Sirennet - Whelen Ultra Freedom Rota-Beam
- Thread starter Sirennet
- Start date
I wonder how many halogen rotators you could buy for what this thing costs and get the same effect, and the same effectiveness. Ridiculous that people are jumping on this and spending fortunes to make their LEDs look like rotators.
twodogs603
Member
Looks good but I would love to see one in person.
Who would have ever thought 20 years ago we would be where we are with warning lights now. Makes you wonder what they can come up with next.
Who would have ever thought 20 years ago we would be where we are with warning lights now. Makes you wonder what they can come up with next.
pdk9
Member
The whole bar lit up around the 2:00 mark looks great, but I personally wouldn't want a bar that is 100% rotabeam (ie I think a normal freedom with 1-2 center inboards as rota beams would be the way to go).
Unfortunately, however, by the looks of how many LEDs there are in each unit, that ain't gonna come cheap. I'm guessing initial release price is probably gonna trump the duo-legacy sticker price a little & go for somewhere in the $5,500 range a fully-loaded one at sirennet, SNM, etc
Unfortunately, however, by the looks of how many LEDs there are in each unit, that ain't gonna come cheap. I'm guessing initial release price is probably gonna trump the duo-legacy sticker price a little & go for somewhere in the $5,500 range a fully-loaded one at sirennet, SNM, etc
Eric1249
Member
twodogs603 said:
I have thought about that as well. I remember it was either strobe or halogen. And we had tons of flashback and didn't complain about it lol
Abacus
Member
Its also interesting to remember how the old "flat mirror" or rippled mirror adds to a rotators overall "pop" factor
Anyone know if they'll make the modules as a stand alone unit, encased? I'd like a set as grille lights.
Station 3
Member
Since my department is STUPID and won't let me have a halogen rotator bar..... I wonder if they would let me have one of these...
I think I would want the rotos on the ends with normal heads in the center, they seem like they would be better for intersections with all the angles the heads cover.
Agree'd.... Makes me think of FS's SLR Beacon. You can get good class 1 Dual-Color LED Beacons with rotational patterns....bunch of other strobing patterns, WITH NO MOVING PARTS, at 1/3rd of the price. I think the SLR beacon is really neat, but i'd never buy one.
Solvarex said:
I should clarify my position by stating I have no issue with all these "rotating" LED products insomuch as them being developed. It's the premium manufacturers put on them, and the blind dedication to tradition that causes departments to buy them solely because of tradition.
I would wager that if you saw the RotaBeam LED next to the 700 series in that bar IN PERSON, the 700 would catch your attention at a distance far better than the RotaBeam. The old automotive engine adage "there's no replacement for displacement" is very much applicable in this industry. That concept was forgotten several years ago when everyone wanted to bring out the smallest LED you could find. Take a close look at the RotaBeam and tell me how many LEDs are actually facing you, directly, at any given angle. Yep, THREE.
Much as I find the concept of rotating LEDs interesting I'm not pickin' up what Whelen's puttin' down. And CERTAINLY not at the price point they have in mind.
I would wager that if you saw the RotaBeam LED next to the 700 series in that bar IN PERSON, the 700 would catch your attention at a distance far better than the RotaBeam. The old automotive engine adage "there's no replacement for displacement" is very much applicable in this industry. That concept was forgotten several years ago when everyone wanted to bring out the smallest LED you could find. Take a close look at the RotaBeam and tell me how many LEDs are actually facing you, directly, at any given angle. Yep, THREE.
Much as I find the concept of rotating LEDs interesting I'm not pickin' up what Whelen's puttin' down. And CERTAINLY not at the price point they have in mind.
chrismartin1701
Member
personally when it comes to anything rotator, i prefer the traditional. but my number 1 favorite is the old sealed beam rotators. sure they draw a shit load of power and dont come anywhere close to being as bright as LED's but they're a classic. when the day comes that mechanical rotator lights are 100% phased out and no longer made i will be a very sad person.
How about some new technology in Modern 12v Automotive charging systems? How about some sort of "Deep-Cycle Power-Cell" Tech that can run 50ams for 6hrs or better without a feeding power source........that's reasonable in size? Or affordable High-Amp Alternators? 
Just sayin'..........batterys and alternators havn't changed much in 50 years. Someone aught to get on it.....
Just sayin'..........batterys and alternators havn't changed much in 50 years. Someone aught to get on it.....Most vehicles don't need it. Even with emergency vehicles now your highest current draw is likely to be your siren at 8 amps (16 at 200W). LEDs have made the high output alternator and dual battery unnecessary unless you're driving a large rig that has other systems to power as well.
Consider this: if, with LED lighting, you are meeting or exceeding your alternator's capacity, you should seriously rethink how many lights you have.
Consider this: if, with LED lighting, you are meeting or exceeding your alternator's capacity, you should seriously rethink how many lights you have.
LRGJr72
Member
I totally agree that it seems like a lot of money to simulate rotating lights. HOWEVER... I really LOVE the look. And I'd much prefer this style of LED light pattern over that of the UFO-looking, seizure-inducing, color-mixing, retina-frying light patterns (no fewer than 500 now available) of all the other LED bars. But I'm still big on the FedSig SLR and ECCO style of rotating LED lights.
On the topic of dual-battery systems or high output alternators... What about those of us that still run halogen/strobe lighting and/or have a mechanical siren?
lotsofbars
Member
Ugh. Whelen. Please stop and produce something better than the SLR so I can have a hard time deciding between the two.
Solvarex said:
Actually if you see the lighthead in person, you get 9 LEDs blinding you if you are looking head on at one of the columns. The lens has a wide enough angle that from more than about 10 feet away you clearly see the output from the LEDs on either side as well.
Also, the Mirrors on the interior Rota-Beam lightheads do work very well to move more light in your direction as well.
lotsofbars said:
My take exactly. Same edge bar that's been around since the 80's with some half beacons slapped in there. I know its more complicated than that, and while I certainly like the way it looks on camera and upclose I'd be curious to see how it performs in real life/daylight/from a distance? I wonder if it will suffer from the same problems as other split heads?