Great post. I, like many, do not understand the fascination with aftermarket lighting.

Steez you are missing the whole topic here. Listen LED Lights are not illegal if they are USCG approved the LED strips that go in rubrails or stick to the boat above or below the rubrail is illegal. Do you understand now.

i feel bad for the guys that cut their rubrail and now have lights that aren't legal. Sucks for them.

According to local gw here, the led,s under the rubrail or under water, are legal if not turned on while underway. They stated it confuses some people who have a hard time seeing at night. And it overpowers the red/green running lights. It is legal to turn them on when anchored or drifting while fishing. That is why I put the green led strips under my rubrail. To attract bait and fish at night. I don't need them when underway anyway. It isn't for the "bling". But they do look kinda cool.
As far as using leds to replace running lights, the code reads the light can be led if they meet uscg regulations. My

I put red/green LED CG approved strips just below my rub rail. I spliced into the nav light wires & can still use the pole lights for legal use if the LED fails. I put mine on, not for the cool look, but, more for others being able to see me for safety reasons. I did it because the LED lights are better seen in low light/foggy conditions. I also mounted a white CG approved LED strip wrapped around my Talon support leg thats used when i lay my Talon over. I can also still use the regular pole light at stern if the LED happened to fail & it's not a wiring problem .Its just a matter of personal preference. Yes, I want to be seen in the dark. For safety, not because its cool looking. I DON'T HAVE to put my pole lights in but still carry them for backup.

I also put the 4"red/green led strip on my hand rail above my center console because my trolling motor blocks the green factory light somewhat on the bow. I wanted the added assurance others can see the direction I am going.

Where did you buy CG approved led lights at?

a good read.
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg545/alerts/1015.pdf

What's the purpose of being a smart [censored] with Law Enforcement Officials other than being a dick?

Long time no see, DT. Hope you're doing well and Happy Holidays.

Ya I don't see any of these online.

You to sir. Much has changed since I've visited with you last! All is well though. I thought I'd get on here today and look around since I'm headed to Fork to fish today.

Coach,
Ive been looking through my receipts trying to find it.. I guess i should have saved the packaging. Since i rigged mine as a redundant system i never thought about it. I still carry my pole lights in the boat. Its been almost 2 yrs. maybe an aircraft type????. Ill keep looking & hope to find it again & I will post it for everyone. I guess i cant PROVE it without the packaging but do remember seeing the CG approved labeling on the package. If im asked by a GW I'm juat SOL.
Im like eveeyone else though. If they #1. IMPROVE visibility #2 are mounted according to CG regulations of angles of visibility etc. etc. i question law enforcements TRUE intent as #1.just being a way to generate revenue. & #2. turn law abiding civilians into law breakers just for that purpose.(revenue)

Found it. Looked it up on my phone also. Went to the Amazon.com. Bad news for me. Tried to look it up & sure enough: Sold as CG approved. Per Amazon.com::: item has been removed & is no longer available.
So, there we go. They apparently had an item from a vendor being sold that had false printing on the packaging & removed it for LEGAL purposes. Cant blame them.
The only LEGAL option i guess would be to buy the LED CG approved bow light with the single LED bulb & mount it on the pole for underway navigation.
It STILL doesnt change MY opinion on strips/multiple bulb LEDS, as i HAVE seen them with one or two that are out but the rest in the string are STILL operating. Therefore still working & not a totally failed light .
Solution pole lights in during low light/poor visibilty conditions & go fishing. Good news, i can operate my LEDS as I understand, when im fishing & NOT underway, which is WHY i put them on in the first place. Hopefully to be seen & NOT ran over by an idiot operating at unsafe speed during fog. Yes, its the ones running 60+mph in fog because they are following their GPS track. I've seen it & heard them in fog so thick you couldnt see past the trolling motor. Those are the ones we would ALL like to see the GW's go after. But how can they? They cant see either to safely chase them down. Cant blame them either.

A lot of the guys that run the poles don't ever replace them... either to dim to see at 100-200 yards or faded so bad you can't tell the color...L.E.D are way safer in my opinion.... YOU CAN SEE THEM!!! Ok so put the pole light in and run both... what can they do about that? I would just rather be seen then not seen or other guy not know what direction I'm going....