LED deck or spreader lights

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The reason for that is that the illumination level was the same, idea being of course compare different wavelengths at the same level.

No, footcandles (or lux) take into account the sensitivity of the eye. It is luminous flux not radiant flux.

In simple terms the horizontal scale is how bright the image would appear to a human observer.

Originally Posted by a64pilot

1. US Military after using red light only for decades changed to blue / green because they are stupid.
2. They know what they are doing, enough so that just maybe they have done some testing of their own with the Billions of dollars spent on night fighting capability.

No, they are not stupid . The lighting they use is entirely appropriate. You cannot operate a modern aircraft and preserve your scotopic (rod) vision. Night vision equipment is used if vision at these low levels is required.

Sailboats are different.

The premise that lighting that is ideal for modern military jets is the same as for a sailboat is wrong.

Keep those red lights

[noelex 77]

Originally Posted by Kelkara

The trouble I have with red light ... is that when looking at a paper chart, the information you most want at night (the lights) is printed in magenta ink ... which becomes almost invisible under a red light.

As you point out red light is horrible to use. It severely compromises the ability to process complex information. Colour information is lost.

If someone is firing a missile at you red light is not he best choice. You need detailed, imediate, electronic information to avoid the threat.

However, when sailing there are situations such as trying to see unlit navigation marks, or perhaps trying to make out the crab pots where the best night vision is critical. Often there is still a need to know basic information at the same time from instruments, charts, pilot books etc. Red light is the best solution for presenting this informaion with minimal disruption to the most sensitive aspects of night vision.

If you need to study the chart in detail white light is often the best solution. It may be worth compromising the best night vision for the best chart information, but it will take some time (many minutes) before your best night vision is recovered.

The availibility of red light gives you options.

[svbravo]

Originally Posted by sailcrazy

All are wired/switched independently, but I also added an intruder light switch to my Nav panel below. If we every hear unknown noises on the deck- one switch lights up the whole boat! Works good, and it's effective.

Our spreader LED “flame throwers” and rear arch flood are wired similarly. Individual switches in the cockpit, with a second set of switches at the owner’s bunk. If we hear an intruder on deck at night, we can hopefully scare away w a flick of the switch. That’s the theory, anyway, happily never had to test it!!!