MSP Goes LED: Traditional Patrol Light Receives Modern Upgrade

[kab012345]

I almost thought they went to bars at first from the title.

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.

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.

[Norm357]

Still looks stupid.

[oscarmitre]

What the hell wrong with a Zippo lighter held out the driver's side window? Was good enough in my day. In an emergency you could wrap red cellophane around it, course it would flame up and burn your hands but so what? Cops these days are too damn wussy.

[basher52]

Does it flash and rotate or just flash? I'm assuming the LED's are white and they are keeping the red dome? Anyone have the details, enqwuiring minds need to know?????

[Creeker]

.... and what about that funky Taxi light they mount on the hood?

I think the aerodynamic savings of the roof light is eaten up by the billboard on the hood.

Is it LED, too or is it still halogen/strobe?

BTW, I think the new light looks like a high school science project on steroids.

[GrahamX05]

Does it flash and rotate or just flash? I'm assuming the LED's are white and they are keeping the red dome? Anyone have the details, enqwuiring minds need to know?????

It flashes and rotates and yes the red dome is staying.

[basher52]

It flashes and rotates and yes the red dome is staying.

Great, nice to see them moving into the 21st Century. Thanks for the update.

[WilliamTomFrank]

It flashes and rotates and yes the red dome is staying.

Still looks stupid.

[cntryboy0531]

Still looks stupid.

I agree. Bubble light looks ghay.

[GrahamX05]

It's all about tradition folks a tradition that will not change! Enjoy the beauty of the bubble!!

[GrahamX05]

Great, nice to see them moving into the 21st Century. Thanks for the update.

Actually I take that back it just rotates

[Norm357]

It's still ghey.

[Creeker]

Actually I take that back it just rotates

I almost think it would be more effective as a flasher, although there may be epileptics to consider.

[michiganstud]

Actually I take that back it just rotates

It does not rotate. It BLINKS. And it sucks. Its called the trouble bubble.

You Tube

You Tube

[Joeyd6]

I am with Norm...completely dumb looking. And it has less to do "tradition" than money. And it has nothing to do with the folks wearing the guns...but the admin!

The agency patricipated in a study that was about "improved acceleration" and and "improved gas mileage" by having a single head light versus a light bar. Save a buck so we can have one small light on top, and don't worry, it should be enough light to warn others and prevent our cops from not being noticed. One of the bean counters missed the study about using different colors (white or blue mix) which is more noticable at night I guess.

Nobody at Whelen or MSP is talking is either how much tax payer money spent on the development of this LED which took FOUR years. Detroit is falling apart and the bean counters at MSP are spending money at Whelen to develop a light they could plug into the existing socket and uses only 3 amps for the past 4 years. And.....it is not going on every car now. Only as the bubble breaks will it be replaced. And the MPS is paying $1000 per replacement bulb. They could have got interior mounted lights that are a lot brighter for that price.