The All New Whelen Legacy...

Keep in mind that the majority of sales for emergency warning companies are to large fleets (state patrols, LAPD, NYPD, etc.) . While these tend to be lower margin sales, they are important and are big revenue generators for the manufacturers, generally speaking (some exceptions where manufacturers go it at a loss to get a "reference" client, like CHP).


If you have a bar that is fairly unique, like the Vision, for example where FS has a patent on the shape, it's easily "spec-able" on a bid document. The same goes with bar height. If a manufacturer works with a customer to get their stuff in to the department, but then it has to go to bid, the customer can spec the bid to say "bar must not be more than 1.9" high", for example. That eliminate the Liberty and Legend, and a number of other bars.


Ford is really pushing the AWD feature in their sedan, and one reason is because no one else has an AWD pursuit-"certified" sedan out there. They did the same with their Crown Vic with their 75mph crash test rating. Dodge is bringing out an AWD version of their police Charger next year, so they'll be able to bid on those tenders that require a sedan with AWD capabilities.


So, if you have a bar (or any other product) that has a unique feature, it's very "spec-able" on a bid and you have an immediate advantage (and can often hold more margin because you're the only compliant bidder). Often, little features on lightbars and other products are designed into a product for exactly that reason - it wins bids. It wouldn't surprise me if Whelen is designing a "boring" bar that's thinner, just so they can spec it on bids.
 
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I like it. This bar with ION Mirror Beams and some IONs on a wrap around TVI/PIT bar and it'd be a nice package on our cars.
 
Not bad. Not bad at all. Looking at the screencap, it appears that there are fourteen directional lightheads, not counting the corner modules. Hopefully, Whelen will release prices at the show this weekend.
 
I do not care for that at all. Thin bars offer no advantage over a liberty or valor. Maybe colored lenses would help it, but as previously mentioned, it looks like cheap Chinese junk. Boo for whelen for not coming out with something innovative.
 
HILO said:
I do not care for that at all. Thin bars offer no advantage over a liberty or valor. Maybe colored lenses would help it, but as previously mentioned, it looks like cheap Chinese junk. Boo for whelen for not coming out with something innovative.

Something to keep in mind when comparing the "thin-ness" of the Legacy to that of the Liberty. The Liberty series lightbar had a lot of wasted space inside from both top to bottom and from left to right. The over-all height of the actual light source of this lightbar is almost identical to that of the Liberty. They just took out the wasted space that prduces NO light what-so-ever. So technically speaking, from a distance, when illuminated, there is no difference in light output "height". The difference in intensity however is more than dramatic.
 
Are there going to be two different versions of this? On Facebook, there's a mention of the Whelen Revolution in addtion to the Legacy. Perhaps "Revolution" is the new name for the Delta, but this question was posed with a picture of a wrapped lightbar that looks like the Legacy.
 
Kevin K. said:
Are there going to be two different versions of this? On Facebook, there's a mention of the Whelen Revolution in addtion to the Legacy. Perhaps "Revolution" is the new name for the Delta, but this question was posed with a picture of a wrapped lightbar that looks like the Legacy.

As previously mentioned, Whelen is going to be debuting 3 new lightbars and some other various new equipment (such as a new style of Pioners) at IACP 2012.
 
Outsider said:
Something to keep in mind when comparing the "thin-ness" of the Legacy to that of the Liberty. The Liberty series lightbar had a lot of wasted space inside from both top to bottom and from left to right. The over-all height of the actual light source of this lightbar is almost identical to that of the Liberty. They just took out the wasted space that prduces NO light what-so-ever. So technically speaking, from a distance, when illuminated, there is no difference in light output "height". The difference in intensity however is more than dramatic.

In some respects I'd have to disagree with you. While you are correct that the liberty series bars have a small area of actual light production, the way that light was directed and reflected made a big difference in how it appeared.
 
So, where is this big reveal/debut? IACP is wrapping up for the day on the west coast and there is still no info to be found.
 
Jman423 said:
So, where is this big reveal/debut? IACP is wrapping up for the day on the west coast and there is still no info to be found.
Still waiting. No updates on Whelen's twitter, facebook or youtube pages so far this morning...
 
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STT Installer said:
Still waiting. No updates on Whelen's twitter, facebook or youtube pages so far this morning...

Good god, you sound like my ex-girlfriend...


But in this case I don't blame you. I want to see what the bar can do too!
 
firefighter7017 said:
I think it looks great. Going to be an excellent replacement for the Justice.

Being multi color capable Im sure it will be a lot more expensive then the Justice. I could be wrong, but thats my guess. And Im sure thats going to be a WeCan bar. Multiple programming options.
 
twodogs603 said:
Being multi color capable Im sure it will be a lot more expensive then the Justice. I could be wrong, but thats my guess. And Im sure thats going to be a WeCan bar. Multiple programming options.

Whelen has a "brochure" on their website now stating it will be available as a WeCan bar and lists other features as well.
 
twodogs603 said:
Being multi color capable Im sure it will be a lot more expensive then the Justice. I could be wrong, but thats my guess. And Im sure thats going to be a WeCan bar. Multiple programming options.

Price point did not even occur to me. I was simply thinking about TIR optics being in both bars. With that being said, I'm sure they will offer single color options that will cost significantly less.
 
firefighter7017 said:
Price point did not even occur to me. I was simply thinking about TIR optics being in both bars. With that being said, I'm sure they will offer single color options that will cost significantly less.

Yea the brochure says WeCan only, and solid or Duo colors.
 
The Legacy is okay, nothing earth-shattering. If anything, I'm wondering if it'll cut into Liberty sales. The Delta is definitely interesting, but most likely a very expensive lightbar. Perhaps Whelen will offer the rotating LED towers in a single-level bar for a lower-cost option.


Didn't see anything about the Revolution. I'm assuming that hasn't been revealed yet?
 
Woo hoo! Called the Delta! Sorry, made me happy to be right.
 

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