Strobes vs. LED's
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Strobes vs. LED's
Wahl, rather than hijack another thread, ah figgered ah'd start a new one.
I commented in one of the test-ride threads that one of the things ah'm debatin' is between standard or LED-style strobes. Someone posted back that the LED's draw less power an' last longer. That part is true - however........<ya knew that wuz comin', right?>
LED's are quite directional. Ah don't care WHAT the "Whiz-bang Electronics Company" of Screwya, Egypt says, an LED viewed from an off angle is dang-nigh as invisible as a virgin at a Virginia girl scout convention.<ah KNOW ah'm gonna git flamed on that....>
Ah've had both on mah bikes, an' have installed 'em on a lot of others as well - but when ya fire off a set of 80-watt strobes, the WORLD knows they're on. With LED's, ya barely have any non-directional lighting - and for me, that's an issue.
We tour a lot, and as such encounter any number of unusual circumstances whereby you need to be SEEN - heavy rain, an accident, or having to travel under the posted speed limit for some reason. Because of that, I install strobes so that the front and rear are individually switched, which allows me to direct 'em where I want 'em. I even have a set installed on our Bushtec trailer.
I continue to look, but if the UC's power output is sufficient to allow me to run standard strobes, I am really inclined to go that direction. So - does anyone know the rated output of the chargin' system vs. the runnin' requirements for the bike?
I commented in one of the test-ride threads that one of the things ah'm debatin' is between standard or LED-style strobes. Someone posted back that the LED's draw less power an' last longer. That part is true - however........<ya knew that wuz comin', right?>
LED's are quite directional. Ah don't care WHAT the "Whiz-bang Electronics Company" of Screwya, Egypt says, an LED viewed from an off angle is dang-nigh as invisible as a virgin at a Virginia girl scout convention.<ah KNOW ah'm gonna git flamed on that....>
Ah've had both on mah bikes, an' have installed 'em on a lot of others as well - but when ya fire off a set of 80-watt strobes, the WORLD knows they're on. With LED's, ya barely have any non-directional lighting - and for me, that's an issue.We tour a lot, and as such encounter any number of unusual circumstances whereby you need to be SEEN - heavy rain, an accident, or having to travel under the posted speed limit for some reason. Because of that, I install strobes so that the front and rear are individually switched, which allows me to direct 'em where I want 'em. I even have a set installed on our Bushtec trailer.
I continue to look, but if the UC's power output is sufficient to allow me to run standard strobes, I am really inclined to go that direction. So - does anyone know the rated output of the chargin' system vs. the runnin' requirements for the bike?
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RE: Strobes vs. LED's
Wish I could - my previous jobs have all been on 1500 Goldwings, where I was able to "hide" the lights within the taillight/headlight lenses themselves. From the outside, you'd never know they were there. I don't do it "professionally" - it's just something ah like ta tinker with, an' have done on personal bikes an' on some belongin' to friends. One of the reasons ah'm kinda lookin' forward ta an Ultra - ah'm seein' places ah THINK ah kin hide some killer lamps. Some of 'em likely WILL be LED's, but the primary units will be traditional strobes.
Gimme a coupla months if we go with the Ultra as ah suspect we will, then come look us up in New Braunfels!
Gimme a coupla months if we go with the Ultra as ah suspect we will, then come look us up in New Braunfels!
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From: Georgia Mountains
RE: Strobes vs. LED's
I agree on directional visability. My wife has the Kuryakyn run/turn/brake controller with red LED turn signals and stock center light. I am considering the reverse. I also have the Kuryakyn run/turn/brake controller. I am considering changing out the stock center for an LED and leaving the original OEM LARGE turn signals. It's a simple solution. Some people see the incandescent better than the LED's. In any case, the more light, the safer you are. It just tends to get a little "gawdy" after a while, IMHO.
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RE: Strobes vs. LED's
ORIGINAL: rdam
I agree on directional visability. <snip> In any case, the more light, the safer you are. It just tends to get a little "gawdy" after a while, IMHO.
I agree on directional visability. <snip> In any case, the more light, the safer you are. It just tends to get a little "gawdy" after a while, IMHO.
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