Lightbar FAQ

Can Code 3 lightbars be equipped with an emitter?
Yes, lightbars can be ordered with an emitter. Code 3 has the ability to install a 3M Opticom or a Priority Green emitter in most lightbars.

Can I convert my SL-20, 20X, 20XP or 35X to an LED model?
No

Can I mount a Stinger on a weapon?
Streamlight does not currently make weapons mounts for the Stinger. We have not thoroughly tested the Stinger in weapons-mounted applications, although limited testing has shown no problems.

Can the Fire Vulcan be field modified to have a mode in which the main bulb is steadily lighted and the taillights flash?
No. This would require a factory modification of the circuit board and is not currently available.

Can you place a color lens in front of a white LED and get effective emergency warning, as with traditional lighting technologies?
No. While you can place a color lens in front of strobe and halogen light sources, white LEDs do not perform the same way. Strobe and halogen light sources produce a broad spectrum of light. A portion of that spectrum filters through the color lens to deliver red, blue, amber and even green lighting. White LEDs generate a much narrower spectrum of light. Only a small, ineffective portion of that spectrum will pass through the color filter. However, monochromatic LEDs (for example, red, blue or amber) work extremely well when matched with the same color lens, transmitting over 86 percent of their original light output.

How do I convert candlepower to lumens?
The short answer is, you can’t. There is no universal method of measuring flashlight output, not even when the ratings are in the same units. A lumen rating is the total unfocused visible light output of either the bare bulb or the entire flashlight (depending on the manufacturer). A candlepower rating used by a flashlight manufacturer will usually be “peak beam” candlepower. This is a calculated value based on measuring the hot spot in the focused beam and multiplying by a number found by squaring the distance between the photocell used for the measurement and the flashlight. What this number gives is the number of “standard candles” that would need to be burning to produce the same amount of illumination as the hot spot in the beam at the same distance as the measurement is taken. Because peak beam candlepower is a measure of focused light and lumens are used to measure unfocused light, it is impossible to convert the two.

How do I sight in the laser on my M6?
There are two adjustment screws located on the laser housing (elevation and windage). There is only one distance at which the bullet path will coincide with the laser. On a normal weapon, the sights are mounted above the bore line and are adjusted to look slightly down in relation to the bore line. When the weapon is fired, the bullet “climbs” (actually, a bullet drops from the bore line from the moment it leaves the barrel, but the bore is tilted upward slightly, so the bullet is traveling upward for a short distance), crosses the sight line, reaches its upward peak (the peak of the midrange trajectory), and descends to cross the sight line a second time. After that it’s all downhill.

How the sights are adjusted, along with the muzzle velocity of the bullet (a 10mm is faster than a .45, and a rifle faster yet), determines where these points occur. The user must decide how high above or below the sight line the bullet can be allowed to strike and adjust the sights accordingly.

A laser is seldom mounted above the bore line. It is usually below or to the side. This means the bullet crosses the laser sight line only once. This point is the “zero range.” For a laser mounted below the bore, at distances less than the zero range, the bullet will be above the sight line. Beyond the sight line it will be below. If mounted to the side, the bullet will also deviate to the side of the laser line, as well as up and down. The bullet will deviate from the sight line faster with a laser than with conventional sights.

In practice, an M6 on a handgun can be adjusted to keep the bullet strike within about 2″ high and 2″ low out to about 100 feet, which is better than most people, and a lot of guns, can shoot.

Is it possible to buy my products directly from Streamlight?
No. Streamlight uses a network of authorized dealers and distributors. You can find a list of dealers in the “products” section of this Web site.

Is the 4AA waterproof and suitable for recreational diving?
No. The 4AA really isn’t a diving light. Water pressure against the switch will turn it on at as little as 15 feet. The current rating is IP67, which is one meter for 30 minutes.

Is the light output of an LED decreased by the use of a color lens?
Yes. The difference between using a clear lens and one that matches the color of the LED can be measured with advanced optical equipment. The drop-in light output is negligible, and it is unlikely that the human eye could detect it. However, the way your brain perceives light may convince you that the LED light with a clear lens is brighter. For example, a red LED behind a red lens appears to operate in a narrower range (between “on” and “off”) because the red color never completely disappears. A red LED behind a clear lens may appear to be more brilliant because of the apparent longer time between “on” and “off,” during which the red color completely disappears.

My M6 seems to fit extremely tightly when I place it on a weapon other than a Glock. Is the M6 defective?
The M6 is designed for use on a Glock mounting rail. Some weapons employ the dimensions and specifications of the Glock mounting rail, while other weapons conform to the MIL-STD-1913 (Picatinny). The difference in the tolerances will affect the fit of the M6 on a weapon-mounting rail. It is important to maintain the original configuration of the M6. The mounting should not be modified, as that could affect the reliability of the laser aiming system.

In-house testing has shown that affixing the light to the mounting rail and allowing it to set up for a few days can allow the mounting to conform more suitably. Additionally, try to fit the light onto the mounting rail without the locking bar. If the light fits better, the locking bar may need some adjustment to help improve the fit. The top of the locking bar may have a tiny amount of flash on it from the molding process. Lightly scraping this material away with a sharp knife or file should help the fit. Try not to be too aggressive at first. You may have to repeat the process several times to get a better fit. It is not necessary to remove much of the material.

We’re looking for quicker, easier ways to complete our speaker/grille light installations. Any suggestions?
Yes, there is a new drop-in mount bracket for 2004-2005 Ford CVPI applications that allows you to mount an AS124 speaker and two Cuda TriOptic grille lights on the workbench and then drop the entire assembly in place behind the vehicle grille. Since the lights are already mounted at the correct angle, you don’t have to crawl around under the car to finish the installation.

What are “multifunction” lights?
Multifunction intersection lights provide three functions: intersection sweep lights, takedown lights, and alley lights.

What are alley lights?
A light or pair of lights, mounted in a lightbar, aimed to the side of the vehicle for spot or scene illumination.

What is a “multimode” flasher?
A multimode flasher has more than one user selectable flash.

What is a “quick disconnect?”
It is a special electrical connection inside the lightbar for easier installation and removal.

What is a D-Tech Rotator?
D-Tech halogen technology maximizes light output by generating two signals (red/blue or amber/blue) from a single rotator light source.

What is a RotaLaser?
It is a standard rotator mounted in an Oscilaser housing, giving it the unique oscillating pattern that moves horizontally and vertically.

What is a StingRay rotator?
A patented three-mode signal that oscillates rapidly to the front as a special signal, rotates conventionally, or oscillates slowly to the rear for extra rear protection.

What is a StrobiLaser?
It places two linear strobe tubes in an Oscilaser housing with a unique flash pattern.

What is LightAlert?
This is an optional device in light-control sirens that produces a beeping noise when any of the light circuits are left on.

What is the difference between an “intersection light” and a “pursuit light?”
The intersection lights sweep in a 120-degree arc, providing a warning light forward and to the side of the lightbar. The pursuit lights sweep in a 90-degree arc, concentrating the warning light to the front of the lightbar.

What is the difference between an OsciLaser and a light that oscillates?
The OsciLaser is a warning light with a unique oscillating pattern that moves horizontally and vertically as it covers all areas within its field and sends a multiplane visual warning. Oscillating refers to the actual movement that an OsciLaser, intersection, pursuit or multifunction intersection light makes.

What is the difference between Federal Signal perimeter lighting products described as: “flush mount,” “surface mount,” or “recess mount?”
Within the industry, the terms “flush mount,” “surface mount,” and “recess mount” can mean different things. This leads to confusion when selecting perimeter lighting for your apparatus.

Surface-mount light heads do not require a body panel cutout for installation. The only holes in the vehicle body that are needed for installation are the screw holes and a wire pass-through hole.

Federal Signal uses the terms “flush mount” and “recess mount” interchangeably. Flush- and recess-mount light heads require a body panel cutout (in addition to the screw holes) so that some portion of the light gets recessed into vehicle body during installation. The portion of the light that still protrudes from the vehicle body typically will have some sort of flange or trim ring to make the light head look flush with the body.

What is the difference between the Titanium TT-3C UV and the Black TT-3CUV?
The titanium model features six 390 nm LEDs. The black version contains UV LEDs with two different nanometer ratings: three 375 nm LEDs and three 390 nm LEDs. The wavelength of the UV LEDs determine what types of UV images can be observed.

What is the difference between Vision and Smart Vector lightbars?
Both lightbars are similar in that they include the Federal Signal proprietary SmartPod feature. Vision lightbars (both halogen and LED versions) also include a siren amplifier and control head, while the Smart Vector does not. The Vision lightbar package generates siren tones, controls auxiliary lighting, and operates the lightbar from a single included control head. Smart Vector would be the choice if you already have a standard switch controller and independent siren. However, the SmartPods do include a distinctive jogging feature that should be used with a momentary switch.

What lighting technologies can be added to emergency warning equipment for takedown, alley, or scene illumination?
Currently, halogen light sources are the most effective technology for area illumination from a cost/performance standpoint. HID technology that is now being pioneered in vehicle headlights is brighter but much more costly. A large effort is underway to develop LED-based area lighting, but for now, the performance isn’t acceptable.

When I buy Streamlight apparel, am I buying directly from Streamlight?
No, but you are buying officially authorized logoed products.

Why are some LEDs described as “directional,” “wide” or “vertical?”
A “directional” LED lamp projects a beam over a minimum area of 20 degrees to the right and 20 degrees to the left on a horizontal plane and from 10 degrees up to 10 degrees down on a vertical plane.

A “vertical” LED lamp is the same as a directional lamp, but is designed to be mounted vertically along the length of the device. The signal spread remains the same as the directional lamp.

A “wide” LED lamp projects light substantially beyond 20 degrees to the right and 20 degrees to the left on a horizontal plane. The device must also project a beam over a minimum area of 5 degrees up to 5 degrees down in the vertical plane.

Why would I want LEDs instead of xenon lamps?
The choice of LED or xenon largely depends on the application the light will be used for. LEDs can be good for close lighting for extended periods of time. Xenon is better for lighting objects at a distance.