# Please consider that maybe, just \*maybe\*, your product does not need a blue LED (lame **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 12, 2007, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477 "2007-07-12T08:39:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/41 "2007-07-12T19:37:17Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Oh, my love for bright shiny things would be no surprise to him! He knows all about it. [/QUOTE] So I take it you’ll be buying one of those LCD TVs that has a rim of coloured lights around the back of the edge that illuminates the wall to match the program? ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/42 "2007-07-12T19:52:59Z")
I love blue LEDs so much that on my old optical mouse, I replaced the red LED with a blue one. I didn’t do it with my current one only because the plastiuc base is already red-colored plastic, so the blue wouldn’t shine through as much. I currently have (counts LEDs and electronics in room) 16 blue LEDs in my computer (that has a window on the side…though most of those LEDs are on the fans, to be fair.) My fanbus is also blue LED backlit. My alarm clock uses blue LEDs. My phone has a couple on it. My LCD monitor has a blue on indicating when it’s on. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/43 "2007-07-12T19:54:07Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] So I take it you’ll be buying one of those LCD TVs that has a rim of coloured lights around the back of the edge that illuminates the wall to match the program? [/QUOTE] I don’t think he’d let me. My LED lights are limited to my sewing room. The rest of the house must be…_gasp!_ tasteful. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/44 "2007-07-12T20:25:08Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] I don’t think he’d let me. My LED lights are limited to my sewing room. The rest of the house must be…_gasp!_ tasteful. [/QUOTE] “Let”? This is where your charm and negotiation skills come into play/ 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/45 "2007-07-12T20:27:27Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] “Let”? This is where your charm and negotiation skills come into play/ 😉 [/QUOTE] :dubious: We’ve been together 10+ years. He’s on to me. ---
**Author:** ![Viridiana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Viridiana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Viridiana)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/46 "2007-07-12T20:39:14Z")
Aww…I love blue LEDs on everything I touch, including my bedposts, showerheads and packages of airline peanuts! I wish they had blue LED cereal. My eyes aren’t great, so I like the bright ones, too. :o ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/47 "2007-07-12T20:57:46Z")
My husband has wireless headphones infested with these things. I was trying to sleep one night, and wondered what that brilliant flashing was, which was penetrating right through my eyelids and keeping me awake. Well, naturally, it was the headphones, which were four feet away, inside a drawer behind a sign saying, “Beware of the leopard”! I make him turn them off as soon as he gets home now. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/48 "2007-07-12T21:03:17Z")
[QUOTE=Trunk] The stupidest is that they put them on alarm clocks. You can read by the fucking things. [/QUOTE] My wife bought a replacement alarm clock a couple months ago. Of course, nothing on the packaging alerts you to the fact that it uses blue LEDs. That night, she unpackaged it and plugged it in- HOLY SHIT. The nighttime room lit up like we had fucking aircraft landling lights next to the bed. Turn it away from the bed, you say? Good fucking luck. It just reflects off the wall and bounces around the room. And covering them with duct tape sort of defeats the purpose of having the alarm clock in the first place. That night we threw a shirt over it and the next day, it went back and we bought one with nice, gentle, green LEDs. Aaahh, so much better. Fucking fuck (since this is the Pit, and all). ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/49 "2007-07-12T21:09:16Z")
And apparently, they’re making them brighter now than they used to. [http://members.misty.com/don/blushoot.html](http://members.misty.com/don/blushoot.html) ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Macphisto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b487fb/32.png) [@Ms\_Macphisto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Macphisto)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/50 "2007-07-12T21:35:21Z")
[QUOTE=Nancarrow] There is no product that does not need blue LEDs. I wish my coffee mug had blue LEDs. [/QUOTE] It’s not quite a coffee mug, but my new kettle has blue LEDs in the little window that lets you see how much water is in it. It’s an absolutely gratuitous use of LEDs, but it’s kind of fun watching the illuminated blue bubbles as the water boils, especially first thing in the morning before I’ve had any caffeine. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/51 "2007-07-12T21:36:41Z")
I totally disagree with the OP. Blue’s been my favorite color ever since I can remember and my new HP laptop is chock-full of blue LED’s, guesstimate eight to ten or so, with the wireless/ **blue** tooth access turned on…couldn’t look cooler if I’d designed it myself. However, my new 22" widescreen Samsung monitor’s only got one on the power button and although it’s fairly bright one, I bet I could have found a spot or two to add additional ones. Shoot, my 61’ JVC Pro widescreen has ONE miserly one as well. What the hell where they thinking? Of people like you? _::::baaah:::::_ Long live Blue LCD’s! ---
**Author:** ![Nancarrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c37758/32.png) [@Nancarrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nancarrow)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2007, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/52 "2007-07-12T22:34:19Z")
[QUOTE=RogueRacer] I used an [Antec Nine Hundred](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?Image=11-129-021-18.jpg%2c11-129-021-04.jpg%2c11-129-021-05.jpg%2c11-129-021-06.jpg%2c11-129-021-07.jpg%2c11-129-021-08.jpg%2c11-129-021-09.jpg%2c11-129-021-10.jpg%2c11-129-021-11.jpg%2c11-129-021-12.jpg%2c11-129-021-13.jpg%2c11-129-021-14.jpg%2c11-129-021-15.jpg%2c11-129-021-16.jpg%2c11-129-021-17.jpg%2c11-129-021-03.jpg&CurImage=11-129-021-18.jpg&Depa=0&Description=Antec+Nine+Hundred+Black+Steel+ATX+Mid+Tower+Computer+Case+-+Retail) case. 😉 [/QUOTE] I just came all over my computer screen. Now what’s all this about an Antec 900 case? ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/53 "2007-07-13T06:37:33Z")
I think it´s time to get all SDMBed in here and post a cite saying why blue LEDs are the spawn of Satan: [There you go](http://texyt.com/bright+blue+leds+annoyance+health+risks) > [@](#): > > In fact, blue light causes greater eyestrain and fatigue than other colors. It is harder for the eye to focus and causes greater glare and dazzle effects. It can also interfere with our internal body clocks, disrupting sleep patterns. Some researchers believe that even very low levels of blue light during sleep might weaken the immune system and have serious negative implications for health. I knew about the dazzling effect of blue LEDs, that´s one of the reasons I was not very sure about buying the model of laptop I have (HP Pavillion dv8000),it has a row of the damn things right bellow the screen. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/54 "2007-07-13T07:53:32Z")
[QUOTE=Viridiana] Aww…I love blue LEDs on everything I touch, including my bedposts, showerheads and packages of airline peanuts! I wish they had blue LED cereal. [/QUOTE] They will. It’s just a matter of time, and once one cereal has blue LEDs on it, all the others will follow suit. ---
**Author:** ![RogueRacer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7ab992/32.png) [@RogueRacer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RogueRacer)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/55 "2007-07-13T14:17:08Z")
[QUOTE=Nancarrow] I just came all over my computer screen. Now what’s all this about an Antec 900 case? [/QUOTE] That’ll teach you not to have a towel handy! The joke with the case is that RogueGF, along with loving blue LEDs, is a Mac girl. Macs of course don’t have the option of blue LEDs. Regarding the case itself, I was planning on changing out the blue fans in front once the joke got old. It is a little gaudy. I guess I got used to them though, as I’ve had it eight months and they’re still in there. It’s also the quietest gaming case I’ve owned. The fans are all 120mm+, so they can run slowly and still provide good cooling. I’m not as happy with Antec putting the power supply in the bottom. There are some advantages to the design, but it makes cabling more of a pain. Still, unless something better comes along, my next gaming rig will probably use the same case. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/56 "2007-07-13T15:02:07Z")
[QUOTE=Sunspace] **Anaamika** , **Nancarrow** , have you ever checked out the [LED Museum](http://www.ledmuseum.org/)? LEDs of every colour, including blue and ultraviolet! Flashlights! LEDs by themselves! Blue lasers! [/QUOTE] Thhat Web site is about as annoying as a bright blue LED. Persoanlly, I like dim blue LEDs, but as was said earlier, most seem to be ultrabrights. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/57 "2007-07-13T16:35:29Z")
[QUOTE=Anaamika] Ooo! Can I be president? [/QUOTE] Sure! I’ll be treasurer, and you can all give me your money. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Dottygumdrop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Dottygumdrop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dottygumdrop)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/58 "2007-07-13T18:35:15Z")
You wanna talk about gratuitous blue LED usage - try [this one](http://www.amazon.com/Semiconductor-Waterproof-Massager-Light-Emitting-Masseur/dp/B000I4OLBC/ref=pd_sim_hpc_5_img/105-5029526-2109263?ie=UTF8&qid=1172422108&sr=1-6) on for size! ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/59 "2007-07-13T18:50:07Z")
[QUOTE=Ale] I knew about the dazzling effect of blue LEDs, that´s one of the reasons I was not very sure about buying the model of laptop I have (HP Pavillion dv8000),it has a row of the damn things right bellow the screen. [/QUOTE] You’ve got great taste in laptops…because I bet that blue LCDs aside your HP dv8000 kicks ass just like mine. Well, dv8040t to be precise. Same exact design though. Kooool 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477/60 "2007-07-13T19:39:27Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Now I remember the sepia-toned days of the 70s and 80s, when all we had was red, green and amber LEDs - they weren’t very bright, but we were thankful, so I was every bit as geeked-out as the best of them when along came beautiful blue, violet and white LEDs, along with ultra-bright green, red and yellow. But here’s the thing: Blue LEDs, although they’re still a lovely idea, are too fucking bright to put on every conceivable piece of electronic equipment. They hurt to look at, and when your product happens to be one that people have to look at in order to use, they make your product a right pain in the arse. Now, yes, I could shop around and maybe find one of the dwindling number of products where the manufacturers haven’t yet jumped on the blue LED bandwagon, but that doesn’t work for buying online. So, manufacturers of electronic devices, please consider whether your product is truly enhanced or, like in most cases, actually diminished by the gratuitous inclusion of an eyeball-searing blue LED. We don’t want them in our faces. [/QUOTE] I feel ya bro! When the first blue LED came out, I rejoiced for I, who am colorblind to red and blue could now see the time on my clock radio in the daytime but soon I lamented. The light from the clock shone at night like a full moon. Ironically, a blue washcloth now obscures the clock entirely. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-consider-that-maybe-just-maybe-your-product-does-not-need-a-blue-led-lame/411477.md?page=2)