The one thing I can't stand about BMWs . . .

[cgj]

Regardless of the colors, I still think the SAAB nightpanel was the best choice for dashboard lighting. Never owned one, but an option I wish had caught on.

[turbo_nine]

Regardless of the colors, I still think the SAAB nightpanel was the best choice for dashboard lighting. Never owned one, but an option I wish had caught on.

This or heads-up, really. I've driven with Night Panel and wish more cars had it...

you know, on purpose. Instead of just dead dash lights.

[Shomegrown]

Submarines and other similar type systems use red not because they are 'easier' on the eyes.

They are red, because it causes less pupil constriction. Which means, it affects your 'night vision' the least.

Now, since one generally uses night-vision optics in the dark (duh!), why are they usually GREEN?

Uh, I think that means the same thing.

"Easy on the eyes" means the gauge lighting isn't straining your pupils and affecting your ability to do the primary task you're trying to perform (driving a car/sub/whatever).

[clutchrider]

Case in point on the drivers of BMW's. Today at work someones brother stopped in, young kid in his early 20's from NY. Had the Jersey type of look with one earring and was up in the area for a job interview or something. But he had a brand new 335 in white with a black roof and black wheels. Not sure if that comes as options from BMW (never paid much notice), but I kinda rolled my eyes at the whole thing cause it was symbolic of the stereotype.

I am not envious of BMW's although I would never turn one down, personally I'd rather have a C63 AMG just because I feel they are more rare and just look more badass.

[N2OInferno]

Submarines and other similar type systems use red not because they are 'easier' on the eyes.

They are red, because it causes less pupil constriction. Which means, it affects your 'night vision' the least.

Now, since one generally uses night-vision optics in the dark (duh!), why are they usually GREEN?

Because the human eye is most sensitive to green/turquoise, so details are easier to pick out and you can see the most under dimmer lighting conditions. Dim red light will preserve night vision, but green does so with more contrast and less light output.

Any brightly colored light will ruin your night vision though. Best to keep the gauges as dim as you can stand.

[Brendan@bwalkauto]

The combined nerd powers of TCL never cease to amaze me.

I resemble that remark.

Uh, I think that means the same thing.

"Easy on the eyes" means the gauge lighting isn't straining your pupils and affecting your ability to do the primary task you're trying to perform (driving a car/sub/whatever).

More to the point, rhodopsin (pigment that enables night vision) doesn't bleach with red light. If you view short wavelength light, the rhodopsin in your eyes gets bleached, aka, burning out your rods. Takes twenty to thirty minutes for your eyes to recover from that, and for your night vision to go back to normal.

You won't notice it too much in a city, but drive on a back country, unlit road at night, and then look at the highbeams on an oncoming car. It'll be awhile before you lose the big burned dot, and your vision goes back to normal.

[timmy222]

I'm surprised the Mustang 'MyColor' option didn't take off else where?

I mean as this thread shows we all prefer different ambient lighting

So why not just give drivers a choice?

[S0RRY]

I rarely use it nightpanel. It doesn't turn off the blinding airbag light or onStar indicator which makes it kind of useless IMO. Cool feature, but poorly implemented and less useful in real life than it might seem like.

[dubjager]

I have no complaints with the blue in my MK4. The red in my E34 is amazing though. I don't find the blue tiring at all and I have it set fairly bright.

[RobMarkToo]

I like the Leaf Cluster. Super readable and pretty futuristic without being cheesy. This is the main panel but there is a separate speed readout above it that isn't in this pic.

[sky_khazer]

Red is the most functional color. I like it.

i like it too!!

[Khyron]

I'm surprised the Mustang 'MyColor' option didn't take off else where?

I mean as this thread shows we all prefer different ambient lighting

So why not just give drivers a choice?

I LOVED this idea, because since it's such a personal thing, why blacklist your car for something as trivial as color. Unfortunately I also hate the retro mustang gauges, no matter the color. Boss ones are bit better. With the move to solid LED gauge panels we'll hopefully see a lot more choice.

[Snake Hips]

I never had any color of gauge display bother me for its color alone, but my Audi's red pattern is very nice at night, and thought it was awesome if anything when I first bought it. I figured it as a "sporty" sort of thing instead of a biologically-ergonomic kind of thing.

[Taipei_E92]

Interesting thread about a mundane topic!

I used to be in the camp of "I think that BMW's amber lighting looks dated." However, I've never thought the color of the dash lighting to be a deal breaker. 2 years into owning my E92 3 series, I have to say I really appreciate it...very readable in all lighting conditions, day and night.

My only beef with BMW's dash lighting is the HVAC lights...why do I have those ugly green indicator lights for my AC settings amidst all that orange? Is it THAT important that my car signals I'm recycling my cabin air? I don't get it! Please enlighten!

[TetsuoShima]

All of TCL has really weak eyes. If you all think blue is "harsh" on the eyes then you need to get checked out lol. Then there are the guys who don't even want to see any dash lights at all...don't understand that either lol.

[dubjager]

All of TCL has really weak eyes. If you all think blue is "harsh" on the eyes then you need to get checked out lol. Then there are the guys who don't even want to see any dash lights at all...don't understand that either lol.

I always thought the blue was soft... But I guess everyone has different eyes.

[Bigtree]

are the owners....

[Egz]

All of TCL has really weak eyes. If you all think blue is "harsh" on the eyes then you need to get checked out lol.

It might be the other way around. Maybe your eyes are so poor that you need something really bright just to be normal

[clutchrider]

I had a buddy who would dim his S40 dash to black when driving at night. I never got it. I don't mind the blue used in the Ford and Hyundai's nowadays, it's new and flashy. Mine may be boring with red/white but the needles contrast very well, it's simple to read without having to give a long gaze and keeps it clean.

[TetsuoShima]

It might be the other way around. Maybe your eyes are so poor that you need something really bright just to be normal

lol...that actually could very well be it.

I just always loved good dash lighting. I do a lot of night driving so I find if I'm in a pleasent place to be with nice ambient lighting then I'm a happy camper. I get incredibly bored if I have a really boring/ugly gauge/lighting setup...guess that's my really weird automotive pet peeve/quirk.

[hushypushy]

I like the Leaf Cluster. Super readable and pretty futuristic without being cheesy. This is the main panel but there is a separate speed readout above it that isn't in this pic.

On the left of the cluster, is that a temp gauge for the batteries?

[Brendan@bwalkauto]

On the left of the cluster, is that a temp gauge for the batteries?

Yes.

[DustinM]

I'm partial to a light amber, much like what my old Sentra had in it. Low eye fatigue, while being visible.


This has uprated orange bulbs, which really only make it brighter.


The left side of this one isn't quite right either, it was only slightly less orange than the radio backlight. I tend to keep mine at full brightness, unless I'm doing long distance night driving, in which case it's just bright enough to see.


This is blinding, and stupid.

[spongebob_squarepants]

I like the amber best I think.

I never found the VW Indigo to be difficult on the eyes, but I kept it really dim.

Not a fan of the white gauges found in Dodge products.

Do the new Mk6 VW's still use indigo, or are they red now?

[caj1]

Do the new Mk6 VW's still use indigo, or are they red now?

White

[TetsuoShima]

This is blinding, and stupid.

Yea, probably because it's a ****ty aftermarket job.

[R-Dubya]

I like the Leaf Cluster. Super readable and pretty futuristic without being cheesy.

I beg to differ.

[DZD]

Problem Solved!



http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05...-optional.html

Clearly BMW is reading TCL!

[Chris_V]

Hmm. I like my BMW's red gauges. But I also like my Mustang's MyColor gauges set to a soothing dim purple.

[PsyberVW]

If you know your car well enough you shouldn't have to look down at the gauges to tell what RPM you're at.

Stupid argument, but ok, HERTZ gave you car you've never driven before.

And 2 feet, crucify me. It's still close enough to be visible regardless of the color.

"visible" doesn't mean "scannable".

I can see this web page from 3 feet away. That doesn't mean I can read every visible post on the page in .25 seconds and give you the highlights.

[Khyron]

Problem Solved!



http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2012/05...-optional.html

Clearly BMW is reading TCL!

SOOO much better, and note not one of them is a single color. Top left is my fav even though generally I like blue.

[PsyberVW]

SOOO much better, and note not one of them is a single color. Top left is my fav even though generally I like blue.

Top left would be my choice as well, since the needles contrast with the static elements. though I would prefer more color in the needle and less light in the background.

[DUBLUV401]

one thing I can't stand about BMW's is that all the new ones have run flats.... kind of annoying when you don't have a spare tire. also the run flats are way more expensive than non run flats....

[Khyron]

one thing I can't stand about BMW's is that all the new ones have run flats.... kind of annoying when you don't have a spare tire. also the run flats are way more expensive than non run flats....

Lots of zee Germans are running no spares - it's ok in Europe but crazy in a lot of places in North America. 5 mins to get back on the road, or 2-3 hours waiting. If you can't change a wheel to begin with then I guess it doesn't matter since you're waiting either way.