I have a Feniex Fusion 2x in red with the shield removed mounted at the top of the windshield. I got one of those magnetic tool holder things from Harbor Freight for like $3 and expoxied some brackets to it, which I then screwed the light to. I then attached the magnetic bar to the underside of the windshield frame. Has worked great for around 3 years now. I like the setup because it's not super noticeable when it's not turned on. I also have a Galls LCS remote siren (same as Star Signal LCS) in there. I still need to install something to the rear of the Jeep, just can't decide what. I have a whole box full of red, white, and red/white lights laying around here somewhere. Just been too lazy to figure it out.
Emergency Lights (First Responders)
- Thread starter mjonesjr84
- Start date
No flashback without the shield at night? I prefer the Feniex over the Signal, but was concerned about flashback. My Signal is mounted very similarly.
There's some, but it's not bad at all. That said, when I'm done being lazy, I'll probably build a shield for it.
Just installed one in the front of my TJ in place of the Star Mini Phantom. I like it A LOT better than the Star. I do need a flash back hood in it though. It isn't too bad, but needs something.
One thing that I believe helps me with the flashback issue is that I have it mounted so close to the windshield, it's almost touching. I mocked up a couple of shields with kydex and acrylic just to try to nail down a shape/angle/size, I just never followed through with it yet.
I swapped the Star Mini Phantom out last night for a Feniex Fusion 200 Lightstick with a custom bracket. I will eventually make a flash back hood, but it isn't too bad. The Feniex is hands down superior to the Mini Phantom.
You don't need a central controller. Whelen, Feniex, and similar have small 3 and 4 light heads that are linkable and programmable with roughly 15 flash patterns. Low power draw, very bright, and easy to mount.
This is one version-
https://www.amazon.com/Feniex-T3-Perimeter-Mount-Amber/dp/B00SZL3MFQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20
There are a bunch more out there all with very similar qualities and various price ranges. Feniex is at the upper end a few steps down from Whelen.
The Elemental 3 stuff is okay, lesser than Feniex with a commensurate price.
If you wanted just some budget stuff on the corners to go blinky blinky real fast, you could probably get set up for 50-60 bucks for the cheap route.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3952561557...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
The newish LED "strobe" stuff is much different now than when we had to run an actual strobe controller.
Absolutely. And it has made life much easier. These days the only reason to use a controller is for more flash patterns not contained within the light, linking numerous lights (especially ones that aren't compatible with each other), or to program specific behaviors. All nice features, but also nice that it's not necessary when space is limited.
That said, I know people who have "saved money" by buying cheap lights and a cheap controller to get the desired outcome. If you DO want a controller, make sure the LEDs have a steady burn setting.
My experience re: Whelen and Feniex has been different though. I've had way more issues/failures out of Whelen over the years than I have Feniex, without much help from Whelen on warranty. Feniex on the other hand has been brighter and held up better and with only one warranty claim, they sent a new lighthead to me within 48hrs. I'm still using that same light 10 years later with no problems. We started using Feniex on our apparatus at our station and it's relatively easy to identify them from the trucks we have still running whelen. I'll still run whelen for the right price, but prefer Feniex.
I got out of the Emergency Vehicle business before we even knew who Feniex was. At the time, it was Code 3, Whelen, Federal Signal, and a couple of small players in the off brand world. Whelen had just come out with the first light bars to run LED modules for steady red, a few whites with strobe function and everything else was still actual strobe. We were still running the FS mechanical sirens, direct pump stutter horns, and a boat load of actual strobes.
Now you type in EV light bars and warning lights, there are 100's in the business.
And truth be told, all but the cheapest lights these days are probably adequate for most people in regards to brightness. For how cheap you can buy them, they'll last long enough you don't feel robbed. All of those top brands you named are still good lights with the main difference visually and with brightness being due to optics used. I've just noticed some QC issues here and there with some and how the company handles warranty issues leaves a huge impact on me personally, so I've primarily given my money to Feniex for the last 13 years or so.
My Fire department has a mix of Wheelen, Code 3, and now Sound Off. I've found that Wheelen is more responsive to their "Dealers" than other customers as far as warranty goes, and it only is for 5 years. Sound Off is very similar in options to Wheelen and some of their dealers/installers will warranty the LEDs for the life of the application. Sound off is also the parent company of MPower who does off road lighting. Like all good LEDs they're not cheap but seem to be holding up well.
ronsuriano
Member
A lot of great information here... and super glad I found this thread.
Liz (my "better half"
) works for the State as an inspector and has a "permanently-assigned" state-owned vehicle— a 2006 Trailblazer. 
Now that we've got her '99 TJ ready to rock, I thought that she might wanna take it out on her assignments now and then. The Trailblazer has white strobes in the front and rear signal lights, and I think she'll appreciate some warning strobes on the TJ, just in case.
With that said, any updated recommendations? I don't think I wanna install a "light bar" per se, so maybe some options for hidden, small pod, or similar strobes? A couple of pics of the rig so you know what we're working with:
Anyone ever used these or something like these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0817T6C6H?tag=wranglerorg-20) or these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B17NQ7FM?tag=wranglerorg-20)?
Looking forward to your input, as always—and I really appreciate any suggestions or links.
Thanks,
Ron
Liz (my "better half"
) works for the State as an inspector and has a "permanently-assigned" state-owned vehicle— a 2006 Trailblazer. Now that we've got her '99 TJ ready to rock, I thought that she might wanna take it out on her assignments now and then. The Trailblazer has white strobes in the front and rear signal lights, and I think she'll appreciate some warning strobes on the TJ, just in case.With that said, any updated recommendations? I don't think I wanna install a "light bar" per se, so maybe some options for hidden, small pod, or similar strobes? A couple of pics of the rig so you know what we're working with:
Anyone ever used these or something like these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0817T6C6H?tag=wranglerorg-20) or these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B17NQ7FM?tag=wranglerorg-20)?
Looking forward to your input, as always—and I really appreciate any suggestions or links.
Thanks,
Ron
A lot of great information here... and super glad I found this thread.
Liz (my "better half"
With that said, any updated recommendations? I don't think I wanna install a "light bar" per se, so maybe some options for hidden, small pod, or similar strobes? A couple of pics of the rig so you know what we're working with:
View attachment 612889
View attachment 612890
Anyone ever used these or something like these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0817T6C6H?tag=wranglerorg-20) or these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B17NQ7FM?tag=wranglerorg-20)?
Looking forward to your input, as always—and I really appreciate any suggestions or links.
Thanks,
Ron
Those cheap lights won't be worth the effort. I test every led warning light I can get my hands on through the Amazon Vine program, and most of them are junk. If you HAVE to go cheap, find something from Nilight. Yes, the same company that makes the foglights everyone loves. They have the brightest, best built "off-brand" warning lights I have found. I currently am running one of their visor lights on my 4th vehicle that I don't use super often. I actually just ran a crash and the light moved traffic wonderfully in bright full sun.
Otherwise, buy some single head or dual head interior lights for the front and back glass from feniex or Whelen or whoever you choose. That way you don't have to worry about drilling for permanent mounting. If you want small, affordable, quality lightheads for the exterior, feniex t3 heads can be picked up for $30-$40/piece.
ronsuriano
Member
Hey, @WVJeep304 —
Thanks for the info.
Yeah, I have the Nilight 15023SB-B 7" LED off-road lights (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MDG14CC?tag=wranglerorg-20) installed, and I'm really pleased with them. They seem to be well built and are very bright.I have these from Nilight (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8892XZL?tag=wranglerorg-20) and these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2QJ45YS?tag=wranglerorg-20) saved in my Amazon "Wrangler List" — any insight? I've also looked at the Feniex units, which are very nice, but I would like to save some bux for my Merc.
Once again, thanks for the info! Nice ride, by the way!
Hey, @WVJeep304 —
Thanks for the info.
I have these from Nilight (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B8892XZL?tag=wranglerorg-20) and these (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2QJ45YS?tag=wranglerorg-20) saved in my Amazon "Wrangler List" — any insight? I've also looked at the Feniex units, which are very nice, but I would like to save some bux for my Merc.
Once again, thanks for the info! Nice ride, by the way!
While I haven't personally tried those, I haven't heard or read good things about them. For some reason, the exterior mounted off brand lights just don't seem to be very bright, and most don't hold up very well. I'd only go cheap for interior mounted lights. I have some mini rooftop lightbars from offbrands that are decent, but otherwise, the exterior modules aren't great. I'd definitely spend name brand money for exterior lights. It's not uncommon to find Whelen, feniex, Code3, etc on Marketplace or ebay for a decent price.
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