I blame technology. I have some ancient LED's. @10ma they are barely visible. The same T1-1/4 today that I get could blind you at 10ma. I run them at 2,
I blame the guy who programmed the PWM value on the "LED" signal, from one of the GPO bits...
i painted the front of one with silver paint before I installed it. I have done everything from mechanical to electrical to dim these. A resistor would be easiest if you knew the value beforehand. Or maybe a trim pot. That is what My Manley amp has.
I was referring to how LED's have gotten way more efficient over time. My old LED's are just in a bin, not dimmed by usage. Cree really up'ed everyone's game years ago. Opto-electronics have come a long way like chips since the 70's.