I’ll try my best not to violate the “Brand Bashing” rule that was put in place some years ago, but all of us at one time or another have seen fire alarm devices that are just complete copies/knockoffs of other companies’ products. Even so, most of them still seem to be pretty decent quality at least, they may not meet UL or other organizations’ requirements, but they’re still rather interesting if you ask me.
Some examples:
Here’s one that a lot of companies, particularly those in China, LOVE to copy, System Sensor’s Spectralert. Here’s one, made by a company called Asenware:
And another with the exact same design but made by a company called “KKMoon” instead: (going by the lack of fire alarm products on KKMoon’s website along with the nearly-identical design to Asenware’s I’m assuming they just rebranded Asenware’s version)
There’s yet another company that makes or rebrands an almost identical version called “Uhppote”. I’ve also found non-branded versions of these as well as ones with either 6 red LEDs or a white strobe and versions with black “FIRE” lettering, which usually indicates it’s the strobe version. It’s somewhat hard to keep track of all these knockoff products especially when the brand name, design, and model numbers aren’t always consistent.
Still another one that makes this version: Flexzion, this time I have a model name to go with the manufacturer name: Quick Alert (thus ripping off Simplex’s original name for the Truealert)
There’s also a white version with a colored lens branded “Logico” that I heard talked about in another topic. This version is rebranded or produced by Logico for use in CO2 alarm systems. (which is what was being talked about in the topic that mentioned this version)
https://www.logico2.com/products/horn-strobe-led-amber-glass/ (of note is that they also sell Wheelock’s MT-24MCW-NW but with a “CO2” label on the front)
And of course, the version that NewEnglandElevators owns, which looks the least like the Spectralert out of the three but is still a knockoff. Honestly don’t know who makes this thing, but much like with the above Spectralert knockoffs there isn’t much consistency with the design.
Just search around on Google, you’ll find tons of Spectralert ripoffs, most of which aren’t consistent with one another regarding design and manufacturer. (trust me if I tried listing every single Spectralert knockoff I’ve seen I’d be here all day)
Here’s another somewhat common victim of ripoffization: the BG-12. Asenware is here too:
As is Uhppote:
There are probably other companies who also make knockoffs of the BG-12 or rebrand Asenware’s version but I don’t know of any at the moment.
Here’s one that I found myself that I’m surprised no one else apparently has: Potter’s SH24C ceiling mount Select-A-Horn/Strobe:
As you can see it’s VERY similar in design to your average Spectralert Classic ceiling mount horn/strobe, right down to the position of the fire lettering, the strobe in the center, and the grille around the strobe. They also made it in remote strobe, speaker, and speaker/strobe versions just like the Spectralert Classic.
If you have any knockoff devices you’d like to share, feel free to do so right here.
