Originally Posted by
K'Tesh
I did this this test without the aid of another person. I can drive, but don't own a car. When I get the chance, I will repeat the test with a car under real world conditions (same lighting configuration). I suspect that my bike will be visible in darkened areas over two blocks away, and crossing at a light in a busy area, I'll be a lot more visible, even without directly being in the car's beam.
I think you will find the results change radically depending on how well the car headlights prevent light from shining above the low beam angle.
With my headlights on low beam, if your reflector is ~2 foot off the ground, I cannot see the reflectors at all unless I'm about a quarter of a second away from crashing into you (assuming I'm observing the speed limit, which isn't true for other drivers). I know this because the normal road/signpost reflectors don't light up at all in my car, but they usually do when other cars are driving next to me.
If, however, I have high beam on, then the reflectors will be almost painfully bright. Way brighter than any LED's. And for what it's worth, if there are no oncoming traffic and no street lights, I always have high beam on.