BRIGHT SPOTS
As I've mentioned before, I'm not buying another laptop without a back-lit LED screen, given it's cool brightness and lower power consumption. Now we may have to look for that option in our cars as well. This Gizmodo piece explains:
"The innovative R8 supercar from Audi is now available for the first time with full LED headlamps.
In addition to the standard Audi-signature 24-LED running lamps it's always had, this extremely expensive option (£3,590 converts to $7,100 USD) adds LED high and low beam headlamps and LED turn signals to the front fascia of the mid-engine sports car."
What's the big deal, you ask?
Gizmodo provides some answers:
"The latest craze in automotive lighting, LED bulbs don't utilize a filament like halogen lamps or gas plasma like HID lamps. Instead, they create light from the movement of current across a semi-conductor chip.
They are smaller, more vibration resistant, and much more efficient than traditional bulbs. According to Audi, the light from the LEDs has been designed to closely resemble daylight and provides a greater contrast to be easier on the human eye. LED illumination is also designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle."
It may not be as green as driving a hybrid, but it's pretty cool by any measure. Can't wait for it to be a mainstream feature in most new cars.
Super technology...overpriced, but if you can buying the innovative R8 supercar from Audi, you can pay the extra expensive option too.
;-)
Gerhard Kaiser - Google me
Posted by: Gerhard Kaiser | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 06:26 AM
LED lighting is becoming much more affordable and will soon make serious headway in domestic and industrial lighting. The higher performance needed for car headlights will take a little longer to become competitive with halogen bulbs for "everycar".
Mike, I trust you watch the BBC import "Top Gear". The guys love driving these super cars, especially the incomparable Bugattis.
Posted by: Alex Tolley | Sunday, June 01, 2008 at 08:29 PM
LEDs are making great strides and will take over from CFLs for home use in a few years. This is a good thing, becausse the light can be made much more natural than CFLs, which - frankly - suck. Have you ever tried to read from them? Ugh. Will the safety improvements for headlights may bring the cost down over time?
Posted by: greenskeptic | Monday, June 02, 2008 at 09:34 PM
gee.,keep it guys!
Posted by: car lights | Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 01:40 PM