Date:         Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:23:07 -0700
Reply-To:     Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Vanagon Winter Survival Kit Question
In-Reply-To:  <m1vdhvxe78.fsf@cs.indiana.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

 RE: Lamps and Lighting
All this discussion of lamps, bright and otherwise prompts me to make this
suggestion.  For illumination around you camp at night I think you will find
that less is more. Just enough to be comfortable but not so much as to blind
you.  Once your eyes become even a little bit accustomed to the dark very
little light is needed.  And in fact very bright lamps like the typical
Colman mantle lantern are usually much brighter than needed.  And being
blinded by such lamps is even a small hazard when you need to walk away from
the immediate area and it takes your eyes several seconds to begin to
adjust.  Try going to a gathering of amateur astronomers some night, a star
party.  Any white light, no matter how dim, is strictly forbidden, only low
level red light is permitted.  You'll be amazed at what you can see and do
in very low light.  And think about how nice it is around a campfire when
illumination levels are really quite low.  So next time you are thinking
about trying to illuminate the whole township when camped think about
turning it down a little.  I think you'll enjoy the night even more.