Author Topic: Day-glo Vest  (Read 6119 times)

asemery

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Day-glo Vest
« on: September 06, 2013, 06:17:15 PM »
I walk in my neighborhood for my daily exercise.  I liked the idea of this vest http://www.adelineadeline.com/accessories/apparel/lightning-vest.html#.UinlZiLD_cd but thought it was a tad expensive.  I made this prototype from one continuous strand (85') of day-glo paracord, looks brighter than the photo.  No dangly ends as in the ad.  It will be easy to make one using reflective cord if I walk or bike ride in the dark.  Tony


Sweeney

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Re: Day-glo Vest
« Reply #1 on: September 07, 2013, 08:17:48 AM »
Nice one Tony. Different from the usual tabard so more likely to catch the eye. I might have a go at this for the grandkids (as long as they think it's 'cool'!).

Barry

Dan_Lehman

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Re: Day-glo Vest
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2013, 07:16:03 PM »
I offer a couple remarks.

My jerseys used for cycling include the "neons"/day-glo
yellow, green, orange, pink, & orange-red, and IMO in
that order of brightness (descending).  There are some
variations --more or less "yellow" ("limon" might be
one name for a sort of in-between yellow-green),
and stronger/weaker orange & pinks (having thus,
respectively, better/worse daylight conspicuousness.

In any case, these are SOLID jerseys, not nets.
That said, the vogue runners' fashion seems to
be brilliant shoes or shoelaces, and I must admit
that they are quite conspicuous.  Also, I've long
remarked at the light-catching/-reflecting strength
of whatever it is that is put into some shoes.
(However, using what I'd hoped was a similarly
made simple leg band (Velcro-attached, around
2" wide reflective band), I asked my cycling colleagues
over some night rides how well they noticed it and
by their replies it was clear that it was NOT bright.
This could've been the consequence of age and
UV degradation?  --I use it as a safeguard holding
my frame pump to the top tube (one's leg could
bump the pump loose, and this binding guards
against that), so maybe time and sunlight have
degraded what could be, what once was, good
reflective quality.)

Btw, I have been surprised by how much a closer
netting used in cyclists' vests --where one has a
solid front, to shield against airflow, but a netted
back, to allow for evaporation of sweat-- will
diminish the conspicuousness of bright jerseys!!

Personally, what I think a cyclist would do well
with is a 2-4"-wide reflective belt that contains
a semi-rigid platform for mounting a rear, red
blinky light --which I find is pretty darn droopy/
flopping just clipped onto a jersey's rear pocket.

Maybe a better tactic with making reflective-cord
wearable safety is something that puts the cord
more adjacent, such as the shape of the traditional
crossing-guard's safety belt : a diagonal strip from
shoulder to waist belt?!  (And, yes, $138 does seem
high for what you get (blinky lights cost anywhere
from $15-45)!)  ((hospital bills though are WAY WAY
higher))


--dl*
====

SS369

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Re: Day-glo Vest
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2013, 08:04:04 PM »
Nice work and creativity Tony!

You could introduce a pineapple type weave into it using some glow-in-the-dark or reflective accessory cord.
Actually the idea of many different interwoven designs come to mind.
 ;)

SS

Tangled

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Re: Day-glo Vest
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2013, 08:05:08 PM »
Speaking purely from the standpoint of the motorist; Large reflective patches or wide strips have the greatest visual presence at night, and large day-glo patches or wide strips have the greatest visual presence during the day.

If I'm coming up on you at 45+ mph, cord-thin details are going to get lost in the background clutter.  This is especially true in urban environs where you're competing with the lights of other vehicles, store signs, and traffic signals.  There's been a number of occasions where I spotted someone (usually a bicyclist with no or minimal reflectors) when they blocked the tail lights of the cars ahead of me.  The flip side of this is on an empty road, I'll notice a reflective vest 100+ yards out.

A wide sinnet or braid in a "suspenders and belt" pattern would show up real well, and give you a canvas to show off some fancy knotwork.

http://www.amazon.com/Mutual-Industries-14509-0-6-RELECTIVE-SUSPENDERS/dp/B00080M7EE
« Last Edit: September 10, 2013, 08:10:18 PM by Tangled »

Wed

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Re: Day-glo Vest
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2013, 08:32:17 PM »
Compare this netted vest to a man with no day glow material at all. See at what speed each is discovered.