1) THE ORIGIN OF THE PRODUCT

Who invented the product?
Our Research and Development team at Safe Turn invented this product. 

Where is the Indicator made?

Our custom-built Integrated Circuit (a miniature electronic chip, the heart of the device) is made in Taiwan. The state-of-the-art tilt switch is made in Taiwan also. The other mechanical and optical parts of the device are manufactured and assembled in China.

Couldn't you make it entirely in the UK?

Yes, we could, but it wouldn't be economical to manufacture and it would increase the retail price greatly.

How can I be assured that I am purchasing a high quality product?

Even though the production of our product is outsourced to manufacturers in various geographical locations, our manufacturers are renowned for the quality of their products.

Strict quality control combined with excellent reputation and expertise of our manufacturers helps us to make products of a very good quality. 

2) BUYING THE PRODUCT

Where can I buy the Safe Turn Indicator?

You will be able to purchase the Indicator from many bicycle shops worldwide.  If your favourite bicycle shop does not stock it, please ask them to contact us and we will speak to our local distributors.

What is the warranty and return policy?

If the product is faulty, we will happily exchange it. 

Products bought from our retailers may be subject to alternative arrangements - please ask at your place of purchase.

3) PRODUCT USAGE AND FEATURES

How do I use it?  Where do I wear it?

The Product can be attached to the wristband provided or on to your bicycle glove, and can be used on either hand.

It can be adjusted to individual riding styles and handlebar types, so it starts blinking precisely when your hand is out-stretched to indicate a turn.  To adjust, hold the base (clip) and turn the top clock-wise.  Repeat this until the indicator works as desired.

A good starting point:  Adjust the Indicator so that the internal dark spot under its cover points toward your thumb.

After you finish your ride, switch the device off completely by pressing the orange top.

When OFF, the device will not blink in any position.  When ON, the device will blink only when you put it in a specific orientation.

Hint:  Flip the device upside-down to make sure it is completely switched off.

You will find detailed instructions on the packaging of the Safe Turn Indicator.

Can I use the Indicator with different handlebars - curved, straight?  How to tune it?

Some cyclists use forward-bent racing handlebars, others use straight handlebars or recumbent bikes.  Some people indicate by raising their hand to a horizontal position, others indicate in a more relaxed manner by raising the hand a bit less.  By turning the light on its base, the users can adjust it to suit their needs.

The top of the device can be turned on its base with an audible "click".  It can be done clockwise only.  The click is caused by a self-locking mechanism that locks the device every 15 degrees during the turn.

The purpose is to allow an adjustment to a rider's handlebar type and riding style.

As long as the position (an angle) when your hand is on the handlebar is different from the position (an angle) when indicating a turn, the light will work.  Examples:

 Keep adjusting until the light flashes only when you out-stretch your hand to indicate a turn.

Note: Do not adjust the Safe Turn Indicator while in motion.  Always give sufficient notice to the surrounding traffic before turning.

What is the visibility from different directions?  Will both oncoming and following cars see the light?

Very high visibility of our Indicator has been achieved via both optical and electronic innovative solutions.

- Visibility:  The optics

The Safe Turn Indicator is designed to be visible from a wide range of angles.  The LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) have in-built water-clear lenses to direct the light beams.  A grid is incorporated into the top cover of the device to disperse the light.  The top cover has a high profile to allow side visibility.  The light can be seen from up to 800 metres distance or more - it will depend on the surrounding lighting conditions and the viewing angle.

- Visibility:  Ultra-bright light

The Light Emitting Diodes used in our device have light intensity of 4,000 mcd (millicandela) each.  They are called ultra-bright LEDs.  Their brightness is further enhanced by in-built water-clear lenses.

- Visibility:  electronic 'Delayed Off' feature

When you indicate a turn, your hand is raised and the top surface of the indicator is initially directed backwards.  The cars behind you can see it, together with the cars on your sides.

When you enter the turn, at some stage you put your hand back on the handlebar.  The light will NOT stop blinking then.  It will keep blinking for 1 second.  It allows the cars at the front to see it too.  This solution has been road-tested and found optimal for most situations on the road.

Is the Indicator certified for CE marking?

Yes, our product complies with the essential requirements of the relevant health, safety and environmental protection legislation's.  It bears CE ('Conformite Europeenne') markings.

Is the device water resistant?

Yes – It contains a set of rubber seals, to make it 'splash proof'.  However, it is not waterproof.  It should not be submerged in water, or exposed to prolonged heavy rain.

Will it blink when I grab my water bottle?  Will it blink when my bicycle runs over a pothole or a road bump?

It depends on the adjustment.  The light is designed to blink when you indicate a turn; however it may also blink in some other situations when you move your hand to a specific position.  To minimise this side effect, we implemented both mechanical and electronic means:

- The mechanical adjustment is a self-locking mechanism inside the base of the device.  By turning the top part clockwise on the base, you cause the mechanism to lock itself every 15 degrees.  You can continue turning, until you achieve an optimal result.  The optimal result means: the light starts blinking precisely when you out-stretch your hand to indicate a turn, and it does not start blinking prematurely or too late.

You will find the detailed instructions on the packaging and at the beginning of this section.

- The electronic 'Delayed Start' feature causes the device to start blinking only when the device is in position for more than 200 milliseconds.  This electronic function has been implemented to avoid unnecessary blinking caused by vibration, momentary changes in position of your hand, shaking caused by uneven road surface and so on.

Why is the clip turning around with an audible 'click'?

The top of the device can be turned on its base.  It can be done clockwise only.  The click is caused by a self-locking mechanism that locks the device every 15 degrees during the turn.

The purpose is to allow an adjustment to a rider's handlebar type and riding style.  Please refer to the first part of this section for details.

 What batteries (cells) are used?

Safe Turn Indicator uses so-called 'button cells'.  They are a 1.5V small round batteries, commonly used in calculators, cameras etc.

The device is supplied with alkaline batteries, known as type AG13 or A76 or equivalent.  The user can replace them with any compatible batteries, including silver-oxide and lithium types.

Can I change the batteries on my own?

Yes, you can lift off the top ring and orange top to access the batteries.

Note: Align the 3 raised markings found on the top ring, the orange top and the base to clip back into place correctly.

You will find the detailed instructions on the packaging.

Can I recharge the batteries (cells)?

The batteries (cells) used in the device are typical, common batteries that cannot be recharged.  Making our device rechargeable would make it bigger and heavier.

Is the product environmentally friendly?

Yes, it is.

The tilt switch does not contain any mercury; it is a ball-bearing tilt switch.  The batteries (cells) do not contain any mercury, and they are alkaline batteries (more environment-friendly than lithium).

The casing is made of plastic.  Aluminium is lightweight and would be an alternative for the bottom part, but production of plastics is more environment-friendly.

Our modern ultra bright Light Emitting Diodes are very energy efficient, so the batteries do not need to be replaced for a long time.  Moreover, our LEDs are RoHs compliant - The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive (2002/95/EC).

Why are LEDs and not light globes used in this Indicator?

This is because LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are brighter, more energy efficient and last longer.

Light-emitting diodes produce more lumens per watt (the measurement of light) than both traditional and halogen lighting globes, making them more environmentally friendly and cost effective in the long run.

Because they are solid, LED bulbs hold up well to jarring and bumping.

Is it a motion-activated (movement-activated) device?

No, it is not.  Movement-activated devices are activated by the movement alone; they are not orientation-sensitive. The Safe Turn Indicator is activated by change in its orientation (angle) in relation to the Earth's gravity.

Can I make it blinking all the time, until switched off?

No.  Our indicator is very different from other blinking lights.  The idea is to make it blink when you indicate a turn.

What colours are available?

Being a turn indicator, the device has to have an orange top and release an orange beam of light.  The bottom part is blue, to match our trademark colours.  There are no other colours currently available.

How long will the product last?

- The batteries (cells)

The device is designed to be very energy-efficient.

If you are a commuter riding every day and you indicate on average 20 times a day for roughly 1.5 seconds each time, the batteries will last approximately two years.

For casual, less frequent riders they will last longer.

Unlike many other electronic devices, our indicator causes almost no battery drainage when the device is switched off.

- The LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes)

The LEDs (the three little 'light bulbs' inside the device) have a very long life.  The ones we use are guaranteed to last at least 100,000 hours of continuous lighting.  Failure rate based on long time testings: less than 1 per 10,000,000 light hours.

In practice this means they should never burn out.

- The main switch (on/off)

The main switch (the press on/off centre switch) is made of a steel plate.  It will typically withstand thousands of operations.  It should not break during the lifetime of the device.

- The tilt switch

The tilt switch has a little metal ball rolling inside a miniature metal pipe.  When the ball rolls to an end of the pipe, it closes the circuit by joining gold-plated contacts.  To protect this switch, we fit it into a specially designed support stand.

The expected life of a high-quality tilt switch typically exceeds one hundred thousands operations (open-close).  This means that, in practice, the tilt switch should last for the lifetime of the device.

- Mechanical parts and body

The top semi-transparent cover, including the lenses, is made of acrylic (Polymethylmethacrylate - PMMA).  Acrylic is also a durable substance that will not deteriorate due to UV rays (sunlight) and temperature changes.  It has excellent clarity, good abrasion resistance, hardness and stiffness.

In our implementation, the top cover is subject to pressing force when you switch on and off the device.  The material's characteristics will let it last long without breakage.

The body of the deviceis made of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).  This material is commonly used in bicycle lights, due to its properties: it's reasonably tough and it should last for years without deterioration.

The self-locking adjust mechanism inside the base of the device is made of extra-durable POM (Poly Acetal: Polyoxymethylene). It is rigid, tough, has spring-like qualities, good stress-relaxation resistance and exceptional friction/wear properties. POM Acetal is particularly suitable for our application, because it will withstand multiple bend-and-slide operations of the self-locking adjustment mechanism.

Water-resistance of our device is achieved with rubber seals.  Those have no large surfaces exposed, and should therefore not deteriorate too quickly.  To avoid damage to the rubber seals, you should apply a reasonable care when opening and closing the device to replace batteries.