LED | Evolving Consumer

Smart Thinking

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that the human brain can notice symbols faster than it notices generic lights, and with this in mind a group from the school developed Brainy Bike Lights, which feature an LED “cyclists” symbol instead of just a row of bulbs.

In tests the team found that people were able to quickly identify that it was a bicycle and more importantly reacted more quickly to it. Those in the study reacted about 100 milliseconds faster, which for a car traveling at 30 mph could mean the distance of 1.34 meters. That could make a difference for those on the bike!

The lights are reportedly visible from a distance of 20 meters and provide a field of view of almost 180 degrees. The headlight version can run for about 50 hours while flashing, and the tail light can run for 200 hours. That should be plenty of time to get noticed.

Brainy Bike Lights Official Website

Rocket Powered

When heading out into the wilds less can be more as the new Rocket Torch from Pyle Audio proves. This sleek cylinder is both a multi-functional speaker and flashlight equipped. It is equipped with Bluetooth technology, FM radio, mini SD card slot and AUX-IN jack. It is water resistant yet weighs less than a pound, while the Bluetooth technology allows users to connect to any iOS, Android or PC device and listen to music and phone calls up to a distance of 32 feet.

It also offers a bright, energy efficient LED flashlight that can be clipped to a backpack or even a bike for traveling at night. This is one rocket that will light the way and rock out the tunes.

Pyle Audio Official Website

Double O Light

The Double O isn’t exactly something we’d expect 007 or any other British super spy to use, but these are being developed in the U.K. by Paul Coksedge Studios through a Kickstarter campaign. The Double Os put out 80 lumens up front and 45 lumens in the rear. The designers suggest that this round style uses less bright LEDs but more and that results in a more visible light – without being blinding or otherwise distractive to drivers and other cyclists.

These charge up in 90 minutes via USB and have three modes – steady, which can run for about 2.1 hours; flashing at 4.2 hours and Eco at about 10 hours. Video after the jump

Fired Up

There is no reason to have to read by the campfire or rely just on the light from the burning wood. The Blackfire Clamplight Lantern, which just one a 2014 Red Dot Award in the Product Design category, will provide plenty of illumination.

It can be clamped to tents, tree branches and tackle boxes, while its pivoting head shines light in all direction. It can also double as a flashlight, and users can easily switch between low, hi, and strobe lantern mode, as well as go into flashlight mode at the touch of a button. The Clamplight Lantern is equipped with Cree LEDs, which offer 260 lumens, and yet is powered by just three AA batteries. This one will endure a trip in the wild and is even rated IPX4 storm proof.

Blackfire Official Website

Halo Glow

Whether you are running, cycling or even just out for a walk at night you will want to be seen, especially in areas where there might not be a lot of lights. The Halo Belt 2.0, and update to the original Halo Belt, will offer some illumination so that you can’t be missed.

The new version of this wearable light system is being launched through a Kickstarter campaign, and it has been redesigned to be brighter and rechargeable while the designers have integrated a refined LED fiber optic system and 3M reflective elastic onto the belt. This can also be adjusted to the desired size and length to accommodate most users. Video after the jump

Not SOL with SOL Survival

The name might say it all: SOL Survival Kit, but the truth is that this SOL actually stands for Survive Outdoors Longer. The SOL Origin includes the most crucial lifesaving gear in one compact, waterproof kit.

Tools included are Tinder-Quik fire starters, 150-pound-test braided nylon cord, mil-spec stainless-steel wire, and an emergency sewing and fishing kit. There’s also survival instructions for more than 60 hazards, a liquid-damped compass, and, secured in a button-release slot, a folding lock-blade knife, which itself features a 100dB rescue whistle, an ultra-bright LED light in the handle, and an AUS-8 steel drop-point blade for precision cuts. The inside of the kit’s lid even doubles as a signal mirror. With this SOL kit you won’t be SOL when it hits the fan.

SOL Official Website

Zippo Lighter

There never can be too much light around the camp site, and while an old Zippo can start a fire the Zippo Outdoors LED Rugged Lantern can bring a whole lot of illumination where it is needed. It features a metal support cage and rubberized corners, which help cushion it from everyday use. This lantern can even survive drops up to five feet, plus it is water-resistant — and will float if knocked into the drink.

It offers three brightness settings as well as a flashing SOS feature for use in emergencies, and it runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery – with runtime as long as 40 hours on low.

Zippo Outdoor Official Website

Tagged!

Laser tag is a good way to get kids away from the video games and get them actually moving around, but that typically means heading to somewhere to play or buying expensive equipment. Skirmos has launched a Kickstarter campaign to develop an open source laser tag system that allows players to create their own electronic battlefield.

It all is built around a white laser tag gun (seen above), which has been designed so that cannot be easily mistaken for a real weapon. We know some parents might not like the concept of a gun in any shape or form for kids, but this one features a transparent design with RGB LEDs that change colors, and the developers have vowed to never make these look like real firearms.

The gun will feature an LCD HUD that can track objectives, timers, ammo and even health as well as “kills/deaths.” This is a war game after all, and one that should get the kids’ hearts racing in a good way. It could be the ultimate first person shooter. Video after the jump

Fender Lights to Protect from Fender Benders

Being seen at night is really the first line of defense for cyclists, and the developers of the Revolights have created a bicycle fender that features an integrated light. However, the Revolights Arc is much more than a set of LED tail lights – it features sensors that actually allow it to operate much like a brake light as well. It can actually increase in brightness much like a car’s brake or go into a blinking mode to help really draw some attention to drivers.

The Revolights Arc is being developed now via a Kickstarter campaign. Video after the jump

Heel Spur

A heel spur is something most runners fear but the LightSpur designed by Nathan Sport could be something no runner will want to be without after dark. It clips around the heel of a shoe and grips against it while providing an LED light that can help drivers and even cyclists see you at night. The LightSpurs are fully waterproof and powered by a replaceable CR2031 watch battery that should provide more than 100 hours in flashing mode.

These spurs won’t make you run faster but they’ll help ensure you aren’t run down after dark.

Nathan Sports LightSpurs Official Website

SHOT Show: Powered Up

Coast will be showing something that likely would be hard to miss at this week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The company is introducing its high powered HP314 LED Flashlight, which can shine a bright spot up to 683 meters (2,2,40 feet) – or well over a third of a mile. It is powered by only 4 D cell alkaline batteries but can still blast out 1,132 lumens. If you’re adventure involves going out at night this flash light will certainly help you find your way. Video after the jump

No Menace to This Phantom

There are plenty of methods for putting lights on bikes to help younger riders be seen at night, but instead of trying to add lights to the frame, the designers of Phantom Frames are looking to light up the bike. The concept, which is being developed via a Kickstarter project that ends today, looks to have a frame that is normal looking during the day – but at night it can’t be missed.

The concept came to light when Ken Spaulding in Santa Ana, California needed to replace his son’s rear bike light. When his son suggested why couldn’t the whole bike light up instead Ken decided to build one. The result was a series of designs including a polycarbonate frame filled with LEDs that resulted in the first prototype. Now Ken and his boy Jack are looking to bring their bright idea to the masses. Video after the jump

Close Encounters

LEDs are everywhere, and for good reason. They’re bright, they’re small and they run forever on a little power. This is why we’ve seen LED added to things such as skateboards.

So it is no wonder that Third Kind Skate Lights has created a business out of adding some illumination to the traditional skate deck. The company has created a simple – but apparently effective – kit that provides a rechargeable battery pack that easily mounts to the truck hardware, along with a 20-inch light strip that will provide a warm glow as you ride. Video after the jump