OGC Optik7 Flashing LED Warning - Page 3 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

12-17-2004, 08:46 AM

"Mike Beauchamp" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...

> As for the helmet thing, I'm just wondering if that is even an ideal
> position. The fact that it is higher in the air is definitely good, but as
> you know, LED's have a very small viewing angle (around 12 degrees or so).
> So having the light properly level very important to being seen. If you
> have your light on your head and it is shining like 6 degrees up (or
> down), then cars will probably not see it.

I wouldn't wear it there if it were my only blinkie. It's ancillary to the
one on the back of my rack and the one on my seatpost. But I did have
someone follow me in a car to check whether it was effective, and she said
it was very eye-catching.

RichC

12-17-2004, 09:26 AM

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 23:43:30 -0500, "Mike Beauchamp"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>> Interesting. The unit appears identical to the Planet Bike BRT 7 I've had
>> for about 3 years. Never had any trouble with it; I wear it clipped to the
>> retention strap on the back of my helmet.
>
>Yeah, cheap-ass stuff like this I'd imagine is manufactured overseas and
>then sold under countless company names. You probably haven't had a problem
>with it because water isnt' being sprayed directly up into the bottom (where
>the switch is) like it is when I have it mounted on the seatpost.
>
>As for the helmet thing, I'm just wondering if that is even an ideal
>position. The fact that it is higher in the air is definitely good, but as
>you know, LED's have a very small viewing angle (around 12 degrees or so).
>So having the light properly level very important to being seen. If you have
>your light on your head and it is shining like 6 degrees up (or down), then
>cars will probably not see it.
>
>Mike
>

Do both, one on the helmet and one on the frame. This way if one goes
out (through getting wet or otherwise) you still have another.

My bike looks like an ambulance at night.

12-17-2004, 09:26 AM

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 23:43:30 -0500, "Mike Beauchamp"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>> Interesting. The unit appears identical to the Planet Bike BRT 7 I've had
>> for about 3 years. Never had any trouble with it; I wear it clipped to the
>> retention strap on the back of my helmet.
>
>Yeah, cheap-ass stuff like this I'd imagine is manufactured overseas and
>then sold under countless company names. You probably haven't had a problem
>with it because water isnt' being sprayed directly up into the bottom (where
>the switch is) like it is when I have it mounted on the seatpost.
>
>As for the helmet thing, I'm just wondering if that is even an ideal
>position. The fact that it is higher in the air is definitely good, but as
>you know, LED's have a very small viewing angle (around 12 degrees or so).
>So having the light properly level very important to being seen. If you have
>your light on your head and it is shining like 6 degrees up (or down), then
>cars will probably not see it.
>
>Mike
>

Do both, one on the helmet and one on the frame. This way if one goes
out (through getting wet or otherwise) you still have another.

My bike looks like an ambulance at night.

12-17-2004, 09:26 AM

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 23:43:30 -0500, "Mike Beauchamp"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>> Interesting. The unit appears identical to the Planet Bike BRT 7 I've had
>> for about 3 years. Never had any trouble with it; I wear it clipped to the
>> retention strap on the back of my helmet.
>
>Yeah, cheap-ass stuff like this I'd imagine is manufactured overseas and
>then sold under countless company names. You probably haven't had a problem
>with it because water isnt' being sprayed directly up into the bottom (where
>the switch is) like it is when I have it mounted on the seatpost.
>
>As for the helmet thing, I'm just wondering if that is even an ideal
>position. The fact that it is higher in the air is definitely good, but as
>you know, LED's have a very small viewing angle (around 12 degrees or so).
>So having the light properly level very important to being seen. If you have
>your light on your head and it is shining like 6 degrees up (or down), then
>cars will probably not see it.
>
>Mike
>

Do both, one on the helmet and one on the frame. This way if one goes
out (through getting wet or otherwise) you still have another.

My bike looks like an ambulance at night.

12-17-2004, 09:26 AM

On Thu, 16 Dec 2004 23:43:30 -0500, "Mike Beauchamp"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>> Interesting. The unit appears identical to the Planet Bike BRT 7 I've had
>> for about 3 years. Never had any trouble with it; I wear it clipped to the
>> retention strap on the back of my helmet.
>
>Yeah, cheap-ass stuff like this I'd imagine is manufactured overseas and
>then sold under countless company names. You probably haven't had a problem
>with it because water isnt' being sprayed directly up into the bottom (where
>the switch is) like it is when I have it mounted on the seatpost.
>
>As for the helmet thing, I'm just wondering if that is even an ideal
>position. The fact that it is higher in the air is definitely good, but as
>you know, LED's have a very small viewing angle (around 12 degrees or so).
>So having the light properly level very important to being seen. If you have
>your light on your head and it is shining like 6 degrees up (or down), then
>cars will probably not see it.
>
>Mike
>

Do both, one on the helmet and one on the frame. This way if one goes
out (through getting wet or otherwise) you still have another.

My bike looks like an ambulance at night.

12-17-2004, 10:49 PM

> I wouldn't wear it there if it were my only blinkie. It's ancillary to the
> one on the back of my rack and the one on my seatpost. But I did have
> someone follow me in a car to check whether it was effective, and she said
> it was very eye-catching.

Awesome rich, I wasn't doubting you or anything.. but I've seen people with
the best intentions of trying to be safe do some really stupid things. I'm
sure you see stuff like that all the time.. reflectors and lights pointed in
stupid directions, etc.

Mike

12-17-2004, 10:49 PM

> I wouldn't wear it there if it were my only blinkie. It's ancillary to the
> one on the back of my rack and the one on my seatpost. But I did have
> someone follow me in a car to check whether it was effective, and she said
> it was very eye-catching.

Awesome rich, I wasn't doubting you or anything.. but I've seen people with
the best intentions of trying to be safe do some really stupid things. I'm
sure you see stuff like that all the time.. reflectors and lights pointed in
stupid directions, etc.

Mike

12-17-2004, 10:49 PM

> I wouldn't wear it there if it were my only blinkie. It's ancillary to the
> one on the back of my rack and the one on my seatpost. But I did have
> someone follow me in a car to check whether it was effective, and she said
> it was very eye-catching.

Awesome rich, I wasn't doubting you or anything.. but I've seen people with
the best intentions of trying to be safe do some really stupid things. I'm
sure you see stuff like that all the time.. reflectors and lights pointed in
stupid directions, etc.

Mike

12-17-2004, 10:49 PM

> I wouldn't wear it there if it were my only blinkie. It's ancillary to the
> one on the back of my rack and the one on my seatpost. But I did have
> someone follow me in a car to check whether it was effective, and she said
> it was very eye-catching.

Awesome rich, I wasn't doubting you or anything.. but I've seen people with
the best intentions of trying to be safe do some really stupid things. I'm
sure you see stuff like that all the time.. reflectors and lights pointed in
stupid directions, etc.

Mike

12-18-2004, 12:18 AM

Mike Beauchamp wrote:

> Yeah, cheap-ass stuff like this I'd imagine is manufactured overseas and
> then sold under countless company names. You probably haven't had a problem
> with it because water isnt' being sprayed directly up into the bottom (where
> the switch is) like it is when I have it mounted on the seatpost.

These el-cheapo LED flashers are sold everywhere. Their lifespan is
often measured in days, not years, before they fall apart, or fail in
other ways.