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This is what I _hate_ about the Audi striping indicators. Yes, they are actually useful when you see them when they are indicating. However, when they have the

This is what I _hate_ about the Audi striping indicators. Yes, they are actually useful when you see them when they are indicating. However, when they have the hazard lights on, they still stripe. So if it's still and you can't see the left indicator, it feels like a very strong statement that they are trying to move out.

Schlaefer 5y ago
I'm still confused how they made it through regulation. Image you're a security-engineer and read "On average the indicator light runs at only 50% because we think it looks cool."
- Goz3rr 5y ago
  Besides the fact that they're blinking lights so only on 50% of the time by design, consider the fact that regulations specify the minimum luminous output which these cars obviously pass. Add to that the fact that you're using modern high power LED lights and that the human eye perceives light in a logarithmic manner, it wouldn't surprise me if these indicators will be more noticeable on their "minimum" output than their old incandescent bulb counterparts.
- growt 5y ago
  The average regular indicator is also only on for 50% of the time. You know the joke: works, doesn't work, works, doesn't work
  - stavros 5y ago
    Yes, but this one is 50% of that 50%.
    - growt 5y ago
      You're right. I imagined that the light would start to fill up immediately after turning off but it looks like thats not how it works, it really is completely off for some time.
- CRConrad 5y ago
  Have you measeured their area? Betcha they're at least twice as big as the smallest ones on the market -- whichever vehicle those are on -- so 50% of these is still more visible lit-up area than 100% of those.
mccorrinall 5y ago
Do you mean this indicator? https://youtu.be/r9Fin7pyzDc https://youtu.be/r9Fin7pyzDc Honestly, seems pretty good to me compared to the Mini one (which for some reason is RED instead of amber?! Plus an arrow in the opposite direction!) Is there no law which makes amber coloured turn lights mandatory on cars (in the US)?
- tyingq 5y ago
  These types of laws aren't set at a Federal level in the US, but rather, state-by-state. As far as I know, they all allow red or amber. Most US cars have red turn signals.
  - userbinator 5y ago
    The red comes from the fact that combined red turn signal+brake lights with white reverse was the standard for a very long time, from at least the 1940s.
  - bombcar 5y ago
    Federal law can override and has done so in cases like seatbelts. But they’ve not bothered for turn signals. If it were to happen CA would likely be the first and then the rest of the country could follow.
    - u801e 5y ago
      Federal law (FMVSS 108) permits red rear turn signals, either combined with the brake lamp or a separate turn signal lamp. Interestingly enough, they require amber color front turn signals because the white ones were difficult to see when the headlamps were illuminated. It's too bad they didn't use the same reasoning for the rear turn signals compared to the stop lamps.
      - bluGill 5y ago
        There would be a huge backlash if they tried. Standard trailer connectors combine the brake light with the turn signal. (the brake like turns on both turn signals 100%) Many trucks just send enough wires (which are expensive these days) to run the trailer and tie the taillights off of those. Thus to require amber to the rear means the standard trailer connector needs to be replaced, then some sort of grade period for old trailers, and - well I doubt I could think of all the complex factors required. In 30 years we might be able to do it.
jbuhbjlnjbn 5y ago
Of course you are absolutely right, as is the author of the column. These unfortunate design decisions violate the most basic principles of design and safety, 'common sense' and 'function over form'.
majormajor 5y ago
I don't have a problem with those. If you can only see half the car, hazards that blink normally still look like a turn signal blinking too. Yeah, the motion calls extra attention, but paying extra attention to a car with its hazards on seems fine.
FridayoLeary 5y ago
They look terrible IMO.

Schlaefer 5y ago

I'm still confused how they made it through regulation. Image you're a security-engineer and read "On average the indicator light runs at only 50% because we think it looks cool."

Goz3rr 5y ago
Besides the fact that they're blinking lights so only on 50% of the time by design, consider the fact that regulations specify the minimum luminous output which these cars obviously pass. Add to that the fact that you're using modern high power LED lights and that the human eye perceives light in a logarithmic manner, it wouldn't surprise me if these indicators will be more noticeable on their "minimum" output than their old incandescent bulb counterparts.
growt 5y ago
The average regular indicator is also only on for 50% of the time. You know the joke: works, doesn't work, works, doesn't work
- stavros 5y ago
  Yes, but this one is 50% of that 50%.
  - growt 5y ago
    You're right. I imagined that the light would start to fill up immediately after turning off but it looks like thats not how it works, it really is completely off for some time.
CRConrad 5y ago
Have you measeured their area? Betcha they're at least twice as big as the smallest ones on the market -- whichever vehicle those are on -- so 50% of these is still more visible lit-up area than 100% of those.

mccorrinall 5y ago

Do you mean this indicator? https://youtu.be/r9Fin7pyzDc https://youtu.be/r9Fin7pyzDc Honestly, seems pretty good to me compared to the Mini one (which for some reason is RED instead of amber?! Plus an arrow in the opposite direction!) Is there no law which makes amber coloured turn lights mandatory on cars (in the US)?

tyingq 5y ago
These types of laws aren't set at a Federal level in the US, but rather, state-by-state. As far as I know, they all allow red or amber. Most US cars have red turn signals.
- userbinator 5y ago
  The red comes from the fact that combined red turn signal+brake lights with white reverse was the standard for a very long time, from at least the 1940s.
- bombcar 5y ago
  Federal law can override and has done so in cases like seatbelts. But they’ve not bothered for turn signals. If it were to happen CA would likely be the first and then the rest of the country could follow.
  - u801e 5y ago
    Federal law (FMVSS 108) permits red rear turn signals, either combined with the brake lamp or a separate turn signal lamp. Interestingly enough, they require amber color front turn signals because the white ones were difficult to see when the headlamps were illuminated. It's too bad they didn't use the same reasoning for the rear turn signals compared to the stop lamps.
    - bluGill 5y ago
      There would be a huge backlash if they tried. Standard trailer connectors combine the brake light with the turn signal. (the brake like turns on both turn signals 100%) Many trucks just send enough wires (which are expensive these days) to run the trailer and tie the taillights off of those. Thus to require amber to the rear means the standard trailer connector needs to be replaced, then some sort of grade period for old trailers, and - well I doubt I could think of all the complex factors required. In 30 years we might be able to do it.

jbuhbjlnjbn 5y ago

Of course you are absolutely right, as is the author of the column. These unfortunate design decisions violate the most basic principles of design and safety, 'common sense' and 'function over form'.

majormajor 5y ago

I don't have a problem with those. If you can only see half the car, hazards that blink normally still look like a turn signal blinking too. Yeah, the motion calls extra attention, but paying extra attention to a car with its hazards on seems fine.

FridayoLeary 5y ago

They look terrible IMO.