Lightbars or Slick Tops?

[ChainSa]

My department is switching their squads from having Lightbars on the top to... well, naked tops. :eek: I was just wondering what your squad(s) have, and what you prefer. To me, it's not a real squad if it doesn't have red and blue lights on the top that have the power to blind you, unless of course it's an unmarked squad, but that's just personal opinion. Anyway, I was just curious to what everyone thought about lightbars and slick tops. What are the pros and cons, in your opinion, for these two "styles?"

[tpd_six]

I currently have a vector, and I hate it. Noisy (both the lights themselves and the wind noise at higher speeds), slows down when it's cold, the pods haze up after a while, huge power draw, and it really slows my car down. I'd much rather have a slick top with an interior mounted LED bar. Just as visible but without all the problems.

[Ranger__101]

Slick tops are great for traffic enforcement but don't have the best 360 degree lighting for emergency runs.

Each type serves its purpose depending on what the car is being used for.

[ChainSa]

Just as visible but without all the problems.

That's one thing I was wondering about. I mean, if you're on a traffic stop at night, aren't people going to see those lightbars before they see the interior ones? In that situation, it just seems to me that lightbars are a little safer.

[George]

What's the difference in them? Gotta pic of a slick top?

[ChainSa]

What's the difference in them? Gotta pic of a slick top?

Slick top just means what it says; there are no lightbars on the top of the squad.

[acreature]

Slick tops are great for traffic enforcement but don't have the best 360 degree lighting for emergency runs.

Each type serves its purpose depending on what the car is being used for.

Mine has 360 degree warning ;)

I have LEDS mounted on the sides of the cage, and of course the corner strobes.

[Ranger__101]

The interior light bars show really bright though the glass. They actually have a glare shield that goes from the light to the glass to keep the light out of the car and where it needs to go. In some cases these new LED light bars are brigher than strobe lights or regular lights.

But you are right that interior lights are pretty directional (front and rear of the car) where a light bar shines 360 degrees.

[acreature]

The interior light bars show really bright though the glass. They actually have a glare shield that goes from the light to the glass to keep the light out of the car and where it needs to go. In some cases these new LED light bars are brigher than strobe lights or regular lights.

But you are right that interior lights are pretty directional (front and rear of the car) where a light bar shines 360 degrees.

It's all about how you mount them... close to the glass = no flashback

[Ranger__101]

Only problem with LED's on the cage is they are not as bright as rotors or strobes. They don't catch drivers attention as much. That and tinted glass cuts down the light for the LED.

One piece of equipment that I think all Emergency Vehicles should be required to have is Preemtion AKA opticom. This will request a green light for the vehicle.

[tpd_six]

That's one thing I was wondering about. I mean, if you're on a traffic stop at night, aren't people going to see those lightbars before they see the interior ones? In that situation, it just seems to me that lightbars are a little safer.

A full width interior LED shows up just as good as a roof mounted bar. One of our deputies just got one that resembled "close encounters", unbelievably bright. At night, they can be seen for miles. Not to mention the extras that can be added, corner strobes, brake/tail light flashers, etc. Some of these can be used to compensate for the reduced side visibility, especially the front corner marker strobes. I would much prefer the reduced profile during the day as well.

[ChainSa]

A full width interior LED shows up just as good as a roof mounted bar. One of our deputies just got one that resembled "close encounters", unbelievably bright. At night, they can be seen for miles. Not to mention the extras that can be added, corner strobes, brake/tail light flashers, etc. Some of these can be used to compensate for the reduced side visibility, especially the front corner marker strobes. I would much prefer the reduced profile during the day as well.

That's very true, but sometimes, visibilty is important for enforcement. Our Det. Sgt. told me, "Be visible. If they don't think you are there, they'll pull more crap. If you're seen, it deters them." But of course, there are pros and cons to everything.

[George]

I was thinking the slick top was more like this: http://www.lshlights.net/images/Show...20fasttrax.jpg and http://www.lshlights.net/images/Show...ax%20front.jpg

In my humble opinion, a cruiser is not a cruiser, unless you see the ol' red and blue ontop of the vehicel. :D

[Ranger__101]

It all comes down to that darn side visibility.. Corner strobes are nice. Unfortunate thing about the corner markers, brake and tail lights is that the reflector is designed to send the most light to the front and rear. Granted there is usally enough light to the sides to be seen as well.

[GaPeach]

I was thinking the slick top was more like this: http://www.lshlights.net/images/Show...20fasttrax.jpg and http://www.lshlights.net/images/Show...ax%20front.jpg

In my humble opinion, a cruiser is not a cruiser, unless you see the ol' red and blue ontop of the vehicel. :D

Amen! ;)

and as a citizen (fer now!) and a nerdy driver who actually keeps an eye on the traffic behind me, I think the strobes on the headlamps are the most effective in catching my attention(day or night) so that I can get outta the way when you guys come blaring by.

I am just glad you don't have those stinkin' european clown horns on those cruisers.

But here is what I think would be awesome! LOL
police cars