Smart New Brake Light Option

[The Pope]

+1

I know a LOT of people (including me) that *hate* social media stuff like that.  What is wrong with just posting a blog on their own site??!!!  Oh well.

+2

[Rhino]

+1

I know a LOT of people (including me) that *hate* social media stuff like that.  What is wrong with just posting a blog on their own site??!!!  Oh well.

Blog on their own site, 21 hits, facebook page, 21,000 hits.

[Caffeinated]

You know you can all follow the progress of this on the Kickstarter page.  Here's an update sent last night.



Project Update #2: LED Brightness and Moisture Protection
Posted by Vectolabs, LLC
Followers and Backers,

There's been some questions regarding the brightness of the LED's and the degree of moisture protection.  I'd like to address these two topics here:

LED Brightness

We had an internal review tonight and the engineers are considering multiple types of LED's with increased levels of brightness.  The visibility of Vololights is contingent upon two major factors,

The brightness of the individual LEDs (I won't bore you with lumens, dispersion angles, power consumption, etc.  We'll leave that to the nerds at the top)
The optical design of the lenses

Keep in mind, what you're seeing is our prototype.  The components listed above will be optimized for a production version of Vololights.  Since the start-up budget was limited, the lenses pictured were made by duplicating an automobile brake lens that also uses LEDs.  For the production unit, we will have our LED's paired perfectly to our lenses designed by optics professionals.  The design will again be reviewed by Fausin, our industrial designer. Lucky for us, he's his own worst critic., The end result will be an improved version of the prototype you see in the video, not something drastically different.

Moisture Protection

Also discussed at tonight's review was how to deliver the most bullet proof design as it relates to dust and moisture.  Our backers are all over the world and the differences in climates and terrains can be quite drastic.  Faizal's investigating a conformal coating to the electronics for a higher degree of protection.  We will keep you informed as this develops. 

In Summary

We're not a one-and-done Kickstarter operation; we hope to build a loyal following and business around Vololights and other products.  That said, quality, function and design are near and dear to our hearts.  Our development is ongoing and we are always listening for new suggestions so keep 'em coming!

-Jesse   

[Rhino]

Glad to hear it. I look forward to seeing the final product.

[bombsquad1201]

Project Update #3: FMVSS 108
Posted by Vectolabs, LLC
Here's what FMVSS 108 regulation says

S5.5.10 The wiring requirements for lighting equipment in use are: (a) Turn signal lamps, hazard warning signal lamps, and school bus warning lamps shall be wired to flash; (b) Headlamps and side marker lamps may be wired to flash for signaling purposes; (c) A motorcycle headlamp may be wired to allow either its upper beam or its lower beam, but not both, to modulate from a higher intensity to a lower intensity in accordance with section S5.6; (d) All other lamps shall be wired to be steady burning 

We think our product meets the hazard warning signal lamps-  but we're not entirely clear on that.

I hope this helps our backers make an informed decision. 

-Faizal



Project Update #4: Cycle World Magazine!
Posted by Vectolabs, LLC
Look who just made the front page of CycleWorld.com!  

Thanks to Matthew and Kevin at the magazine for the story,  About the production line at the end, we will get there with our KICKSTARTER friends!

-Jesse

 

[Caffeinated]

Couple of updates on the Vololights.  You can program it to be just solid with no blinking, and  the latest update....

a module to wire into the existing brake light system so you get the same affect without having to add the license place lights.

Vectolabs just added the modular version of Vololights!
What is a Vololights Module?

This is essentially an upgraded circuit board without the LED lights or license plate frame. It is a ‘black box’ design that will function the same although it will be installed under your seat (or other suitable location) and in-line with your current brake lights or directional signals. The module will be about 2” x 2” (5.08 cm x 5.08 cm) in a weatherproof box with two sets of wire leads on both ends.

Customers will have the option of installing the modular version of Vololights to trigger the directional lights (both flash simultaneously as to not be confused with a turn signal) or the brake light(s). This is up to the user’s preference.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vololights/vololights-enhanced-motorcycle-visibility/posts

[maxtog]

Customers will have the option of installing the modular version of Vololights to trigger the directional lights (both flash simultaneously as to not be confused with a turn signal) or the brake light(s). This is up to the user’s preference.

I hope they made a note to people that if their turn signals are yellow (like ours and most bikes), that is illegal...

[Caffeinated]

I hope they made a note to people that if their turn signals are yellow (like ours and most bikes), that is illegal...

How is this illegal? It's the same as turning on your hazards! Busses do it all the time to warn people of traffic slowing ahead.

[maxtog]

How is this illegal? It's the same as turning on your hazards! Busses do it all the time to warn people of traffic slowing ahead.

As far as I was aware, brake lights must be red and red only.  Rear yellow lights can be used for turn signals and hazard flashers only.  Yes, I have seen buses (and ONLY those) do that and thought maybe they had some type of waiver or something.

Brake lights are NOT the same as hazard lights-they send two totally different messages.  Even if legal to tie the two together, it is not a good idea (IMHO).

It is also illegal to illuminate rear-facing yellow lights as [always on] running lamps.

[RideBellChain]

This is a great invention, and definitely worth supporting.  FYI - they're still only a little more than halfway to their goal.  If you pledge the $79 (to get it in August) and they don't raise the $50k, everyone gets their money back - Kickstarter is holding the cash, not the guys.  It's pretty "safe".

I like the idea of adding it in to the brake circuit instead of using the license plate additional lights, personally.

It's not the bulbs that's the great part, its the ACCELEROMETER.  This detects when you slow down by downshifting or just letting off the gas.  THAT is the valuable part of the invention.  I'm guessing that they will settle for the newer extremely bright LED's and they'll make sure that it's quite visible because "they want to stay in business".

I'm going to pledge the $79...  I have a friend who just got rear-ended.  Not cool, not fun.  Totalled his bike (and it was a bagger) and he's lucky (very lucky at 70+ years old) to have walked away, but the bike was totalled.  He's back on a new bike already - he's a great rider and glad he's part of our SCRC club, but he'll jump on this, too.

Just my $0.02...I haven't seen a product like this on the market, and I'm sorry I didn't think of it myself! 

[SVonhof]

34 hours left and they are $315 away from being funded!

I like that the motorcycle community has embraced this and I hope it works as advertized and holds up well over time as I pledged my money and will wait patiently for mine.

[Slideways]

They got funded plus a little. Must be a nail biter for those seeking the backing if they all go the way this one did. I jumped in as a backer with 40hrs left to go and they were just over half way there. Checked back in a few hours later and shazam, funded! Now comes the part where they really prove themselves. Can they pull this off now that they have the money. I have my fingers crossed and some money in the thing...

[Bourne2Ride]

Looks like a good idea. I'd be interested in picking up this product. We'll see where they go with it now that they're funded.