[boosted14]

Sorry about the picture quality it was real foggy and my camera had a hard time focusing. So the passenger side is the oem led light. The driver side is obviously the side where I changed the led board out with my own. I will get better pics tomorrow hopefully its not that foggy.

[boosted14]

[Billfitz]

I can see the value of having brighter lights, but not making them blue. Where maximizing visibility at night is concerned if you're going to use a color it should be red. I might do that, since I've got some super bright red LEDs in my parts bin.

[boosted14]

not going for visibility it just looks cool.

[boosted14]

I would like to see your red led change over. You said you had extra red led lights on hand make sure they are chip set led lights. Here is a picture of the OEM board and my board. You have to modify the plastic piece that houses the stock led board. Good luck!

[Billfitz]

I'm an EE, so making the change over isn't challenging. I'll check it out with an outboard LED to see if I like it well enough to do it for real.

[Onizukachan]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I can see the value of having brighter lights, but not making them blue. Where maximizing visibility at night is concerned if you're going to use a color it should be red. I might do that, since I've got some super bright red LEDs in my parts bin.

Blue is more visible to the eye than red, that’s why runway lights are blue.
Red impacts night vision less than blue.

[Billfitz]

And that's why red is a better choice in this case. The point of the handle lights is to illuminate the ground so you can see anything there, like the curb not being where you expect it to be, or the occasional deposit from a neighborhood dog.

[boosted14]

I guess its different where you live. I'm in San Diego where i have never had to use door lights to see the ground lol. do you not have street lights in New Hampshire or is it just a dark place? lol

[Onizukachan]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

And that's why red is a better choice in this case. The point of the handle lights is to illuminate the ground so you can see anything there, like the curb not being where you expect it to be, or the occasional deposit from a neighborhood dog.

Incorrect application of concept Bill, if you are seeking optimum visibility, then Blue is MORE visible, not red. The human eye is far more sensitive to blue than red. That’s why red or red-orange (BMW is 605nm)is used in cockpits and blue lights are used on taxiways.


https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/07/science/07qna.html

Rods are insensitive to red, they are sensitive to blue green wavelengths.

Edit: the best color is 5500k white for them, but if you are going to change them for cosmetic reasons AND purport an interest in visibility… the red is the opposite of blue as far as effectiveness.

Common misunderstanding of how things work.

Red is not chosen for rear lights because of how visible it is at night, but because it is less affecting of night vision of motion and black and white which you need to see thing OTHER than the lights.


I know you like being right all the time and arguing minutia and what ifs, and I respect your equally vast knowledge…but you are wrong and the science doesn’t support you on this.

[boosted14]

Wow this is all great info to be honest I never thought of any of this. I just wanted something much brighter and a different color instead of the plain boring white that every other bmw has out there.

[boyerizm]

Originally Posted by boosted14

not going for visibility it just looks cool.

Haha I threw some blue parking lights on mine and got soooo much hate. They are white now

[boosted14]

Yeah people always hate on whats different. I would say F-them do what you like

[Billfitz]

Blue lights being illegal for use on other than police cars aside there are neighborhoods where you might be greeted by a few tossed bricks, or worse.

I know you like being right all the time and arguing minutia and what ifs, and I respect your equally vast knowledge…but you are wrong and the science doesn’t support you on this.

I can only relate what was explained to me before taking a leisurely cruise through the South China Sea on a Tang class submarine. If the Navy got it wrong I can forgive them, at least the chow was good, if not the shore excursion.

[quakerroatmeal]

The blue kind of reminds me of underbody glow lights

[boosted14]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Blue lights being illegal for use on other than police cars aside there are neighborhoods where you might be greeted by a few tossed bricks, or worse.
I can only relate what was explained to me before taking a leisurely cruise through the South China Sea on a Tang class submarine. If the Navy got it wrong I can forgive them, at least the chow was good, if not the shore excursion.

That would never happen here in southern cali. The basic rule is understood if you mess with a mans car the repercussions will be ten fold. As far as police are concerned if they ever did waste their time on blue lights it would be just a simple fix-it ticket so all you have to do is turn them off. Its really not worth mentioning it!

[mmm-five]

Originally Posted by boosted14

Yeah people always hate on whats different. I would say F-them do what you like

...and that seems to work really well for those perverts who like to 'play with' animals and/or children

[boosted14]

Originally Posted by mmm-five

...and that seems to work really well for those perverts who like to 'play with' animals and/or children

Wow thats a leap from mods on a car and not worrying what others think about it. I guess we all know whats on your mind!