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TeamPig
Intermediate Member
127 Posts |
 Posted - 10/03/2004 : 7:45:16 PM
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What are the best color lights (indirect) out of the ones listed below for preserving night vision while out on the boat?
I would like to take account for the offshore enviroment. For example, in the hospitals they use blue colored lights to preserve night vision, since blood is red and with a red light, blood would be difficult to see. Are there any situations that anyone could possibly think of that would deter me from using the standard red lights? What color do you think would be best for rigging bait under?
This will be dash and cockpit lighting (indirect) versus spreader lights or map lights which are direct forms of lighting.
--> Red
--> Blue
--> Orange
--> Green
--> Amber
My main goal with this is to get a good understanding of the scenarios that could possibly happen offshore at night that would not nessecarily need full lighting. Like the hospital situation, which color of light would be the best. |
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chris V
Senior Member
7010 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2004 : 9:21:48 PM
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ive always used red. doesnt the military use red, like the navy, on the bridge.
SANITY MAINTENANCE II
courtesy gentlemen courtesy!
2-3 and 9 seconds apart, YEAH RIGHT!!! |
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Fish n Mistress
Senior Member
538 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2004 : 9:29:12 PM
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All of those colors are good except it is the intensity at which you use them. How about no light and just a pair of NVG's.  |
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TeamPig
Intermediate Member
127 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2004 : 9:39:48 PM
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These will be LED Lights, which come in lengths anywhere from 3" to 48" and vary "degree" of intensity (according to the manufacturer), so intensity will be adjusted for based on the area the light strand is being placed in. Right now I am planning on doing two colors on an [A] or [Off] or [B] switch on the dash. This way I could light the "Night Vision" or just a regular white when working on the boat at night, not both combined.
As for the red, I'm trying to get some ideas on why red might not be a good color, such as the hospital scenario as described in the original post.
Really what I am asking is not so much "What's the best color" but the scenarios that a certain color would not be best in. I'd like to dig deeper than red is just the standard, "everyone uses it" and find out why that is so.
I know it's probably asking too much.
---- Tally ----
1 Red |
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chris V
Senior Member
7010 Posts |
Posted - 10/03/2004 : 9:59:27 PM
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teampig
never got that far into the reasoning, other than, im sure that the military has spent lots of money figuring out which to use.
spent alot of time on the water after dark, and it just never seemed that important. I always just have the anchor light on the t-top, to prevent glare, and only turn on other lights when i need task lighting, whether it be red or white, depending on the task. usually stars or moon light provide best lighting for far off viewing. dim the instrument back lights as much as possible.
what would you be needing this lighting for?
when gaffing or fighting a fish, the spreader light comes on, and a spot light is at ready for use in manuevering, when the spreader light is on. other than that, its just ambient light.
SANITY MAINTENANCE II
courtesy gentlemen courtesy!
2-3 and 9 seconds apart, YEAH RIGHT!!! |
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TeamPig
Intermediate Member
127 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2004 : 3:44:36 PM
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That is exactly my point. We're not looking at what color, but rather why that color was selected. Hospitals use blue because blood is red and red ambient light would "hide" blood. In a hospital, the staff needs to know that the liquid on the floor is blood (in the dark, the patient is not disturbed), so the proper medical attention is given.
The military probably did spend thousands of dollars on deciding to pick red, but the military does not do any fishing with their boats (Swordfish). So I am attempting to take account for things that red (or any of the other colors mentioned) washes out the things that would need to be seen. Remember, there will be two sets of lights one will be a dedicated "night vision" which will be based upon whatever color is selected here and then the normal "white" lights.
Also, these lights will not be used for looking at things beyond the gunnels of the boat, that is the spreader lights job. |
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chris V
Senior Member
7010 Posts |
Posted - 10/04/2004 : 5:35:21 PM
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still cant figure out what the need for such advanced lighting technique would be, you wont be practicing micro surgery or anything, will you?
the ambient light, and the glow from the t-top mounted anchor light, and 1-2 low wattage color lights will provide enough light to move around the cockpit, and flip on a courtesy light in the gunnels for knot tying etc.
the concern with the hospital not using red, is to not turn on a white light to disturb the patient, here if there was any question, you just turn on the spreader light, tend to what needs tending, and turn it off, and 30 seconds later your night vision returns mostly, and another minute, and your seeing just fine.
seems way over engineered to me, but I always enjoy increasing the knowledge base, so keep us posted on the results.
SANITY MAINTENANCE II
courtesy gentlemen courtesy!
2-3 and 9 seconds apart, YEAH RIGHT!!! |
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just one more
Intermediate Member
147 Posts |
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LIKKA LOGGA
Senior Member
2123 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2004 : 07:34:58 AM
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This is one of the dumbest discussions I've ever seen in my life. Who cares about the science behind the color, the fact is red works. End of discussion! No need for a full fledged investigation!
THE LOGGA "GREAT REPORT" |
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chris V
Senior Member
7010 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2004 : 11:43:37 AM
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nice contribution there likka
obviously HE cares
if it is such a dumb discussion, then why did you lower yourself to even comment about it.
personally, when I see something really dumb taking place, unless its dangerous, I normally just shake my head slightly and walk away thinking man that was dumb, I dont usually dumbup myself by getting involved, but thats just me.
SANITY MAINTENANCE II
courtesy gentlemen courtesy!
2-3 and 9 seconds apart, YEAH RIGHT!!! |
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LIKKA LOGGA
Senior Member
2123 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2004 : 1:05:41 PM
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Chris, I could not bite my tongue any longer. I tried not to say anything, but couldn't help myself. How about this, I was stationed on a USCG Cutter for four years and when it got dark all of our interior lights automatically switched to RED. I don't know why they chose this color, but it worked. Sorry about earlier, I was running on an empty stomache. I'm not a nice person when I'm hungry!
THE LOGGA "GREAT REPORT" |
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mike7653
Senior Member
1544 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2004 : 7:21:19 PM
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the color red is used because is has the least effect on the color rods in our eyes...it does not cause fatigue due to "reduced" light and allows us to see and focus at night...no other color in the spectrum does this...hence the reason military vessels and aircraft use red at night....this is also the theory behind "cajun red" line....stick with the red and preserve your night vision...
Mike Crouch
Sea Tow Chas |
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Somethin-Fishey
Senior Member
817 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2004 : 8:17:29 PM
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US Navy uses red on surface ships, but Subs use blue now (We used to use red) Seems that after long term testing the blue was easier to switch between light and no light. Red may give better overall night vision, I dunno, but i know your eyes will recover quicker from blue than red.
Edgewater 245CC/F150's |
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TeamPig
Intermediate Member
127 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2004 : 8:19:04 PM
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Red it is for the "night vision" color.
Now, since this is a three piece boat, these LEDs will be mounted on the underside of the cap and will encompase/light the entire perimeter of the interior.
Which color for the other set of lights on the underside of the cap? |
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crazy horse
Senior Member
599 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2004 : 12:48:54 AM
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"US Navy uses red on surface ships, but Subs use blue now (We used to use red)"
Sorry but I was a Black shoe on a few Surface Ships(Targets) and in CIC we always had blue lights. Had yellow lights in the passageways and reds for all exterior lights.
I would use the red lights personally, though white lights properly dimmed work also.
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Somethin-Fishey
Senior Member
817 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2004 : 05:46:49 AM
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Those were the only ones we got to see  
On a side note, I just put in a flurescent light and I'm using an old blue sleeve on it instead of red, maybe I'm more used to it, but it is easier for me to see at night with it.
Edgewater 245CC/F150's |
Edited by - Somethin-Fishey on 10/06/2004 05:49:31 AM |
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chris V
Senior Member
7010 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2004 : 11:10:42 AM
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is this going to be something you use 2-3 times a week for night fishing?
that seems like a lot of light
before hardwaring, you may want test your plan
sure seems like a large expense and alot of work
SANITY MAINTENANCE II
courtesy gentlemen courtesy!
2-3 and 9 seconds apart, YEAH RIGHT!!! |
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Reelly Old
Senior Member
1338 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2004 : 2:59:12 PM
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Red lighting will also wash out any other red besides blood - red lines on unlit guages, red warnings on charts, red symbols on chart plotters. Once had a flight student spend hours highlighting a nav chart in red - for a night training flight in an aircraft with red interior lighting. As I recall he was lost after the first turn out.
Back to the fishing report forum, Licking Log, your uselessness is expected there. 
Take an Old Man Fishing Today! |
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TeamPig
Intermediate Member
127 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2004 : 4:08:32 PM
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Now, we've gotten some ground covered on what red would washout on a boat. What are some potential things the color blue would washout offshore at night?
There's almost enough support to throw out the red alltogether, which I had figured before posting the thread.
Also, the wiring and rigging will not be a problem. |
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chris V
Senior Member
7010 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2004 : 4:13:49 PM
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arent lots of labels on beer cans blue?
this could be disasterous, if you drank the wrong brand.
also you might get into trouble in a slight chop with looking like a police boat.
SANITY MAINTENANCE II
courtesy gentlemen courtesy!
2-3 and 9 seconds apart, YEAH RIGHT!!! |
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Topic |
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Lights and Night Vision: What's The Best Color?
