If so, then when? If not, then why?
I think yes, around halfway through this year. Who knows, maybe they’ll also release a 520Hz version as well?
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I doubt it. They are migrating towards completely addressable notification, so it doesn’t really make sense for them to take a step back to conventional devices.
Now that you mention that, I’m surprised they haven’t applied for a patent for addressable notification. Wheecoughlock!
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Addressable notification is in the code books, so even if they do have a patent on it, it would be extremely hard to uphold. Wheelock doesn’t make addressable devices or panels so they don’t care for addressable notification. I’m really not sure any other manufacturers are even interested in the concept or you would’ve seen more of a push for it by now.
Then there’s the problem where addressable notification has very few useful real world applications. However in those situations where it is useful, it’s very useful. Hotels, dorms, retirement homes, anywhere with sleeping areas really would be a good fit for them.
Being an “intelligent” device drives up the price though, so it’s a tough sell for most places where it offers no advantage over traditional methods. I’m sure it varies around the nation but I’ve talked to active simplex techs in the past few years that have yet to install an addressable NAC. I’m sure their sales are pushing for that cheaper conventional option, but with the recent acquisition it might be on the back burner.
I was talking about how Wheelock patented LED notification.
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I don’t think that they’ll ever make a conventional version of it because it seems that Sinplex is pushing to make everything addressable. There are still a few conventional TrueAlerts out there but you’re more likely to see an addressable on on a bigger system. Also, with the newer panels they have like the 4007ES and 4100ES, your only choice is addressable so there’s no real point in making a conventional 5900. Personally, I’m not a big fan of the idea of addressable NA’s because there’s no real need for addressable notification appliances and they’re also more pricey. Also, if in the future, Simplex discontinued conventional NA’s, then it would be a lot more expensive to retrofit an older system because instead of slapping conventional TrueAlerts on 2903 retrofit plates and keeping the panel, it would mean you’d have to upgrade the entire panel to a fully addressable one which can get quite expensive.
Yeah, I noticed just about every new Simplex system I see installed in my area doesn’t use addressable signals; they always go with the conventional TrueAlert horn/strobes or speaker/strobes (usually the multi-candela models), even if the rest of the system has addressable initiating devices and such.
I just don’t understand why an NA needs to be addressable. Yeah, it theoretically allows faulty NAs to be identified more quickly, but is the cost worth the relatively minor benefits? Smokes and pulls should definitely be addressable, but why an NA?
I’m guessing the IDNet is used to control a 4009 NAC Extender with conventional signals on most of these signals. It’s common practice to have your NAC’s 100% fed by booster panels.
Yeah and with the newer 4009’s NAC extenders Simplex released, they have what’s called IDNac (what a creative name) and they basically just repeat the addressable NAC current and data coming from the panel