Common Light Bars vs. Hideaway Lights

Standard light bars often mount to the roof of the vehicle, or they can be placed on the dash or inside the window of the car. Full light bars can be seen by anyone nearby, which is a common solution for emergency response vehicles, police cars, public safety vehicles, and construction or tow trucks. Hideaway LEDs, however, are usually mounted inside your head or tail lights for a compact and low profile use. You can also surface-mount them using the optional flange.

Don't underestimate the power behind these compact hideaway light heads. They are extremely bright. We offer both 6-LED and 12-LED models. Both models are also available in a variety of color combinations, so you can select the right LED hideaway warning light for your specific vehicle lighting application.

Hideaway Mounting vs. Surface Mounting

Every Flare head offers dynamic options, which is what separates these LED strobe light kits from a fixed surface-mount unit:

• Hideaway mounting: The head sits inside the headlight or taillight housing, so nothing is visible from outside the vehicle until the light fires. Hidden emergency vehicle lights like these are the standard method for unmarked and undercover builds.
• Surface mounting: The included flange turns the same head into surface mount strobe lights that fit on the outside of a panel, in a grille opening, on a bumper, or under a mirror. This is a good choice when you would rather not open the factory housing, or when you need output that would otherwise be blocked by the housing lens. Browse grille and surface mount lights for dedicated exterior heads.

Because the flange and light ship together, you are not locked into one mounting method at the point of purchase. A fleet can run hideaways on unmarked units and surface mounts on marked vehicles from the same part number.

6-LED vs. 12-LED Hideaway Kits

Three Flare models offer a full range of coverage:

• Flare 6 LED 360º: The compact option, with a 360-degree output pattern. This is ideal for tight housings, motorcycle builds, and positions where the head sits at an angle to oncoming traffic.
• Flare 12 LED: Double the LED count in the same family, for maximum output where the head faces traffic directly. This is the choice for primary front and rear warning positions.
• Flare-X steady burn: A steady output surface mount rather than a flashing warning head. Use this for marker, scene, and accent lighting where you don't want a flash pattern.

Most builds combine multiple kits. For example, a pair of 12 LED heads front and rear are used for the primary warning, with 6 LED heads filling the corner and side positions.

Color Options and Dual-Color Combinations

Every Flare head is available in five single colors: amber, red, blue, clear, and green. Dual-color versions put two colors in one head, so a single position can run two functions without a second light bar:

• Red and blue: The standard combination for law enforcement vehicles.
• Red and clear, blue and clear: A warning color paired with white for daytime contrast and takedown output.
• Amber and clear: Tow, utility, and construction vehicles, with white available for scene lighting.
• Red and amber, blue and amber: Front warning with amber available for rear traffic direction.
• Amber and green, green and clear: Command post and specialist roles in jurisdictions where green is authorized.

Confirm your local statute before specifying red or blue on a vehicle that is not an authorized emergency vehicle.

Customizing Your LED Light Setup

The advantage of LED hideaway light kits is that they can be used on almost any emergency response vehicle. The compact, smaller footprint offers versatility while remaining extremely bright and powerful. This warning light head is a great option when customizing your emergency vehicle lighting. All of these hideaway lights also come with a variety of flash patterns to choose from, so you can program the appropriate pattern to your needs. Various strobe-like patterns and full sync ability are essential in creating an attention-capturing vehicle lighting setup.

If you're looking for the latest in LED technology, then be sure to browse the many options that are available here on our website. Pair the heads with a control box to run patterns and functions from one panel. At SpeedTech Lights, your satisfaction is our top priority, and we work hard to make sure that you receive the highest-quality LED warning lights at affordable prices for your emergency vehicle. Contact us anytime for more information about the options that are available. We are here to help!

Where Hideaway Strobes Are Used

Hideaway and surface mount strobe warning lights serve several roles across emergency and work fleets:

• Unmarked police vehicles: The main application for hideaway heads, where nothing shows from outside the vehicle until the lights fire as part of a full build for police lights and sirens.
• Volunteer firefighters and EMS: Warning presence in a personal vehicle, with no visible equipment when the system is switched off.
• Tow and roadside assistance: Amber heads in the headlight and taillight housings add warning output without crowding the light bar.
• Construction and utility trucks: Corner and perimeter positions that a roof bar cannot reach on a long or high-sided vehicle.
• Security and private patrol: Amber or a combination of amber and white heads on vehicles where red and blue are not permitted.

Shop In-Stock Hideaway and Surface Mount Kits

SpeedTech Lights is a US emergency vehicle lighting manufacturer in Buda, Texas. For over 21 years, we have supplied police, fire, EMS, tow, and municipal fleets with LED warning light kits, sirens, and control systems. Every product carries a 5-year warranty, and departments buying on government purchase orders get agency terms and net billing.

🛒 Shop LED & Strobe Hideaway Light Kits at SpeedTech Lights

SpeedTech Lights carries Flare 6 LED 360-degree and 12 LED hideaway and surface-mount warning lights, plus Flare-X steady burn surface mounts, in five single colors and eight dual-color combinations with a flange included. All products are stocked in-house for 1-2 day processing. BBB A+ Rated. Free shipping on orders $100+. Government purchase orders accepted.

Call (800) 757-2581  |  Mon-Fri, 9:00am-4:00pm CST  |  [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions About Hideaway Strobe Lights

What is the difference between hideaway strobes and surface mount lights?

Hideaway strobes mount inside the headlight or taillight housing, so the head is invisible from outside the vehicle until it fires. Surface mount lights fit on the outside of a panel and are visible at all times. The Flare range does both, because a flange is included that converts the same head from a hideaway to a surface mount.

Can hideaway lights be surface mounted instead?

Yes, every Flare head comes with the flange needed to surface mount it. This means you can fit the same part inside a light housing on one vehicle and on a grille, bumper, or mirror on another, without ordering a different product.

What is the difference between the 6-LED and 12-LED Flare?

The 6-LED Flare is the compact model and carries a 360-degree output pattern, which suits tight housings and positions angled away from traffic. The 12-LED Flare doubles the LED count for maximum output where the head faces oncoming traffic directly. Many builds use both kits, with 12 LED heads in the primary front and rear positions.

What colors are available for hideaway strobe kits?

Five single colors are available: amber, red, blue, clear, and green. Eight dual-color combinations are also offered, including red/blue, red/clear, blue/clear, amber/clear, red/amber, blue/amber, amber/green, and green/clear. A dual-color head runs two functions from one position.

Are hideaway strobes legal on a personal vehicle?

The answer depends on the color and on your state regulations. In most states, red and blue are restricted to authorized emergency vehicles, and the restriction applies to both hidden lights and roof bars. Amber is generally permitted for tow, utility, construction, and security use. Check your state vehicle code before installing.

What is the Flare-X steady burn used for?

The Flare-X is a steady output surface mount rather than a flashing warning head. It is used where you want constant light instead of a warning pattern, such as marker positions, scene lighting, and accent lighting around a vehicle. It is available in the same five single colors as the flashing heads.