Front Indicators... Form over function

[jon h]

Am I just going blind, or are indicators less visable these days. The current style of front light clusters on new cars, (a big chrome moulding with several lights in, all covered by a clear lens) makes a flashing orange light far less obvious when it is buried within a white headlight, than if it is separated from the headlight. The current Golf is an example of this. One was turning across me last night, and I did not see his indicator until the last minute. I suppose as many road users do not bother using the things in the first place, car designers see little reason to make the easy to see!

Jon H

[M@H]

Try rear indicators on the new Ranger Rover.. its in the middle of the rearlight !?.. when they're braking too its all too bright (all 5 brakelights) and you cant see 'em at all..

Matt.

[pdv6]

Beat me to it, M@. One cut in front of me with its anchors on the M25 this w/e, and it was only when she stopped braking that I could tell the indicators were on!

[pdv6]

Actually, what's with the trend of moving various lights aroud from their 'traditional' places? e.g.:

. front indicators inboard of the main lights (206 etc)
. rear lights at the top of the C-pillars (punto, volvo etc)
. the aforementioned RangeRover style 'rings' of lights

...the list goes on.

Is it just me being blind, or is it more difficult to notice brakes, indicators etc as quickly when they're not where you expect them to be?

[Podie]

pdv6 said: Actually, what's with the trend of moving various lights aroud from their 'traditional' places? e.g.:

. front indicators inboard of the main lights (206 etc)
. rear lights at the top of the C-pillars (punto, volvo etc)
. the aforementioned RangeRover style 'rings' of lights

...the list goes on.

Is it just me being blind, or is it more difficult to notice brakes, indicators etc as quickly when they're not where you expect them to be?

Seem to recall that Punto / Volvo lights were moved to the top of the C pillar to make them EASIER to see... since they were at eye level. At least, that's the theory...!

Lights have been moved into a single unit since it's cheaper to produce and quicker and easier to fit - hence saves money...

[pdv6]

Theory sounds good, but after x years of driving and getting used to them being 2ft off the ground, it seems quite easy to miss them at first when they're 4ft in the air!

[RichB]

In the case of the Volvo it's only the estate that has this arrangement and they have lights like the Blackpool illuminations all down the side of both rear pillars - you'd need to be a total blind git not to see those, as for the Punto can't commment! Rich...

[pdv6]

where's me stick?

[hertsbiker]

totally agree ! when the main lights are on you can hardly see most front indicators these days. No chance of the car in front seeing you indicate to overtake. Bit pointless even bothering now isn't it?

[pdv6]

Driving along most of the M4 last Sunday night I could probably have counted on one hand the number of people using their indicators.

But you're right - those inboard front indicators are all but invisible at night.

[Esprit]

Totally agree.... should be some standard covering it though.... especially in the case of the 206 etc. can barely see the blighters when dip-beams are fully engaged

[craigalsop]

Podie said: Lights have been moved into a single unit since it's cheaper to produce and quicker and easier to fit - hence saves money...

Is this really true? (I know you're in the biz & all). I have a mate who used to work for Pilkingtons designing rear light clusters, and he reckoned that a single unit was *far* more expensive, because you have to get all of the colours in one unit. Apparently the failure rate is pretty high, hence the cost rockets.
They are probably quicker to fit though.

[Podie]

That was one of the reasons why the Focus indicator moved into the headlamp unit, rather than being in the bumper.

It was cheaper and quicker to produce one unit, it was quicker to fit, and reduces the expense in terms of parking scrapes... apparently.