Map Lights

[pixitha]

So I am finding that the map lights in the Yaris (2007 Sedan) are REALLY annoying to use at night. I am a bit odd (i think) and I cant stand lights shining in my eyes from inside my car while im driving at night. Now I dont mean just light in general, I mean light where I can see the bulb and such. (so indirect light is fine).

My old car (1994 subaru legacy) had the best map lights I've ever come across. They were set back into a housing with a lens focusing the light to each seat. They didn't just spread light everywhere, and I couldn't see the bulb.

http://pixitha.com/images/yaris/DSC_0132(s).JPG

Now the Yaris map lights have a very large plastic cover to spread the light around (with a rather lame attempt to focus it) and It is horrible to drive with.

http://pixitha.com/images/yaris/DSC_0138(s).JPG

Im hoping someone might have a better idea than my ghetto rigged setup, of a piece of paper in-between me and the actual map light.

(When my wife and I drive longer trips she likes to read, or read out loud, and I know yes we could try to use a book reading light).

Anyone have any ideas?

[GeneralDon7]

What about an LED with the actual LED pointing away from the driver?:iono:

[pixitha]

I thought about getting that LED array some people have on the forums, but when i posted in that topic asking if the light was directional or kind of everyone, they made it seem like it was "Everywhere" so it might not help.

If anyone has the LED array installed in their map lights, can they help confirm this for me?

thanks!

[ozmdd]

How about retrofitting the Legacy lights you really like into your Yaris? Shouldn't be that difficult, and it looks like you only need to narrow the housing and it might fid directly over the gap left by the Yaris housing. Alternately, you could create a blank plate to fit the Yaris opening (black plastic?) and cut openings for the individual Subie lights/switches. I'd just try to narrow/mount the entire Legacy panel, which should be $20 at a junkyard.

[Creeper]

if seeing the bulb is a problem and not the spread of light there is a special paper that they use for thearters and lighting effects that you put infront of the bulb and it makes it so you cant see the bulb but the light still gets through. had to use it on my dash vent lights. not sure where to get it or how much it is my fiancee is a sound and light designer and she had some of it laying around. looks almost like tracing paper but clear