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The Small Business Administration
states, "Your signage is your first -
and one of your best - opportunities to
communicate with the public. Signage must be effectively
designed, well manufactured and correctly installed to
optimize your message." Don't leave something as important
as your business' first impression to anyone but the
experts. Compare suppliers and quotes. Many look the same
but there are significant differences. The answers to these
simple questions will help you make an informed decision and
ensure that the LED sign you purchase is the best
choice for your organization!
1. Does the company offer a written warranty?
Carefully compare what is covered and for how long. If you
are purchasing an identification area as part of the sign,
look for a Lifetime Warranty against face breakage, faulty
workmanship and defective materials. The internal components
of the id area including the ballasts should also be covered
by the Lifetime Warranty. Look for a 5 Year Warranty on the
LED Electronic Message Center area, ensuring that it will be
free from defects in materials and workmanship. Also
consider the company's ability to stand behind that
warranty. How long have they been in business? Will they
provide a list of customers in your area?
2. Do the sign specifications meet the zoning
requirements for your area?
Many areas have requirements related to the height, width,
and static/motion allowed on signage. Are permits required?
Will the company provide helpful tips to guide you through
the process?
3. Does the sign meet the needs of your organization?
The speed limit of the traffic passing by, the distance from
the road (set-back), your budget, and the primary use of the
sign should be discussed with a sign professional to ensure
that the sign will meet your needs.
4. What Pixel Matrix is being quoted?
Signs of the same height and width may have a different
Pixel Matrix (the number of pixels on your sign). The size
of the retainer (the amount of metal that surrounds the LED
display area) can vary from sign to sign, which results in
variation in the number of pixels. For instance, a 48x160
pixel sign consists of 48 pixels high x 160 pixels wide. You
may receive a quote for a sign of the same height and width
that only has a 40 x 112 Pixel Matrix. In that case, you
would only get 40 pixels high x 112 pixels wide. Obviously
you are not getting the same value in the second case. Make
sure you get the most for your money!
5. Will the LED area display an effective character size?
The height of the character will determine the number of
characters that can be displayed at 1 time across the sign.
For instance, an 8' wide cabinet with 18" characters will
only allow for 5 characters to be displayed across at one
time, forcing you to scroll your message and limiting its
effectiveness.
6. Is the quote for a High Definition Sign?
High Definition means the pixels sit close together. They
must be less than 1" apart. .6" - .7" is considered High
Definition. Anything wider than this will have a "grainy"
appearance. Quotes typically provide this information in a
millimeter format (ie 17mm - .66" apart vs 36mm = 1.40"
apart).
7. At how many Frames Per Second will the sign operate?
You will want your sign to transition smoothly and
seamlessly. At a low frames per second count, you will
notice a "tick, tick, tick" of the letters and graphics. A
model with capabilities of operating at 60 framers per
second will provide the seamless, easy viewing effect
desired.
8. What is the Viewing Angle of the sign?
The Viewing Angle is the point at which the text/graphics
will "fade" as a car travels by your sign. Viewing Angles
vary from 75 all the way up to 140 degrees. Beware of the
difference between Viewing ANGLE and Viewing CONE. Viewing
CONE can be deceiving. Basically, it is determined by
doubling the Viewing ANGLE. Be sure to compare Angles to
Angles and Cones to Cones.
9. If Shading is an option for your sign, how many Shades
are being quoted?
Look for the newest technology with 256 shades. Some LED
sign suppliers are still offering the old technology of 32
or 64 shades. The more shades you have, the better the
graphics will appear.
10. Does the sign feature Hybrid Technology?
Hybrid Technology (Hybrid Individual Pixels) is the most
advanced technology available for LED signs. Beware of signs
manufactured with less advanced Pixel Boards which
experience higher costs and longer downtimes when repairs
are needed. If a Pixel Board needs to be removed or
repaired, the sign may be down for a week at a time and
replacement boards cost $350 + labor and shipping costs.
Hybrid Technology signs have individual replaceable pixels
(instead of the entire sign board). Look for a company that
offers replacement pixels for free during the first 5 years
that you own the sign. After that, your cost to replace a
pixel will be approximately $5.00. Downtime is virtually
nonexistent as it does not require a professional and only
takes a minute to change out a Hybrid Individual Pixel.
11. How many graphics are included with the sign?
Look for a company that includes at least 300,000 graphics
and 200 animation motion video applications with their
shaded and full color models.
12. Is training provided to help you learn to program the
sign?
You will want an LED supplier who offers onsite training,
web based training, and unlimited phone support so that they
can accommodate your training needs. One of the leading LED
sign programming software packages, Media Editor, provides a
user-friendly environment for creating text messages with
animations using preprogrammed transitions and animation
modes. The software enables users to import .avi files for
added graphic impact, creating compelling moving messages in
minutes.
13. Does the quote include ACTUAL freight shipping and
handling fees?
Quotes that include language such as "estimate," "surcharge
later," or "invoice later" are not providing you with the
actual, bottom line amount that you will be charged for
Shipping and Handling.
14. Is the sign face material sign grade panformed
unbreakable polycarbonate?
Look for a company that provides a Lifetime Warranty against
breakage of the sign face/identification area of the sign.
How do their signs stand up to acts of vandalism and are
they covered under the warranty? Consider the reputation of
the company. How many signs have they provided over the
years? Do they have testimonial letters from customers that
address the durability of the sign faces and their customer
service support?
15. Is the sign face PAINTED on the inside to prevent
scratching and the effects of weathering?
You will want the answer to this question to be "yes".
Avoid vinyl stickers which will crack, peel and fade. The
leading vinyl manufacture, 3M, will only warranty vinyl used
on sign faces for a maximum of 7 - 11 years.
16. Is the sign cabinet fabricated with heavy extruded
aluminum, heliarc welded, with aluminum angels and
reinforced mitered corners?
Remember, the sign will be the first impression that those
passing by will have of your organization. Quality and
durability are keys to your satisfaction.
17. Will the company guarantee that
all components and the sign are of new materials?
18. Are the components, sockets, lamps and ballasts of
superior quality and water resistant, waterproof, and
warranted for the lifetime of your organization?
Your sign will be exposed to the elements, 24/7, 365 days a
year. Look for a national LED supplier that builds their
signs to withstand the forces of nature. Ask if they can
provide you with a list of satisfied customers in all 50
states and beyond.
19. Is the sign U.L. Approved?
Underwriters Laboratories approval indicates that the
product has been tested against nationally recognized safety
standards and found to be free from reasonably foreseeable
risk of fire, electric shock and related hazards.
20. Will the sign withstand 125 miles per hour wind load?
Look for a company that has signs in the field that have
withstood hurricane force winds. Ask for testimonial letters
from customers attesting to the strength and durability of
such signs.
 Purchasing
an LED sign is a one time investment that will bring an
unmatched return on investment to your organization. It
will attract the attention of everyone who passes by,
conveying your messages and drawing them in. LED signs are
proven to increase sales when used by businesses and
to increase attendance when used by churches and other
non-profit organizations. The sign will be, in many cases,
the first impression people have when approaching
your location. It will represent and brand your business or
non-profit organization to your location within your
community. A product that has the power to do all of this is
worth taking the time to compare before you buy! |
