FedSig New Product - 04.10.14

[HILO]

Looks too oversized for mounting on a sedan, suv or van roof, that's why the aero, jet or streethawk chassis would be better choices, or even a bar with the vision pod profile

I disagree, it is a good size for SUV and van use. I think we have grown to accustomed to low profile bars. While the Navigator might disrupt air flow over the roof a bit, I doubt it would reduce more than a tenth of a gallon of mpgs. And I do not think anyone is fooled by low profile bars, they are just as noticeable as a larger profile bar, when off.

 

[firefighter7017]

They're all "notoriously expensive". The big 3 are not marketing to you nor me. If STL or Feinex offered products like this they would also be "notoriously expensive". This bar, for fire apparatus applications IMHO is a "home run" for FS. It offers a fresh feel, is loaded with updated technology, and will be priced competitively with the Freedom series of lightbars. If it is too expensive to purchase by a volly to strap on his/her 1985 F250 I truly do not think that makes it a failure. This is why there is such a huge used market that is, in my estimation, a 5+ million dollar a year industry. Probably double or triple that.

I agree that they are all expensive. But a $2,000+ lightbar is out of reach for most agencies, especially on the LEO side where they have to outfit so many vehicles. There is no way departments in my area could afford to outfit a vehicle with a SLR, Valor, or possibly even this new bar. Freedoms are rare, and normally when they are around, they aren't fully populated. I understand that they aren't marketing to you and I, but I still think that the costs associated with most bars on today's market are astronomical. From my experience, which is no where near yours I am sure, FS has normally been the most expensive player on the market. I am interested to see what this bar will cost, but I don't expected it to replace what's already being used simply because of how much I expect it to cost.


Setup as a pure linear bar with the lightheads, I could see it being on point with a Freedom. But when you start adding in SLR pods, which is what makes this bar stand apart, I expect costs to rise exponentially.

 

[ERIC6913]

I see this bar replacing the current escape series, which is still available. The escape bar design is actually very old, over 15 years. First marketed in Europe as the "P7000, then 8000 and now 9000 series". It was renamed for the US market as the escape. It never really took off here though, as the design was too similar to the edge series. Now, I just gotta get my hands on one, lol! Oh Mark...........!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I heard they scrapped the toaster idea in favor of this bar. A company executive was quoted as saying "The lighting world is not yet ready for a light bar that is capable of making toast. When they are ready, we will bring it to them."

Too bad JDI will beat them to the punch on the toaster thing.

 

[ERIC6913]

Ok since everyone is talking about the toaster thing, I gotta chime in and let you guys know that FEDERAL did make toasters at one time. They made them back in the teens when they were still Federal electric Co.

 

[Iowamedic2013]

Ok since everyone is talking about the toaster thing, I gotta chime in and let you guys know that FEDERAL did make toasters at one time. They made them back in the teens when they were still Federal electric Co.

Indeed..while this is not hers my grandmother still has the first toaster they ever got and it was a federal..sadly no lights or q sound

 

[CHIEFOPS]

It's difficult to assess it's depth without something to compare it to, it's profile looks quite deep

 

[CodeMan]

I still like my Idea, rotator on each end X cascade mirrors / LED front,rear flashers- TD's near center/ center smart rotator with two V mirrors. would make it in-xpencive. Like a MODERN Twinsonic/jetstream.. Add color change and loaded the price goes up..


With the new tech of using more on smaller platforms seems smart... But as others have said it will cost an arm and a leg + the Exwife.... lol :thumbsup:

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I'm waiting for C3 to catch up on this technology.


MX7000 RESURRECTION!!!!


That's for the win right there.

 

[bluestinger90]

I'm waiting for C3 to catch up on this technology.

MX7000 RESURRECTION!!!!


That's for the win right there.

code3 takes a while to catch up to all the new ideas. They just finished their version of the rumbler, called the banshee.


ECCO has rotating led technology, so who knows, maybe next year they will release a rotating led lightbar.

 

[pdk9]

Looks like one of the heads is out already lol


Looks good though!

 

[firefighter7017]

Too bad JDI will beat them to the punch on the toaster thing.

You are probably right. But we also know that JDI's toasters burn so fast and so hot, they toast everything within a 50 mile radius. It's like a nuke without the fallout.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

code3 takes a while to catch up to all the new ideas. They just finished their version of the rumbler, called the banshee.

ECCO has rotating led technology, so who knows, maybe next year they will release a rotating led lightbar.

That may be, but imho, well worth the wait. What was arguably the best two tier warning platform brought back into the modern world with new led technology will make for one hell of a bar. We all remember how customizable they are, so I think something like that has the potential to really take the market by storm.

 

[Kevin K.]

That may be, but imho, well worth the wait. What was arguably the best two tier warning platform brought back into the modern world with new led technology will make for one hell of a bar. We all remember how customizable they are, so I think something like that has the potential to really take the market by storm.

I'm actually surprised that bars like the MX 7000 are still in production. I think dual-level lightbars such as that are pretty much a relic of the past. Most single-level bars have dual-color technology, and "taller" bars such as the Freedom and the Navigator also have options to separate upper and lower level warning within each module.


Isn't Code 3 coming out with the Corona? That's basically two levels of the Solex. I wonder what the dimensions of the Corona are, especially compared to the Navigator, the Freedom and even the MX 7000.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I'm not surprised. While the current MX platform still relies on Halogen rotators, is very user friendly, very easy to maintain/replace bulbs, and is a low cost, quality option for departments on tight budgets, or persons who do volunteer work. Obviously, they're still selling, so no reason to axe the line.

 

[JazzDad]

You are probably right. But we also know that JDI's toasters burn so fast and so hot, they toast everything within a 50 mile radius. It's like a nuke without the fallout.

Although the fallout is not radioactive, it is still fallout. We refer to it simply as "crumbs".

 

[Sigma Safety]

Finally the right idea but poor application.

It's a dual level (equivalent) bar for a fire apparatus. How is that a "poor application"? .


This is a bar designed specifically for fire apparatus, which is why it's available in lengths up to 84". It's not designed for cars, but if you want to put one on a car, go ahead.

 

[CHIEFOPS]

A linear bar with SLR rotators is long overdue for the automotive market

 

[jdh]

Im not sure about the rest of you, but, wasn't the idea behind LED's is to omit moving parts????

 

[ERM]

Im not sure about the rest of you, but, wasn't the idea behind LED's is to omit moving parts????

Who said that? The idea was to get away from the exceedingly high amp draw of the halogen bulb. Pulling 100+ amps in a fully loaded 84" lightbar is a tad much. No one ever said anything about omitting rotors. It's all about effects. Those SLR heads offer more features than any other lighthead on the market.


Tony

 

[Hoff]

It's not designed for cars, but if you want to put one on a car, go ahead.

If Uncle Sugar will front the cash I'd put these on cars! Unfortunatly Uncle Sugar can't even pay the bills around these parts, let alone get a LINZ6.

 

[Sigma Safety]

Im not sure about the rest of you, but, wasn't the idea behind LED's is to omit moving parts????

The downside of LEDs in the "traditional" format is that you have a limited number of LEDs and you have to take that light energy and spread it as wide as possible for good off-axis warning. So on a Lin6 or Impaxx6 head, for example, you have 6 LEDs and you have to get as much off-axis light out of it as possible. Of course, you only have x amount of lumens to play with out of those LEDs, so if you spread them widely you don't get the center intensity.


It's similar to a fire hose - if you have a fog pattern, you don't get much forward distance. If you have a stream/jet type pattern, you get lots of distance but very little coverage.


Now picture 12 LEDs, and focus them into a 10 (or so) degree wide beam. SUPER bright as you have the light of all 12 LEDs focused down that tight pipe. The problem is getting off-axis warning out of that. Ok, well let's rotate the light to get the off-axis. You get the best of both worlds. And, zero maintenance and lower amp draw.


Rotators {arguably} still provide the best warning patterns. They have a long 'dwell' time and a great 'snap' to them, and they provide great depth perception (to other vehicles) in nearly all conditions, something that strobe and uber-fast flashing LEDs are horrible at.


This is why the SLR beacon can meet Cal. Title 13 Table 2 (minimum 12,500 candela-seconds) where something like the L31 beacon, which is still one on the brighter beacons on the market, only meets Table 4 (125 candela-seconds minimum requirement). Yes, the difference between Table 2 and Table 4 is 100x the intensity.


Keep in mind that the motor in the SLR is not a little hobby-style motor that manufacturers used to use in halogen lights. It is a heavy duty stepper motor taken directly from the robotics industry. Also, it's direct drive so no worm gears to lubricate or get worn out. It's a dramatically different piece of technology. Federal Signal's 5-year warranty covers the electronics AND the rotator assembly.

 

[Sigma Safety]

It's difficult to assess it's depth without something to compare it to, it's profile looks quite deep

Look at it in relation to the mounting feet....


I believe they are standard Legend mounting feet but I'm not 100% certain of that.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Who said that? The idea was to get away from the exceedingly high amp draw of the halogen bulb. Pulling 100+ amps in a fully loaded 84" lightbar is a tad much. No one ever said anything about omitting rotors. It's all about effects. Those SLR heads offer more features than any other lighthead on the market.

Tony

Agreed, but I'll also add that on addition to lower amp draw, less down time was the other goal as relamping intervals were extended to 100,000 average use hours, plus a lower operating temperature, reducing the risk of fire or melting parts with extended use.

 

[Kevin K.]

Mark,


Wasn't there a comment made earlier that FedSig was introducing two bars at the FDIC show? Also, the features the Navigator has leads me to believe that Federal is anticipating standard vehicle application. Typically speaking, you wouldn't find alleys, takedowns and SignalMasters on NFPA bars. If the Nav's dimensions are in fact similar to the Freedom, I think it'll do just fine in all markets.

 

[ERIC6913]

Look at it in relation to the mounting feet....

I believe they are standard Legend mounting feet but I'm not 100% certain of that.


View attachment 72749

Yes Mark, those are the standard legend type mounting feet.

 

[WS224]

Looks like one of the heads is out already lol

Looks good though!

Not sure what your seeing or not seeing. There was not anything that was not working.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Not sure what your seeing or not seeing. There was not anything that was not working.

Left side of the bar had a dark spot

 

[Sigma Safety]

Mark,

Wasn't there a comment made earlier that FedSig was introducing two bars at the FDIC show? Also, the features the Navigator has leads me to believe that Federal is anticipating standard vehicle application. Typically speaking, you wouldn't find alleys, takedowns and SignalMasters on NFPA bars. If the Nav's dimensions are in fact similar to the Freedom, I think it'll do just fine in all markets.

They were also releasing an upgraded split-Vision SLR bar that had additional lighting below the main bar. I haven't seen that yet and FS doesn't seem to be too huge on marketing it's release, but that's what the Fire market manager told me. I believe they found a way to put a row of IPX6 (multi colour capable) lights below the main extrusion of the split-V. Sorry I can't give you much more than that as I just don't know any more on the subject.

 

[Skip Goulet]

If Uncle Sugar will front the cash I'd put these on cars! Unfortunatly Uncle Sugar can't even pay the bills around these parts, let alone get a LINZ6.

Not only are they not paying the bills, but they've slashed peoples' Medicaid and Food Stamps to almost nothing. An elderly gentleman in my neighborhood had his Food Stamps slashed from $130 per month to a whopping $5 back in June and has had serious problems making ends meet since then. Fortunately his friends and relatives have helped a great deal.

 

[Skip Goulet]

Who said that? The idea was to get away from the exceedingly high amp draw of the halogen bulb. Pulling 100+ amps in a fully loaded 84" lightbar is a tad much. No one ever said anything about omitting rotors. It's all about effects. Those SLR heads offer more features than any other lighthead on the market.

Tony

I didn't realize that halogen bulbs pulled that "juice". I thought they were supposed to be less current consuming than our old fashioned sealed-beams, which did pull a good bit. Of course there's nothing like the good ol' days when our ambulances only had the standard generator and not an alternator. Step on the Q and the flashing lights quit flashing and the beacon will momentarily stand still!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

I didn't realize that halogen bulbs pulled that "juice". I thought they were supposed to be less current consuming than our old fashioned sealed-beams, which did pull a good bit. Of course there's nothing like the good ol' days when our ambulances only had the standard generator and not an alternator. Step on the Q and the flashing lights quit flashing and the beacon will momentarily stand still!

They did consume a lot less after they reduced the number of bulbs. :beer:

 

[LRGJr72]

There's no way a TwinSonic-formatted version of this bar shouldn't happen. One rotator on each end, cascade mirrors (12 & 12X style) and a center section of whatever (takedowns/flashers/blanks). I'm surprised more media isn't available on this product yet. LOVE the possibilities. Especially since a loaded SLR Vision costs about 20% as much as new car.

 

[MEVS06]

Look at it in relation to the mounting feet....

I believe they are standard Legend mounting feet but I'm not 100% certain of that.


View attachment 72749

I would put that on a sedan.

 

[CHIEFOPS]

I agree, I stand corrected. The display model appeared to me much bigger than it is.

 

[Doug]

View attachment 72749

Man, is it me, or is that the spitting image of a Whelen AdvantEdge frame?

 

[LRGJr72]

Man, is it me, or is that the spitting image of a Whelen AdvantEdge frame?

I thought the same exact thing. It's pretty damned close, Doug. Especially if you drop the alley-lights from the profile of the Whelen AdvantEdge.