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Not Sure I Like This Use of LED Strips — Parallax Forums

Not Sure I Like This Use of LED Strips

JLockeJLocke Posts: 354
edited 2013-10-09 17:03 in General Discussion
I'm a hockey fan, but I think a little of this could go a long way. You could probably program in some interesting shows, though. He mentions the pre-game show, so I'm guessing they won't be using them during game play? Maybe we'll save that for Rollerball.

Rogers Arena Stanchion Lights

Comments

  • localrogerlocalroger Posts: 3,451
    edited 2013-10-07 16:58
    He mentions that they'd need the league to approve it for use to celebrate a score, so I'd guess the use of anything like that during game play is subject to league rules.
  • TubularTubular Posts: 4,703
    edited 2013-10-07 20:34
    You know, a neopixel enabled hockey stick that spelt out "BAM" or similar using PoV when you swing through for a hit, could be kind of neat
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,256
    edited 2013-10-07 20:45
    LAX (Los Angeles Airport) put up these artsy light towers ten years ago. They're working most of the time, slowly cycling between several colors. I'm still not sure what to make of them. As the newscaster quips at the end of his report, even local Angelinos don't know what to call them.
  • lanternfishlanternfish Posts: 366
    edited 2013-10-08 13:20
    The biggest problem I have with the proliferation of led lighting of nearly everything is that so much is done without involving anyone with an artistic eye. And the result is too often tasteless and/or banal. Our city recently renovated a heritage building and chose to light one of the facades with LED's. And as part of their staff restructuring they made the technical people redundant and so 'management' chose to have the LED's cycle through a basic rgb sequence. Awful.
  • PoundSign2PoundSign2 Posts: 129
    edited 2013-10-08 16:19
    lanternfish wrote: »
    The biggest problem I have with the proliferation of led lighting of nearly everything is that so much is done without involving anyone with an artistic eye. And the result is too often tasteless and/or banal. Our city recently renovated a heritage building and chose to light one of the facades with LED's. And as part of their staff restructuring they made the technical people redundant and so 'management' chose to have the LED's cycle through a basic rgb sequence. Awful.

    Is it not amusing when dipshits get to make the decisions?



    Currently I am in the market for a motorcycle and whichever model I go with I most definitely plan on putting LEDs on the bike. It could look horrible/aweful, could care less. Because the point of adding LEDs is for more easy identification by other drivers. Essentially the LEDs are just an added safety feature.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2013-10-08 17:20
    Essentially the LEDs are just an added safety feature.
    If you live in a big city, you're only kidding yourself. I have seen morons pull out in front of, and be hit by, Semi Trucks that were lit up like the fourth of July. Motorcycles are too small for the "average" idiot to see.
  • PoundSign2PoundSign2 Posts: 129
    edited 2013-10-08 17:23
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    If you live in a big city, you're only kidding yourself. I have seen morons pull out in front of, and be hit by, Semi Trucks that were lit up like the fourth of July. Motorcycles are too small for the "average" idiot to see.

    Well I suppose it's a good thing I don't live in a big city. I do however, live near one (Portland) but I rarely go into the 'big' city. And you're correct, the average idiot barely sees the intersection lights change... lol But I do figure having added lights can only help. The least they'll do is nothing, no biggie. The most they'll do is potentially help save my life, so its worth it in that respect. :)
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2013-10-08 17:24
    My only problem with LEDs is when they're super bright non diffused narrow beam and used as status indicators. Daylight visible sure, but not from a mile away lol.

    Those LEDs should be cool for when the game is stopped, otherwise definitely not. It's like hanging blinking lights around your TV...
  • xanaduxanadu Posts: 3,347
    edited 2013-10-08 17:31
    PoundSign2 wrote: »
    Currently I am in the market for a motorcycle and whichever model I go with I most definitely plan on putting LEDs on the bike. It could look horrible/aweful, could care less. Because the point of adding LEDs is for more easy identification by other drivers. Essentially the LEDs are just an added safety feature.

    You'll get pulled over a lot. The only LED you need on a bike is for an alarm. Is it your first bike? Just assume every single car on the road cannot see you at any time and you'll be good.
  • PoundSign2PoundSign2 Posts: 129
    edited 2013-10-08 18:08
    xanadu wrote: »
    My only problem with LEDs is when they're super bright non diffused narrow beam and used as status indicators. Daylight visible sure, but not from a mile away lol.

    Those LEDs should be cool for when the game is stopped, otherwise definitely not. It's like hanging blinking lights around your TV...


    I think this is important to remember when anyone uses LEDs, on any project. People do need to see, but not a direct shot to the retina. Some LEDs I've seen in stores have them pointed right at you (non-diffused btw) so when you walk in you get some nice blind-age going on. I think people get so juiced in their projects that they forget safety and common sense.

    xanadu wrote: »
    You'll get pulled over a lot. The only LED you need on a bike is for an alarm. Is it your first bike? Just assume every single car on the road cannot see you at any time and you'll be good.


    While in my MSF class I asked this exact question, in a specific way. The instructors did not know if simple LED strips were illegal or not. They did however note that modifying the bike could be illegal in some cases and that RGB or patterns on/for your LEDs was illegal. Once I brought the subject of adding lights to the bike for safety purposes they actually encouraged the rest of the class to do so. Although they erred on the side of caution and said to use retro-reflective surfaces and fluorescent materials before adding lights. I think in the State of Oregon it's not illegal, but I could be wrong. Add if I was to get pulled over and not being stupid with my LEDs, once the officer sees the intent of safety behind everything it won't be a citation. That's my hope anyways... ;)


    EDIT:

    xanadu I really like your sig by the way.
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2013-10-08 18:29
    I know up here in WA the only colors that are allowed to be seen from the rear of a vehicle are Red and Amber. I got this first hand years ago when I had to take a traffic class!!! (Don't ask). So, I am assuming as long as the lights are red while driving, brighter red while braking and amber when turning all is good, here any how.
  • PoundSign2PoundSign2 Posts: 129
    edited 2013-10-09 17:03
    NWCCTV wrote: »
    I know up here in WA the only colors that are allowed to be seen from the rear of a vehicle are Red and Amber. I got this first hand years ago when I had to take a traffic class!!! (Don't ask). So, I am assuming as long as the lights are red while driving, brighter red while braking and amber when turning all is good, here any how.

    Oregon and Washington tend to mimic laws (honestly no idea how the marijuana thing didn't pass here but did in WA) a lot of the time so I'll assume for now that that's the case. It makes perfect sense too, as red is the easiest/quickest color/wavelength to adjust your eyes too. Thanks for the heads up. :)
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