Red Light

[jet486]

Going bush for my holidays and using my new viewing tent from Sirius Optics I'm hoping to get a few nights of dark skies and I was wondering is there a red latern that I can use inside my tent without compromising my night vision. I've seen simular lanterns in outdoor camping stores which are battery charged with two different settings but they emit white light. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Cheers

[erick]

Wrap layers of red foil around it? ( Edit:- sorry, I meant cellophane, thanks Ingrid. Foil? :rolleyes: That would stop you losing night vision :D)

Open it up and paint the LED or lamp with red paint. I have a special paint from an arts supply place. Designed to bake into a ceramic finish. I don't, but it gives a good result with a couple of coats.

[DiamondDust]

Or red cellophane (about $2.50 for pkt 3 large sheets at a newso). Cover whole lantern/torch and secure with rubber band.:hi:

[mental4astro]

I bought a $5 headband torch from Paddy's Markets and cellophane cut to size to cover. The more layers of film, dimmer the light. Can be regulated to your preference that way.

I also made a mask for a 12V spotlight lantern too. Made a ring of cardboard that slips firmly over the lantern, with some vents cut into the card, and the three layers of cellophane taped on, some 3cm from the lens so it does not melt. Use it when setting up, and remove the mask when packing up.

[jet486]

Thanks everyone. I'll think the best way is to use red cellophane paper.

[[1ponders]]

If you can contact a studio lighting supplier they can supply a red gel that goes over studio lights. Only needs one layer (cellophane will need a few). Alternatively any automotive nic nak shop (you know the one that have everything your car needs but you never realized was essential) has red lens paint (like nail polish) for repainting the glass/plastic stop lens of you car. Just keep adding layers until its dark enough. Make sure you wait for it to dry properly between layers otherwise it wrinkles. Not that that makes much of a difference on a lantern when you're 200 km from civilization. Appearances are everything of course. :D

[astronut]

Try BCF (Boating, Camping, Fishing) stores, they have small lanterns with red led's.:)