I need a full function light controller and I'm looking for both a high end option (the best I can get) and a budget option (one that will do the job).

I need:

• Headlight
• Reverse
• Front & rear blinker
• Rear brake
• Rear marker (on when headlight is)

I would like to be able to:

• Control modes from radio
• Set the blinkers to hazard light independently of other modes (or effectively so)
• Have the brake and reverse work from radio without turn signals working (or while they are in hazard mode)
• Mode where turn signals sync to steering and everything else normal operation (least important mode to me)

Also ideally I would like something with tolerance for higher voltages.

Opinions on the best overall option, and best budget option? Thanks.

I use cheap sacrificial servos to make for my light controllers, here's a demo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_34oSUgtGs

Cool idea!

I would consider making my own light controller with a microcontroller or SBC and a level shifter or driver/amplifier of some kind, but just a Pi Zero and one of the widely available level converter boards (and the wires between them) is a little more space than I would ideally like to use. It is a very tempting idea though since it would give me full control over the functions.

edit: Thinking about it I already started on a project like that over 20 years ago, was going to make a light controller for a helicopter. Got as far as breadboard.

I built a module based on a small microcontroller. Has 2 PWM inputs (2 channels), 4 separate MOSFET-driven outputs and two WS2812 (or similar) outputs. I don't have a picture of the current version that integrates an additional 5V buck converter for the LED strings, but here's an earlier rev with dual 6V regulators for the other 4 channels.
Video of example in use: https://youtu.be/tlSBbWml3F8

Very nice. Where does it stand now, got a Github? Thought about selling on Tindie or something?

I have two bodies coming and I thought about using one to make a police car. Something like this could be very helpful. Also using Sbus for control might open up some options.

I was thinking an ESP32 might be a nice chip to use for the WiFi interface. Allow total control over modes from a web app.

I sell a few other RC bits on Tindie, but this one hasn't hit the store yet. It's an evolution/expansion of existing products. I'd be happy to send one or more if interested. It's built around a Microchip microcontroller (2-series) using the Arduino IDE with an add-on core. The 4 output ports were in principle intended for headlights/taillights/indicator lights and then I added the neopixel ports to enable the F1 safety car rear light bar, but could be used for any other purpose (drift cars?). One of the things that gave me pause was the programming. Nice-looking sequences/patterns aren't trivial to code in C/C++. Making it end-user customisable would take a lot more software than I have the time/motivation to implement. The SBUS interface would be interesting, but limited to certain radios. Using an ESP32 or similar with native wireless would be nice, but again, a lot of coding to make it robust. Possibly slightly easier would be making it updatable via USB using a configuration file. An RP2040 would have a smaller footprint and has native USB functionality.

My original thinking was to just read the steering/throttle outputs and blink/shine/flash accordingly. I've got code that makes the headlights brighten a bit as the "alternator" (ie: throttle) spools up

The F1 safety car leveraged two independent channels on a 6-channel radio to control the patterns.