance. The nationally recognized Police Vehicle Evaluation, conducted by the MSP Precision Driving Unit, has found that vehicles with a full overhead light bar accelerate slower than vehicles with a single overhead light. Additionally, the reduced forward-facing surface area of the single light provides greater fuel savings when compared to the larger surface area of a light bar.
Just recently, the MSP "bubble" light underwent a makeover to improve its energy efficiency. Working with Whelen Engineering, a Brighton, Mich.-based firm, a prototype using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) was developed. After nearly four years of research, development and testing, Whelen Engineering and the Precision Driving Unit produced a light kit that fits in the existing overhead light shell.
http://www.michigan.gov/images/msp/newmsplight_304147_7.jpg
Under Red "Bubble" Cover (New): The new LED-based MSP beacon provides enhanced performance and has a longer lifespan.
The new LED overhead light produces an intense, wide-angle red light in all directions that only requires three amps to operate. Each kit uses 12 light heads, nine LED bulbs per head, for a total of 108 lights in each car; far more than most standard light bars. The LED bulbs have an 100,000-hours-of-use rating and a five-year warranty from date of service.
Since the LED lights are maintenance free and eliminate the need for heavy-duty wiring and special switches, the MSP estimates it will save more than $220,000 over a four-year period.
To reduce installation costs, current MSP patrol cars will be fitted with the new LED overhead light kits when there is a light failure. The LED lights will also be installed in approximately 250 new patrol cars per year.
I would love to see how much of a difference this makes on the look and effectiveness of the cars. :blush5:
http://www.michigan.gov/images/msp/oldmsplight_304146_7.jpg
Under Red "Bubble" Cover (Old): The old MSP beacon used motor-driven technology from the 1950s.
Since the 1950s, Michigan State Police (MSP) patrol cars have been adorned with a unique rotating red light on the roof. As the only state police department in the country to use this design, the single overhead red light is unmistakably identifiable to both Michigan residents and other law enforcement agencies. Many people often inquire about the "bubble" or "gumball" light and usually assume it is used today solely as tradition.
While the department is accustomed to this look, the benefits go beyond tradition. The single overhead light has been proven to enhance acceleration and performance. The nationally recognized Police Vehicle Evaluation, conducted by the MSP Precision Driving Unit, has found that vehicles with a full overhead light bar accelerate slower than vehicles with a single overhead light. Additionally, the reduced forward-facing surface area of the single light provides greater fuel savings when compared to the larger surface area of a light bar.
Just recently, the MSP "bubble" light underwent a makeover to improve its energy efficiency. Working with Whelen Engineering, a Brighton, Mich.-based firm, a prototype using Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) was developed. After nearly four years of research, development and testing, Whelen Engineering and the Precision Driving Unit produced a light kit that fits in the existing overhead light shell.
http://www.michigan.gov/images/msp/newmsplight_304147_7.jpg
Under Red "Bubble" Cover (New): The new LED-based MSP beacon provides enhanced performance and has a longer lifespan.
The new LED overhead light produces an intense, wide-angle red light in all directions that only requires three amps to operate. Each kit uses 12 light heads, nine LED bulbs per head, for a total of 108 lights in each car; far more than most standard light bars. The LED bulbs have an 100,000-hours-of-use rating and a five-year warranty from date of service.
Since the LED lights are maintenance free and eliminate the need for heavy-duty wiring and special switches, the MSP estimates it will save more than $220,000 over a four-year period.
To reduce installation costs, current MSP patrol cars will be fitted with the new LED overhead light kits when there is a light failure. The LED lights will also be installed in approximately 250 new patrol cars per year.
I would love to see how much of a difference this makes on the look and effectiveness of the cars. :blush5: