To whom this may concern,
I
am asked this question often by customers, especially those who buy in
bulk to distribute at an event, and are seeking to maximize every
dollar.
“Why
buy Made in USA Reflexite/Orafol® or 3M® reflective belts? We can
get similar looking belts for far cheaper from China or Korea.”
I
ask in return, “Are you interested in a promo giveaway or in a safety
item? If you want a promo, then take the Chinese material. It’s cheaper –
in price and in quality. You’ll get your logo out to more people, for
sure. But if you care to keep people safe, and especially if your
organization is one that represents safety, such as a PD, FD, or EMS,
then PLEASE make the prudent choice, and opt for the brand-name, made in
USA belts. Simply put, dare to compare. We’ve done, and continue to
do, our own extensive field testing, as have many other recognized third
parties (ANSI is one such organization). The Reflexite USA belts are by
far the brightest, with 3M coming in as a close runner-up. They can
often be seen from blocks away, and those are the ubiquitous Bright
Ideas™ belts you see so often and from such a distance around Lakewood.
That extra few hundred feet of vision can make all the difference
between a motorist avoiding or colliding with a pedestrian or bicyclist.
The motorist has those few precious seconds to steer away or brake.
Considering that so many pedestrians and bicyclists in our town are
dark-clothed, and many roads are poorly lit, do not contain sidewalks,
and are not straight, it is all that more crucial to grant our citizens
the greatest chance. Obviously, you care about their safety. That’s why
chose to hand out reflective belts in the first place. If so, please
give them the best shot at it.
Another
several pointers: The USA made material is more durable, meaning it
will last longer. That’s more for your money. In addition, it is
engineered to reflect even when wet, such as in the rain or snow. Those
are times when visibility is reduced and braking time is prolonged! And
lastly, when a pedestrian or bicyclist dons a reflective belt, they
assume they are now visible. It is a disservice at the least, and
dangerous at the most, if the belt you give them does not own up.”
Some quick specs to compare:
Orafol USA 340 series retro-reflective material: Luminance of 580
candelas/lux/sq meter. Exceeds the minimum reflectivity requirements of
ANSI/ISEA 1072010 for Level 2. Withstands up to a minimum of 75 washes.
Typical Chinese material : Luminance of 300
candelas/lux/sq meter. Does not meet the minimum reflectivity
requirements of ANSI/ISEA 1072010 for Level 2. Withstands up to 25
washes.
Thank You,
Y Leiman,
DontGetHit.com
