Okay, I admit it.  I'm paranoid.  I'm looking for every edge I can get out there, and I lack the experience to know what I need.  A few months ago, long before I got my GS500, I noticed a motorcycle coming toward me at an intersection.  I thought there was something wrong with his headlight because it was flickering.  Some weeks after that, I saw another motorcycle light flickering, and at that point, I realized that it had to be intentional.  I did some searching and finally figured out that I was looking at a headlight modulator.  There aren't many motorcycles around here with them, but I was impressed with how much easier it was for me to see the rider from my Jeep.  So, I want one.

I've done some reading, but what would really help the most are the thoughts of those of you who might have actually tried the things.  I've found three manufacturers, and several reviews.  In case someone ever searches out this thread in the future, I'll include links to the reviews I found.

1.  Kisan P115W $100
Manufacturer website:  http://www.kisantech.com/kisanWeb3/frameSample.htm
Review: http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/modulator.htm

2.  Comagination Visipath $60-$70
Manufacturer website: http://www.comagination.com/modulator.htm
Review: http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/comagination/visipath/visipath.htm

3.  Signal Dynamics Diamond Star $90
Manufacturer website: http://signaldynamics.com/products/DiamondStar/dshm.asp
Review: I couldn't find one

Here are my thoughts from a first time buyer.  The Kisan got a good review.  A followup post to that review compared the Kisan to the Comagination and liked the Kisan much better, but the reviewer responded that the Kisan could only be used on high beam and that some headlight shells would not be large enough to accomodate the Kisan.  Given the wide cost differential, it looks like the Comagination is a better choice than the Kisan.

The Signal Dynamics is also an interesting choice.  It is more expensive than the Comagination at $90, but it adds a few nifty features.  It can be toggled between three modes.  One mode is off.  The second is normal modulation, while the third is a more subdued modulation designed to be used in traffic where you might annoy the driver in front of you.  Additionally, the Signal Dynamics unit is wired to your bike horn so that you can use the horn to trigger a short burst of modulation.  This is useful because at night modulation in all of these units is disabled by a sensor.  By hitting the horn, you can fire off a short burst of modulation at night to get attention.  Because of all the features, this unit looks a little more difficult to install.

To me, it looks like a close call between the Comagination and Signal Dymanics units.  The Signal Dynamics modulator costs $90, but it has more features.  On the other hand, the Comagination modulator got a very favorable review, and at the moment it can be had for $84 with an included tail light flasher here: http://www.comagination.com/modSuzuki.htm   That's a pretty hard deal to resist.

I would really appreciate your thoughts on modulators in general and which of the units might be the best choice.  Thank you.

Smooth Dave

What i will say about headlight modulators is that i will ALWAYS have one on my bike. I had one on my cbr600, god rest its soul, and everyone and THEIR MOM stayed away from me. I'm not sure about the brand, i got it off of ebay, but i DO KNOW that modulators can save your ass and along with a loud exhaust, give you some comfort on the road. Hope this helps.

jon

My dad has one on his shadow. So many people will pull over thinking your flashing them.

Thanks for the feedback.  It doesn't seem like a lot of people here use one, and that would be consistent with what I see on the road-which is not a lot of them.

I ordered the Signal Dynamics unit this afternoon.  That one won out because it had the most features.  It can be turned on and off, and it has two levels of annoyance.  It can also be triggered with the horn.  I got it for about $80 from www.customdynamics.com, so it was about in the middle as far as price goes.

I'll follow up with a post after the install.  This is my first mod, except for Kerry telling me how to reverse that switch in the clutch.  Should be fun.

Smooth Dave

Yeah, please post back here when you get it installed.  I would like to know how the installation went.


Chris

Hay, if you have a digital camera take lots of photos of the install process and I'll make up a "how to" page about it.

wow, after reading that it seems as though you know more about modulators than we* do. * by we i mean me . I'd personally go for the $90 one, just cuz its got the most bells and whistles, but to each his own.  

Did anybody get one of these? If so, which one, and is it worth it?

edit: also, the kisan one says this "pathBlazer uses a soft-switching technique. It throttles the current flow through the bulb filament, so that there's no "thermal shock" due to a sudden inrush of current, which can damage the bulb filament or shorten it's life considerably. This is far superior than maintaining a small voltage!"

None of the others say anything like this....do they? Seems like this would be the best choice if you want your bulb to last longer

Quote from: porsche4786 on May 10, 2006, 08:20:50 AM
..................... the kisan one says this "pathBlazer uses a soft-switching technique. It throttles the current flow through the bulb filament, so that there's no "thermal shock" due to a sudden inrush of current, which can damage the bulb filament or shorten it's life considerably. ......................
None of the others say anything like this....do they? Seems like this would be the best choice if you want your bulb to last longer

My guess is that they all work this way, otherwise they would be at a great disadvantage.

I've been using my Kisan headlight modulator for three seasons now -- same headlight bulb so whatever magic they do to prevent filament burn-out seems to be working.  Never noticed any thermal problems with the nacel or lens -- the bulb is a 55w/60w so don't know why there'd be a greater heat problem.

I liked the Kisan approach to just plug the module between the headlight plug and the bulb itself.  Only effort was to thread the daylight sensor and that was only a 10-minute job with provided tie-wraps.  To me simple means better -- the more bells and whistles the more to go wrong -- not to say that the other modulators are bad.

I use the modulator mainly in heavy traffic, usually when there's a strong potential for left turns.  Have also used it in rural rides when the sun is low in the horizon -- noticed that some people pull out from sideroads without sufficient checking.

I learned of the effectiveness of MC Headlight Modulators the same way Dave did -- saw one coming at me from the other direction and I had to work to not notice it.  That hooked me.

These things can annoy but they can be very useful.    One thing for sure -- you become "very visible" to opposing traffic. 

There is a guy on a cruiser on 295 who passes me everyday with one of these. All that I can say is that you DO in fact notice these. Not many have them in these parts.

Can you turn it off completly? I think I might just go with the signal dynamics one because it comes with an auto/off switch just incase I want to use hi beam in the daytime without having it flash. Plus it's quite a bit cheaper from customdynamics--$63 plus shipping. but then again, does it have that "soft switching" thing.

Quote from: RedShift on May 11, 2006, 03:31:19 AM
I've been using my Kisan headlight modulator for three seasons now -- same headlight bulb so whatever magic they do to prevent filament burn-out seems to be working.  Never noticed any thermal problems with the nacel or lens -- the bulb is a 55w/60w so don't know why there'd be a greater heat problem.

I liked the Kisan approach to just plug the module between the headlight plug and the bulb itself.  Only effort was to thread the daylight sensor and that was only a 10-minute job with provided tie-wraps.  To me simple means better -- the more bells and whistles the more to go wrong -- not to say that the other modulators are bad.

I use the modulator mainly in heavy traffic, usually when there's a strong potential for left turns.  Have also used it in rural rides when the sun is low in the horizon -- noticed that some people pull out from sideroads without sufficient checking.

I learned of the effectiveness of MC Headlight Modulators the same way Dave did -- saw one coming at me from the other direction and I had to work to not notice it.  That hooked me.

These things can annoy but they can be very useful.    One thing for sure -- you become "very visible" to opposing traffic. 

Quote from: porsche4786 on May 11, 2006, 09:16:57 AM
Can you turn it off completly? I think I might just go with the signal dynamics one because it comes with an auto/off switch just incase I want to use hi beam in the daytime without having it flash. Plus it's quite a bit cheaper from customdynamics--$63 plus shipping. but then again, does it have that "soft switching" thing.

Kevin, I'm not sure I understand why you would want to show a High-Beam during the day unless it is to make yourself more visible than with your Low-Beam showing.  Seems to me that's enhanced with a modulator pulsing away.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=26612.0