What is the difference between Whelen WPS-4004 and Whelen Vortex R4?

[uncommonsense]

My understanding is the first gen Vortex rotators are belt driven as opposed to later gear driven models (it’s obvious from looking at the boxes the first gen Vortex uses a very different type of rotator). The fins better handled the wind load so as to reduce the chance of damage to the rotation mechanism under high winds.

And did they drop it because it messed up the gear rotators? Or something else

This is just a guess but it's probably a reliability thing.

We’re not Whelen engineers so no way to actually know but these are my thoughts exactly.

[SirensOfAustralia]

I’ll point an obvious one, 4004s came in analog if I’m correct in ESC-864 and when the vortexes came out it’s kind of a remaster of the 4004, the vortex has a smaller screen but its digital which is more advanced with ESC-2030. Vortexes are still in production if I’m correct

[CombineplayzTV]

Alright. Vortexes are still in production in all types R4-R1. (Not sure about finbacks), as I was told that the fin on the back was to better distribute bigger winds, as older Vortexes had belt-driven rotator. The wind could damage the rotating system. I think they are in production since mid or late 90s. Correct me if i'm wrong tho.

[Some_3t22s]

Replying to the last 2 messages, I believe both the WPS-4003/4s and Vortex R1-4s are both still in production per the screenshot below unless Whelen has been slow to update their site.

[CombineplayzTV]

I see.

[carexpertandy]

On the vortex there is a rectangle box on the rotator, on a 4004 its a cylinder, and 4004s can do voice

If I'm not mistaken, do newer 4000s have the same rotator box as Vortexes always did, with the rectangle? With this being the case, the best way to tell the difference would be to look at the control boxes.

[Some_3t22s]

On the vortex there is a rectangle box on the rotator, on a 4004 its a cylinder, and 4004s can do voice

If I'm not mistaken, do newer 4000s have the same rotator box as Vortexes always did, with the rectangle? With this being the case, the best way to tell the difference would be to look at the control boxes.

The Whelen product sheets show 2 different rotator boxes but I know as much about Whelens as the next guy.

[WPS4004Man]

4004's have a square box with a cylinder protrusion and Vortexes have a rectangular box with a square protrusion. I always assumed this was so the 4004's could rotate in 8 directions for voice, which Vortexes don't need to do.