time for a change

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:11 pm

Hey everybody. I'm totally new to this forum. Actually, I'm relatively new to the fire service too. I need ya'll to point me in the right direction with your recommendations. I have owned three dash lights up until this point and now I think it's time to find something to spend the money on and stay with (although that's easier said than done, as most of you know). I've had a single dashmiser which turned out to be, in hindsight, the best light i've owned to date, compared to the others...a R/W strobe whelen flatlighter that totally sucked (not bright enough in my '95 explorer)...and now I have a Sho-Me Dual R/W LED dashlight which is cool enough at night, but just not bright enough in the day. I need something that will cut through the traffic just as much in the day as the night. I have a friend that has two dual Whelen Talons (LED, of course) and they're totally awesome...I have heard alot about the Tomar TLEDs and PLIIs and am wondering (I know this has been debated on this forum to no end) which one is brighter? I think I have narrowed it down to the R/R Talon, the PLII R/W dual strobe, or the R/R TLED. Does anybody have a list of the flash patterns on the TLED? I'm still considering the PLII because I've heard they're extremely bright (and cheaper) and im kinda leaning towards that. The Talon is kinda out of my price range, but I could be willing to put up the money for it if it's truly worth it. I can see the TLED being a medium between the two. I cant decide...and plus, I'm wary of forking over the money for a light that I won't be happy with. I just wanted to hear from all of you that own these lights and what your thoughts were on them...especially the PLII and its effectiveness compared to the LEDs. Thanks alot for your help!

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:35 pm

Well check out this site for video examples of the Tomar TLED and Sound Off Predators.

http://www.lshlights.net/video/default.htm

IMO, the TLED seems to incredibly outshine the Predator. However, there are Predator IIs out now.

You can get the Tomar Neobe PLII for $119 new at http://www.strobesforless.com

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In my own observations.. I have seen a dual blue Talon and all the Gall's rebranded Sound Off Predators in Red. The Talon was awesome, and I absolutely loved the sound it made. But, I think the Predators have a better all around viewing angle. Talons do as well, but off angle, you have to catch it just right for optimum output.

If you can, do more research on the Predator IIs.. maybe even check it out in real life.
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My own thoughts, as my situation is quite similar. I love the double alternating that a dual light gives. You can't go wrong with NEOBE strobes, and for $119 you can have that. LEDs are awesome, but are still soo new to the field and have some maturing to do. Not only strobes, but Tomar's Neobe have been around for a good while. I hear Tomar treats their customer's right and that the Neobe's are brighter than Whelen.

Plus, by the time you got some saved up again after the PLII.. the prices of the older Predators should come down. And more people will have used one's for sale.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Tue Jul 06, 2004 5:39 pm

Also.. I highly recommend waiting to see the T-LED video LAST.....

why???

Just do it and you will see why.

gtl7001 · Post by **gtl7001** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 5:19 am

First off welcome to the fire service and to this forum. Choosing a warning light is really based on how much projection power you are allowed and will need. In some states the laws limit how much output you can have in a personally operated vehicle [POV]. For a rural or suburban area I think you can go with one front operated system. In a more congested urban traffic environments you should have more than one system. The rationale being that different systems offer different attention getting characteristics that can be noticed in the congested mosaic of urban traffic. I am assuming that you will be using your POV in a rural/suburban area and given your budget [at least for now, I am sure you will probably upgrade later on] I would go for the most attention grabbing system. In general, for front display dual strobes IMO offer the best attention grabbing power. The Tomar dual strobes are fairly inexpensive and offer a nice selection of patterns. IMO I would only use LED in the front in combination with another system [strobe or halogen] For rear display I think LEDs like the Talon are great. Anyway, ultimately its your choice but if you go with only one light system I would definitely get a dual lamp setup. Just my two cents. Good luck

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 7:48 am

The Tomar Police Light II only has one pattern, the Neobe 'Never Dark' pattern of 60fpm per side, 6 bursts / 6 bursts alternating.

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 8:06 am

Thanks for your help. I think seeing the PLII for $119 has all but made my mind up for me. Does anybody have a video of one in action?

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 1:04 pm

I have yet to see a video, or find one. But the T-LED alternating pattern is what your future PLII's pattern will look like.

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 3:22 pm

Does anybody else own a PLII? What are your opinions?

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Where can I find the cheapest dual Dashmiser? (just looking)

apco25 · Post by **apco25** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 4:27 pm

I have one as does a buddy of mine. Several people on the board do as well.

It is an excellent dashlight and move traffic VERY effectively. Its not a very covert size compared to an LED and the power supply as a distinct "tick" to it when running.

You will like it. Even though it has one flash pattern there is no dark time and its a very fast paced attention getting display.

Several FD's and PD's are using the tomar light bars out this way with excellent results.

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 5:11 pm

sundaymoney wrote:Does anybody else own a PLII? What are your opinions?

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Where can I find the cheapest dual Dashmiser? (just looking)

I have a Tomar Police Light II... it is a GREAT light. Many people comment on how bright it is, and it has NO problems clearing traffic even in the daytime (and I use it on a 1993 Toyota Corolla, no less!). As far as strobes go, it's the best you can get.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 7:11 pm

Any of you guys have the ability to get a video of that light in action on here?

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Wed Jul 07, 2004 7:57 pm

or at least some photos will do

Thanks!

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Thu Jul 08, 2004 2:00 pm

I don't have a "real" video camera, but I do have a digital still camera that can take grumpy little video clips ... when it gets a bit darker I'll see what I can do.

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 10:31 am

The only pictures I can find on the net are the same ones over and over. Does anybody have any pics of this light installed? Again, thanks!

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 6:33 pm

Here's a video I took with my digital still camera...

The funny thing is, the light flashes TOO fast for the camera to catch every blink. Each half of the light flashes SIX times a second! And although it looks differently in the video, the flash pattern is just a standard alternating one: six bursts on one side, six on the other. I guess you could say the video kinda demonstrates the Neobe "always-on" technology, in a way.

Extra points if you can name the track and/or album of the music at the end of the video!

http://fireradio.org/policelightII.mov (QuickTime format, 10 MB)
http://fireradio.org/policelightII.mp4 (MPEG-4 format, 3.3 MB)

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:42 pm

Hey man, you're a lifesaver. I actually sent in a money order this afternoon for my PLII. Now the video makes me feel that much better about getting it. I really appreciate everyone's help...especially fireradio and adam...I've had a good experience with everyone on this board on my first post and I look forward to helping out when I can in the future. I owe ya'll one!

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Fri Jul 09, 2004 9:45 pm

I'll give ya'll an update when it gets here.

And its anybody's guess as to what that song was. haha

sundaymoney · Post by **sundaymoney** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 3:59 pm

The PLII has been here a while and has been used quite extensively. It's great! Kinda bulky though. I was planning to put it above my rearview mirror, but I found out quickly that wasnt gonna work out...so on the dash it stays. (at least until something else comes along) haha Thanks guys for your input!

rangerfourever · Post by **rangerfourever** » Mon Aug 23, 2004 5:13 pm

I use a Tomar red/blue PLII on the dash of squad Explorer in addition to Federal overhead bar. It is BRIGHT and yes it does tick but after a while you dont notice. Besides with all the radio traffic a steady tick is the least distracting. Just my two cents

time for a change

time for a change

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