Most of the OEM LED tail lights are done properly, without excessive glare. But there is a growing number of them that are BLINDINGLY bright at night. As in, sitting behind someone at a stoplight at night, and having to turn your head because the brake lights are TOO bright to look at directly. Wow, it's come a long way from double filaments with poor reflectors that were hard to see at night.
LED tail lights
- Thread starter AcuraTech
- Start date
- Status
With so many old people driving, maybe thats not such a bad thing.
I kind of like the idea of bright brake lights for poor weather driving or just getting the attention of person tailgating when you pump the brakes.
I kind of like the idea of bright brake lights for poor weather driving or just getting the attention of person tailgating when you pump the brakes.
The brightness doesn't affect me, but the pulsing does. Most of them use PWM/PFM for dimming, and I can actually see the pulses. A Cadillac pulled out in front of me one night this past winter when I was pretty tired and it made me dizzy, and I saw 3 sets of tail lights. Being tired just made it worse.
I wish it were illegal for them to use PWM/PFM for LED tail lights.
I wish it were illegal for them to use PWM/PFM for LED tail lights.
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,591
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
With so many old people driving, maybe thats not such a bad thing.
People who wear glasses and contacts when driving at night* are much more affected by reflections and glare from each glass-to-air surface between the light source and their eyes compared to drivers who only deal with windshield glare.
I don't care much for super-bright point lights sources (non-diffused LEDs) in some tail lights. Many of the LED tail light designs are just fine, though.
*Keeping the windshieled meticulously clean makes a huge difference when it comes to clear vision when driving at night. Pitted (micro pitting) windshields should also be replaced, because they reduce vision considerably.
With so many old people driving, maybe thats not such a bad thing.
People who wear glasses and contacts when driving at night* are much more affected by reflections and glare from each glass-to-air surface between the light source and their eyes compared to drivers who only deal with windshield glare.
I don't care much for super-bright point lights sources (non-diffused LEDs) in some tail lights. Many of the LED tail light designs are just fine, though.
*Keeping the windshieled meticulously clean makes a huge difference when it comes to clear vision when driving at night. Pitted (micro pitting) windshields should also be replaced, because they reduce vision considerably.
Moribundman,
You always answer my posts with a very scientific type answer (like my post about the nuclear power plant/bananas and potassium levels in your body).
Just wondering, are you an engineer or have some kind of science background ???
You always answer my posts with a very scientific type answer (like my post about the nuclear power plant/bananas and potassium levels in your body).
Just wondering, are you an engineer or have some kind of science background ???
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
- Messages
- 23,591
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Just wondering, are you an engineer or have some kind of science background ???
What credentials do you want to see? I'm just a very curious individual, a keen observer, an avid reader, and a tinkerer. I always have to know how things work.
Just wondering, are you an engineer or have some kind of science background ???
What credentials do you want to see? I'm just a very curious individual, a keen observer, an avid reader, and a tinkerer. I always have to know how things work.
those double filament bulbs started to evolve in tho leds about 10 years ago on big trucks, now there every where, and it is a [censored] of a lot easier to diagnose a bad ground on a led versus incandescent
I've experienced this too. I was behind some Toyota I believe and I had to look away because it was so bright!
Wait till you start seeing LED headlights. They're coming.
They activate sooner, are more reliable, less weight, lower voltage needs, can be shaped and sized into more designs..... LED's are the wave of the future.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/first...ties-210326.php
They activate sooner, are more reliable, less weight, lower voltage needs, can be shaped and sized into more designs..... LED's are the wave of the future.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/first...ties-210326.php
Last edited:
The fire trucks and ambulances around here all have super-bright LED taillights and brakelights.
Propflux01
$100 Site Donor 2025
Originally Posted By: moribundman
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Just wondering, are you an engineer or have some kind of science background ???
What credentials do you want to see? I'm just a very curious individual, a keen observer, an avid reader, and a tinkerer. I always have to know how things work.
Tell Him the truth....You slept in a Holiday Inn Express!
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Just wondering, are you an engineer or have some kind of science background ???
What credentials do you want to see? I'm just a very curious individual, a keen observer, an avid reader, and a tinkerer. I always have to know how things work.
Tell Him the truth....You slept in a Holiday Inn Express!
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
I wish it were illegal for them to use PWM/PFM for LED tail lights.
There is nothing wrong with either of those done right. If you can see the pulsing, they weren't done right.
I wish it were illegal for them to use PWM/PFM for LED tail lights.
There is nothing wrong with either of those done right. If you can see the pulsing, they weren't done right.
Practically every LED display (clock radio, cable box, etc) uses PWM. Some cars like my Saab use PWM dimmers for the LED dash lighting.
Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
I wish it were illegal for them to use PWM/PFM for LED tail lights.
There is nothing wrong with either of those done right. If you can see the pulsing, they weren't done right.
I happen to be extremely sensitive to it. I can't even use an LED flashlight that uses PWM dimming at anything slower than 150Hz.
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
I wish it were illegal for them to use PWM/PFM for LED tail lights.
There is nothing wrong with either of those done right. If you can see the pulsing, they weren't done right.
I happen to be extremely sensitive to it. I can't even use an LED flashlight that uses PWM dimming at anything slower than 150Hz.
Originally Posted By: chevrofreak
I happen to be extremely sensitive to it. I can't even use an LED flashlight that uses PWM dimming at anything slower than 150Hz.
Me too- it drives me nuts. I don't know too much about electronics, but I think all they had to do was throw a capacitor on the circuit to smooth out the PWM pulses.
Another thing that drives me nuts are the some of the Oldsmobile cars that have "rear fog lights" in their bumpers. They are just as bright as the brake lights.
I happen to be extremely sensitive to it. I can't even use an LED flashlight that uses PWM dimming at anything slower than 150Hz.
Me too- it drives me nuts. I don't know too much about electronics, but I think all they had to do was throw a capacitor on the circuit to smooth out the PWM pulses.
Another thing that drives me nuts are the some of the Oldsmobile cars that have "rear fog lights" in their bumpers. They are just as bright as the brake lights.
I love LED lighting. My friend's G35 coupe has LED tails and I'm jealous. I just wish someone made bulbs that were an actual improvement over incandescents. I got the brightest bulbs SuperBrightLEDs sells and put them in my 06 Frontier. FAIL. They're only a good idea if they are an improvement over stock. Unfortunately, if the taillight housings aren't designed to make the most of LEDs, you're actually downgrading your lighting by installing LED bulbs.
I hate being behind the cars with LED brake lights at night. It burns my retinas. I can't stand the cars with xenon headlights either.
It might be convenient for the driver and look cool for a manufacturer but I absolutely cannot stand them. Some cars, like the G35, bother me a couple hundred yards away even.
It might be convenient for the driver and look cool for a manufacturer but I absolutely cannot stand them. Some cars, like the G35, bother me a couple hundred yards away even.
I have seen elsewhere (don't remember where), that these lights only appear bright when viewed head on, and at an angle, they may be too dim. Is this the case?
Quote:
Another thing that drives me nuts are the some of the Oldsmobile cars that have "rear fog lights" in their bumpers. They are just as bright as the brake lights.
They are supposed to be as bright as brake lights. Of course, there is the 'when used properly' catch that no one bothers to adhere to.
I just put LED tails in my truck. Adapted a set of trailer LEDs into the housing. (old chevy truck, lets of room)
Alex.
Another thing that drives me nuts are the some of the Oldsmobile cars that have "rear fog lights" in their bumpers. They are just as bright as the brake lights.
They are supposed to be as bright as brake lights. Of course, there is the 'when used properly' catch that no one bothers to adhere to.
I just put LED tails in my truck. Adapted a set of trailer LEDs into the housing. (old chevy truck, lets of room)
Alex.
- Status
