Head torch red light

[Mike313]

This is probably a silly question, but can some kind person tell me - what is the advantage of having a red light setting on a head torch? Ta in advance.

 

[R3XXY]

As far as I know it's for stealth. It allows you to see where you're going and what you're doing but the light as much less visible to other people from a distance.

So I've heard.

 

[sLAsh]

Keeps your night vision. I have also heard but can't confirm that it makes blood easier to see at night

 

[david1]

its less bright and helps you keep your night vision too.

what he said

 

[homesicksteve]

Yeah, night-vision thing.....however it seems a green light is more effective !

 

[santaman2000]

Yeah, night-vision thing.....however it seems a green light is more effective !

Yes; and yes.

 

[Rosahane]

Also, many animals and especially nocturnal animals and birds can't see red light.

 

[mrcharly]

Map reading at night, etc, etc,

Doesn't damage night vision - I've found it useless for walking because I seem to have little or no depth perception when using red or green lights.

 

[Goatboy]

It may be more info than you're looking for but Neil Shubin's book Your Inner Fish has a pretty nice little section on the evolution of the human eye and the development of why the eye does what it does. And it's a pretty entertaining read.

As well as using green or red light torches there are a couple of other tricks for preserving your night vision like wandering around with one eye shut or using Quality Street wrappers as filters.

 

[david1]

Wasps dont see the red light either.

 

[petrochemicals]

So you cam play the terminator! I'll be back.

 

[Harvestman]

As above, but wildlife in particular don't see red light (some do, many don't) so it is good for watching wildlife without spooking them. Red light is no good for map reading at night as you can't see contours. That's what the green light is for. The drawback to green is that it is more easily seen by people and wildlife than the red light.

 

[santaman2000]

As above, but wildlife in particular don't see red light (some do, many don't) so it is good for watching wildlife without spooking them. Red light is no good for map reading at night as you can't see contours. That's what the green light is for. The drawback to green is that it is more easily seen by people and wildlife than the red light.

Depends on the individual maps. Aviation charts are generally "red light readable" As are most military maps. Whereas many civilian topographic maps aren't (as you pointed out)

 

[mrcharly]

Depends on the individual maps. Aviation charts are generally "red light readable" As are most military maps. Whereas many civilian topographic maps aren't (as you pointed out)

Same reason why all sea charts used to be printed only in black and white. Modern ones aren't as good to read under red light.

 

[Wayland]

Red light does little damage to your night vision.

Green light does more damage but because the eye is more sensitive to green light then a lower intensity of green light allows you to see without damaging your night vision too much.

More info here.