>One of the safety features touted for the LED based
>center brake lights is the instant on time.

Oh, haven't heard that claim actually made. I would have thought the only
real safety feature is they are less likely to burn out.

>Wether the time difference is actualy reduces
>accidents I don't know,

I have serious doubts that it does. After all a filament bulb is essentially
instant on anyway, it must take all of 100 mS to reach full brightness, and
fade again - apart from headlights that is where the fade of the glow is
easily seen in the dark.

>but I certainly think fast turn on is better
>than slow for a warning signal.

Certainly the sooner the warning is given but to my thinking a filament bulb
gives the signal as instantly as an LED.

What I do see currently is that LED lights on cars are perceived as the "in
thing", and are recognisable as such by the "instant on", especially of
brake and blinker lights. However in a couple of years or so I see a
"marketing perception" that the extra electronics to give them a "soft
switch" will become a marketing feature - the wheel going a full circle if
you like. Rather like cassette decks used to have the "soft eject" as a
marketing feature - didn't do anything for the performance, but you paid
more for it.

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