Ok need some opinions on strobe supplies for the burb
Leaning towards TOMAR Neobe strobe packs at this point.
Anyone used professionally or personally the Nova packs?
Of course there is always whelen
Considering either 2 6 outlet packs or 1 8 or 12 outlet pack.
I've installed and used mostly Federal SIgnal or Whelen packs on agency vehicles.
Nothing less than 90w supplies if I go with 2 units instead of big multi-outlet pack.
light configuration will probably end up
headlight flasher
2 911EP "STARS" in grill
4 hide-a-way strobes up front
4 hide-a-way strobe in the rear
911EP TD39 in rear window
2 911EP STARS or micro-thin strobes underneath the TD39
TOMAR PLII on the dash
Strobe supplies - Your opinions please!
Moderator: Queue Moderator
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apco25
- Posts: 2685
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2001 4:00 pm
- What radios do you own?: APX / Astro 25 / Harris
Strobe supplies - Your opinions please!
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
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Code3Response
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Apco- I use, install and sell Nova Power supplies. I love em! A 12 outlet will also fit in that rear gloce compartment area if this is for your suburban. PLEASE dont use Federal Signal. Whelen is also a good choice. Ive heard some things about NEOBE stuff not being worth the extra $$$. Let me know if you need pricing on anything. Thanks
I've never used Nova on anything official. Myself and several of my colegues have them in our vehicles and haven't had a problem yet. I don't know if I would trust them for an apparatus though. All of our apparatus use Whelen power supplies. An ISP188 will work great for what your doing but it is expensive. I think they have a CSP Series 8 outlet that might be a little more economical. No failures on any of them, even ones that are 10-15 years old.
As far as FedSig, I haven't heard a single good thing about any of their power supplies. Maybe they have gotten better, I don't know. I haven't had any experience with Code 3 supplies. They apparently have some new fancy electronic switching control thing that is pretty neat but I have never used it.
As far as FedSig, I haven't heard a single good thing about any of their power supplies. Maybe they have gotten better, I don't know. I haven't had any experience with Code 3 supplies. They apparently have some new fancy electronic switching control thing that is pretty neat but I have never used it.
"I'll eat you like a plate of bacon and eggs in the morning. "
- Some loser on rr.com
eBay at it's finest:
Me: "What exactly is a 900Mhz UHF CB?"
Them: "A very nice CB at 900Mhz speed!"
- Some loser on rr.com
eBay at it's finest:
Me: "What exactly is a 900Mhz UHF CB?"
Them: "A very nice CB at 900Mhz speed!"
I have always used TOMAR and in the past 10 yrs, I have not had a single failure of one of their supplies. The NEOBE is a great warning device, much better than the other brands based on the flash pattern, especially if you put it into the pusuit mode it looks like halogen or neon and dos not have the strobe appearance. Whelen is good stuff, Code 3 has fixed the problems, Federal ???????, Nova ??????? I won't say since I don't know.
Also use the screw in hide a way bulbs, the bases can handle much more heat than the grommet type.
Also use the screw in hide a way bulbs, the bases can handle much more heat than the grommet type.
Stan Glass
Government & Entertainment Division Manager (Kenwood)
Government & Entertainment Division Manager (Kenwood)
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FFParamedic571
- Banned
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I have used/seen Federal and Whelen. One of our engines has both, and the output looks the same.
Tomar is alright...haven't seen anything too good or too bad about them. Code 3 I have heard has lots of problems, and seem to be across the board then a couple of specific items.
I currenlty have an ISP188 in my truck, and love it. If you use it for long periods of time, the internal cooling fan helps. The newer CPS power supplies are nice with the "Scanlock" feature. The ISP's have a longer heavy duty warranty, but the p/s come in at a some cost.
As for the pre94 power packs, especally the double flash units, there is just something about that booo-boooop sounds you get from them
If you ever watch the Chuck Norris movie Lone Wolf McQuaid (?) listen to the siren when he is driving his white truck...they use the same strobe noise as one of the sirens!
Tomar is alright...haven't seen anything too good or too bad about them. Code 3 I have heard has lots of problems, and seem to be across the board then a couple of specific items.
I currenlty have an ISP188 in my truck, and love it. If you use it for long periods of time, the internal cooling fan helps. The newer CPS power supplies are nice with the "Scanlock" feature. The ISP's have a longer heavy duty warranty, but the p/s come in at a some cost.
As for the pre94 power packs, especally the double flash units, there is just something about that booo-boooop sounds you get from them
If you ever watch the Chuck Norris movie Lone Wolf McQuaid (?) listen to the siren when he is driving his white truck...they use the same strobe noise as one of the sirens!Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
TOMAR or Sound-Off. I've NEVER had a TOMAR fail and I've only had one Sound-Off fail since '96.
Like I said many times- Whelen makes me alot of $$$ since I change at least one every 2-3 weeks. Junkjunkjunkjunk.
Federal and Code3...well.....if they standardized their connectors, maybe I'd actually have something to do with them.
NOVA and Sho-Me are what I consider "second class" and are not to be used in a commercial vehicle. DOT/SAE ratings are important.
These may be good for a volunteer's vehicle, but not a commercial vehicle,.
Like I said many times- Whelen makes me alot of $$$ since I change at least one every 2-3 weeks. Junkjunkjunkjunk.
Federal and Code3...well.....if they standardized their connectors, maybe I'd actually have something to do with them.
NOVA and Sho-Me are what I consider "second class" and are not to be used in a commercial vehicle. DOT/SAE ratings are important.
These may be good for a volunteer's vehicle, but not a commercial vehicle,.
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jedi_saber
- Batboard $upporter
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booo-booop
Those are good insights, but here a question on strobe supplies: How much juice should you minimally put on a strobehead? I was looking at powering 4 heads at 60W, do you think that will be enough?
I used to have a 4 outlet whelen supply (UPS64C) that really packed a punch - now I am wondering if that will be enough with 60W? Any insights would be great!
I used to have a 4 outlet whelen supply (UPS64C) that really packed a punch - now I am wondering if that will be enough with 60W? Any insights would be great!
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apco25
- Posts: 2685
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2001 4:00 pm
- What radios do you own?: APX / Astro 25 / Harris
Interesting points put forth.
In my opinion nothing beats a TOMAR PLII or their lightbars. They are starting to become quite popular around here.
If I had the need for a bar it would certainly be a TOMAR.
So far I have yet to see a large intergrated TOMAR supply for more than 6 outlets.
We all know Jim isn't the biggest fan of Whelen... Their power supplies do seem to work nicely - I've yet to have to replace one so far.
I need to take a look at Sound-Off supplies.
Cdoe 3 and the other lower quality products aren't even being considered.
In my opinion nothing beats a TOMAR PLII or their lightbars. They are starting to become quite popular around here.
If I had the need for a bar it would certainly be a TOMAR.
So far I have yet to see a large intergrated TOMAR supply for more than 6 outlets.
We all know Jim isn't the biggest fan of Whelen... Their power supplies do seem to work nicely - I've yet to have to replace one so far.
I need to take a look at Sound-Off supplies.
Cdoe 3 and the other lower quality products aren't even being considered.
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
Tomar is great, I have noticed that the bulbs on a NEOBE supply will run hotter than others. This would be a problem in a cramped space only. Nova supplies are great too, I like the pat's but the wattage drops too low with extra tubes. If you use a nova, I would use at least two outlets less that the total number on the pack.
As far as lightbars, the Tomar is nice. It is a little high profile and if a tube goes out, the whole thing has to be replaced (bulb & lens). A Tomar supply will fit into a Whelen Edge. That would be my first choice.
HTH
Steve
As far as lightbars, the Tomar is nice. It is a little high profile and if a tube goes out, the whole thing has to be replaced (bulb & lens). A Tomar supply will fit into a Whelen Edge. That would be my first choice.
HTH
Steve
After this year and the awesome product line that Whelen has introduced, mainly their light bars, why in gods creation would you ever even think about using a tomar. When tomar first came out one of the most popular high-end production light bars that whelen made was the b-link. When the b-link was out there was absolutely no contest about features and effectiveness, whelen wins hands down. Now with the newer liberty and ultra edge with combo led/strobe, wholly cow....Their light bars surpassed awesome to insane.....Tomar=crap.....Always has and always will......
The Liberty IS a really cute little lightbar. I especially like the eight distinctive dead spots in the light pattern. Federal's LED bar totally smashes the Liberty. If you would go to any conventions or shows and see the Federal and Whelen factory demo cars sitting side-by-side, your five year old kid would even notice this major differnce.
As for the Ultra- um........it's just the same 20-year old non-weahterproof "sponge" Edge with some logics and LEDs. There is no difference in power supply, seals or lightheads. If you get one with the arrowstick, forget seeing anything at all on the rear of the bar other than amber. They didn't even change the ancient (and useless) all front, all rear, or all strobe pattern selection that serves absolutely no purpose.
If Chevrolet built the "Ultra Chevette" today and just added something modern like airbags to the old model, it would still be a piece of :o like in 1982.
As for the Ultra- um........it's just the same 20-year old non-weahterproof "sponge" Edge with some logics and LEDs. There is no difference in power supply, seals or lightheads. If you get one with the arrowstick, forget seeing anything at all on the rear of the bar other than amber. They didn't even change the ancient (and useless) all front, all rear, or all strobe pattern selection that serves absolutely no purpose.
If Chevrolet built the "Ultra Chevette" today and just added something modern like airbags to the old model, it would still be a piece of :o like in 1982.
I have a Whelen Edge Ultra SC which is complete programable. Basically, it replaced the B10000 lightbar (BLink) and is outstanding. Prior to that, I had a 9622M. Never had water problems with either, or anything else for that matter. Power supplies are reworked as well. Different animal.
The new self locking modules are a really nice feature and lock in tight. I had my doubts about the concpet, but since I decided to change things around, its a great time saver. All the new bars use this feature.
What is nice about the Edge Ultra SC (and the newer bars) is that the whole bar is completely wired for any future enhancements that you want to make to it. Its basically "plug and play".
My bar has 14 strobes plus two full size LED flashers, and they are incredibly bright, brighter than my old 9622M which was mostly configured with duplex strobes. The strobe arrow traffic pattern that it has is pretty cool too. A few fellow Batlabbers here can attest to the sweetness of the bar.
As for the Liberty, there are quite a few flash patterns that can be selected that has a "no darkness" pattern. Its all a matter of selection. I was told that manufactures like to keep some "dark" time in to help with the identification and movement of a vehicle. Lets face it, if the lights are going non-stop, it presents some visual problems for Joe Driver.
The Patriot series lightbar isn't bad, but we just got our new one installed on our new cruiser, and with the TIR6 LED's in there, WOW. We actually felt our eyes burn last night when we turned them on. It hurt. Bad. Much better brightness I think then the standard LED's that were first introduced in the series. The scan lock is a nice touch when wired with the horn ring too.
As for the all front/rear/all, I find that very effective in use. With rotators, you can't do that. Yeah, there are flashers, but you cut down on the rear effectiviness of your warning equipment since the 360's are off, and many flashers are hooked up to operate front AND rear. At least with a strobe bar (any manufactur) you can shut everything off in the front and still have a complete warning system in the rear. When you are out in the middle of the night with a DWI and doing test, a crash or whatever, you want ALL possible light to the rear, and none of that to the front if possible or unless traffic conditions dictate otherwise. It is also a cost effective means of not having to add more rear deck or hide-a-way's to a car (even though it should still have a bunch!). One PD that I use to do work for (before I left) were all strobe bars. One year they tried out all Code 360's, and the biggest complaint from officers is the lack or front/rear section for the primary warning. They have since started to go back to strobe bars.
BTW: You can have a Whelen traffic advisor (strobe, LED, halogen) in any color, you just need to specify it when ordering. And what's wrong with seeing all amber? I thought the purpose of a lightbar was to throw out light and be seen?
The new self locking modules are a really nice feature and lock in tight. I had my doubts about the concpet, but since I decided to change things around, its a great time saver. All the new bars use this feature.
What is nice about the Edge Ultra SC (and the newer bars) is that the whole bar is completely wired for any future enhancements that you want to make to it. Its basically "plug and play".
My bar has 14 strobes plus two full size LED flashers, and they are incredibly bright, brighter than my old 9622M which was mostly configured with duplex strobes. The strobe arrow traffic pattern that it has is pretty cool too. A few fellow Batlabbers here can attest to the sweetness of the bar.
As for the Liberty, there are quite a few flash patterns that can be selected that has a "no darkness" pattern. Its all a matter of selection. I was told that manufactures like to keep some "dark" time in to help with the identification and movement of a vehicle. Lets face it, if the lights are going non-stop, it presents some visual problems for Joe Driver.
The Patriot series lightbar isn't bad, but we just got our new one installed on our new cruiser, and with the TIR6 LED's in there, WOW. We actually felt our eyes burn last night when we turned them on. It hurt. Bad. Much better brightness I think then the standard LED's that were first introduced in the series. The scan lock is a nice touch when wired with the horn ring too.
As for the all front/rear/all, I find that very effective in use. With rotators, you can't do that. Yeah, there are flashers, but you cut down on the rear effectiviness of your warning equipment since the 360's are off, and many flashers are hooked up to operate front AND rear. At least with a strobe bar (any manufactur) you can shut everything off in the front and still have a complete warning system in the rear. When you are out in the middle of the night with a DWI and doing test, a crash or whatever, you want ALL possible light to the rear, and none of that to the front if possible or unless traffic conditions dictate otherwise. It is also a cost effective means of not having to add more rear deck or hide-a-way's to a car (even though it should still have a bunch!). One PD that I use to do work for (before I left) were all strobe bars. One year they tried out all Code 360's, and the biggest complaint from officers is the lack or front/rear section for the primary warning. They have since started to go back to strobe bars.
BTW: You can have a Whelen traffic advisor (strobe, LED, halogen) in any color, you just need to specify it when ordering. And what's wrong with seeing all amber? I thought the purpose of a lightbar was to throw out light and be seen?
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
I have an ISP188, and I have to say it's a very nice power supply.
I was going back and forth with what I wanted to do, and finally decided that i really wanted to go with an ISP because it allowed me to have a hideaway in each corner, as well as a light in the upper portion of my rear window, and on my dash. I'm big on synchronization. I don't like the way things look when they are out of sync.
Personally, I found that the 188 is a good investment - it's been running fine in my truck for the past few months - hasn't seen a whole lot of use, but well, when I hit the switch - it's there.
One of the biggest things that I wanted was 2x2x2x2 switching. I wanted the ability to have the rear lit up, and have the front off, which the ISP gives you. It less distracting to traffic heading in the other direction if there's not all sorts of lights flashing when your stopped on the side of the road (IMHO...)
I've seen two of the Tomar dash lights - they are nice, and throw out a lot of light. I haven't seen one of their power supplies...
I think If I were going to change anything with my setup, I would keep the "action flash" style pattern while responding, and go back to comet flash when I am stopped.
But ---
That's just my $0.02.
And PJ's bar is very very nice
I want one.... one of these days when I become super-dinger heh...
-Alex
I was going back and forth with what I wanted to do, and finally decided that i really wanted to go with an ISP because it allowed me to have a hideaway in each corner, as well as a light in the upper portion of my rear window, and on my dash. I'm big on synchronization. I don't like the way things look when they are out of sync.
Personally, I found that the 188 is a good investment - it's been running fine in my truck for the past few months - hasn't seen a whole lot of use, but well, when I hit the switch - it's there.
One of the biggest things that I wanted was 2x2x2x2 switching. I wanted the ability to have the rear lit up, and have the front off, which the ISP gives you. It less distracting to traffic heading in the other direction if there's not all sorts of lights flashing when your stopped on the side of the road (IMHO...)
I've seen two of the Tomar dash lights - they are nice, and throw out a lot of light. I haven't seen one of their power supplies...
I think If I were going to change anything with my setup, I would keep the "action flash" style pattern while responding, and go back to comet flash when I am stopped.
But ---
That's just my $0.02.
And PJ's bar is very very nice
I want one.... one of these days when I become super-dinger heh...
-Alex
Have you even looked at any of these bars you are babbling about?? Either you haven't or you hate them so much you are seeing things. The power supplies are very different, no resemblance to the the previous models. The aren't even in the same place in the bar. The strobe control... yea, you over looked that as well. There are now seperate wires for inboard, outboard, and corner strobes for front and rear. I invite you actually read the wiring diagram for this device before you give yourself a stroke going nuts about it.jim wrote:As for the Ultra- um........it's just the same 20-year old non-weahterproof "sponge" Edge with some logics and LEDs. There is no difference in power supply, seals or lightheads. If you get one with the arrowstick, forget seeing anything at all on the rear of the bar other than amber. They didn't even change the ancient (and useless) all front, all rear, or all strobe pattern selection that serves absolutely no purpose.
[url]http://www.whelen.com/pdfs/install/13523.pdf[/ur]
"I'll eat you like a plate of bacon and eggs in the morning. "
- Some loser on rr.com
eBay at it's finest:
Me: "What exactly is a 900Mhz UHF CB?"
Them: "A very nice CB at 900Mhz speed!"
- Some loser on rr.com
eBay at it's finest:
Me: "What exactly is a 900Mhz UHF CB?"
Them: "A very nice CB at 900Mhz speed!"
No- I never even seen these lightbars.
Of course, I did! I own a freakin' business that equips 150-170 cruisers per year and I cary all lines of equipment. Unlike MANY on this board, I actually work with this equipment daily- not work with it occasionally when my volunteer fire department breaks something or my buddy needs a set of grille lights installed.
Not only do I do many police installs, I also engineer complete vehicle wiring harnesses and electrical systems from something as small as a specialty off-road rescue ATV all the way up to a complete bumper-to-bumper harness for a fire engine refurb. I've "been there, done that" many times over. I see the latest/greatest in person from all manufacturers- many times before it's even even released for sale.
Yes- I still do alot of the work myself unlike many business owners. I get dirty. I'll take apart a new product to see what changed inside (and Whelen bars didn't change much from years ago- period) just to see what improvements were made.
I can see there are quite a few "weekend warriors" out here that are cops or firemen or hams and because they have lights or radios in their car, they are automatically 'experts' in everything.
I don't hate Whelen. I do use and sell, Whelen, Federal, Tomar, Code 3, Alerte, Sho-Me and some others. From selling, servicing, installing and repair all of them, I get to see what's going on. Just because your department has all Whelen and never had a failure that doesn't mean it's the most reliable or the best. I DO know that their product is not up to what some of the others are. Code 3 is going downhill- FAST! It shows. I see many failures inside of their MX7000s and 3892L6s that were never present three years ago, but many of you won't ever know this since you don't work in the field. Unfortuneatley, there are a few others out here that obviously DO know what they are talking about from experience and working in the field and it shows.
Now go back and play with your fire hoses, deliver the pizzas or flip the burgers- whichever you do every day
Of course, I did! I own a freakin' business that equips 150-170 cruisers per year and I cary all lines of equipment. Unlike MANY on this board, I actually work with this equipment daily- not work with it occasionally when my volunteer fire department breaks something or my buddy needs a set of grille lights installed.
Not only do I do many police installs, I also engineer complete vehicle wiring harnesses and electrical systems from something as small as a specialty off-road rescue ATV all the way up to a complete bumper-to-bumper harness for a fire engine refurb. I've "been there, done that" many times over. I see the latest/greatest in person from all manufacturers- many times before it's even even released for sale.
Yes- I still do alot of the work myself unlike many business owners. I get dirty. I'll take apart a new product to see what changed inside (and Whelen bars didn't change much from years ago- period) just to see what improvements were made.
I can see there are quite a few "weekend warriors" out here that are cops or firemen or hams and because they have lights or radios in their car, they are automatically 'experts' in everything.
I don't hate Whelen. I do use and sell, Whelen, Federal, Tomar, Code 3, Alerte, Sho-Me and some others. From selling, servicing, installing and repair all of them, I get to see what's going on. Just because your department has all Whelen and never had a failure that doesn't mean it's the most reliable or the best. I DO know that their product is not up to what some of the others are. Code 3 is going downhill- FAST! It shows. I see many failures inside of their MX7000s and 3892L6s that were never present three years ago, but many of you won't ever know this since you don't work in the field. Unfortuneatley, there are a few others out here that obviously DO know what they are talking about from experience and working in the field and it shows.
Now go back and play with your fire hoses, deliver the pizzas or flip the burgers- whichever you do every day
Ok, thats great Jim. I don't discount your wealth of experience. But that doesn't make you automaticlly the word of god. Everyone here is entitled to to their own reviews and experiences as well, even if we are "just fireman working in our driveways". Also, if someone (anyone, not just you) says something about a product that is incorrect, I will jump in and correct such. It would appear I actually got you on this one Jim. Busted. 
"I'll eat you like a plate of bacon and eggs in the morning. "
- Some loser on rr.com
eBay at it's finest:
Me: "What exactly is a 900Mhz UHF CB?"
Them: "A very nice CB at 900Mhz speed!"
- Some loser on rr.com
eBay at it's finest:
Me: "What exactly is a 900Mhz UHF CB?"
Them: "A very nice CB at 900Mhz speed!"
Jim, You have forced me to say it, But you are a complete tool.....You spout your mouth off about stuff, and you have no clue. At any given time, half the members on this board, including myself could install circles around you. No one cares that you install on police cars, or ATVs,,,There is one major thing you are unaware of, I personally would never bring anyhting into your shop b/c your attitude stinks, I wouldn't let you change my taillight bulb.
I hope the local fire chief in your area reads this post, and goes and plays with his fire hose, or flips his pizza as you call it, I also hope that same fire chief is the first on scene at a working fire in your shop, and orders his men to piss on the flames. I know that anyhting in your shop that was lost in the fire would be no great loss, it probably is crap work anyway....
Keep your derogatory opinions to yourself, espically when talking about fire fighters...Drop your makita and get a pair and join your local FD, help your community insteadof being a drain on the system. You should have nothing but appreciation for what they do, considering they most likely keep in you in some sort of business.....
I hope the local fire chief in your area reads this post, and goes and plays with his fire hose, or flips his pizza as you call it, I also hope that same fire chief is the first on scene at a working fire in your shop, and orders his men to piss on the flames. I know that anyhting in your shop that was lost in the fire would be no great loss, it probably is crap work anyway....
Keep your derogatory opinions to yourself, espically when talking about fire fighters...Drop your makita and get a pair and join your local FD, help your community insteadof being a drain on the system. You should have nothing but appreciation for what they do, considering they most likely keep in you in some sort of business.....
Well, I was going to hold off and see what the replies were going to be, but this is day two of 16 hour PD shifts, so I have some time to kill here and not in a good mood.
***Rant mode on***
First off, I do respect the good installers out there that do quaility work. I would expect that if they do good work, they have a steady business. However, it is also a must that their customers have a trust with them, and that business listen and understands the customer and his needs.
I have delt with radio shops and independant operations who think that they know the best way. In some cases, yes...but when it comes down who is going to use the equipment, the user may know best. I have had some good arguments with installers over this. WE (police, fire, EMS) are going to be using the stuff on the street, 24 hours a day. I think we know what works best for us.
What may look nice and pretty in the shop may not be the best thing on the street.
When I see comments like...
Your statements alone just shows how narrow minded you have become, or have always been when dealing with this subject. We know you have had problems with Whelen or its suppliers. That's your problem, not ours. You make too many generalizations about products, and not enough specifics. Of the 3697 batlabs members here, it seems like your the only when with all these problems. I dunno, something doesn't seem right. I am not defending Whelen here, but just pointing out the obvious.
When we get someone who always puts something down or steers us away from something without a valid reason, we get suspicious. Yes, we all know that you basically don't like Whelen, and that's fine. But when you come off saying that this or that is junk, but everything else is much better, we have to wonder why.
Its great that you are making a living doing what you do, but that also doesn't make you an "expert" on the subject. As far as we know, you could be the best....or worse....in your field. I don't know. You have provided some very useful information in the past, and I thank you for it. But, once you start knocking your customers....its just not right. Some of us "weekend warriors" have done much better jobs than the "professionals" we pay to do our fleet work.
Because of this, I think that some of us feel compelled to reply to such posts out of fairness. Believe it or not, there are some Code3 and Federal products that I like and would buy, but I wouldn't leave them out of the loop in considering new equipment for our crusiers.
**Rant mode off***
***Rant mode on***
First off, I do respect the good installers out there that do quaility work. I would expect that if they do good work, they have a steady business. However, it is also a must that their customers have a trust with them, and that business listen and understands the customer and his needs.
I have delt with radio shops and independant operations who think that they know the best way. In some cases, yes...but when it comes down who is going to use the equipment, the user may know best. I have had some good arguments with installers over this. WE (police, fire, EMS) are going to be using the stuff on the street, 24 hours a day. I think we know what works best for us.
What may look nice and pretty in the shop may not be the best thing on the street.
When I see comments like...
andNow go back and play with your fire hoses, deliver the pizzas or flip the burgers- whichever you do every day
That lends me to believe that you like to be the "know it all" and attitude's like that really rubs the customers the wrong way. It may be all good with the new customers or people who don't know any better, but once they get some experience, it can backlash. We the "cops and weekend warriors" are the paying customers.can see there are quite a few "weekend warriors" out here that are cops or firemen or hams and because they have lights or radios in their car, they are automatically 'experts' in everything
Your statements alone just shows how narrow minded you have become, or have always been when dealing with this subject. We know you have had problems with Whelen or its suppliers. That's your problem, not ours. You make too many generalizations about products, and not enough specifics. Of the 3697 batlabs members here, it seems like your the only when with all these problems. I dunno, something doesn't seem right. I am not defending Whelen here, but just pointing out the obvious.
When we get someone who always puts something down or steers us away from something without a valid reason, we get suspicious. Yes, we all know that you basically don't like Whelen, and that's fine. But when you come off saying that this or that is junk, but everything else is much better, we have to wonder why.
Its great that you are making a living doing what you do, but that also doesn't make you an "expert" on the subject. As far as we know, you could be the best....or worse....in your field. I don't know. You have provided some very useful information in the past, and I thank you for it. But, once you start knocking your customers....its just not right. Some of us "weekend warriors" have done much better jobs than the "professionals" we pay to do our fleet work.
Because of this, I think that some of us feel compelled to reply to such posts out of fairness. Believe it or not, there are some Code3 and Federal products that I like and would buy, but I wouldn't leave them out of the loop in considering new equipment for our crusiers.
**Rant mode off***
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
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apco25
- Posts: 2685
- Joined: Tue Oct 30, 2001 4:00 pm
- What radios do you own?: APX / Astro 25 / Harris
I'd like to point out with no offense meant for ANYONE that most of the professional shops that do installs, some of which are very nice high quality work obviously DO NOT USE the equipment.
The wiring may be stellar following SAE guidlines right down to the last nut, but how many squads or fire trucks have I seen where you had to do several of the following - way too many.
BIG REACH to get to the lights or siren controller especially when driving code
Simple things like placing the light/siren controller where you can reach it safely are often forgotten.
mics clips placed all over with no reason behind them. my favorite are laptop mounts that obstruct mic hangup
or better yet
Laptop mounts that complete obstruct radios or warning equipment.
Sometimes you can't avoid it because of how the mounting solution or vehicle is setup, but I've seen so many where anyone who actually drove the vehicle would see the way it was done was impractical.
That's an edge those of us in the public safety profession have over someone who's just a radio nut technician or engineer
We know what works and what doesn't from a practical and driver safety point of view.
I do very high quality work - I take my time and make sure its done the right way the first time. Has anyone looked at my custom designed moutning tray for the suburban? I think that speaks for my skills. I don't do crappy work.
ANYWAY......
Could we please get this back to what is relevant - strobe powers supplies?
I'm sorry but only posted this because its MY vehicle and I want the absolute best I can get my hands on. I'm not stuck with goverment contracts, biases or chiefs that want it a certain way.
The wiring may be stellar following SAE guidlines right down to the last nut, but how many squads or fire trucks have I seen where you had to do several of the following - way too many.
BIG REACH to get to the lights or siren controller especially when driving code
Simple things like placing the light/siren controller where you can reach it safely are often forgotten.
mics clips placed all over with no reason behind them. my favorite are laptop mounts that obstruct mic hangup
or better yet
Laptop mounts that complete obstruct radios or warning equipment.
Sometimes you can't avoid it because of how the mounting solution or vehicle is setup, but I've seen so many where anyone who actually drove the vehicle would see the way it was done was impractical.
That's an edge those of us in the public safety profession have over someone who's just a radio nut technician or engineer
We know what works and what doesn't from a practical and driver safety point of view.
I do very high quality work - I take my time and make sure its done the right way the first time. Has anyone looked at my custom designed moutning tray for the suburban? I think that speaks for my skills. I don't do crappy work.
ANYWAY......
Could we please get this back to what is relevant - strobe powers supplies?
I'm sorry but only posted this because its MY vehicle and I want the absolute best I can get my hands on. I'm not stuck with goverment contracts, biases or chiefs that want it a certain way.
"Some men just don't know their limitations"
At our shop we mostly sell Whelen. We have never had a power supply failure in nearly 10 years. We have had strobe bulbs of all brands to fail. We have also sold and installed several Nova supplies with no problems at all.
Before I was in charge of the communications and related equipment at my Fire Dept., we purchased 3 Tomar Lightbars from a local dealer. 2 of the trucks got Tomar lightbar installs only. One of them got a new Tomar lightbar and a complete Tomar strobe package. All three have been nothing but absolute JUNK. These all were installed by the local dealer and seemed to be decent installs. I have replaced nearly all the power supplies on all three trucks, some power supplies have been replaced twice. We have about 3 or 4 of the body mount strobe heads that have melted the red plastic lenses through. The sealed strobe heads are setting full of water right now, I have refused to re-install the last replacement power supply untill my Fire Dept board of directors decide what they want to do about this JUNK they have on their truck.
I would not use another TOMAR if they were passing them out free.......
Wes
Before I was in charge of the communications and related equipment at my Fire Dept., we purchased 3 Tomar Lightbars from a local dealer. 2 of the trucks got Tomar lightbar installs only. One of them got a new Tomar lightbar and a complete Tomar strobe package. All three have been nothing but absolute JUNK. These all were installed by the local dealer and seemed to be decent installs. I have replaced nearly all the power supplies on all three trucks, some power supplies have been replaced twice. We have about 3 or 4 of the body mount strobe heads that have melted the red plastic lenses through. The sealed strobe heads are setting full of water right now, I have refused to re-install the last replacement power supply untill my Fire Dept board of directors decide what they want to do about this JUNK they have on their truck.
I would not use another TOMAR if they were passing them out free.......
Wes
Wes Hutchens
911 Telecommunicator/2-Way Sales & Service
911 Telecommunicator/2-Way Sales & Service