LED Taillight W/ Integrated turn signals opinions

Started by KSmithInNY, May 06, 2009, 05:38:28 AM

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KSmithInNY

Yo!!

I'm researching LED taillights w/ integrated turn signals and wanted to know peoples opinions.

I am really interested in the Motodynamic LED tail but its out of stock and no ETA.  Maybe they stopped making it?  Either way the price is right and looks good. (if you have one to sell, preferably in new condition PM me)
http://motodynamic.com/product_info.php?cPath=28_32&products_id=154

The vizi-tec one looks cool but is it really worth almost $300 for a taillight?  Maybe I'm missing something.
http://www.vizi-tec.com/SUPANOVA/SupaNova_Store.htm

The clear alternatives seems to be the favorite amongst people but i read a lot about LED dying and its integrated flashers aren't as cool looking IMHO as the two above.
http://clearalternatives.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=CA&Product_Code=CTL-0023-1-IT&Category_Code=Monster

Am i missing any of my options (eBay cheapo's excluded)???
Work smarter, not harder.

SikDuc


greenohawk69

"An enlightened people, and an energetic public opinion... will control and enchain the aristocratic spirit of the government." --Thomas Jefferson to Chevalier de Ouis, 1814

There are 4 boxes to be used in the defense of liberty:  Soap, Ballot, Jury and Ammo.  Please use in this order.  -- Ed Howdershelt

KSmithInNY

Well i decided to contact Motodynamic to see if they were still carrying this product or not and this was the response:

"We will no longer carry this product, but it will be replaced by a newer generation LED tail light that is currently under development.  It will have stop alert and sequential signals.  We plan to carry this new product in about 1-2 months"

For the record .... for the north east United States ... 1-2 months is almost winter time again [sarcasm]  [bang]
Work smarter, not harder.

ProTeal55

I've said it before and I will say it again...
I rock a Clear Alternatives intergrated setup and have had ZERO issues with it thus far (2+ years)...
ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Joe
Member: Half Fast Chicago

Website:
http://www.HalfFastChicago.com

KSmithInNY

Quote from: ProTeal55 on May 06, 2009, 02:53:24 PM
I've said it before and I will say it again...
I rock a Clear Alternatives intergrated setup and have had ZERO issues with it thus far (2+ years)...

Hows the visibility?  I'm sure its fine and dandy at night but what about a nice sunny day?
Work smarter, not harder.

flanman

I've got the motodynamic one and have had no problems with it.

nfwb11

I've heard form the guy at my dealership that the Clear Alternatives pose some problems -- blown bulbs, etc. but I have yet to have a problem with mine.  Another option might be the Mad Doctor setup, not really an integrated system by definition but the swiss-army style signals can be folded in to create the same effect.  Not sure if thee are street legal in the US though.

http://www.motowheels.com/italian/myProducts.cfm?parentcategoryid=605%7CLighting%2C%20Turn%20Signals%2C%20%26%20Mirrors&productID=6084&showDetail=1&categoryID=606|Turn%20Signals&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=&collection=605%7CLighting%2C%20Turn%20Signals%2C%20%26%20Mirrors

DucatiBastard

IF you can get one and IF you are willing to pay premium for the best light on the market, the Vizi-Tech is worth every dime.  I cannot say enough good about the Light, the company, and especially Bernard himself! The guy is great to deal with, with fast responses to questions, helpful tips, he even sent me a pair of resistors free of charge so the light would work properly with my Rizoma front signals.  The light itself is super bright, even in bright sunlight. It has huge dispersion, nice license lite (if you get that option). Hell, the startup sequence is super neato!  Yeah, it is expensive, especially if you get all the options, like I did.  But his light is simply the best on the market.  Caveat: Bernard may not be making this light anymore, when I last talked to him he was talking about scaling off production, so if you want one, get in touch with him immediately.   
Give a man a beer, and he wastes an hour.
Teach a man to brew, and he wastes a lifetime.

2006 Ducati S2R 800, 2004 Honda Dream 50R, 2001 Kawasaki W650, 1940 BSA M20

Grug

I've got the Smoked Motodynamic one, got it just a fortnight or so ago. Looks great, works fine and very reasonably priced. I'm not entirely convinced about the visibility of either the brake light or the indicators during the daytime. I keep hearing how LEDs are supposed to be better and brighter than regular bulbs, but I'm not sure that's really the case.

ProTeal55

Quote from: KSmithInNY on May 06, 2009, 03:05:43 PM
Hows the visibility?  I'm sure its fine and dandy at night but what about a nice sunny day?
Can't say as I am usually riding the bike and not behind it (i kid), but I have heard from my buddies and such it is brite as hell all the time (day/night/etc)..
I am running a clear lens and I also went the extra step to take alum. tape (used in HVAC) and put that inside the lens (on the sides) to direct any light out towards the rear of the bike.
Alittle trick I learned messing with older cars. Makes  a huge difference with dealing with old/standard 1157 type bulbs to get the most light out the back of the lends, not sure what a difference it made with a directional LED (but it couldnt hurt)..Knock on wood I have had no LED's burn out or any other issues with it so far..
ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Joe
Member: Half Fast Chicago

Website:
http://www.HalfFastChicago.com

KSmithInNY

Wow, tons of good info.  Thanks guys!

Well I'm not patient enough to wait for the new Motodynamic LED and with the price of the vizi-tec one I  could buy a Clear Alternatives LED tail, tail chop kit, and clear alternatives front signals.

Sounds like i have my decision.  Thanks again for all the good info.
Work smarter, not harder.

ProTeal55

#12
If you do end up going with the Clear Alternantives route, make sure you take the time and incase the bottom of the LED's (where they attach to the circuit board) with some good qality silicone. Then you have one solid piece rather than a bunch of individual LED'S vibrating all over the place. I had heard that the biggest issue with this setup was the LED's would vibrate loose from the board (and thus not work). So I took some tape and basically made a mold around the circuit board, and then pumped in some silicone to mount everything solid. So far so good so I am guessing it worked..
ProTeal55 a.k.a JoeyCocks a.k.a Joe
Member: Half Fast Chicago

Website:
http://www.HalfFastChicago.com

KSmithInNY

Quote from: ProTeal55 on May 07, 2009, 02:10:30 PM
If you do end up going with the Clear Alternantives route, make sure you take the time and incase the bottom of the LED's (where they attach to the circuit board) with some good qality silicone. Then you have one solid piece rather than a bunch of individual LED'S vibrating all over the place. I had heard that the biggest issue with this setup was the LED's would vibrate loose from the board (and thus not work). So I took some tape and basically made a mold around the circuit board, and then pumped in some silicone to mount everything solid. So far so good so I am guessing it worked..

Ok so now i need to put Alum tape inside of the housing to address brightness issues AND make a silicone mold to ensure the LED's won't fall out?!?!?!  At what point does it stop being a Clear Alternatives LED light and turn into a "Custom KSmithInNY LED light"?   ;D
Work smarter, not harder.

patorojo

Quote from: DucatiBastard on May 06, 2009, 07:07:02 PM
IF you can get one and IF you are willing to pay premium for the best light on the market, the Vizi-Tech is worth every dime.  I cannot say enough good about the Light, the company, and especially Bernard himself! The guy is great to deal with, with fast responses to questions, helpful tips, he even sent me a pair of resistors free of charge so the light would work properly with my Rizoma front signals.  The light itself is super bright, even in bright sunlight. It has huge dispersion, nice license lite (if you get that option). Hell, the startup sequence is super neato!  Yeah, it is expensive, especially if you get all the options, like I did.  But his light is simply the best on the market.  Caveat: Bernard may not be making this light anymore, when I last talked to him he was talking about scaling off production, so if you want one, get in touch with him immediately.   

I just (as in a couple days ago) ordered a Vizi-Tech, should arrive early next week.  Bernard is alive and well and shipping both to individuals and to monsterparts.com.  He also is including resisitors in my order per above for Rizoma front signals.  This replaces a failed integrated unit of unknown origin that was installed by my dealer.  I'm looking forward to being really bright and flashy  ;D
Arne Berger
2007 S2R1K
2007 DL650
2005 DRZ400S