As most of the people are muchos too lazy in today's times, everything goes by very intellectual abbreviations :bb , so sorry for, but TH-UP is: Thumbs-Up.

Just went to finish the installation of the promoted "THE LAPD's 3rd Brake Light Flasher". I want to share and transmit my 1st- hand and real-life impressions with this New's product ==>> B-Alert/tm <<== . We could record some little warmer wx-conditions and hoppgo, decision was taken to go for it, today.

I, as always, took my time to avoid any hassle and stress, and routinely preparing all the tools as seemingly necessary (I do not have to work against the clock). Description:

- The product overall looks as a product of industrial standard and not as a kind of a botched-up job
- All cables are from pretty stiff and solid quality
- All connections and connectors are the OEM PACKARD-type, icluding the "harmonica seeling part" which works as a gasket for watertightness
- The printboard, carrying all the electronics and the two potentiometers is completely sealed by overcoating (kind of plasticmass), seemingly watertight and totally protected
- The installation is comprehensively documented by a set of 3 pages, including step-by-step text and color-pics
-The installation job is certainly doable by non-technic talented persons
- There is nothing I could add to the ready-to-go instructions
- It is, in my understanding, totally impossible to do anything wrong or to mess-up something by mixing-up any of the existing wiring-sets you might find behind the rear bumber

Installation time was about 45 minutes, but as already mentioned, I took my time, going easy and using the opportunity to clean everything "behind the scene". It is good advise and it would never hurt to give a little silicone-grease around the connectors, to assure watertightness and/or anti-corrosion around the 12V-contacts. However, I could find neither standing water nor any existing humidity in the inner area of the rear bumper, despite having driven the car shortly in rain.

Now the FUN-PART of the Job: kindly ask your usual Co-Pilot (....this might be your LOVE, is it? :blueangel: ) to give you some Pedal, the braking one, of course! Ignition is off. You should dim or better cut the lights in your garage b/c this gives you an enhanced impression what's going on behind the car when you later are driving and stomping on the brakes. You shall then work on the potis with the use of a torchlight.

This is, IMHO, the most time consuming process of the installation. WHY: you will play around so much with the potis until any final decision of YOUR settings. It is truly amazing how many different flashing-effects you can establish. I do not tell you my settings ;) , but be sure, the next following "Dreamer" or "Sleeper" WILL being warned and awaked.

After having set the two potis to your liking (speed and duration of the flashflash) you should carefully stow-away all the some overlength of the connecting wires behind the bumper's frame and behind the other cable-trees lying in-there to avoid any inadvertent motion during driving (ev risk of possible noises and/or possible shaving). YOU ARE DONE. THIS SET-UP IS PLUG-N-PLAY - confirmed.

CONCLUSION : THE PRODUCT IS NOT EXPENSIVE. WORTH EVERY $£FEURO or what so ever. THE "BRAKES IN ACTION-LOOK" BEHIND YOUR CAR, WHEN ACTUATING THEM, IS ENHANCED EXOTICS AND SEEMINGLY CAPABLE TO (HOPEFULLY) PROTECT YOU FROM BEING REAR-ENDED. VALUE RATING: 10 OUT OF 10!!!!

FELICITATION TO "THE LAPD" FOR THIS IMPECCABLE SAFETY RELEVANT INNOVATION. SHAWN => 5***** SUPPLY AND CO-OPERATION :yesnod: .

BTW SHAWN: but now you have definetely put my dear spouse in a state she hates you :smash: :smash: :cry :D The only one possible cure as per her instructions to you: she wants, and this ASAP!!!!!!!!, this similar set for her CHEVY BLAZER LT M/Y 1999.....oh well, she likes my GRP-Racer pretty much, but in the end, she swears for her "GHMT = Genuine Heavy Metal Tank......... :cheers: :cheers: :blueangel: , SHAWN, pleaeaeaease give her an Chance........you could safe my peace....:cheers: :cheers:

Joe.


[Modified by SwissVette_Joe, 10:57 PM 1/26/2002]

 

Sounds like a good product. Can you set it where it flashes continuesly while braking or it will stop flashing at a certain point no matter where you set it at? TIA! :seeya

 

TyVette01, hi,

THIS IS DEFINETELY A GOOD PRODUCT.

As to your post: NO--YES. There is a certain range re numbers and frequency of flashflashes. If I remember correctly (did not try the xtreme positions of the 2 potis), the minimum number flashflash is 3, max is 25. After having played this "music", the system goes then to steady light, as if you had altered nothing with your brakes light wirings. And the flashing-effect is restricted to the 3rd Brake Light.

Joe.

 

I have never tried to adjust it to its limits, but I think no matter where you set it, it should stop. It is one great safety feature that all C5's should have to protect those big Butts.

 

It seems that the amount of times mine flashes has alot to do with the speed of the flashs. If I set it to the fastest flash speed and the fewest flashs, I get about six or seven flashs. If I slow the flash speed all the way down, I get as few as four flashs. I also have a minor gripe. Why couldn't this device have dials for setting the flashs instead of us having to use a screwdriver?

 

works as advertised.took me around 15-20 minutes...didn't clean out the back too much..only thing I did different was attach a piece of velcro to the unit to keep it from flopping...used the default settings after playing with it....sure keeps people off your butt...

 

Capt Ron, hi,

Yesyesyes, sure you may order the "DeLuxe-version" for USD 250.99. Just give me a call!:cry :smash:

No seriously, I think the system, as is, is absolutely adequate with 2 potis to regulate any of your desired settings - just be a li'le patient. After you found your setting, you stow it away safely and that's it.

Or do you really intend to take it out for dialling-in a different setting each other week ? Oh well, each one to his own.......or re the first line of my post.:D Keep smiling...........

Joe.

 

I have a 2000 and installed Eckler's third brake light flasher. Problem - When the emergency flashers are on and I back up (6-speed) the DIC advises me to service the Active Handling System. The Chevrolet dealer checked it out and nothing wrong with the Active Handling System, but the 3rd brake light flasher modual. Thus, if you have a flasher, do not put it in reverse with the emergency flashers on.

 

TURBOTOC, hi,

I hurried down into our garage and went to the "replay-mode" of the flasher- setting you suggest to avoid.

I was NOT able to reproduce your PROBLEM. I tryed to provoke also other mixed settings/drivings but there is absolutely no inexpected behaviour, no interference at all, neither with the lightings nor with on-board electronics.

Check also, the system I wanted to give you all a Review with my thread was bought from "THE LAPD" and NOT from ECKLER'S. Now I am a li'l confused, but I do believe those two systems intended for your 3dr Brake Light Flashing are eventually different and/or NOT from the same producer.

Joe.


[Modified by SwissVette_Joe, 6:39 PM 1/28/2002]

 

I feel this will be a great addition to my car, so I ordered one before Christmas from LAPD and am still waiting for it. :sleep:

 

CABNETMAN,

How did you place your order for this item before Christmas?

We just started taking orders when they arrived in stock which was a couple weeks ago.

Shawn

 

Sounds cool; how much?

 

Sorry Shawn, My mistake, I ordered it from Nate at Extreme, it arrived yesterday and it is plug and play. Tom :D

 

Mike Mercury,

They are priced at: $69.95 and $5.00 FEDEX air service shipping to your door.

Thanks!

Shawn

 

It's a great product and an easy install! As mentioned previously about the velcro, I went back and did it to mine...a great idea! :cool:

 

Just as a reminder for fellow 'Vetters: I posted my overall "verdict" within the PRODUCT REVIEWS-Section - first hand experience, for all those who are interested to invest in this great safety related innovation.

(TRY TO) PROTECT YOUR REAR BUMPER

ENJOY!!!!

Joe.


[Modified by SwissVette_Joe, 9:10 PM 2/8/2002]

 

Does it come with a siren, too? :D

 

:p:

 

An outstanding product! It was easy to install and is very effective.

Thanks, Shawn! :cheers:

 

Will it work with the "blink-blink" signal light system?