Pillar spotlight

I've been interested in installing a pillar spotlight on my truck, like the police have. Has anyone on here done that on a 1st gen? or is it more trouble than its worth?

 

As a police officer, I vote more trouble than its worth.

1. It catches wind and harms mileage and flips open unexpectedly.
2. When closed so it wont open my windshield wipers crash into it during use.
3. My flashlight is actually brighter and shines further than my spotlight.
4. There is no situation where I would not prefer either more powerful fixed lights or a flashlight.

 

I really want one of these and then retrofit it with a 55w hid

http://www.shop.golight.us/GoLight-2021-Black-2021.htm

 

Good to hear from someone with experience with them. Thanks man

I looked at those, they just seemed a bit bulky and expensive. I might be wrong though

 

This is what I see on the fire trucks and ambulances around here. (At least it looks the same to me) Maybe someone on here uses them at work and can comment?

 

I would have to disagree I have a Unity 330V on my F350 which is what they put on most police cars.
1. Sounds like it was a bad install mine only moves when I move it. It will stay put doing 70 down the hwy.
2. It is extremely bright (rated at 245,000 candlepower).

http://www.unityusa.com/330V-0002-6-Round-Spotlight_p_1133.html

 

Mine is also a Unity, factory installed on my police package Tahoe... it puts out a wider beam but slightly less throw than my Streamlight HP. Same as every other light on every vehcile in my department. THere are MANY flashlights that simly smoke my Streamlight too.

I had a buddy in college that had the remote light on the roof of his Dodge pickup. Its pretty cool but not small. It does not go round and round... its like a screw that goes round but you have to go all the way back to the front if you are on the rear on one side and want to see something on the other rear side. He left his pointed rearward to avoid rock chips. The beam is VERY, VERY narrow... so dont think its a wall of light.

I get wetter if I stick my hand out a cracked window in the rain but its a lot faster.

 

As a police officer, now retired, that was the number one light I used on the police car, the pillar light. I found your post now that I’m thinking about adding one to my 2017 Tacoma. I have to disagree with the other officer that said it’s not worth it, back when I was working they didn’t have LED spotlights so hopefully I can find one with LEDs. But yeah they were awesome. I liked driving along slowly while on patrol and just pointing the light wherever I wanted to see something very handy to have.

The other officer compared it to the stream light, totally different beast. I can’t imagine trying to reach for a flashlight and driving and shining a flashlight out the window at the same time. That seems really awkward.

 

None of them are still active members. This thread is over 10 years old. Hopefully you weren't a detective

 

Why do you have to act like an a-hole with the “detective”remark?

I simply wanted to throw it out there as information to other people that may be considering a pillar spotlight.

You must really hate your life to so quickly post a disparaging comment on a post just mere minutes after it was posted. What is it? your work, your wife, or just the reflection you see in the mirror that makes you so angry?

I really feel sorry for you, but I do wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.