[jeffm40]

The only interior light I have in my coupe is in the back (left) and it is working properly, but the interior is very dark even with the instrument panel alit. Is there a way to increase the intensity (brightness) of the instrument panel to help illuminate the cockpit?

Anyone else experiencing this or am I the only one?

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[flash]

um - why do you want to do that? is it for when you are sitting still?



do you not have a light over the mirror?



for those who don't know it, while driving, the best scenario is one with no interior light, and dash lights set as dim as possible and still let you read them at a glance - any light inside causes the pupils to adjust for it, making night vision degrade - the best thing you can do is create an environment whereby the pupils dialate as much as possible - this will increase your night vision capabilities



a simple demonstration of this is when you get up in the middle of the night, look around, see how much you can see - then flip on a light, turn it off, and then try to make your way back to bed in the dark - the dialated pupils allow more light in, giving you better night vision - try driving with dash lights off - you'll be amazed how much more you can see on the road

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[SILVY968]

use the light over the mirror.

pos 1 is normal; goes on with open door and with trunk open.

pos 2 is off

pos 3 is on all of the time.

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[flash]

lol - i know about position 69 - which one is position 1? lotus position?



seriously though, while i know which one does what sitting in the car as i fiddle with it, without going down and looking (because i'm just too danged lazy) and for everyone else, is 1 forward or back?

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[ds968]

"1" is forward - closest to the windshield - ( the one which turns on when you open the door ).



I can't go down to the car and check either, because I have to watch the Olympics closing ceremonies, or, Stacy Kiebler' legs on that " dancing with the stars " show. Actually, better to watch the olympics, and record her legs, so I can play it back later in slo-mo, pause... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> ahem.. ok, enough of that.. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/rolleyes.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



When driving I prefer the cabin as dark as possible, but I good for me or not, I want the instrument lights, stereo lights, etc.. as bright as possible. Just looks nicer, IMO.

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[cosimo]

I have the problem that my radar detector covers the light over the mirror. Had an incident with my wife unit trying to read a map at night almost causing divorce nbr 1051. Solution she bought me a map light that plugs into the cigarette lighter. Now she can point me in the right or wrong direction. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

lol - i'm having visions of dan staring at the dash "ooh - look at the pretty lights" as he is dazed thinking about the legs

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[ds968]

lmao <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/laugh.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />



but you're right <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ether_joe]

[quote name='jeffm40' date='Feb 26 2006, 02:32 PM']The only interior light I have in my coupe is in the back (left) and it is working properly, but the interior is very dark even with the instrument panel alit.  Is there a way to increase the intensity (brightness) of the instrument panel to help illuminate the cockpit?

Anyone else experiencing this or am I the only one?[/quote]



there are posts around here of people replacing the bulbs behind the instrument panel with LED's, increases the intensity and looks pretty kewl. look in the DIY section if you're interested.



Not sure if it's adjustable though with the LED's. I'm with flash, I've been doing joyrides at night after work, and I turn the instrument panel all the way down and the CD player off so that my eyes are fully adjusted to the darkness.



s***e - I am a forum addict - I gotta get to work darnit! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

lol - cool though isn't it? - a very well seasoned race driver told me about it 20 years ago when i was first starting on the track and had to drive my first night race - it sure makes it easier to drive fast at night - previous to turning them down, i was at odds with the extra power of the night air and lack of visibility to adequately use it - now, it's much more fun, and a lot safer



and on the leds, i don't think it is adjustable either, though i'm pretty sure something could be rigged up if somebody was that industrious

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[josephsc]

I recently bought LED replacements for that bulb -- but I haven't tried it because I haven't had the need for it. They came from Superbrightleds.com and are a direct replacement using 6 LED bulbs.



IMHO, rather than letting your wife navigate, buy a NAV system. I'm sure she'd approve since it might save the marriage! <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[cosimo]

Joseph, not sure a NAV system would solve our driving problems at night when we have to follow writing directions. I have heard some negatives on the reliability of those NAV systems anyway. You can't yell at an LCD screen for getting you lost. Actually wife is a very good navigator so giving her a map light is cheap compared to alimony payments. Our relationship has been going on for 32 years, so a little yelling and screaming every now and then only makes it more challenging. I will have to try night driving with the IP off. My only problem is not knowing what my speedo says as most of my tickets have been at night. One never knows if the car behind is the polizia and we know how they love to pull over "Porshs".

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[flash]

i have the pioneer D-1 nav unit in the denali - directions are pretty good, and a heck of a lot faster than looking it up on a map, though the voice can get annoying - haven't tried the tom tom in the trio yet



maybe move the radar detector?

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[SILVY968]

Hey Flash,



I heard that you can purchase "skins" for some of the nav devices. One has Ozzy Osbourne's voice...edited and un-edited.



" You've missed the f*****g turn you ass***e"

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[flash]

you can - i know Mr T has a skin for one of them

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[cosimo]

We residents of the great Commonwealth of Virginia have the ridiculous law banning radar detectors. So, the space between the visors, above the mirror has been a good "hiding" place for my Valentine (radar not wife) with the wiring inside the post covers and then to the ignition switch. Flash, by "pretty good" does that mean you get lost sometimes or end up in someones front yard. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/mad.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

no - but it occasionally sends me on a route that doesn't make as much sense to me as another - it will choose the most direct route, and not necessarily the fastest - there are settings though where i could tell it to avoid freeways or avoid toll roads and such - the problem i have found is when it wants to send up surface streets during commute hours in hollywood - big mess - better to take the freeways, even though they are jammed too



also, it continually tell me to "stay here" every time a highway interchange comes up or another opportunity for a course change - i'd rather it ony told me when i need to make a change in course - it presumes i am going to dodge off on every change, and tells me to stay put - rather annoying



they also have a safety feature built in, whereby you cannot enter a destination unless you are stopped and the parking brake is on - as smart as that is, and certainly safer, keeping people from futzing around with it while they are driving, that part is a real pain - i am going to see if i can get that bypassed



all in all, it's pretty cool, very accurate, has a ton of neat features, and i am glad i got it - much better than maps - it's just taking some getting used to

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