Introduction: What the Premier Elite Odyssey 1 Brings to Your Alarm System
The Premier Elite Odyssey 1 (FCA-0120) is an external intruder alarm sounder and bell box engineered for residential and commercial alarm installations. Combining twin piezo sounders with a xenon strobe, an internal NiMH backup battery and multi-point tamper protection, the Odyssey 1 is designed to deliver a clear, reliable audible and visual alarm signal in demanding environments. Whether youre specifying equipment for a Grade 3 installation or upgrading an existing external sounder, the Odyssey 1 balances high output, installation flexibility and useful installer features.
Key Features at a Glance
- High acoustic output:Twin piezo sounders producing 115 dB(A) peak at 1 m (non-E / Grade 3 model).
- Visual signalling:Built-in 1 Ws xenon strobe with saver and flash-rate control for strong visual deterrence.
- Selectable operating modes:SAB (supply-from-panel), SCB (self-contained bell) and Low-Current modes for panel load management.
- Battery backup:Internal 7.2 V NiMH (~250 mAh) with battery/fault monitoring and a fault output for panel reporting.
- Tamper protection:Multi-point detection (wall, lid and screw) with self-activation on tamper or power loss.
- Robust construction:Polycarbonate housing and sealed electronics (IP65 for non-E variants) for outdoor use.
Detailed Specifications and Benefits
The Odyssey 1 is feature-packed and specified to be installer-friendly. Below is a concise breakdown of the key specification areas and the practical benefits they provide.
- Manufacturer / Model:Premier Elite Odyssey 1, FCA-0120
- Product type:External intruder alarm sounder / bell box
- Part code:FCA-0120
- Supply voltage:12 6 V DC (nominal 13.7 V) 95 ensures compatibility with most alarm panels.
- Quiescent current:Approximately 18 mA at 13.7 V 95 low idle draw to reduce panel battery drain when armed.
- Alarm current (SAB):≈405 mA at 13.7 V (non-E typical) 95 strong output when driven from a panel.
- Alarm current (Low-Current):≈190 mA at 13.7 V (LC mode) 95 reduces load on panels with limited current capacity.
- Strobe current:≈100 mA for the 1 Ws xenon tube 95 bright visual alert while conserving panel resources when possible.
- Battery:7.2 V NiMH, ≈250 mAh with battery/fault monitoring and a fault output for remote reporting.
- Cut-off time:15 minutes (or panel cut-off if shorter) 95 conforms to typical alarm signalling requirements while protecting internal battery life.
- Sound modes:Selectable SAB / SCB and Low-Current options for flexible wiring and powering strategies.
- Acoustic output:115 dB(A) peak at 1 m (non-E / Grade 3 model) 95 highly audible for effective deterrence and notification.
- Strobe:1 Ws xenon flash tube with saver and flash-rate control 95 provides a strong visual cue for responders and passers-by, especially in noisy or visually busy environments.
- Dimensions (H×W×D):318 × 201 × 66.5 mm 95 compact profile that suits most facades and mounting positions.
- Weight:≈1.25 kg 95 solid but not overly heavy for straightforward installation.
- Housing:Polycarbonate with sealed electronics; IP65 protection for non-E variants 95 durable against dust and rain.
- Operating temperature:625 °C to +55 °C 95 suitable for most outdoor environments.
- Standards / Grade:Referenced as PD6662 Grade 3 Class IV for the non-E Odyssey model. Note that E vs non-E variants differ; confirm the required variant for your project and local regulations.
Benefits Summarised
- Flexible powering options:SAB, SCB and Low-Current modes fit a wide range of panel capabilities and installation preferences.
- Strong deterrent effect:115 dB audio plus a xenon strobe provides both audible and visible signs of intrusion, increasing the likelihood of detection and response.
- Installer-friendly features:Engineer Hold-Off mode, battery/fault reporting and multi-point tamper make commissioning and maintenance easier and safer.
- Durability:Weather-resistant sealing and polycarbonate construction mean longer service life outdoors.
Use Cases and Scenarios Where the Odyssey 1 Excels
The Odyssey 1 is suited to a broad range of external alarm applications. Here are typical scenarios where it performs particularly well:
- For homeowners looking for a highly visible and audible alarm, the Odyssey 1 deters opportunistic intruders and signals neighbours and passers-by quickly.
- Selectable low-current mode helps when integrating with domestic alarm panels that have limited external sounder current capacity.
- Retail units, offices and small warehouses benefit from the combined audio/visual signalling, particularly where quick identification of an incident is required.
- Internal battery backup ensures the sounder still operates briefly even if mains or panel supply is lost.
- Referenced to PD6662 Grade 3 for the non-E model, the Odyssey 1 is appropriate for higher-risk sites subject to Grade 3 requirements—confirm the specific E/non-E variant for compliance.
- Multi-point tamper detection and sealed electronics are useful where anti-tamper and environmental resilience are priorities.
Comparisons with Similar Products in the Market
When choosing an external sounder, buyers typically compare acoustic output, visual signalling, backup options, tamper reporting and environmental resilience. Heres how the Odyssey 1 stacks up against common alternatives.
- Older metal bell boxes are bulky and noisy but often lack integrated strobe, selectable modes, battery monitoring and tamper reporting. The Odyssey 1 provides a modern, compact alternative with integrated visual signalling and smarter installer features.
- Self-contained sounders rely entirely on internal batteries, which can make them useful where panel wiring is complex. The Odyssey 1 offers a hybrid approach: it can be panel-powered (SAB/SCB) yet retains an internal NiMH battery for backup and fault reporting, giving the best of both worlds.
- Compared with many branded external sounders, the Odyssey 1s combination of 115 dB audio, a 1 Ws xenon strobe, selectable low-current mode and multi-point tamper is a very competitive specification. Some higher-end competitors may offer larger backup batteries or alternative strobe technologies (LED panels), but the Odysseys NiMH backup and proven xenon strobe remain widely accepted in regulated installations.
- For projects explicitly requiring E-graded variants or very long autonomous sounding times, check competitor offerings with larger battery capacities or different grading certifications; the Odyssey 1s variant selection helps match most specifications.
Customer Feedback and Installer Perspectives
While individual experiences vary, common themes emerge from installers and end-users who have used the Odyssey 1 in the field:
- Reliable deterrent:Installers note that the combination of a loud piezo alarm and a bright strobe provides clear deterrence and good visual identification of alarm events.
- Easy commissioning:Features such as Engineer Hold-Off and selectable modes make commissioning faster and reduce accidental activations during installation.
- Good build quality:The polycarbonate housing and IP65 sealing (non-E) mean these units stand up well to exposure in typical external locations.
- Practical limitations:Some specifiers highlight that the internal battery is modest in capacity, so for very long autonomous sounding requirements a different variant or larger battery solution may be preferred.
Example anonymous comments you might hear from the field include:
- "Compact unit, easy to mount, and the strobe is bright enough to be seen across the road."
- "Low-current mode saved my panel from being overloaded on a retrofit job."
- "Tamper reporting and fault output make it straightforward to integrate into monitored systems."
Conclusion: Why the FCA-0120 Odyssey 1 Is a Strong Choice
The Premier Elite Odyssey 1 (FCA-0120) is a versatile external sounder that offers a balanced mix of high acoustic output, effective visual signalling, flexible powering modes and practical installer features. For domestic and commercial sites requiring a clear audio/visual deterrent, and for many Grade 3 applications where the non-E variant is acceptable, the Odyssey 1 delivers reliable performance in a compact, weather-resistant package.
Before specifying the unit, confirm whether you need the E or non-E variant for certification purposes and evaluate battery autonomy against any project-specific requirements. When matched correctly to the site, the Odyssey 1 provides a robust, installer-friendly and cost-effective external alarm solution that meets the expectations of both installers and end-users.
