Dash Laser (maybe) question

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:04 pm

Hey all;

I've been asked by a local security company to install some lights in their supervisor vehicle (they use Honda Civics...if you can believe it).

Well, they are being very insistant on wanting red lights, even though I explained to them they can't use them on public roads (and there's laws in place in Ontario saying security companies can "only" use amber), but none the less. I have my own personal amber dashlaser that I rarely use I was thinking of just using that. It's the model with a solid amber filter with the "M" mirror...

The model they were hoping to have installed is the one that has a clear filter with a snap-on red filter...my question - can you order these parts from Code3 or are they only available as a complete kit? Failing that...how would a red snap-on filter look on an amber filter?

As well, for the actual install..they don't want it to be installed on the dash, rather upside down behind the rear-view mirror. I tried this on my vehicle and it really doesn't look that great, but hey, it's what they want.

Any tips?

-Mike

thebigphish · Post by **thebigphish** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 9:55 pm

for something that sounds like a VERY simple install, i personally wouldn't do it. If all they want is an installed dash light, i wouldn't do it because it violates local law. Should something happen, i wouldn't want to be known as the person who installed illegal gear because the customer wanted it.

007 · Post by **007** » Wed Aug 11, 2004 11:13 pm

You can place a red filter over the amber lens, but it does wash the light out a bit....the red will be darker than a normal user would like, so it may be perfect in this case.

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 12:38 am

Pish;

I'm not specifically familiar with the law as it applies to Security Vehicles, but I know for "normal" vehicles, you can have red on your vehicle, but you aren't allowed to use it on public roads. That may be the same for Security Vehicles, I'm not sure - I'll have to look into it.

007 - that's what I'm thinking. I have some red gels from some studio lights, so I'll try and tape some on the amber filter and see if it reduces it to the point they won't be happy - that might just be the solution (just getting a red snap-on filter...that way, they can go "legal" by taking off the filter should they need it on public property.

-Mike

ESDA20 · Post by **ESDA20** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 7:32 am

Or... you could just order the snap on red filter from somewhere like Galls, or any of the other many dealers on this board / elightbars, etc, and do it right, so it looks nice and your installer's reputation isn't marred by the one install where you used gel to alter a lights color. They're like, 12 bucks.

I think the more important question is if you're willing to do the install, if it is illegal. Is the money you're making off the install worth it?

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 10:02 am

That's exactly what I'm wanting to do.

I have the DashLaser that is an all amber filter. I'd order a clear filter for it and a red snap-on filter - or maybe just a red snap on, so they can "go legal" anytime.

I'm not really worried about the legalities...It's not really my responsibility if they get nailed for it. They are paying me pretty much double what a new dashlaser would cost, so I'm not complaining for something that'll take an hour or two - if that.

-Mike

Jay G. · Post by **Jay G.** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 10:38 am

Have them sign a waiver accepting all responsibility for the installation of something that violates local laws. See if that changes their minds.

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 1:36 pm

Waivers don't mean crap. You will still get sued by someone who they mess with using that light. I wouldn't do anything for them unless it is amber.

afterimage84 · Post by **afterimage84** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 6:10 pm

nmfire10 wrote:Waivers don't mean crap. You will still get sued by someone who they mess with using that light. I wouldn't do anything for them unless it is amber.

not for nothing but...this type of thing kills me. yes we live in a world that sues everybody for everything and all thier relatives too just because we can. BUT i hear this "you will get sued" and have to laugh.

if the end user does whatever he/she does with the equipment and gets a TICKET that has got NOTHING to do with whoever installed or sold it. the police do NOT go to a car stereo shop and hand out tickets to the installers for putting neon on a car, or whelen strobes (yes, the real thing) and a COMPETITOR series power supply. thats why whelen sells those. HUGE market for them. not only that, they cost less but the PROFIT margin is MASSIVE. these kids will pay full price and not squabble about getting the lowest cheapest price possible.

people will argue, "well they will get sued if the kid with the lights runs a traffic control device and kills someone." no. sure you may be named and that is par for the course for ANY lawsuit. a first year law student should be able to beat that though, IF it even went that far. in fact, a few years ago i think some vollie killed someone down your way responding to a call with his lights on...does that mean that whoever sold those lights to him and/or installed them gets sued too? the RESPONSIBILITY falls on the vehicle operator...period.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Thu Aug 12, 2004 10:48 pm

Used police cars dealers no more get sued because the person who impersonates in the car would than this guy would if he sold a lense to someone who did the same.

Also.. $80, Clear Dome, Amber Filter, Flash Shield: http://store.yahoo.com/sirennet/coddasmod66.html

nmfire10 · Post by **nmfire10** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 4:03 am

Ok, fine.

1. I don't want anything to do with any lawsuit regardless if it gets thown out or not. I don't need the grief nor do I need the expense. Maybe you do, but I think most do not.

2. Just the fact that I know they shouldn't have it and has no reason to use it, my morals woulld prohibit me from putting it in.

oshman · Post by **oshman** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 5:08 am

Mike you know what the HTA says. Intermittent red is illegal unless it is on an emergency vehicle, and this isn't an emergency vehicle. I wouldn't be bothered, its more trouble than its worth. Tell them you will install amber.

Not only that you are probably saving the numptee driving it from being charged criminally with impersonation.

Conundrum · Post by **Conundrum** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 6:25 am

I would install it with amber than tell them where to get a red if they wanted. Takes all liability off you, and puts it on the seller of the red light, and the buyer.

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 3:59 pm

forget the dash lazer sell them a talon or a slim lighter with amber led no way they chaning that

ExKa|iBuR · Post by **ExKa|iBuR** » Fri Aug 13, 2004 7:54 pm

Conundrum wrote:I would install it with amber than tell them where to get a red if they wanted. Takes all liability off you, and puts it on the seller of the red light, and the buyer.

Well, that's what I was thinking.

Sorta...I'd install all amber and say "Well, here's the part number for the red, and here's where you can buy it, complete with instructions on how to put it on". That way, should anything happen, I'm in the clear.

Oshman - in Ontario anyway, you can use Red on private property, so if they were on a property they secure, they could use all the red the want, but I do agree - you know as well as I do what security guards are like...last thing they need is red.

-Mike

oshman · Post by **oshman** » Tue Aug 17, 2004 9:06 am

HTA doesn't apply to private property Mike.