No. It was more a statement that the LED flares are basically one use only… unless you are spending every night on the side of the road. Their shelf life is more or less the same as a chemical flare in that case.
As for “improved visibility”: The goal of a flare is not to make everyone see you and to let you see what you are doing. The goal is to say “Hey, something is over here. Be careful”.
But also: You do realize that your tail lights/brake lights are more or less the exact same LEDs, right? So unless you duct tape flares to your car and roll around Fury Road style, I think you are fine there. Even on a foggy day.
Which gets to the other aspect: “Visibility” is bad when it is extremely bright lights at night. There is a reason that headlights (you know, those things people ignore in favor of the high beams) aren’t actually insanely bright. They are bright enough and angled enough that you can see where you are going. You pulse your high beams if the way is clear to see farther. If the way is not clear? Then the other headlights on the road provide extended visibility.
And… I am not sure if you have ever had to drive on a country/mountain road with asshole trucks with the high beams on. But it more or less renders you blind for a few seconds until they pass and you just have to rely on maintaining your lane. And if there is a curve? You either risk a header or you slow down and let them by first.
Which is why, as nice as it sounds to have a daylight flare right next to your car on the side of the road, it actually greatly increases the danger to you. Same reason you never use high beams in the fog (even though people do…) and actual fog lights are angled very differently.
As for “improved visibility”: The goal of a flare is not to make everyone see you and to let you see what you are doing. The goal is to say “Hey, something is over here. Be careful”.
Right. For which visibility is important.
You do realize that your tail lights/brake lights are more or less the exact same LEDs, right?
Yup. Which people proceed to slam into in those many-car pileups in the fog when they can’t see far-enough away that something is wrong despite people having their hazard blinkers on, and nicely illustrates why you would want to have magnesium flares.
No. It was more a statement that the LED flares are basically one use only… unless you are spending every night on the side of the road. Their shelf life is more or less the same as a chemical flare in that case.
As for “improved visibility”: The goal of a flare is not to make everyone see you and to let you see what you are doing. The goal is to say “Hey, something is over here. Be careful”.
But also: You do realize that your tail lights/brake lights are more or less the exact same LEDs, right? So unless you duct tape flares to your car and roll around Fury Road style, I think you are fine there. Even on a foggy day.
Which gets to the other aspect: “Visibility” is bad when it is extremely bright lights at night. There is a reason that headlights (you know, those things people ignore in favor of the high beams) aren’t actually insanely bright. They are bright enough and angled enough that you can see where you are going. You pulse your high beams if the way is clear to see farther. If the way is not clear? Then the other headlights on the road provide extended visibility.
And… I am not sure if you have ever had to drive on a country/mountain road with asshole trucks with the high beams on. But it more or less renders you blind for a few seconds until they pass and you just have to rely on maintaining your lane. And if there is a curve? You either risk a header or you slow down and let them by first.
Which is why, as nice as it sounds to have a daylight flare right next to your car on the side of the road, it actually greatly increases the danger to you. Same reason you never use high beams in the fog (even though people do…) and actual fog lights are angled very differently.
Right. For which visibility is important.
Yup. Which people proceed to slam into in those many-car pileups in the fog when they can’t see far-enough away that something is wrong despite people having their hazard blinkers on, and nicely illustrates why you would want to have magnesium flares.