Outdoor LED Signs - LED Technology

A Stewart Sign can effectively inform the community. An LED message center offers key benefits that clearly outweigh the use of older wedge base (light bulb) electronic signs or manual changeable copy signage.

What is an L.E.D.? An LED or Light Emitting Diode contains a chemical compound that gives off light when an electrical current passes through it. Unlike a light bulb, there are no filaments or breakable parts that will ever need to be replaced. Stewart Signs exclusively uses LEDs provided by Avago Technologies (formerly Hewlett Packard) that have a life expectancy of 100,000 hours!

When considering an LED message center, make sure you know the manufacturer of the LEDs and the brightness of each LED. We recommend LEDs that are made in the USA, with a brightness rating of no less than 4,500 millicandelas. Many LED companies offer products with a brightness rating of 2,000 or less! This results in a dim sign that will continue to 'dim down' over a 3-5 year period.

What is a pixel? A pixel is a point of light on an LED sign. An LED sign is made up of an array of pixels (or points of light - appearing as dots). A pixel can be as small as one LED or it may contain a cluster of LEDs (3, 4, 7, etc.) that make up one pixel. The closer the pixels are together the higher the resolution of the image. The following grid shows how many LEDs per pixel are provided in a Daystar 3D Message Center:

High Definition Elite Series displays offer .7" on-center spacing between each pixel producing a crisp, clean resolution. It also provides more text options for message size. If you are looking to run text, video, animations or digital images on your Daystar Message Center, we recommend High Definition. Elite displays are comprised of individual LED boards that are 16 pixels high by 16 pixels wide with the physical dimensions of 11" high by 11" wide. All displays are multiples of these unit sizes. Click on an image to enlarge.

High Definition Premier Series displays offer .9" on-center spacing between each pixel. While there are still the same number of LEDs per pixel, there are less pixels within the same physical dimensions of an equivalent sized Elite display. Premier displays are comprised of individual LED boards that are 16 pixels high by 16 pixels wide for red and 8 pixels high by 16 pixels wide for color. The physical dimensions are 14 1/4" high by 14 1/4" wide for red and 7 1/8" high by 14 1/4" wide for color. All displays are multiples of these unit sizes. Click on an image to enlarge.

Standard Definition displays offer 1.375" on-center spacing between each pixel producing a brighter image and large text sizes that can be seen from long distances. If you will primarily run text and animations on your Daystar Message Center, we recommend Standard Definition. Standard Definition displays are comprised of individual LED boards that are 8 pixels high by 8 pixels wide with the physical dimensions of 11" high by 11" wide. All displays are multiples of these unit sizes. Click on an image to enlarge.

Is Viewing Angle Important?
Yes! You have probably noticed electronic signs on the highway that you can see from a distance, but as you get closer to the sign, the text or images disappear. Long distance viewing LEDs usually have a viewing angle between 10 and 30 degrees, as long as you are straight in front of them, you can see them. Most buildings are not situated in a position that allows for extended straight on viewing of the sign. Usually a passer-by has 5 seconds to read your sign. Stewart Signs provides a 90 degree viewing angle (180 degree viewing cone) which allows the sign to be read from the side as well as from the front.

Does weather affect an LED message center?
Yes. Consider the fact that inside your LED message center sits a complex computer system; circuit boards, surge protection, electrical connections and communication terminals that keep your message center running day in and day out. It is essential that the cabinet that protects the contents of your sign offers the following benefits:

1. The Daystar 3D Message Center cabinet is thermostatically controlled using a heater bar and cooling fans with an intake and exhaust vent to properly circulate air.
2. Our cabinet holds a NEMA 4X rating - acceptable for use in rain, snow, heat, heavy winds and other extreme conditions. Our cabinet is also impact resistant.
3. The components within the cabinet should not be mounted directly to the cabinet itself. The Daystar 3D Message Center incorporates stand offs that provide a gap between the component and the cabinet to reduce the chance of corrosion.

Remember, the cabinet that surrounds your electronic components and the conditions inside that cabinet will ensure that your investment will last for many years.

To receive pricing information and a FREE artistic rendering of a sign designed for your needs, just Request a Quote!