What exactly does LED stand for? It is an acronym for light emitting diode. This means a type of bulb that does not use a filament to produce light. Instead, the light is made by electrons moving around. This is new technology, so it is not widely used as of yet because of its cost. However, since they LED bulbs last longer and produce less heat, they are starting to make their way into everyday uses.
LED Mirror for Vehicles
The most common everyday use for LED mirrors is in side mirrors for cars, trucks, and motorcycles. These LED mirrors incorporate the bulbs into an arrow configuration to make a turn signal on the outside edge of the mirror. Manufacturers are aware that 300,000 accidents per year are due to merging and lane changes. With these brightly lit arrows on the mirrors, cars in the "blind spot" can easily see that a vehicle intends to move left or right. Some of the racing style LED mirrors have a strip of lights on the backside of the mirror. These lights could help cars see motorcycles that are approaching on the left or right.
Many new vehicles now have LED mirrors as standard equipment. If you have an older model car, you can also buy LED side mirrors to add on after market. You have to remove the existing side mirrors to mount the LED mirrors into the existing holes. The wire hook-up is explained in the manufacturers instructions. Models are available for every make of vehicle and range in price from around $100 to $250. Motorcycle LED mirrors can be found for under $100.
LED Mirrors for the Home
Now, LED mirrors are also available for use in the home. Bathroom mirrors can have LED panels to provide the light that traditionally has been produced by incandescent bulbs. However, these LED bulbs have the advantage. LED bulbs last longer, produce a brighter light, and produce much less heat than incandescent light bulbs. Vanity lights most often used in sets of 4 to 8 to get enough light produce a great deal of heat, making it uncomfortable if they are in a small bathroom for a long period of time. The LED bulbs are more expensive up front, but you will not need to replace them as often.
Mirrors lit with LED bulbs are helping to make our roads safer. With more visibility of the turn signals on the LED side mirrors, lane changes and merging will be made easier. Home use of LED mirrors may be limited at present, but as technology makes the components more affordable, the use of the LED mirror in the home will expand.