subject: Mini Lightbar And The Characteristics Expected Of A Good Model [print this page] Mini lightbars are often chosen because they are inexpensive compared to the full length light bars which are about 60 inches in length. A mini lightbar usually measures 16 to 20 inches in length and 5 to 6 inches in width. It is designed to be extremely slim, sometimes thinner than around 2 inches. This slimness provides two important benefits to the mini bars. Firstly, they are easily concealable when mounted inside the vehicle or close to the rear deck. Secondly, they don't create a rattling sound or cause drag resistance when mounted on the roof of the vehicle. The most important characteristic of a good quality mini light bar is that it is extremely lightweight. In other words, you have a wide variety of mounting options, both permanent and temporary.
You can mount the mini lightbars on the roof of the vehicle, where they can provide all the functions expected out of a light bar. In other words, smaller cop vehicles and patrol cars can benefit from the efficient and high intensity warning signal that the mini lightbar is capable of generating. A bright mini bar can make the vehicle far more visible especially during snow storms or foggy weather when the headlights or tail lights are not bright enough to be penetrative and reach other motorists. Moreover, the mini bars can give a good idea to approaching vehicles of the speed of the vehicle and the size too.
The mini bars are not too small, not to look good on the roof of the vehicle. At the same time, they are small enough not to give you trouble when you have a standard size garage door. A bigger light bar has to be dismantled often when the car has to pass through low height doors. A significant attribute of the mini lightbars is the use of technology to make the most of the limited lighting power, in this case, fewer LED modules. Firstly, Gen III 4 - watt LEDs are used for their brightness and energy efficiency. Their light is further amplified through the use of optic spreader filters, inner and outer lenses and wide angle domes. A high quality mini lightbar can also be picked by looking at the construction and design of the bar. It should be modular enough making it easy to repair or replace and compact enough for easy portability. At the same time, you have to look at sturdiness of the base of the mini bar.
Extruded aluminum is used to lend vibration resistance to the bar. The encapsulation provided by the external dome protects lighting elements from moisture. Good quality mini lightbars are known for their low weight too, which is another reason why aluminum is used. As a result, even magnets can be used to temporarily mount the mini bars. They can also be held in place with suction cups and swivel mounts. Sometimes, a smaller mini lightbar can be mounted using L brackets or universal brackets, which make it easy to mount the bars on different vehicles.
