Lanterns-Propane,gas,battery or oil??

RU Kidding · Post by **RU Kidding** » Jul 30 2002 10:22 am

I used to have propane lanterns.Very noisy-sounds like jet fighters buzzing the camp. Two brightness settings-as bright as the Sun/brighter than the Sun. I still have 2 oil lanterns for times when I need more subdued lighting. My current favorites are Coleman remote control fluorescents.Of course the fact that I get my batteries for free could have something to do with it :idea: I am wondering what you folks use??
Randy in Phx.

Larry Bolton · Post by **Larry Bolton** » Jul 30 2002 2:06 pm

When backpacking I only take a small LED flashlight (3-4oz). When car camping I have a lantern (propane) but rarely us it. Too much light! I also have a candle lantern but I haven't used that yet.

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Jul 30 2002 3:20 pm

Candel Lantern, and a Headlamp. I also have a Mini-Mag light (2 AA) to use inside a tent or for short projects that need alittle focused light.

I HATE Coleman lanterns. To me it destroys the whole camping ambiance. If you want bright lights - stay in the city. If you want jet airplane noise, stay in the city near an airport.

Not to mention the fact that the light is so bright that it creates a serious blindness to anyone walking outside the immediate circle of light, and annoys anyone further off trying not to look at it so their eyes stay accustomed to the dark.

Okay - I'm done now.

nealz · Post by **nealz** » Jul 30 2002 3:31 pm

olesma wrote:To me it destroys the whole camping ambiance. If you want bright lights - stay in the city.

Amen. I sometimes use the red LED Photon Microlight for reading in camp. There's plenty of light to read with and when I look up from the page into the silent and eternal blackness around camp, my eyes are already adjusted to it. Good way to look at the stars too.

-Nealz

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Jul 30 2002 3:34 pm

nealz wrote:I sometimes use the red LED Photon Microlight for reading in camp.
-Nealz

That's a good idea - I haven't tried a red LED. I have used the red filter that you can get for the Mini-Mag - that works great. I've used it many a time to peruse starmaps while using a telescope - a real eye-saver.

MaryPhyl · Post by **MaryPhyl** » Jul 30 2002 4:15 pm

I use the red one to read in camp too--no bugs come to it.

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » Jul 30 2002 5:17 pm

I would have to say light from the moon. If that doesn't work than light from the campfire. And if you are in a small space, like a tent, than I'd go with a small flashlight. One of my favorite things to do hike by the light of the moon. No lights at all. If you haven't tried it you should. It's great for those who feel adventurous. I found that propane lanterns attract too many bugs, are too noisey, and you should never cook your dinner next to one.

(Long Story)

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Jul 30 2002 11:55 pm

One of the greatest hikes I ever did was Havasupai at night. We had a 3/4 moon and it was absolutely surreal out there. Just amazing. Very different looking at the landscape when the shaddows are black as soot and everything else is in shades of grey and sliver.

jeremy77777 · Post by **jeremy77777** » Jul 31 2002 5:09 am

Usery mountain at night is a great night hike and close to the valley. :idea:

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Jul 31 2002 7:42 pm

I have a wide variety of light types, propane, white gas, candle, battery and the light if the night sky. I like the sound of a Coleman Lantern, to me its like rain drumming on a galvanized metal roof.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Aug 01 2002 9:54 pm

Interesting replies to this one...I have a bunch of different options and opinions...

candle lanterns
one of the 1st backpacking accessories I purchased years ago...rarely use it, rely upon headlamps instead

headlamps
used when backpacking and sometime car camping, most reliable, easy, need only extra batteries and bulb

battery lanterns
picked up a coleman plastic lantern, uses d cell batteries (I think), love it, use it inside the tent/truck when car camping, stays in the truck for illumination at night when "outside"

coleman lanterns
although I agree with all the negative comments about these bad boys, I love mine...yes it is ungodly bright, loud, hot, heavy...but nothing matches the it for illumination, when that is what you want.

olesma · Post by **olesma** » Aug 02 2002 4:05 pm

ck1 wrote: although I agree with all the negative comments about these bad boys, I love mine...yes it is ungodly bright, loud, hot, heavy...but nothing matches the it for illumination, when that is what you want.

I have had the occasional time when I was also glad to have the light they provided - but those have always been in a large group setting. Since I don't like camping much with large groups (I really prefer to be out in the back-country with 2 or 3 good companions) I really haven't felt the need in any other circumstances.

But I agree - what they do, they do very well.

Abe · Post by **Abe** » Aug 04 2002 6:34 am

Backpacking, I use the light of a small campfire and my trusty AA mag-light to move around during the night. When I camp out of my jeep, I am embarressed to say I pack like there is no tomorrow and bring every creature comfort I can; which means battery laterns, battery radio, battery flashlight.....ect.

kurthzone · Post by **kurthzone** » Aug 04 2002 10:41 am

olesma wrote:I HATE Coleman lanterns. To me it destroys the whole camping ambiance. If you want bright lights - stay in the city. If you want jet airplane noise, stay in the city near an airport.

One night I was standing on the runway at Luke AFB with a friend watching F-16s take-off and land. The noise was deafening to say the least. While I was standing there the thought occured to me that the sound I was hearing was the same as the Coleman Lantern only amplified many more times, although I must admit, I have a liking for the Coleman sound because of the associations with camping and hunting with my father and family in the days of my youth.

Something else I have noticed: when I'm backpacking somewhere out in the wilderness, during the night I still hear and see the jets in the night sky. I don't know where you can avoid flight pattern noise in Arizona. Maybe Fritzski would know.

Website · Post by **Crymzon** » Aug 04 2002 11:03 am

Coming from my Army background I have gotten used to using hardly any light at night. In the military I was taught that, lights deaden the senses to your surroundings if used continuously-say like a small fire or when you switch on a flashlight it takes your eyes several minutes to re-adjust to the night. They may also draw unwanted attention to your location. It is amazing how good you can get at finding stuff in the dark when your life depends on leaving the light off.

I am being swayed towards getting a blackdiamond head lamp for moving at night since I no longer have my night vision goggles though. It is sometimes just too hot to move during the day.