Fav Light Bar

[Justin Gershon]

Hey I know this might sound strange but i was wondering what all your favorite light bar is. Mine deff is the vector light bar. let me know what you think it is.


Justin
Probie 248
Altamont Vol FD NY

[NRFR/explorer]

Personally, I think big, flashy light bars ruin the look of your car. As the wise 'smitheps' once said, 'the light bar isn't going to get you to the fire station any faster than a good old dash laser will.... put your money to better use!' I think he is right.
Anyway, if I had to pick, I once saw this neat mini-bar in the Darely catalogue called the Ecco mini-bar. It was well made and thought out. Instead of drilling holes or using a 'rust your roof' magnet, it used suction cups. It also plugged in the the cigar plug and did not need to have all that confusing wiring done to it. The best thing about it was in middle of the bar, it had a built-in siren, with controls where the light on-off switch was. It was cool. Instead of buying a $300 siren system and a $150 light bar, you got the siren and the light in one object for only $299.

Joe, 16
NRFR, 2nd luet. explorer
MFD, Roger's Rangers-EMS

[This message has been edited by NRFR/explorer (edited February 19, 2000).]

[McCall]

I run a Fed. Signal Halogen Highlighter Mini-bar. As far as the rusting is concerned, I place some duct tape over the magnets, to protect the truck's paint. No "crazy" wiring here, just plug it straight into the cig. lighter.

The reason I chose this over the dash light, that I used to use, is the 360 degree visibility. Here in Upstate NY, during the winter time when we get hit with whiteout conditions, the more visible we can make ourselves the safer we are. The CP put out by the mini-bar makes me more visible during the day as well.

I bought mine on sale, going by Gall's prices it cost me the same as an equivalent dash light.

Just my two-cents.

Terry McCall
Marbletown Fire Dept.
SAVAC of Oswego

All opinions, etc. expressed are my own, they do not represent the SOP or are endorsed in anyway by my respective departments.

[26DC]

To answer the original post, not NRFR/explorer's commentary, I'd go with the MX7000, either all halogen or halogen/strobe. The big plus with it is the intersection lights. My opinion: can't get better intersection protection.

Many light bars have side lights/strobes, but most of these are directed to the 90 degree plane. The Mx7000 intersection lights cover all the angles. I used to have one on an S-10 Blazer; looked good.

------------------
Rick Reed
Do it right, do it safely, do it once.

[NMFD33]

the key is being low key. the only light you can tell i have when they all arent on is my Code 3 dash laser (best dash there is). when they are all on i have- 2 blue and 2 clear hide a way strobes in the front directionals and wig wags on them headlights, plus my $25 real air horn, not the electronic style. i move traffic and let me remind you the car i drive. 1990 crystler minivan...ill have pics of this mess soon

------------------
Chris Kerrigan
ILiveInACage@aol.com
<>Junior Fire Fighter-NMFD Co.2
<>EMT-B-NMVAC
New Milford,NJ


"Species come and go, but the earth stands forever fast. All river runs towards the sea, but the sea is never full"-In Flames

[NRFR/explorer]

Well said Chris!!!

Joe

[NRFR/explorer]

Well said Chris!!!

Joe

[8Fireman2]

Had a Highlighter but it burned out my power point, i have recently switched to a Sho-Me LED minibar, but my favorite lightbar is the Code3 LEDX2100

[GTRider245]

Had a Highlighter but it burned out my power point, i have recently switched to a Sho-Me LED minibar, but my favorite lightbar is the Code3 LEDX2100

You do realize you responded to a 6 year old post right?

[RFRDxplorer]

My favorite lightbar is the one that goes blink-blink.



























































I'm serious.

[ffexpCP]

One that’s used responsibly.

[ndvfdff33]

Who cares??? Don't need em...Don't use em

[RFRDxplorer]

Disclaimer: A heavy dose of sarcasm was used in my above post.

I think ffexpcp said it best.

[BadBoysForLife]

Do the FF's put light bars in there personal vehicles?

[nmfire]

i think it would be kinda awkward having a lightbar on my dashboard?

[ndvfdff33]

Do the FF's put light bars in there personal vehicles?


Only the "special" ones do...They feel with their super powered lights that they will accomplish so much more than those who don't

[BadBoysForLife]

Only the "special" ones do...They feel with their super powered lights that they will accomplish so much more than those who don't
Oh okay thank you.

[nmfire]

r u special?

[res54cuecaptain]

r u special?
so what if i am??? :rolleyes:


***EDIT***

this has nothing to do with lights, i know. i just had to say that :p

***END EDIT***

[BPFire1618]

Much as I hate responding to blue light topics, I'll add me two cents. Lightbars ruin the look of most vehicles (look decent on pickups though.) But they are POINTLESS unless you are a line officer/chief officer and can/do respond to scene and actually USE the "warning power" of a full-size bar. Lightbars do nothing but attract the attention of cops, who just LOVE to pull over the blue-light brigade (least in my part of Connecticut anyway.) A small LED-dash light is more tasteful and less conspicuous as far as being a cop-magnet.

[SlickPost26]

Much as I hate responding to blue light topics, I'll add me two cents. Lightbars ruin the look of most vehicles (look decent on pickups though.) But they are POINTLESS unless you are a line officer/chief officer and can/do respond to scene and actually USE the "warning power" of a full-size bar. Lightbars do nothing but attract the attention of cops, who just LOVE to pull over the blue-light brigade (least in my part of Connecticut anyway.) A small LED-dash light is more tasteful and less conspicuous as far as being a cop-magnet.


Very Well Said

[BFDPerez]

Your better off driving like an A--hole with out blue lights, because with the lights now your an A--hole fireman, and they can cause you more trouble then there worth.

[BD6413]

i think it would be kinda awkward having a lightbar on my dashboard?


I have seen this... :eek: :eek: ..A Mini-Bar on the passenger side of a Ford Escort with the back covered in tin-foil to reduce the flash-back. {No it wasn't mine. }

[IHVFD53]

metro 660C

[airsoftpro9]

old skool wig wags all the way!! who's with me?!?!

[HolleyFF241]

Your better off driving like an A--hole with out blue lights, because with the lights now your an A--hole fireman, and they can cause you more trouble then there worth.

Or perhaps you could consider not driving like an @$$hole at all? :rolleyes:

[whitesox4life]

I agree. I think you should only be given a blue light permit under the conditions of:
1. Being a SAFE and LEVELHEADED driver. Alot of guys I know drive like maniacs and get p***ed off when somebody doesn't get out of their way for their pickup.
2. Being a non-probationary/junior/cadet, etc... firefighter. Honestly, I do run a blue light. I have an undercover LED dashlight (low pro lightbar-$500 thru Galls) and I hardly ever use it. I am currently Capt. of my rescue squad's jr prog. and the chief of my FD's prog. I only used my bar 3x in the last 6 weeks. All 3 were for MVA entrap. during rush hour.

I know I dug myself into a hole, kinda, but I am a SAFE, I repeat SAFE driver.

[Bvfa23]

the federal aerodyne is the the best

[SuperDoc8404]

OH WOW we have big bad firemen that pick on young motivated jr ffs cause they like lightbars. You whacker bashers need to get a life. I know the only really good fire fighters out there are the ones that dont respond using lights. Ya right on what planet? yours! get a life

[tbonetrexler]

OH WOW we have big bad firemen that pick on young motivated jr ffs cause they like lightbars. You whacker bashers need to get a life. I know the only really good fire fighters out there are the ones that dont respond using lights. Ya right on what planet? yours! get a life

Did you really have to bring this back? Heres a hint, look at the frickin date before you revive a thread.

[RFRDxplorer]

OH WOW we have big bad firemen that pick on young motivated jr ffs cause they like lightbars. You whacker bashers need to get a life. I know the only really good fire fighters out there are the ones that dont respond using lights. Ya right on what planet? yours! get a life



WTF? First of all read the date and second of all, I'm not sure if you are a "big bad fireman" or a "big bad explorer", but regardless, is there a reason for the attitude?

[ndvfdff33]

OH WOW we have big bad firemen that pick on young motivated jr ffs cause they like lightbars. You whacker bashers need to get a life. I know the only really good fire fighters out there are the ones that dont respond using lights. Ya right on what planet? yours! get a life

You brought back a two year old thread just to give people a little slap on the wrist. Well done.

[SuperDoc8404]

I just started reading these threads and started to see this trend of people attacking any one who said lights. my bad for not reading all the way through the thread. Im about to buy a smart vector for my cherokee. I have seen a few pics of the bar on a cherokee and really liked it. The whole smart pod thing is kinda neat. Oh and so you all know where Im coming from Im a volly ff and a SAR K9 handler with the county. Im a navy corpsman in the reserves aswell.

[BLSboy]

OH WOW we have big bad firemen that pick on young motivated jr ffs cause they like lightbars. You whacker bashers need to get a life. I know the only really good fire fighters out there are the ones that dont respond using lights. Ya right on what planet? yours! get a life

Good job. Out of your 3 posts, they have been about wackers and lights.

On the right track my friend!

[doughesson]

Well,if we're going to bring back a two year old thread,here's a few questions I'd like answered by the Explorers:
1.What are Explorers doing with light bars in the first place?When I joined my old department in 2003,the policy was that you waited 6 months before you could apply to have lights authorized by the Chief.This was for full members and was to get you through the in-house probie training and allowed time to see how you drive POV without lights before trusting you with something that could give the department a bad name if misused.
I don't even like Explorers getting full turnout gear or the idea of letting them make entry.Let the kids handle rehab passing out drinks and Scooby snacks or gofer tools to hand off at the cold/warm zone border.They can make entry after they turn 18 and become burnable.

2.Where are they getting $500 for light bars?If I'd asked my Dad for $500 when I was 16,I'd still be trying to get his foot out of my butt.

3.How much does your insurance increase by adding lightbars?I know,you could just not tell them ;; ,but if you get in an accident(and lots of teenagers do)the insurance company WILL find out if you have them and if you were running them at the time.That will make your insurance rate go up no matter what Dennis Haysbert says while Casey Khane is outrunning his stalkers.

[FWDbuff]

My favorite lightbar: Any one that a junior or explorer is not allowed to have.

[FDNYexp6012]

Well,if we're going to bring back a two year old thread,here's a few questions I'd like answered by the Explorers:
1.What are Explorers doing with light bars in the first place?When I joined my old department in 2003,the policy was that you waited 6 months before you could apply to have lights authorized by the Chief.This was for full members and was to get you through the in-house probie training and allowed time to see how you drive POV without lights before trusting you with something that could give the department a bad name if misused.
I don't even like Explorers getting full turnout gear or the idea of letting them make entry.Let the kids handle rehab passing out drinks and Scooby snacks or gofer tools to hand off at the cold/warm zone border.They can make entry after they turn 18 and become burnable.

2.Where are they getting $500 for light bars?If I'd asked my Dad for $500 when I was 16,I'd still be trying to get his foot out of my butt.

3.How much does your insurance increase by adding lightbars?I know,you could just not tell them ;; ,but if you get in an accident(and lots of teenagers do)the insurance company WILL find out if you have them and if you were running them at the time.That will make your insurance rate go up no matter what Dennis Haysbert says while Casey Khane is outrunning his stalkers.

I'll answer you questions.
1. Explorers don't need light bars for no reason and many don't.
(I disagree with you about the explorers getting full turnouts, I think its a good thing but its a novelity not a necessity.)
2. You'd be suprised what kind ofexpensive things kids buy these day with thier parents money.
3. I have no clue as to how much the insurance would increase but my insurance a year is $2,200 extra if I don't get 80's in school and if I do then its $1,000, so if a explorer had a lightbar it would probally be alot of money.

[ndvfdff33]

I'll answer you questions.
3. I have no clue as to how much the insurance would increase but my insurance a year is $2,200 extra if I don't get 80's in school and if I do then its $1,000, so if a explorer had a lightbar it would probally be alot of money.

What the heck. You get cheaper insurance if you do good in school?? Or do you mean your parents pay more or less depending on how well you do??

[CALFFBOU]

Here, I found it....a whackers heaven video....www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkumxfTNE1U

[ccfdblehman]

I got a good student discount through high school and college. There is a correlation between grades and driving, believe it or not. Generally, students who work to get good grades or care enough to pay attention in school are more responsible/mature. This usually parlays behind the wheel too... responsible/mature in one case, generally responsible/mature in most cases.

[FDNYexp6012]

What the heck. You get cheaper insurance if you do good in school?? Or do you mean your parents pay more or less depending on how well you do??

Yea if I get 80's or above in my classes my insurance drops a whole lot of money. I guess they want to see if im mature.

[RFRDxplorer]

What the heck. You get cheaper insurance if you do good in school?? Or do you mean your parents pay more or less depending on how well you do??

Yeah I get it too I believe.

[ndvfdff33]

Yea if I get 80's or above in my classes my insurance drops a whole lot of money. I guess they want to see if im mature.

Yeah I get it too I believe.

Son of a b**ch. That would have been nice to have during school while I was paying out the ass for car insurance. I've never heard of anything like that north of the border.

[MarcusKspn]

Son of a b**ch. That would have been nice to have during school while I was paying out the ass for car insurance. I've never heard of anything like that north of the border.

I got that deal during High School and College, more beer money :D

[FDNYexp6012]

I got that deal during High School and College, more beer money :D

I think you mean more ''milk'' money.

[doughesson]

I got a good student discount through high school and college. There is a correlation between grades and driving, believe it or not. Generally, students who work to get good grades or care enough to pay attention in school are more responsible/mature. This usually parlays behind the wheel too... responsible/mature in one case, generally responsible/mature in most cases.

If you're in college and STILL an Explorer,why hasn't your department given you the opportunity for full membership?(This mostly applies to Explorers sponsored by a volunteer department.)What does that say about their opinion on you as a potential firefighter?
So,do your parents pay for your insurance and car note?What opinion do they have of you buying and mounting light bars on the vehicle that they are paying for?
One of the explanations for good student discounts is that because they are spending more time on the books getting those good grades,they are not behind the wheel as much in the highest at risk age bracket.
What do you think an Explorer driving excitedly to the station or to the scene is doing?Is he/she thinking about driving safely or about the "save" he might get to make resulting in the "Hero's Reward" from the hottest girl at school when she hears about it?

[FDNYexp6012]

If you're in college and STILL an Explorer,why hasn't your department given you the opportunity for full membership?(This mostly applies to Explorers sponsored by a volunteer department.)What does that say about their opinion on you as a potential firefighter?
So,do your parents pay for your insurance and car note?What opinion do they have of you buying and mounting light bars on the vehicle that they are paying for?
One of the explanations for good student discounts is that because they are spending more time on the books getting those good grades,they are not behind the wheel as much in the highest at risk age bracket.
What do you think an Explorer driving excitedly to the station or to the scene is doing?Is he/she thinking about driving safely or about the "save" he might get to make resulting in the "Hero's Reward" from the hottest girl at school when she hears about it?

I don't get why your asking him these questions. He didn't say anything about mounting a lightbar on his car. And why are you questioning his department's view towards him, he could be a explorer on a department whose age requirement is 21 and he never stated that he was a explorer in the first place.

[ndvfdff33]

I got that deal during High School and College, more beer money :D

That is always a bonus too.:D

[doughesson]

I don't get why your asking him these questions. He didn't say anything about mounting a lightbar on his car. And why are you questioning his department's view towards him, he could be a explorer on a department whose age requirement is 21 and he never stated that he was a explorer in the first place.

At my old department,if you were under 18,you weren't burnable and could not make entries or work in the hot zone of an extrication scene or do more than hold doors at a medical call.
Over 18,you were fair game.I thought all Explorers with a volunteer department were eligible for full membership at that time.At least I've never heard of a department allowing people in the Explorer program(an offshoot of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America)above the age of 18.
He was responding to remarks made about insurance rates on a vehicle equipped with lights and siren with "I got a good student discount through high school and college.." which lead me to believe that he was still an Explorer over the age I am familar with,still livng at home and such.
The questions are still valid: if you are an Explorer Scout and your folks are paying for the car and insurance,why would you want to increase the premiums by adding lights and siren?The insurance people will learn of it and that WILL jack up the rates.

[hwoods]

Here, I found it....a whackers heaven video....www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkumxfTNE1U


Bou - That does NOT beat the Dodge 4X4 pickup that I saw in Ohio. Besides the lights, the guy had a Q on it........:eek: :eek:

[NSVFDst6FF]

Hey I know this might sound strange but i was wondering what all your favorite light bar is. Mine deff is the vector light bar. let me know what you think it is.


Justin
Probie 248
Altamont Vol FD NY

Whatever is the cheepest.

[FDNYexp6012]

At my old department,if you were under 18,you weren't burnable and could not make entries or work in the hot zone of an extrication scene or do more than hold doors at a medical call.
Over 18,you were fair game.I thought all Explorers with a volunteer department were eligible for full membership at that time.At least I've never heard of a department allowing people in the Explorer program(an offshoot of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America)above the age of 18.
He was responding to remarks made about insurance rates on a vehicle equipped with lights and siren with "I got a good student discount through high school and college.." which lead me to believe that he was still an Explorer over the age I am familar with,still livng at home and such.
The questions are still valid: if you are an Explorer Scout and your folks are paying for the car and insurance,why would you want to increase the premiums by adding lights and siren?The insurance people will learn of it and that WILL jack up the rates.

I understand what you are saying. I don't believe he meant that he has a good insurance rate and and a lightbar but I could be wrong. As to the age limit for explorers, where I am I can be a explorer till Im 20 since the hiring age is 21.

[RFRDxplorer]

Bou - That does NOT beat the Dodge 4X4 pickup that I saw in Ohio. Besides the lights, the guy had a Q on it........:eek: :eek:

Harve,

That wouldnt have been in Bowling Green was it? (Not that I would EVER admit living anywhere near BG.......)




I think I know which dept. that guy is on......:cool:

[RFRDxplorer]

Now I think this is from Mexico as I can only guess the description is in spanish but WTH!?!?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vszx6lJKXVY&feature=related

[hwoods]

You got it! he was working in the little office at the Gate where the Pullers check in. We were able to chat for a few minutes (some folks ahead of us on the Check in were having a bad hair day) and he seemed to be a real decent guy. It's a Nice Pickup that he has, I'm just not too sure about a Q on a "Normal" electrical system............ :confused:


A Mexican Jeep with a Q on it....... That is a bit....... er.... ah..... different. I would assume the Donkey Carts pull over pretty quick........:D

[GTRider245]

Haha Mexicans...

[bum291]

Much as I hate responding to blue light topics, I'll add me two cents. Lightbars ruin the look of most vehicles (look decent on pickups though.) But they are POINTLESS unless you are a line officer/chief officer and can/do respond to scene and actually USE the "warning power" of a full-size bar. Lightbars do nothing but attract the attention of cops, who just LOVE to pull over the blue-light brigade (least in my part of Connecticut anyway.) A small LED-dash light is more tasteful and less conspicuous as far as being a cop-magnet.

Who cares about POV's? Some people here acutally drive real emergency vehicles! Our lightbars are SOS - 1604L and Whelen LED-bar (can't remember what model), the Whelen in particular is quite effective, but still... I'd fancy them Vectors :)

So that's my vote: Federal Vector is dead cool!

[bum291]

Addition... sorry, not indenting to speak evil about personally owned vehicles, we don't even use them here. But I mean, the favourite lightbar, is not the one that i would put on a would-be POV but the one that I would put on fire aparatus.

[BLSboy]

www.elightbars.com