[Boatanchors] LED Flashlights Aren't Collector (orHuman)Friendly

[Paul Kraemer]

Gotta add my 3C (inflation you know) worth
(1) I suspect that by wide bandwidth fluorescent tubes you may be referring 
to the "paper white" light versions. Early on there were a few companies 
marketing these (along with snake oil) claiming special phosphors and a 
outrageous price. They certainly were noticeably better. Now that same 
lighting is available at discount stores everywhere by purchasing a tube 
with a color temperature of 4100K or higher even. I have re-lamped existing 
fixtures in my entire facility to change out the 40w T12 tubes to use 32w T8 
tubes plus solid state ballasts and enjoy the benefits of lower operating 
cost, improved visibility and lower rfi. It is so easy to do I highly 
recommend anyone with the old two or 4 tube fixtures do it. You won't regret 
it. And BTW, the tubes last almost forever! At least in our facility.
(2) My wife and I can't see what you all are talking about LED traffic 
lights being difficult to see. Our community recently changed over and those 
puppies are BRIGHT. Coming and going, sun or shade, all three colors. The 
only thing I can conceive why is maybe because it is a small community ours 
are at a lower elevation? Viewing angle might matter. I seriously doubt that 
LED traffic lamps are any less luminous intensity than the incandescants 
they replace. Things like that are regulated and dictated. Lamp companies 
can't just come out with a bulb and say here try these
(3) I would agree some of those headlamps on especially some of the import 
cars ought to be banned or re-aimed into the ditch.
(4) I'm sorry the LED brake lights offend. The fact is they save lives 
because the illumination is instantaneous and that translates to a lot of 
feet of travel at the speeds the morons out there on the interstate insist 
on driving.
(5) Doing things better and more efficiently is our salvation for our 
excessive consumption. Today that is LED lighting and the only advantage 
that I see that incandecant has is the ability of the fixture to focus the 
light that comes off the back of the bulb.
OK it was 4C worth
Paul K0UYA
PS LED flashlight are the greatest toy to come down the pike in a while. I 
have several and will probably never buy the old type "torch" again.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jcoward5452 at aol.com>
To: <laptop at gwltd.com>; <dfischer at usol.com>
Cc: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; <WA5CAB at cs.com>
Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 6:03 PM
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] LED Flashlights Aren't Collector 
(orHuman)Friendly


>
>
> Well,I am no expert on the subject but a few things come to mind.I have 
> worked in the electronics field for 29 years now and have been in the 
> manufacturing and the engineering lab environment the whole time.I have 
> had serious eye problems due to extreme myopia,glaucoma,and finally 
> cataracts.The best lighting was from the wide bandwidth fluorescent 
> tubes.They are more expensive and it took some lobbying from the eyesight 
> challenged to get management to buy into converting to these but the eye 
> strain after a 10 hr day in the lab was reduced to practically nothing.
> LED's hurt! I have recently had cataract surgery,both eyes, and can now 
> drive at night again,but the LED tail lights on new cars hurt my eyes, 
> they are so bright.And what's with those blue colored headlights?And 
> what's with the thermonuclear powered high beams on trucks that give me a 
> tan off my rear view mirror?The LED traffic lights are a problem esp. the 
> green ones.If I am approaching a traffic light in the morning and the sun 
> is behind, it it just disappears.
> For inspecting items for flaws. an ultraviolet source is useful on some 
> materials.We used UV for inspecting for cracks in alumina substrates and 
> other ceramic devices.
> So, contact the DOT (Dept. of Transportation) as they have to approve all 
> vehicular lighting and the company mostly responsble for the traffic 
> lights and auto LED's is Phillips LumiLeds.Tell them your concerns and 
> request  information.
>
> Jay KE6PPF