{"id":247,"date":"2019-04-02T07:41:41","date_gmt":"2019-04-02T12:41:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carcampingtips.com\/?p=247"},"modified":"2020-09-19T10:37:52","modified_gmt":"2020-09-19T16:37:52","slug":"what-is-the-red-light-for-on-a-headlamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/decideoutside.com\/what-is-the-red-light-for-on-a-headlamp\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is the Red Light for on a Headlamp?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\nHeadlamps have so many gizmos and features, and it’s hard to know why you need all of them. The red light feature on many headlamps is a little confusing, especially if you are using the super bright modes and you transition to the red light mode, and you feel you can’t see at all! \n\n<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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So what is the red light for on a headlamp? The red light on a headlamp is intended for preserving your night vision while still providing some light so you can see. Additionally red light modes on a headlamp aren’t as blinding to your friends, so it is ideal when using a headlamp with a group of people. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool! Headlamps preserve your night vision. But what does that mean, exactly? Is that a good thing? Is it necessary to make sure you get a headlamp with a red light mode? Lots of good questions–let’s dive into it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Using a Red Light Headlamp Preserves your Night Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Headlamps are so convenient! It’s great to not have to occupy a hand to hold a flashlight, but they do have a downside. When you’re camping, or with a group of people at night, you’ve undoubtedly had the unpleasant experience of having what feels like the equivalent of the sun being blasted in your face by a friend’s headlamp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After some blinking, your eyes will regain their ability to see, but not without some spots that will persist for several minutes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Practical Explanation of Why To Use The Red Light Mode<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Headlamp manufacturers have been shipping with a red light mode for the exact purpose of preserving your night vision, as well as the night vision of others. Our eyes are less sensitive to low dosages of red light, which means that after you use your red light mode on your headlamp, you will still be able to see if you turn your headlamp off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical Explanation of Why To Use The Red Light Mode <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pupil of the eye changes its dilation rapidly under changing light, and is not the cause of night blindness. Rather, when a light is exposed to our retina, the chemical rhodopsin is bleached, thereby losing its effectiveness. Rhodopsin is an extremely light-sensitive chemical that resides in the rods of our retinas. It takes up to 30 minutes for the rhodopsin in our eyes to fully regenerate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhodopsin is less sensitive to red light, which allows our light perception to persist even when using a red light to see by. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When You Want to Use the Red Light Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Great, a headlamp preserves your night vision. So what? Why does that matter? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a Group of Friends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As I mentioned in the anecdote above, it can be really annoying having your night vision blasted to pieces with the full glory of (what feels like) 2000 billion lumens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s extremely natural to look at something that grabs your attention. Thus, when you have a headlamp on and someone talks to you, it’s easy to look at them. Even experienced campers and hikers will forget and glance at people directly when addressed. Therefore, it is much<\/strong> more courteous to use a red light headlamp in company so that everyone can still see and avoid the unpleasant blindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stargazing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Night vision is super important when you’re looking at the stars. It takes up to 30 minutes for your eyes to be night-vision-itized (new word!), and since many stars shine with a very low light, any amount of light can disrupt your eyes ability to see the dimmer stars. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will be able to enjoy the fantastic skies better if you use a lower level of light (such as some red light headlamps) to see by, or best, not to use any light at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keeping Your Eyes Ready<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

I’m probably just weird on this one, but sometimes it’s really amazing to be able to move around at night without any additional light. I remember when I hiked up a mountainside simply by the light of the moon, and it felt exhilarating. In those circumstances the moon can even feel too bright! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your headlamp is there for tricky scenarios, but you don’t necessarily need it. The red light mode is perfect for this scenario so you can get a little bit of light if you need it, while still being able to navigate without it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Cool Benefits To Using the Red Light Mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\t\t\t
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There are actually more benefits to using the red light mode on your headlamp. Let’s take a look. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiding From Bugs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As I was doing research, I found that anecdotally, many people have found that bugs are less attracted to the red light than the white light! There isn’t enough information whether it’s the red light itself or if it’s the weaker light output of the red light that causes this. In any case, your red light mode on your headlamp may save you from some bugs. Cool!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I actually did my own research on this and found some interesting results about which headlamp color attracts less bugs! Check out my results here:<\/p>\n\n\n

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Which Light Color Attracts the Least Bugs?<\/div><\/div>
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