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Title: Question about LEDs Post by: hyphen on June 25, 2008, 12:54:02 PM So I saw a neat gadget, the inova 24/7. It's basically a multi-use flashlight. It has different settings like S.O.S./emergency/signal/locator flashing and low/high beam. It's rather small, about 3"x2" and has a clip, can be mounted on walls, velcro'd, clipped onto gear and clothing and such. Anyway, some military personnel use these and attach them to their gear for friendly locating and such and I was wondering if it's legal to use on the road. Say...clipping it to the collar of your jacket or your sleeve to be better seen at night. I imagine the emergency flashing would be somewhat distracting to cagers, but other discreet modes like the signal and locator flashes seem like they could be useful. Anyone?
(http://www.gadgetmegastore.co.uk/acatalog/inova-24-7-3views-glow.jpg) and another photo for scale (http://www.nightgear.co.uk/images/p/l/1/23/Inova-Torch-%7C-Inova-24-7-Multi-Function-Torch-Pre-2007.jpg) I forgot to mention that the light has 3 led colors in one, red/amber/white and different flash patterns. Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: x136 on June 25, 2008, 01:17:42 PM Blinking lights are one of the major components to visibility on a bicycle. My bikes have anywhere from one to four flashing red lights on them.
As long as the lights don't look like turn signals, and you don't appear to be impersonating a law enforcement officer, I would imagine such a thing would be kosher on a motorcycle as well. And on that note, I don't know how much that particular light costs, but if it's expensive, you might look into bicycle-specific lights, as well. Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: hyphen on June 25, 2008, 01:42:48 PM It's about $50. It wouldn't be exclusive to riding though. I do a lot of outdoorsy activities and this thing would be really handy if I had one for myself and one for my girlfriend. God knows how many times I've lost my campsite after dropping the kids off at the pool in the dark.
Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: Privateer on June 25, 2008, 05:55:10 PM probably be OK if it wasn't facing to the front. headlight modulators are legal, but only during the day. If it was to the rear probably have to be amber or red.
I have a riding buddy who has a small red bike light flasher that he hooks to his backpack, same idea. a lot like this: (http://www.glowgadgets.co.uk/images/Products/Accessories/ACS-08-sub1.jpg) regards andy Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: somegirl on June 25, 2008, 06:23:29 PM Blinking lights are one of the major components to visibility on a bicycle. My bikes have anywhere from one to four flashing red lights on them. As long as the lights don't look like turn signals, and you don't appear to be impersonating a law enforcement officer, I would imagine such a thing would be kosher on a motorcycle as well. And on that note, I don't know how much that particular light costs, but if it's expensive, you might look into bicycle-specific lights, as well. FYI, flashing lights are illegal in CA (yes, even on bicycles). Doesn't keep me from using them though.... Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: 2001cromo on June 25, 2008, 06:36:45 PM Those bike lights are great on dog collars at night too
Most you can choose, between solid on, blinking on and just off Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: hyphen on June 25, 2008, 08:11:34 PM So, I called the LAPD earlier today. The officer said that if you're using it on a vehicle it has to be either white, red or orange, be facing rearward and that it can't be flashing. Seems reasonable.
Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: x136 on June 25, 2008, 08:19:18 PM It's about $50. It wouldn't be exclusive to riding though. I do a lot of outdoorsy activities and this thing would be really handy if I had one for myself and one for my girlfriend. God knows how many times I've lost my campsite after dropping the kids off at the pool in the dark. A bit steep, but it does look pretty ruggedized (most bicycle lights are somewhat fragile), and it sounds pretty versatile. FYI, flashing lights are illegal in CA (yes, even on bicycles). Doesn't keep me from using them though.... Yeah, well... California is stupid. :P In light of that, I think I'll buy several more PB Superflashes out of pure spite. So, I called the LAPD earlier today. The officer said that if you're using it on a vehicle it has to be either white, red or orange, be facing rearward and that it can't be flashing. Seems reasonable. White and facing rearward sounds like a combination to avoid, but one or more bright orange lights would probably work pretty well. Title: Re: Question about LEDs Post by: hyphen on June 25, 2008, 08:33:17 PM Adjustment on the price, I was able to order one online from a private dealer for $37 shipped with a neck lanyard. I also considered getting a powerflare, but it's larger and a little less convenient in attaching to gear or clothing. Maybe in the future I'll get a blue one...just because.
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