Bright LED tail lights - a negative observation
#11
06-11-2015, 12:46 PM
Cruiser
I am not sure which manufacter you were viewing but I have been using the BAL-1 for last 5 years and it does not operate the way you described. On this unit there is a signifcant difference between running and braking. I also found most people stay farther back when I hit the brake.
I am quite pleased with it.
I am quite pleased with it.
#12
06-11-2015, 03:36 PM
#13
06-11-2015, 04:45 PM
Grand HDF Member
Been behind some BAL setups recently. They are bright! No doubt about that. Which leads to a few problems.
(1) The tail lights are so bright they appear to be brake lights. Makes it appear you're just riding your brakes all the time.
(2) The increase in illumination from the brake lights is tiny in comparison to the blindingly bright tail light. It does not stand out at all.
(3) The flashing of the turn signals is also tiny. Again, easily not detected.
All worse when squarely behind the bike. A little less so when off to the side in the next lane over. Worse still in bright light, like a sunny day.
Just want to put this out there for some of you to think about. Super bright tail lights are not inherently 100% better. There are some downsides.
(1) The tail lights are so bright they appear to be brake lights. Makes it appear you're just riding your brakes all the time.
(2) The increase in illumination from the brake lights is tiny in comparison to the blindingly bright tail light. It does not stand out at all.
(3) The flashing of the turn signals is also tiny. Again, easily not detected.
All worse when squarely behind the bike. A little less so when off to the side in the next lane over. Worse still in bright light, like a sunny day.
Just want to put this out there for some of you to think about. Super bright tail lights are not inherently 100% better. There are some downsides.
C.D do. Ya got to buy the right brand.
#14
06-11-2015, 05:33 PM
Cruiser
OP hit it right on the nose: "Been behind some BAL setups recently"
Our group ride in a pack pretty often and I have ridden behind somebody with them bright-as* LED's (the round ones) from custom dynamics and now i make it a point to be in front.
The things are distracting because at a glance it looks like the brakes are being applied and it's worst when the brakes are really applied; the things are so bright, they startle you into focusing on them instead of the curve coming-up. Twice as bad at night!
I'm assuming the OP is also on a bike and that is what i base my opinion. I'm all for being more visible to cars but in a motorcycle pack, those with bright LED's should be in the back. IMO.
Our group ride in a pack pretty often and I have ridden behind somebody with them bright-as* LED's (the round ones) from custom dynamics and now i make it a point to be in front.
The things are distracting because at a glance it looks like the brakes are being applied and it's worst when the brakes are really applied; the things are so bright, they startle you into focusing on them instead of the curve coming-up. Twice as bad at night!
I'm assuming the OP is also on a bike and that is what i base my opinion. I'm all for being more visible to cars but in a motorcycle pack, those with bright LED's should be in the back. IMO.
#16
06-11-2015, 06:01 PM
Banned
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13 Posts
OP hit it right on the nose: "Been behind some BAL setups recently"
Our group ride in a pack pretty often and I have ridden behind somebody with them bright-as* LED's (the round ones) from custom dynamics and now i make it a point to be in front.
The things are distracting because at a glance it looks like the brakes are being applied and it's worst when the brakes are really applied; the things are so bright, they startle you into focusing on them instead of the curve coming-up. Twice as bad at night!
I'm assuming the OP is also on a bike and that is what i base my opinion. I'm all for being more visible to cars but in a motorcycle pack, those with bright LED's should be in the back. IMO.
Our group ride in a pack pretty often and I have ridden behind somebody with them bright-as* LED's (the round ones) from custom dynamics and now i make it a point to be in front.
The things are distracting because at a glance it looks like the brakes are being applied and it's worst when the brakes are really applied; the things are so bright, they startle you into focusing on them instead of the curve coming-up. Twice as bad at night!
I'm assuming the OP is also on a bike and that is what i base my opinion. I'm all for being more visible to cars but in a motorcycle pack, those with bright LED's should be in the back. IMO.
Okay, I have Truck Lite headlight/running lights in front and BAL along with Kury turn signal modulators in front/rear. Also have twin chrome rail bag guards with lights. Where would you have me ride in your 'pack"??? LOL...
#17
06-11-2015, 06:27 PM
Stellar HDF Member
My friends say mine are "crazy bright". I'd ride back of the pack, but I'm the only one with a sense of direction, and adventure. They always say "wow! That was a cool route" or "man I never knew where that rode lead to" so they can deal with it.
Better video, but the video doesn't do the lights justice.
Better video, but the video doesn't do the lights justice.
#18
06-11-2015, 07:56 PM
My friends say mine are "crazy bright". I'd ride back of the pack, but I'm the only one with a sense of direction, and adventure. They always say "wow! That was a cool route" or "man I never knew where that rode lead to" so they can deal with it.
Better video, but the video doesn't do the lights justice.
Taillight setup on my 11 EGC
Better video, but the video doesn't do the lights justice.
Taillight setup on my 11 EGC
I have the spoiler light and it is rather weak.
I do have Radianz tail light.
#19
06-11-2015, 10:09 PM
Stellar HDF Member
Edit: found a close up pic
Last edited by Buelligan666; 06-11-2015 at 10:13 PM.
