GarageBoy
Flashlight Enthusiast
What's the best light to use to read maps or books in a dark vehicle for extended periods of time? (meaning, no Lux or Cree lights on low, I hate how the hotspot is still distinct and causes glare)
Best reading light for use in a dark car?
- Thread starter GarageBoy
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
scubasteve1942
Enlightened
I use my HDS edc on 10 lumens and put a red filter on it.
Last edited:
ElectronGuru
Flashaholic
There are numerous book lights:
http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/home-office/stationery.asp?PID=15694&z=y
And something rather unique:
http://www.lightwedge.com
http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/home-office/stationery.asp?PID=15694&z=y
And something rather unique:
http://www.lightwedge.com
Last edited:
swxb12
Flashlight Enthusiast
I keep an old Inova X5 in the car...just flood. I've been very interested in trying one of those multiple LED lights on DX that run on a single AA battery.
Let me also put in a recommendation for the Ray-O-Vac 1xAA headlamp that they sell at Walmart for $18+. Once you flip the diffuser over the hotspot is gone - just flood. Makes a great overall car light for emergencies such as tire changes.
Let me also put in a recommendation for the Ray-O-Vac 1xAA headlamp that they sell at Walmart for $18+. Once you flip the diffuser over the hotspot is gone - just flood. Makes a great overall car light for emergencies such as tire changes.
I'll second the Inova X5. A MiniMag with the NiteIze 3-LED drop-in also throws a diffuse wash of light with no hotspot. A headlamp is probably the most practical. Something like the PT Quad would allow you to adjust the intensity--again, without a hotspot.
Flying Turtle
Flashaholic
Yet another opportunity for me to recommend the Photon Proton. The six white LEDs give a nice flood and the variable level control lets you get it just right for reading. The multi-levels of Eternalights also let you tune the brightness for reading.
Geoff
Geoff
KentuckyMike
Enlightened
I was going to start a similar thread, GB. We tried using an A2 as a car reading light, but my wife found it too long/thick/heavy. It fits my hand wonderfully, even for fairly long periods, but the artifacts on white paper will drive the flashaholic nuts in no time. Some drivers may find the LEDs too bright, but it may work for others. If it's comfortable ergomically for the reader and visually for the driver, this might be a perfect glovebox light. LEDs for reading and map-checking, incan for roadside emergencies, inspections, searching the trunk, etc.
You may want to look into a Fenix Dart....perfect for this application, inexpensive, LONG runtime, and readily available cells (could even do NIMH and a car charger!!) Otherwise, look for an old single LED keychain light. Just stay away from button cells...too expensive and poor runtime.
I have a 2xN-cell brass Peak that I just picked up w/ a single white (angry blue) Nichia....perfect size for her and brightness for us both, but the blue hue gives us a both a headache for reading. This is a very personal thing that each "team" will find different solutions to. We've tried a LOT of lights, and several worked (some very well), but we're both so damned particular the hunt for the perfect compromise continues...
You may want to look into a Fenix Dart....perfect for this application, inexpensive, LONG runtime, and readily available cells (could even do NIMH and a car charger!!) Otherwise, look for an old single LED keychain light. Just stay away from button cells...too expensive and poor runtime.
I have a 2xN-cell brass Peak that I just picked up w/ a single white (angry blue) Nichia....perfect size for her and brightness for us both, but the blue hue gives us a both a headache for reading. This is a very personal thing that each "team" will find different solutions to. We've tried a LOT of lights, and several worked (some very well), but we're both so damned particular the hunt for the perfect compromise continues...
scottaw
Enlightened
Haven't used it in the car, but i've used my red X5 for reading when i don't want to interrupt someone.
Vickers
Enlightened
Another vote for this setup. You can literally read all night if you desire.
My sister-in-law used mine for several nights a couple of weeks ago (she was in my daughter's room and didn't want to disturb her), and I never even had to recharge the batteries.
mdocod
Flashaholic
a HEADLAMP
GarageBoy
Flashlight Enthusiast
that's why we need to advocate loud and clear we need low low mode
jetbeam-u with <3 lumens low will be perfect for reading ihmo, clip on your hat
X5 is too bright in my experience..X1 has been okay..so that's my standby for now..
The problem with reflectored/opticed lights that use the cree or luxeon is even on low, you still have a concentrated hot spot and a dim spill..
but jetbeam u is ssc, all flood
Oddjob
Flashlight Enthusiast
I keep a Gerber Infinity Ultra on my dashboard as a quick access light since my EDC is usually in my pocket and I don't want to have to dig for it. I have also found the Fenix E0 very good for the the same purpose. The only thing is they both have a bluish tint. If you want white-ish I think you would have to go with a multi level light on a low setting. I find that the hotspots on really low settings (less than about 2 lumens) are not an issue.
I've found the easiest way is to use my Arc on a carabiner keyring, and clip it to the sun visor hinge, points down to my lap. My interior driver/passenger directional light doesn't work.
When I was on duty as a guard, watching a construction site from my car, I used a cheap Energizer headlamp with a red LED, sat it on the dash, and pointed it down to what I was reading. When you get accustomed to reading with red light, it's actually quite pleasant.
Research says its good for maintaining night vision, though personal experience says it with the little light you need, it doesn't make much difference.
When I was on duty as a guard, watching a construction site from my car, I used a cheap Energizer headlamp with a red LED, sat it on the dash, and pointed it down to what I was reading. When you get accustomed to reading with red light, it's actually quite pleasant.
Research says its good for maintaining night vision, though personal experience says it with the little light you need, it doesn't make much difference.
This is the first link I found with a pic:
http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/page/bb/PROD/LED4AA1BP&sr=froogle
Local Target has them marked down from $6.99 to $4.99. My friend who posts here as Robocop has been using one of these, and a 4 LED version for some time, and I finally got around to getting one after looking at his again last week. Actually I got all four that they had on display, but three were to give away...
http://www.batteriesandbutter.com/page/bb/PROD/LED4AA1BP&sr=froogle
Local Target has them marked down from $6.99 to $4.99. My friend who posts here as Robocop has been using one of these, and a 4 LED version for some time, and I finally got around to getting one after looking at his again last week. Actually I got all four that they had on display, but three were to give away...
A comment on the healdamp suggestions... it needs to be an appropriate headlamp. For example, the PrincetonTec EOS has a too defined hotspot (even with Writeright on the lens) and the PWM on low bothers me. The Petzl Tikka XP with its diffuser offers a much smoother beam for reading and I don't notice the PWM. Something like the older PT Aurora with multiple 5mm LED's would work well.
A Photon keychain light covert edition might work well to not throw light to the sides.
Almost forgot the best one...
http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?html=learnmore.html&productID=1771
I have one and keep it plugged into my cigarette lighter all the time. It provides a very smooth wash of light reminding me of light coming from a movie projector or the CentralLED Worklight but not nearly as bright. Perfect for reading in the car and recharges in the cigarette ligher.
A Photon keychain light covert edition might work well to not throw light to the sides.
Almost forgot the best one...
http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/edpd/pagebuild_v2.cgi?html=learnmore.html&productID=1771
I have one and keep it plugged into my cigarette lighter all the time. It provides a very smooth wash of light reminding me of light coming from a movie projector or the CentralLED Worklight but not nearly as bright. Perfect for reading in the car and recharges in the cigarette ligher.
VidPro
Flashlight Enthusiast
my solution was to change the dome light in the car to a unregulated quad led. if the reason your using a seperate light to read in the car, because you will end up with a Dead battery, change the car bulb instead i can leave my dome lights on for a week, and still start the car,and when there is alternator power, its much brighter than a regular dome.
george80 sells full powered dome replacments, but its not that hard to do it yourself.
other than that i would recommend something i dont have to Hold, or headlamp, that has a good flood, or i add a diffusion to , it could be ANY bulb item, when you direct the light , lower the power, or diffuse it out.
i can leave my dome lights on for a week, and still start the car,and when there is alternator power, its much brighter than a regular dome.george80 sells full powered dome replacments, but its not that hard to do it yourself.
other than that i would recommend something i dont have to Hold, or headlamp, that has a good flood, or i add a diffusion to , it could be ANY bulb item, when you direct the light , lower the power, or diffuse it out.
Last edited:
Pax et Lux
Enlightened
Personally, I find a Minimag with Nite Ize is too blotchy. For any close work you can see that it is made up of three light sources.
I'd like to make another vote for the Gerber IU. For me, the perfect reading in bed (or anywhere else dark) light. It's easy enough to hold it without getting cramp.
I'd like to make another vote for the Gerber IU. For me, the perfect reading in bed (or anywhere else dark) light. It's easy enough to hold it without getting cramp.
