[s-cars] lights

[DGraber460 at aol.com]

In a message dated 4/17/2006 3:13:33 P.M. Mountain Daylight Time,  
seiche at shadetreesoftware.com writes:

Actually, there are a few benefits to LEDs that you would not normally  think 
of in addition to the low current consumption, "life of the vehicle"  
lifespan, extreme shock resistance and fast ON time.  

Because of  the directionality of LEDs, they don't require a reflector, which 
has always  added depth the light assemblies.  You will see that vehicles 
which were  designed from the start to have LED taillights (and all lights for 
that  matter) will have very thin light assemblies of simple construction.   
This will give more space in the trunk as well as under the hood.  You  also 
don't need to be able to access the back of the light to change bulbs  (you will 
never change an LED), which will simplify the assemblies.  So,  while the cost 
of the LEDs themselves will be more than incandescents, the  whole assembly 
may likely be cheaper.  

Also remember that  retrofit LED bulbs will not work as well as an assembly 
built with LEDs.   Incandescents work as a single point light source that is 
spread out and  focused with the reflectors and lens.  LEDs require an array 
with each  LED aimed where the light is needed.  The LED replacements for  
incandescents pack arrays of LEDs in a single small package which cannot give  the 
same light pattern as the incandescent lamp or a properly design light  
assembly.  Sooo, while might be tempted to "upgrade" your taillights to  LEDs, you 
aren't going to gain much if anything other than something to add to  your "mod 
list" on your sig on Audiworld.  

Like it our not (I  like it FWIW), incandescents are on the way out in 
automobiles.  Case in  point, Audi already offers LED headlights on the A8, and the 
new Lexus LS has  them for the main beams as well.    

Steve


Bob-
There is are a few advantages to LED  taillights:

1. The life of LEDs is much longer than conventional  filament bulbs

2. I've noticed better visibility with LEDs in bad  weather- maybe they're
brighter, I don't know but they seem to work  better.

Taka


On 4/1




A couple of months ago I saw a new Caddie with LED taillights. It was  very 
striking. The instant on off was impossible not to notice.
LEDs were already on some of the new Audis for limited use when I was  still 
in sales (which I no longer am) and they were what I perceived to be a  very 
good technological advancement. Two small LEDs under the A8 door handles  lit 
the area around the car in a very cool manner.
Xenon's rule but I agree with Steve- their days are numbered. It  will take a 
while to trickle down to the daily driver mid range auto, but  it will come. 
I welcome it and think that in a few years it will  become blasé.  I just hope 
the bling factor in tuner-land doesn't last too  long.      

 
Dennis
Denver