My timing light is over 30 years old, and my eyes are even older than that. I noticed trying to use it out in the sunlight at drag week I could hardly see the flash on the damper. So I need something that is really bright, and also durable and a dial back would be a plus. It needs to work with an MSD of course. What do you recommend? Thanks, Joel

this is the one I got after my 30 year old craftsman took a crap.



https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ino-5568/overview/

If you read the MSD site you will see that MSD
doesnt like the dial type of light.. the one
that is posted doesnt work with muli spark..
I ended up buying the Flaming River one.. no
dial back

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/fla-fr1001

IF you read the questions under the add, this light will not work with MSD. The first line from 2016 says it will, but the bottom question from 2017 says it will not work.

I don't NEED the dial back, but really bright is essential

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sears-Best-Penske-Clamp-On-Inductive-Pickup-DC-Power-Timing-Light-NEW-/253108056771?hash=item3aee6a72c3:g:wqsAAOSwyWZZQDft

Seriously. I have one of the same old original lights sold by MSD many years ago. It's the only one I use on MSD stuff. Works perfect. If it blew up or got smashed, I would replace it with the same NOS one.

That can be a problem(brightness) but maybe my
eye sight is a bit better.. so far I havent had
any issues.. my first Flaming River quit and I
bought another.. after checking things the light
never quit.. I had so spark on the injection

This is by far the best timing light period. Twice as bright and twice as accurate as anything else on the market. I have used it for years outside and IMO there is nothing better.
There's a reason it cost 3X as much as the flaming river job which is very slow and dull, especially outside.

LINK

I have used all of these at one point in time and the blue one is not even in the same class as the rest. The blue one is the same as what MSD sells even though MSD does not make it. That tells you something.

My blue one was sold to me by French Grimes the magneto guy when he did my mags. It kicks butt and is more accurate and brighter with a more focused light than the rest like I said above. There is nothing better I am telling you.

Either my MSD is malfunctioning or their info is incorrect because it works fine on my vehicle. i bought it about 2 years ago so unless they changed something it should work.

Mine would work intermittent with MSD that was why the
change.. plus MSD was saying about a issue

I would not argue with him. Plus MSD sells it. That's good enough for me. My old chrome light is now 2nd choice.

In my experience, the problem with the dial back lights and multi-spark ignitions is...... They "seem" to be working fine, even when they aren't.

I've seen this happen on the dyno a few times where the owner of the motor being tested has brought his timing light with him.

Sometimes the dial back lights agree with the no dial back lights...... Sometimes they don't.

I've seen this play out several times.

No dial back lights and msd for me.

What brand is that blue one?

Exactly.

Ferret Instruments makes very good very bright timing lights. Guess who makes MSD , some Snapon and probably that blue light?
Shop for price. It varies a lot.

Personally I use a jegs branded flaming river light that I bought on sale for $25. It is not as bright as a good light but because it has no handle I can get it closer to the marks. It does not have dialback but so what, I don't trust them anyway. Almost all aftermarket dampeners are degreed and frankly a timing tape with bright yellow numbers on a black background works very well for me. Super glue both ends of the tape and it will never come off.

Is This the same as an MSD light?it's less than 1/2 price.

I just looked in my home tool box and my french grimes timing light is at work in my tool box there so no close up pictures at this time. Mine says french grimes on it but made by ferret.

Like GomangoCuda said, they are made by ferret instruments for a number of manufactures that want to sell the best.

I have an old chrome dial back Craftsman that I use at home, I don't have MSD so it works fine and it seemed to work fine when I did have MSD.

I have a flaming river one I take on drag week, its pretty dim but it works in a pinch. I don't check timing much anymore anyways.

It sure looks like it to me. You might try to cross some numbers to see if it is the same if possible? But I am betting it is the same light. Good find!

The Flaming River unit I had was junk--so dull you couldn't see it well at midnight and the D Cells were always dead when you needed it most--
I shop Ebay and buy old Mac and sears units from the 60's and 70's Great lights for around $20 so you can have one handy at all times

I really like my Flaming River one... love the
single wire hook up.. never had a battery issue
with it.. I've had the same batteries in it for
a few years.. it could be a bit brighter but
it works fine

I have a ferret timing light that you can make brighter and dimmer. Best timing light I have owned and used for 25 years...Works on every type of ignition I can think of.

If you find one that you love and trust don't loan it out. Ask me how I know.

Yep. Thats why I bought the cheap light. My good light wandered off and couldn't find it's way home.

It looks like the Ferret instruments timing light is discontinued. So does MSD have a new vendor? Are they as good?

I have the same one as Mike. Takes 2 D cells and have one wire clip. Best one i ever had.

Another one bites the dust. Closed their doors October 31,2017. There are some tool companies that still have some but I bet they are going fast. I don't know who will take over the high end timing light market.

So in reading this it seems the best is a battery powered one? I really wish there was a dial back that worked w a MSD.....By the reviews on Amazon the Flaming river is far less than reliable and warranty service is non existent.