Scotts new SCBA at IAFC show today

[scbaguy]

Went to the IAFC show in Dallas today. Among the MANY things to see was Scott's new SCBA that debuted today, the NXG2. This is totally new and not just an upgrade or variation of the AP50.

The NXG2, for Next Generation 2 SCBA, uses a slightly modofied AP50 frame. The Strap arrangement is the same, but the straps themselves are a little different. Now you can change a single shoulder strap instead of haveing to change both. The reducer is no longer on the side of the frame. It has been moved to the bottom of the frame, where the Pak-Alert is on an AP50. There is no longer a high pressure hose. The valve on the bottle has an added "Nipple" that snaps into the reducer directly. The reducer has the RIT/RIC connection on it. The Low-pressure hose which goes up to the face mounted regulator, now has the electronic cable for the HUD inside the hose. There is no Sheath covering the LP hose and the cable as on the AP50 2002 version, it is all one hose now. The regulator has been changed slightly with the size and configuration of the exhaust vents being the biggest difference.
On the frame where the reducer was on the AP50, is the battery compartment for the electronics. It is a plastic "tube" which holds 3 c-cell batteries to run the electronics. Scott says in normal use they should last 6 months.
About midway up the frame, underneath the bottle is the Pass device. It looks similar to the Pak-Alert, but is different. It works the same, and the console on the strap is the same, but it is configured differntly.
Overall, I was pretty impressed. It looks like a lot of time and though went into this, and it is definately not just a refinement of the AP50, this is all new. The reps at the show said that 90% of the repair/replacement parts we have in inventory for the AP50 will work with the NXG2. Since this was just unveiled today, they werent sure about trade-in programs or other incentives yet. They shoud be ready to ship in early November.

[MFDExplorer51]

Thanks for the description; I cannot wait to check one out for myself.

[cmjones]

now they upgrade....

after we just bought 16 new AP50 2.2's

[FyredUp]

cmjones...

I just had a Scott rep in my station to do a demo because we got a FIRE Act grant for SCBA. He did not have an NxG2 with him but showed us a short CD presentation on it. We decided after seeing and hearing about the NxG2 to continue with our plan to buy 2216 Air Pak 50's. Why? Because the bottles that come with the NxG2 won't interchange with any other air pak and hence no one else's bottles will work with the NxG2. I was assured by the rep that the NxG2 will not replace the AP50.

I would rather sepnd the money that would be eaten up on higher cost bottles (because of the new valve arrangement) and higher cost NxG2 SCBA on enhancements for the AP 50's. Things like SEMS, voice amplifiers for every mask, 2 RIT set-ups with additional hoses and masks for rescue operations of both fire fighters and civilian victims.

So if I were you i wouldn't feel too disappointed I don't think the AP50 is going anywhere anytime soon.

FyredUp

[cmjones]

Thanks for the info. I'm not disappointed really because I like the AP50. But I am just wondering why scott would make the bottles so pak specific. If we have mutual aid assisting us we want the bottles to be interchangeable. I doubt any of our mutual aid depts will be upgrading to this new pack anytime soon.

[quint1driver]

Guys, the line of reasoning that I got from our regional contact is the ap50 is based on technology that going on 20-25 years old. The nxg2 is based on the 4.5 line, just got newly redesigned pressure reducer and add on's. Personally, I think the ap50 line is on the way out. I just don't see a need for 2 lines of 4500psi airpacks. I don't think its happening in the weeks/months timeframe, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to see the nxg2 become THE line. After all, its available in 2216 and 4500, and the bottles are retrofittable with the new valves.
I think we're going to be ordering them. We were concerned with mutual aid companies, but they all run scotts now. If they want a pack, take the pack. Honestly, we've never interchanged companies cylinders, we'll just grab the entire pack. While your cylinder is being refilled, you're in rehab.

[scbaguy]

Good point Quint1Driver.

Yes the bottles are pack specific, but they have the same ols cga fitting for filling as before. So if your mutual aid can fill your bottles, you can deep useing your own. We rarely run mutual aid, but even when we do, we use our bottles exclusively.

At the show, the rep was telling us about the new pack. Basically, I think Scott will do what they did with the IIa versus the 2.2/4/5 lines. When the NXG2 starts outselling the 2.2/4.5, they will start to phase out the 2.2/4.5 line. I personally think this will be about 5-10 years down the line.

Talking with the reps, and looking at the packs, I really think this is a big development for Scott. They have been working on this for 5 years, and it shows. The pack really seems to be a next generation step. I do belive that the NXG2 will soon be the standard.

My opinion is this; Don't trash your 2.2/4/5's and rush just to get the NXG2. BUT..., next time you get ready to spend money on an upgrade for them, think about putting that money toward the new technology. Remember, packs are ment to last 10-20 years with regular maintenence. IF you upgrade in the next 10 years to anything but the NXG2, you will soon find yourselves 20 years behind on the technology.

[cmjones]

scbaguy,

so the bottles will be the same screw on type like the current 2.2's and 4.5's but it will have an added adapter that "snaps" into the reducer?

[scbaguy]

Maybe you remember the old style Scott cylinder valves like those in the old steel and solid aluminium bottles. The handwheel was straight in-line with the threaded fitting, 180 degrees apart. The new ones (in use now) are angled. Imagine the old style and add a pointed nipple at 90 degrees. The nipple is unique to Scott.

Here is how it works:
Turn the hand wheel to open the cylinder, and air comes out the nipple, not the threaded portion. The threaded portion has a spring/pressure? loaded internal valve that keeps it closed unless you connect it to a fill line. then the incoming air opens the internal valve, and fills the bottle. This happens with the hand wheel closed.

So to fill the bottle, with handwheel closed as now, connect to fill line. Do not open handwheel. The compressor/cascade will open the fill valve.

Think of it as two seperate valves. the manual handwheel valve opens the nipple for use on the air pack.
The 'automatic' valve opens itself for filling.

I hope that all makes sense...

[cmjones]

Yes it makes sense now,

I had to read it a couple of times to figure it out

[toddmcbr]

Does anyone know how much more the NXG2 are going to cost over the current AP50?

[scbaguy]

Rep. at the show said expect 10% above cost of AP50 equally equiped.