bigh123

Hi All,

What is the deal with BMW, MB, and Audi all liking the orange color for interior dashboard lights? Is there something I don't know about or is it a Euro thing? Also, how many bulbs/leds are there for the interior comfort lighting. Can those be switched to white? I know other models let you change the color of the interior comfort lights. I wish e350 did too!

Thanks

CEB

Warmer colors red/orange preserve your night vision. White/blue diminishes your night vision. That's why Audi has red dash lights and Euro cars use reddish interior lighting.

BenzV12

W221 and CLS can have three different interior lighthing options as far as I am concerned .
I presumed red colors were not eye friendly at night driving , thanks CEB for your informative reply

hyperion667

that is interesting CEB, I have been using the blue in my cls.....
but then again, I don't drive much at night, but it is getting darker
a bit sooner....
the blue is just so fresh and so clean...
guess I'm used to the orange in our E's...
then again, I haven't seen those lights since winter

K-A

Exactly. The orange/yellow warmer colors are easier on your eyes, and on long drives will especially be easier on your eyes. Not to mention, they look more elegant in that classic luxury way. I always find hyper white lights inside to look harsh and like a Dr's office. Hyper white outside lights is the way though.

bigh123

Is this true or your opinion?

WEBSRFR

Same reason you see red/reddish lights in submarines... To preserve as much of your night vision as possible. Conversely I think blue harms your night vision the most.

My Volvo IC lights are mostly green and I notice it is much more comfortable to drive and see out at night in my Mercdes than the Volvo. Might have something to do with the Bi Xenons also...

The red/orange colors definitely have an added comforting and warm feel... Very nice for setting the mood when you are out on a date Love how the ambient lighting illuminates the face of your passenger at night so you see her face as you drive and chat... Almost like candlelight at a restaurant table. Not sure if white or other color would have the same effect...

K-A

It's like the lighting in someones bedroom. IMO nothing is cheesier and harsher on the mood/eyes than LED white lights. I dunno if people have eyes that are impervious to the hardness of the hue, or that they don't care because there's this common frame of mind that "LED white = kewwl".... which I do agree with, however, only when it comes to lights for show. When it comes to interior lighting function, it usually doesn't make any sense, unless in a clinical type of environment (office building, Dr.s office, etc.)

mnje350

CEB is absolutely correct. All aviatiation cockpit lighting is a blood red color for the same reason. Preserve night vision. Even the flashlights you can buy for aviation use have red filters for supplemental cockpit lighting.

Plus, the warmer colors are more inviting than the cooler color temps for interior applications. Headlights on the other hand, super white.

ttoE550

I thought this was a cool thread. Discusses the military angle, plus the "green vs red controversy".

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...n-Preservation

hyperion667

MB has to know this too......why would they use that polar color I wonder?
it's such a pretty color under the CF

K-A

Probably just for styling and gimmickery like that.

I also think that it really depends on the interior combo as to what looks good. For example, your CF trim and grey interior looks good with the white/blue light hue and would look probably odd and "off" with amber hue. My almond/black and Walnut would look really tasteless with bright blue hues as the ambient lights I'd think (looks perfectly blended with the amber hue).

hyperion667

very true, and agreed.......
the amber just looks all wrong in the cls(with CF)

bigh123

Thanks all. Really interesting.