Best colour for interior lights to use while driving?

SB118

SB118

SB118

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
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"Sunny" Plymouth
The kids have taken to using the interior lights in the back of the car (citroen C8) for book reading, playing, fighting, etc. But the normal interior lights are white and it kills the wifes view out the back window at this time of year.

Thinking of changing the bulbs over to the blue/amber/red versions (w5w fittings) so they can have some light in the car but not distract the driver.

Which colour is best for not messing up night vision? (considering most driving this timw of year is done in the dark!)
 
Red.

I'd look at another solution. Buy them a book light/other attachable unit. All light, no matter the colour is going to cause glare/reflection on your visibility.
 
Matching colour to the rest of the dash illumination would likely be the best option - e.g. if the dash is orange, then orange interior lights. Should minimize the distraction as it would just blend in with the standard illumination.
 
I changed mine for red (like a submarine).
Isn't it why the military use them? They don't make your eye's night vision 'switch off' even though it is the worst colour of light to work under for acuity.
The map reading lights are white anyway if required.
 
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Yeah it's called a reading light and it has to do with the focus of the light beam more than the colour.

A reading light creates contained/focussed spot of light between the passengers legs. A normal interior light simply floods the interior with light.

Some cars have them at the front, most cars don't have any, and you'll only find them in the back of the most executive of saloons. My mate's e46 BMW definitely has this at the front, it has a central light which provides flood lighting, and two little lights on the sides which provide spot lighting.
 
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