Next message: Ken James: "[world-cruising] Re:LED side lights"
I am not an expert in photonics but with just the information you have
given it is hard to answer the question. There are several kinds of
LED's made with different luminous intensities. It is probable that
the more expensive light emits more light (has a higher luminous
intensity) just by virtue of the number of LED's per degree (actually
steradians I think. The light with all the LED's will probably be
seen more easily than the one with fewer LED's. To really compare them
you need to find out how many millicandelas these lights produce (ask
the vendor, I am curious as well).
That said, if you are trying to simply satisfy the coast guard and
don't sail at night much, the cheaper light will be OK. If you are
going cruising and will be doing offshore sailing at night I would get
the more expensive ones so you can be seen. The power requirement
for both is very low so this is probably a cost/safety tradeoff.
--- In , Philip <philip dot lange at dot dot dot > wrote:
>
> I am replacing my deck level navigation side lights and thought I
would use
> one of the newer LED designed units.
> Confusion reigns.
>
> The Lopolight, a beautiful unit, has 27 LEDs , (3 LEDS for every 12.5
> degrees of illumination). It consumes 2.5 watts and has a visible
range of 2 NM
>
> http://www.lopolight.com/
> It also comes with a price tag of $180 each side or $360 a pair. WEW!
>
> Here is a set for innovative lighting. It uses 3 LEDs (1 LED for every
> 37.5 degrees). It draws 1/2 watt and also claims 2 NM visibility.
>
http://www.innovativelight.com/products/product_detail.cfm?categoryid=62&productid=73
> The tag for these units is $89 for a pair.
>
> Both have USGG certification. Both claim the same life expectancy.
Both are
> potted and water proof. Both are small.
>
> I guess the question for the group is this: Is the Lopolight just plain
> over kill, or are the other guys spreading the BS a little thick?
Does any
> one have experience with either unit? Any one seen either of these
units?
> Comments?
> Philip
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
