[Kyle]

Hi all

I recently fitted some Alu panniers to the Transalp. Because of their size and position i had to change the rear indicators.......they're gigantic on the TA. Anyway I trumped for a set of LEDs, small, looked tasty, and apparently highly visible....like can be seen five times further away than regular. Not good with d aul electrickery myself so I got them fitted and also the restrictors which were needed to time the flash rate properly.

Anyhoos, a few weeks before Crimbo I had the bike out one fine sun afternoon for a spin and while she was parked in the yard as I was locking up I did a quick pre check on them and low and behold.......I could hardly see them flashing!! The reason being the sun was shining directly onto the back of the bike and washing out the indicator lights. This was really bad, I tried both sides and backed away about 30 ft to observe and unless I was looking directly at the LEDs i didnt notice them. For example if i was looking out over the topbox they did not catch my eye at all.......how would a dozy car driver, not paying the slightest attention to me ever see them. I got a friend to take a look in the same conditions to confirm i wasn't colour blind but he said the very same.

Anyone have similar experience? Whats the general view on LED indicators?

Thanks for looking
Tom

[Nsr-Giggs]

Hi Tom

I recently upgraded to the LED indicators and they look really well and alot brighter than standard bulbs, not to mind never having to change a bulb anymore!

I know LEDs are very bright and in sunny conditions where the sun is shining in the direction of the indicators, that they will be difficult to see, but would standard amber coloured indicators be hard to see in the same conditions?

I mean all I can think of is indicate in good time, slow down and move over the the side of the road where you are heading

Just my opionion!

G

[The Mex]

The problem with LED indicators (in particular) is that the "stream" of light from them is much "narrower" than that of a standard element bulb...

They are brighter than an element type bulb when viewed directly behind them (LED's facing the observer)

Quote

Area light source: Single LEDs do not approximate a point source of light giving a spherical light distribution, but rather a lambertian distribution. So LEDs are difficult to apply to uses needing a spherical light field.

Quote from Wikipedia.

[crispy]

I think many LED's, when behind a lense loze their ability to be seen from the side. Just look at many of the flashing rear lights on bicycles. A lot can only be seen strongly when directly behind, move just 30-40 degrees left or right and thye loose of lot of their brightness.

This post has been edited by crispy: 17 January 2012 - 01:49 PM

[FizzyLizzie]

Hmmmmmmmmmm, now that you say it, someone told me recently my (LED) indicators weren't working, I went home (front of house is facing north) and they worked fine to me, thought they were just winding me up