As I idled into the bay area of [redacted] Motors, curious mechanics stood onlooking from afar. I turned the ignition key into the off position, and slowly opened the door.
A mechanic approached. "How can I help?", he greeted warmly. I explained the reason for my visit. What I was not expecting, however, was the almost instantaneous validation of my chosen design problem.
"Lighting is one of the single biggest problems we have". I have never been so joyed at others misfortune.
Around the shop I went, the mechanics enthusiastically (?) describing the light-related problems they encounter each day. They were eager to show the lights they utilize (including custom-built rigs), and to talk of the flaws in existing solutions. As I suspected, many of the problems I faced at home were also faced by these mechanics.
Interviewing strangers can be a daunting, but ultimately rewarding process.
Some key points:
- Every mechanic stated lighting was a *huge* problem.
- No amount of overheard or fixed lighting helps when working within the engine bay or interior - "The darkness swallows you up"
- Lights are "the most abused tool in the shop". Durability is a huge problem, even on expensive models.
- Positioning and angling existing solutions was completely impractical or downright impossible depending on the design.
- Corded lights were frustrating and problematic to use.
- They resorted to using custom-built solutions in many cases, but these had their own problems.