Reading lights

[Tournifreak]

Hello all - wonder if anyone has any ideas on this one:

I want to add some reading lights to our bedroom. I really like the sort of lights that aircraft have. i.e they produce a very small pool of light just where you want it, and it doesn't disturb the person next to you. I would like to replicate the same sort of thing at home so I don't disturb the mrs when I'm reading in bed. I can only think of 3 ways you could sensibly get that sort of small divergence:

1) regular-ish spotlight with some sort of lens system. 2) MR16/MR11 type lamp with very small divergence (but I've never seen

[Guy King]

The message from "Tournifreak" contains these words:

used to have a MR16 lamp with a snoot made from an old beer can painted black. Pool of bright light about a foot across. Turned out to be unneccessary as the wife sleeps only wakes for earthquakes and demolition explosions.

[Joe]

I did think about using a couple of feet of drainpipe in the loft to direct spotlight beams, but this was vetoed by the boss.

I put a pair of spotlights at just over sitting-up-in-bed head height at the centre of the bed. Actually, they're on a track, but we've never found it necessary to move them. Since they point slightly outwards in use, the spill over the other side of the bed is minimal.

[John Rumm]

Not quite what you describe, but I have something a bit like the tall lamp shown here:

works quite well since it has a clean cutoff of light at the edge, so you can position it just where you need to illuminate a book but not shine over the rest of the room.

[Harry Bloomfield]

Tournifreak laid this down on his screen :

For caravans you can buy small, low wattage eyeball adjustable spot lights, with a brass finish. These would seem to be what you need, providing you are fitting them at arms reach above the bed. A 230/12v transformer would be required.

[Mike Barnes]

Google on "LED Gooseneck" wotq - lots of possibilities especially if you're prepared to do a little adaptation.

or

4) An LED head torch. We use these: they're great. You can also take them away with you on holiday.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Aircraft type lights of course come from above and slightly to the front which might be difficult to do in a bedroom as the ceiling is probably too far away to get a reasonably controlled beam without using fancy optics.

How about wall mounted anglepoise units?

[Lobster]

Not something I readily admit to 'in real life' but I've taken to wearing an LED head-torch in bed for this reason (2.99 from Aldi) - does the job nicely!

David

[Clint Sharp]

In message , Lobster writes

Seconded, I have an el cheap led head torch for reading in bed so as not to wake her indoors, now if I could only cure the snoring (it puts me off my book)

[Owain]

I have a pair of cheap earmuffs - they cut out traffic noise and also keep my ears warm on chilly winter evenings.

Owain

[Owain]

Fairly widely available from audio suppliers for use over 'decks' in discotheques.

Owain

[Dave Plowman (News)]

There's this one which plugs into an XLR socket and is usually fed from a

12 volt supply. Don't think the price will appeal, though.

[Tournifreak]

Well, with 3 suggestions of LED head-torches so far, I guess that might be the way to go. But I was rather hoping for something that I could admit to in public! (I think you're all very brave) Best regards, Jon.

[Tournifreak]

Canford do that can't be bought elsewhere for *much* less! But everyone in the industry seems to go there first!? A mixing desk light was one thing I hadn't considered though. Thanks! Jon.

[Owain]

See also the 'writing notes in dark rooms' thread.

Owain

[Dave Plowman (News)]

There used to be a goose neck car map reading light that all the boy racers fitted. Dunno if it's still available, but wasn't that expensive.

[Malcolm Race]

TLC do a 12 deg, 12v, 50W lamp part no LA M49

Malcolm

[Guy King]

The message from Malcolm Race contains these words:

This bunch do a 10° 20W which may be more useful.

[Tournifreak]

though. Certainly 20W would be preferable to 50. It will be on a dimmer, but even so. 50W pointing on my shiny head would illuminate the whole room! Jon.