[s-cars] lights

Lee Levitt lee at wheelman.com
Mon Apr 17 13:21:21 EDT 2006


I replaced a brake light bulb just last week...but you're right, 
this is rare.

With regard to the pulsing brake light...they were pretty cool, 
mostly meant for motorcycles. I mounted one on the back of my 
OvloV 242GT, and subsequently had a conversation with a cabbie who 
totally ignored it and rammed me with a V shaped bumper. Doh.

Lee



On Mon Apr 17 09:51:42 PDT 2006, Robert Rossato 
<r0ssat0_987 at att.net> wrote:

> And having LEDs doesn't change any of those factors.  My whole 
> point is that if the difference in lightup time between 
> incandescent and LEDs makes the difference between getting in an 
> accident or not, then you're following too close for the 
> conditions.  Period.  I don't think it's a good rationalization 
> of technology to say it allows people to tailgate safer.
> 
> Somehow I don't think the judge is going to buy as an excuse from 
> the guy that rear ends someone that "It wasn't my fault.  The guy 
> in front of me didn't have LED brake lights."
> 
> LEDs do have their advantages, mainly from a power consumption 
> standpoint.  That's were I see more benefits on the manufacturers 
> side as they add on more and more electronic doodads they need to 
> cut back on power consumption elsewhere.  And while they last 
> longer, is it worth the cost difference?  I can't remember ever 
> in 25 years of VW/Audi car ownership having had to replace a 
> tail/parking/brake/turnsignal light.  And that's on a total of 4 
> cars.  The German Osram bulbs last an incredibly long time.  The 
> GE crap on the other hand...
> 
> The pulsing brake light is nothing new.  There was a guy back in 
> the late 70's early 80's that came out with that concept.  It was 
> a center mounted stop light that pulsed faster depending on 
> deceleration rates.  It was a universal mount that could be 
> retrofitted to any car.  They were installed in taxi fleets in a 
> few cities here in the US but unfortunately he was ahead of his 
> time and it never really caught on.  It's a shame because it 
> really worked well.
> 
> Bob
> 
>  -------------- Original message ----------------------
> From: Brian Armstead <barmstea at IBB.GOV>
>> Robert,
>> 
>> I appreciate your comments, but 1/2 second can be a huge 
>> difference, and
>> it does not always relate to those following too closely.  Old 
>> age,
>> health conditions, inattention and foul weather are major 
>> factors as
>> well.
>> 
>> In Europe, certain brands now have LED lamps that flash 
>> according to the
>> severity of braking.  Mercedes has a prototype ready for this 
>> market,
>> just awating DOT approval, which is not yet ready to approve the 
>> system
>> pending tests.
>> 
>> I agree that amber turn signals make a huge difference.
>> 
>> Brian
>> 
>> Robert Rossato wrote:
>> > > Personally, I'm not a big fan of LED brake lights & turn 
>> signals.  Call
>> > me old fashion, but I prefer the warm glow of an incandescent 
>> bulb and
>> > how it ramps up and down.  LEDs just seem kind of, I don't 
>> know,
>> > unnatural.
>> > > And spare me the safety czar statements that the LEDs light 
>> up a half
>> > second quicker.  If that 1/2 second makes a difference, you're 
>> following
>> > way, way too close.  What is arguably, IMHO, a safety 
>> improvement is
>> > switching to euro tail lights with the amber turn signal.  
>> There is no
>> > decision to be made as to whether you just saw someone tapping 
>> their
>> > brakes, or a turn signal (I've lost count of how many cars I 
>> see with
>> > only one brake light).  Just say no to red turn signals.
>> > > Bob
>> > > > -----Original Message-----
>> > > From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
>> > > [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of
>> > > Eric_R_Kissell at whirlpool.com
>> > > Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 11:40 AM
>> > > To: Dave Ellis
>> > > Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com; Calvin Young
>> > > Subject: Re: [s-cars] lights
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >
>> > > Just out of curiosity, why do you feel you need better bulbs 
>> for your
>> > > lights?
>> > >
>> > > Have other drivers been reporting thst they cannot see you in
>> > > the dark or
>> > > something?
>> > >
>> > > Those new LED tail lights do look pretty cool on the
>> > > 18-wheelers, though.
>> > >
>> > > Eric
>> > > Tiffin, OH
>> > > _______________________________________________
>> > S-CAR-List mailing list
>> > S-CAR-List at audifans.com
>> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/s-car-list
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