Sun visor mirror lights - really?

[alanvw]

My wife and I went for our first ever test drive in a Volt yesterday evening.
One of the first things we noticed when we got in the car and flipped down the sun visors was how the visor mirrors are lit. We expected something like LEDs would be used…obviously not the case! (it looks more like 1974 Corvette lighting). Anyone know if these bulbs can be replaced with something a little more in line with the car’s nature and modern look?

[solar_dave]

There are a couple threads around about replacing virtually all the lighting with LEDs.

[scottf200]

My wife and I went for our first ever test drive in a Volt yesterday evening. One of the first things we noticed when we got in the car and flipped down the sun visors was how the visor mirrors are lit. We expected something like LEDs would be used…obviously not the case! (it looks more like 1974 Corvette lighting). Anyone know if these bulbs can be replaced with something a little more in line with the car’s nature and modern look?

IMO, here's the major common sense point you two are missing. You only need to use the most efficient lighting for lights that are regularly used and on for a duration. Similarly when I replaced many lights in my house with CFLs I did not need to replace every one of them ... only the ones I mainly use. Replacing the ones I rarely or occasionally use percentage-wise does not saving much at ALL!! HTH

[jkoeller]

IMO, here's the major common sense point you two are missing. You only need to use the most efficient lighting for lights that are regularly used and on for a duration. Similarly when I replaced many lights in my house with CFLs I did not need to replace every one of them ... only the ones I mainly use. Replacing the ones I rarely or occasionally use percentage-wise does not saving much at ALL!! HTH

My issue with the stock interior lighting is with the old yellowish color - not the power consumed. Although I haven't changed out the visor lighting yet, the rest of the interior lights (and license plate lighting) were fairly simple and inexpensive to replace with LED's. I think it adds to the already high-tech look of the interior, and bonus - the fade-in/fade-out affect still works. There's a reason jewelry stores don't show off their wares under warm-colored standard 60W light bulbs... it simply doesn't flatter what's under them.

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[Koz]

My issue with the stock interior lighting is with the old yellowish color - not the power consumed. Although I haven't changed out the visor lighting yet, the rest of the interior lights (and license plate lighting) were fairly simple and inexpensive to replace with LED's. I think it adds to the already high-tech look of the interior, and bonus - the fade-in/fade-out affect still works. There's a reason jewelry stores don't show off their wares under warm-colored standard 60W light bulbs... it simply doesn't flatter what's under them.

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You are not a specular, multifaceted piece of jewelry. If you prefer the look of LED (note, LED color rendering and color temp can vary greatly), then go for it. One if the biggest issues with selling LED lighting for indoor spaces, after cost, is poorly received and inconsistant color and color rendering. I sell lighting for a living and I want to see LEDs succeed. They are getting better every day but still have a way to go for many apps.

[fishhawk]

I suspect these visors are common with some other GM car. Look at the steering wheel; the buttons for bluetooth and speed control are the same as other GM vehicles. Helps control cost through higher volume.

[WopOnTour]

You are not a specular, multifaceted piece of jewelry. If you prefer the look of LED (note, LED color rendering and color temp can vary greatly), then go for it. One if the biggest issues with selling LED lighting for indoor spaces, after cost, is poorly received and inconsistant color and color rendering. I sell lighting for a living and I want to see LEDs succeed. They are getting better every day but still have a way to go for many apps.

Sounds like you know what you're talking about Koz. (vis-a-vis color temperature) My wife tells me she greatly prefers incandecent lighting in the sun-visor mirrors (and indoor make-up mirrors) as warmer light provides better make-up application and assessment. Anything to that?
WOT

[AZ-Volt]

I think there is some merit to that WOT. I have or am replacing most all other lights with LEDs but decided to skip the vanity mirrors. Partly due to the infrequency of use but I too thought the standard yellow color provides more realistic lighting for face checks!