C3Kurt said:
The jury is still out in my opinion on dual-color technology. It is novel and has some uses (see FL comment from John), but with the economy in the gutter it seems to be a feature most can do without. No doubt, though on the "neat" factor when it comes to the current stable of dual color manufacturers. When the economy turns around and our industry/public sector catches up a year or two later, maybe then the multi-color bars will fly off the shelves and you can be assured Code 3 will be on board.
Although Code 3 does not offer dual-color modules, they WERE the first to introduce a lighting system that offered a more systematic control of displaying red and blue signals. Unfortunately,
C3 used the Javelin in the unique PS3 System. Why? Only God knows, but that lightbar was sent back to England with its tail between its legs. I'm sure
C3 will be back on board when they introduce their version of the dual-color Torrent.
I'm sorry to disappoint all you volunteer/lawn care guys out there who want an amber/blue lightbar or budding volunteer who wants a red/blue for when they become Chief (and we do appreciate your business), but the big 3 and others aren't building dual color technology/lightbars to hit your demographic. If a certain out of this world technology comes out (i.e. the new FS multi-color bar) it is usually built with a particular state/city contract (PA and NY come to mind) or OEM in mind. I'm trying to come up with one volunteer firefighter that has a Defender on their POV...........correct me if I'm wrong guys and send me a picture.
Thank you for that enlightening marketing info. I really can't imagine any lighting manufacturer producing any particular product exclusively for the volunteer sector, as it's just not cost effective. I daresay that the majority of the products were introduced to satisfy a set of requirements set forth by a large (statewide) contract, such as the CHP, PSP and others. The volunteer sector and other smaller segments benefit from these developments, as these products are usually offered to them as well. I do agree with your opinion about finding a Defender on a
POV, as it's rather difficult for a volunteer to realistically pay for a highly-overpriced lightbar for that use. Even the RX 2700 is too expensive. Doing cost comparisions, Federal Signal, SoundOff Signal and Whelen aren't nearly as expensive as
C3's products.
I'd like to know why
C3 gave up the FHP statewide contract, when the PS3 System was taken out of production. Your company just gave up that market to a competitor, and it appears that Federal Signal is fixing to take that one back with the introduction of the Vision SLR. Of course, you'll need something more appealling than the Javelin to ensure better success with the PS3.
Just my two cents, and don't take it the wrong way guys I don't mean to offend the volunteer market out there. In fact, we have been coming out with several products lately to hit that market segment (Frontier, LSS222, Visor Flip Light to name a few).
Just like everyone else we need all the business we can get, but I have to chuckle when I hear someone imagining the day when they can run amber while they cut Mrs. Cleaver's yard and blue at night when they are responding to a fire at O'Leary's dairy.
We'll thank Axixtech for the Falcon, I mean, the Frontier. Although I'm not one of them, I know many volunteers who have a small business where they use amber signals in addtion to their red or blue signals for
FD use. The dual-color technology is perfect for them! In fact, I've had several locals inquire about the availability of this technology and its related cost.
The market is out there. While it's up to each company to build a business case for this purpose, I really don't think your message will have the right effect in encouraging the volunteers to shop
C3. Personally speaking, your message had just the opposite effect.
