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Control System
Manufacturer: Feniex Industries
Model Number: 4200
Link to manufacturer: Feniex Industries Website
Product Type: All in one control system
Intended Usage: Whole system control
Intended Market: POV, Departmental, Commercial, Heavy Duty
Review Type: Preliminary Product Review
Product Description:
The Feniex 4200 is an All-in-one control solution that offers an integrated traffic arrow controller (8-channel LED flasher), a headlight flasher, several inputs, and multiple outputs to control all of your warning lights, sirens, and other related equipment.
Review:
The 4200 is the solution for anyone with lots of warning and duty equipment on their vehicle. Out of the box, the unit offers control of several individual outputs. The extremely flexible programming options allow you to tie any button to any output or group of outputs. The slide switch can be programmed to operate any output, group of outputs, or button activation/deactivation. The unit also offers a built-in traffic arrow function that consists of an 8-channel LED flasher with pre-selected arrow and warning functions for your 6 or 8 head arrow bar. The built in headlight/LED flasher offers a few flash patterns and can be overridden via input signals. For those with sirens, this unit can interface with any siren utilizing trigger wires for each tone or option. Feniex offers the Storm siren which, when hooked to the 4200 outputs, allows seamless integration of siren functions from your 4200 keypad. Positive and negative inputs allow for external manipulation of the system via programming options.
This pre-production unit was very recently installed and has been tinkered with for a short amount of time to date. It is being used in a daily work vehicle and will be put through the paces. More features and options will also be utilized in the near future to further demonstrate the system's capabilities.
Durability of Construction:
The main unit, sometimes referred to as the "brain" is solid. It consists of a metal bottom half and the top half is a plastic cover. standard plugs with screw terminals line the perimeter of the unit. The keypad is plastic and when held in the hand, it doesn't feel as solid as the main unit. However, when mounted to the bracket or console faceplate as intended, the keypad feels stable and durable. The buttons are a little more stiff than previous versions of Feniex switch systems. These buttons have less of a "pushed" feel to them, but the beep and activation of the button's red backlight assures the user the button is engaged. The slide switch doesn't' feel quite as solid, or stiff, as other brands, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The slide switch moves nicely between the 4 positions and feels natural.
Performance:
To date, the system meets and exceeds expectations. Programming options are virtually endless and allow for heavy customization. The buttons are a little tough, but the unit is brand new and has only seen one day on the road (to date). When advanced through the positions, the slide switch allows for a very brief period when nothing is active. In other words, when going from position 1 to 2, a very quick period of nothing being active can be observed. This is, of course, related to the unit changing it's configuration from one program to the next (for each respective slide switch position). The keypad back lights are bright in day mode, and seem just about right for night mode. The red LED that indicates a button is activated does not respond the day/night modes, it will always be the same intensity.
Innovation:
Programmability is what makes this unit so flexible. Buttons are not locked to any specific function, output, or input. The unit can be used by just about any profession from volunteers with or without sirens to police, fire, and medical personnel. It is not geared toward a single industry, but instead allows for expandability to meet the needs any of the primary industries. The unit has many safeguards in place to protect the equipment and the vehicle, it offers short circuit protection as well as fused outputs with "blown fuse" indicators. The unit can also be controlled from your smartphone or tablet running the Feniex control software.
Ease of Use:
As with any vehicle installation project, users should have a basic understanding of 12volt systems and the equipment they are attaching to this system. New vehicles are also complicating installation practices by using more data bus control as opposed to "power switched" functions. As far as the installation and setup of the 4200, it can appear overwhelming, but to an experienced installer, it is quite simple. It would most likely take you more time to sit down and "design your keypad" than it would to actually hook everything to the main unit. There are so many options and features that allow for heavy customization. Provide 12v positive, ground, a night mode trigger, an ignition switched circuit, and you're ready to start connecting your equipment to the system's outputs.
For the end-user, it's even simpler. With all of the legends in place, and a basic understanding of how the unit was programmed, you could be operating this system without even taking your eyes off the road. After a few short minutes of getting familiar with the programming software (available on Windows PC's), you can design or redesign your keypad layout, it's functions, and any other options or features very easily.
Features:
The 4200 is full of features. From the traffic arrow controller (8-channel LED flasher) to the integrated headlight/LED flasher (wigwag), from the simplified wiring layout to the extensive programming options available, this unit doesn't disappoint.
The full list of features:
The required wiring (Ethernet and USB) is included with the unit. A bail bracket and screws are also included.
Price:
The 4200 retails for $765, but will typically be on sale for just under $500 without the bells and whistles. The Feniex Storm Siren and accompanying Typhoon Siren Speaker can be added to along with a Bluetooth module to allow for full control of the system from a smartphone or tablet. When combining the cost of a headlight flasher, a full-function control system, and a traffic arrow controller, the cost is very reasonable.
Overall:
The 4200 has impressed in just about every aspect of the brief preliminary review process. Comments and suggestions have been forwarded to the manufacturer and in true Feniex fashion, they will open a dialog with us to see what can be improved, what can be added, and to clear up concerns or questions.
Comments:
This is a pre-production model that was sent to us for real-world testing. We have not yet included any scores on this review because the process has only just begun. We are open to questions and comments about the content of this review. There is also an included "Quick Product Spotlight" video on our YouTube Channel. The review and the video will be improved as the process progresses. Questions and comments traded between eLightbars and Feniex will be added to this review thread as they are addressed.
Links:
Feniex 4200 Product Page
Feniex 4200 Instructions
Feniex 4200 Programming Software
Feniex 4200 Product Literature
Video:
Note about the video: This video is not intended to be the final review video. Instead, it will serve as a "quick demo" until more options are added to this system and a formal video can be produced.
Manufacturer: Feniex Industries
Model Number: 4200
Link to manufacturer: Feniex Industries Website
Product Type: All in one control system
Intended Usage: Whole system control
Intended Market: POV, Departmental, Commercial, Heavy Duty
Review Type: Preliminary Product Review
Product Description:
The Feniex 4200 is an All-in-one control solution that offers an integrated traffic arrow controller (8-channel LED flasher), a headlight flasher, several inputs, and multiple outputs to control all of your warning lights, sirens, and other related equipment.
Review:
The 4200 is the solution for anyone with lots of warning and duty equipment on their vehicle. Out of the box, the unit offers control of several individual outputs. The extremely flexible programming options allow you to tie any button to any output or group of outputs. The slide switch can be programmed to operate any output, group of outputs, or button activation/deactivation. The unit also offers a built-in traffic arrow function that consists of an 8-channel LED flasher with pre-selected arrow and warning functions for your 6 or 8 head arrow bar. The built in headlight/LED flasher offers a few flash patterns and can be overridden via input signals. For those with sirens, this unit can interface with any siren utilizing trigger wires for each tone or option. Feniex offers the Storm siren which, when hooked to the 4200 outputs, allows seamless integration of siren functions from your 4200 keypad. Positive and negative inputs allow for external manipulation of the system via programming options.
This pre-production unit was very recently installed and has been tinkered with for a short amount of time to date. It is being used in a daily work vehicle and will be put through the paces. More features and options will also be utilized in the near future to further demonstrate the system's capabilities.
Durability of Construction:
The main unit, sometimes referred to as the "brain" is solid. It consists of a metal bottom half and the top half is a plastic cover. standard plugs with screw terminals line the perimeter of the unit. The keypad is plastic and when held in the hand, it doesn't feel as solid as the main unit. However, when mounted to the bracket or console faceplate as intended, the keypad feels stable and durable. The buttons are a little more stiff than previous versions of Feniex switch systems. These buttons have less of a "pushed" feel to them, but the beep and activation of the button's red backlight assures the user the button is engaged. The slide switch doesn't' feel quite as solid, or stiff, as other brands, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The slide switch moves nicely between the 4 positions and feels natural.
Performance:
To date, the system meets and exceeds expectations. Programming options are virtually endless and allow for heavy customization. The buttons are a little tough, but the unit is brand new and has only seen one day on the road (to date). When advanced through the positions, the slide switch allows for a very brief period when nothing is active. In other words, when going from position 1 to 2, a very quick period of nothing being active can be observed. This is, of course, related to the unit changing it's configuration from one program to the next (for each respective slide switch position). The keypad back lights are bright in day mode, and seem just about right for night mode. The red LED that indicates a button is activated does not respond the day/night modes, it will always be the same intensity.
Innovation:
Programmability is what makes this unit so flexible. Buttons are not locked to any specific function, output, or input. The unit can be used by just about any profession from volunteers with or without sirens to police, fire, and medical personnel. It is not geared toward a single industry, but instead allows for expandability to meet the needs any of the primary industries. The unit has many safeguards in place to protect the equipment and the vehicle, it offers short circuit protection as well as fused outputs with "blown fuse" indicators. The unit can also be controlled from your smartphone or tablet running the Feniex control software.
Ease of Use:
As with any vehicle installation project, users should have a basic understanding of 12volt systems and the equipment they are attaching to this system. New vehicles are also complicating installation practices by using more data bus control as opposed to "power switched" functions. As far as the installation and setup of the 4200, it can appear overwhelming, but to an experienced installer, it is quite simple. It would most likely take you more time to sit down and "design your keypad" than it would to actually hook everything to the main unit. There are so many options and features that allow for heavy customization. Provide 12v positive, ground, a night mode trigger, an ignition switched circuit, and you're ready to start connecting your equipment to the system's outputs.
For the end-user, it's even simpler. With all of the legends in place, and a basic understanding of how the unit was programmed, you could be operating this system without even taking your eyes off the road. After a few short minutes of getting familiar with the programming software (available on Windows PC's), you can design or redesign your keypad layout, it's functions, and any other options or features very easily.
Features:
The 4200 is full of features. From the traffic arrow controller (8-channel LED flasher) to the integrated headlight/LED flasher (wigwag), from the simplified wiring layout to the extensive programming options available, this unit doesn't disappoint.
The full list of features:
- 18 backlit push buttons
- 4 position slide/pursuit switch
- Built-in 8 channel LED traffic arrow controller
- Solid state relays
- 2 negative and 3 positive auxiliary inputs
- Ignition, day, and night mode inputs
- 17 programmable outputs
- 1 programmable negative output
- 2 programmable output groups
- 1 constant power output group
- Built-in 2 channel headlight flasher/LED flasher
- USB port for system programming
- 50 standard legends
- On/Off, Momentary, or Timed outputs
- Bluetooth control from Apple or Android Smartphones and/or Tablets
The required wiring (Ethernet and USB) is included with the unit. A bail bracket and screws are also included.
Price:
The 4200 retails for $765, but will typically be on sale for just under $500 without the bells and whistles. The Feniex Storm Siren and accompanying Typhoon Siren Speaker can be added to along with a Bluetooth module to allow for full control of the system from a smartphone or tablet. When combining the cost of a headlight flasher, a full-function control system, and a traffic arrow controller, the cost is very reasonable.
Overall:
The 4200 has impressed in just about every aspect of the brief preliminary review process. Comments and suggestions have been forwarded to the manufacturer and in true Feniex fashion, they will open a dialog with us to see what can be improved, what can be added, and to clear up concerns or questions.
Comments:
This is a pre-production model that was sent to us for real-world testing. We have not yet included any scores on this review because the process has only just begun. We are open to questions and comments about the content of this review. There is also an included "Quick Product Spotlight" video on our YouTube Channel. The review and the video will be improved as the process progresses. Questions and comments traded between eLightbars and Feniex will be added to this review thread as they are addressed.
Links:
Feniex 4200 Product Page
Feniex 4200 Instructions
Feniex 4200 Programming Software
Feniex 4200 Product Literature
Video:
Note about the video: This video is not intended to be the final review video. Instead, it will serve as a "quick demo" until more options are added to this system and a formal video can be produced.