Quote:
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.
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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.