Replacing car interior map lights with LED, what color is better functionally?

[evident]

My map light just burned out on my accord, and see a bunch of places online selling LED lights as replacement. most of them are the cool white color, but can get some with the stock replacement amber. which is actually better for viewing stuff at night? i'm more concerned about functionality. also, i feel like a cool white color might blind people behind me if someone needed to turn it on while driving.

does it really just come down to personal preference? I just want the most functional, non-rice option!

 

[twinrider1]

Given that you'll usually be using it in the dark, I'd go with the amber. Bright white is too bright at night.

 

[Mark R]

There isn't a lot of difference. Both will wreck any dark adaptation of vision and at high brightness, both will warm and cold will appear similar.

One advantage of very "cold" lights, is that at low brightness levels, vision is generally better than with "warm" lights. However, at the brightness levels produced by a typical car reading light, this would not apply.

 

[brainhulk]

Don't pilots use red?

 

[Vetterin]

Just replace the dome, map, license plate, trunk and side marker lights in my, my wifes and my sons cars with white LED's and we all are happy with the results.

 

[Pulsar]

Don't pilots use red?

Yep, because it's the only color aside from white that doesn't degrade contrast and hurt your vision.

You know those bluestar headlights that suck giant donkey balls and blind other people? Yeah - blue destroys contrast and doesn't let you see as clearly as white. They're just brighter.

Bad headlights are one of my pet peaves about other drivers. Derp derp, I'm going to turn on my brights because one of my dim bulbs is burned out. Herpy Derp.