View Full Version : Lanterns
I did a couple of searches and didn't see anything helpful, so pardon me if this topic has been hit several times before and I missed it...
I'm getting started on backpacking, and I want to be able to see in the dark. I'm not 'ultralite' or anything like that, but the idea of a bulky lantern or carrying a bunch of batteries doesn't appeal to me.
Can anyone recommend a solid LED lantern that I could use in my tent at night? Preferably something I could read by.
I've done a little research, but the reviews I've read have been inconclusive if not outright contradictory. It's tough to know what to believe.
Any other tips on how you like to handle lighting would be appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance.
Ray
saimyoji
03-08-2006, 18:33
Go to bed early, wake up and use that big lantern in the sky. :D
How about a campfire? Not in your tent of course.
RMgreen you ever tried a headlamp? Heres one with 8 LEDs http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/corona.html. My nite vision aint all that myself but I get by fine with a 3 LED headlamp
longshank
03-08-2006, 18:39
RMgreen you ever tried a headlamp? Heres one with 8 LEDs http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/corona.html. My nite vision aint all that myself but I get by fine with a 3 LED headlamp
Try eating more carrots, nappy.
RMgreen you ever tried a headlamp? Heres one with 8 LEDs http://www.greatoutdoorsdepot.com/corona.html. My nite vision aint all that myself but I get by fine with a 3 LED headlamp
I saw various headlamps, but I wasn't really sure if they were appropriate for my needs. I'm not planning on hiking at night, and I'd like the light to be sharable with my wife who will be in the tent with me. I guess I was envisioning an unfocused lantern that would give general light in the tent that we could both use independantly. We've used flashlights on our previous car camps, but I don't really want to pack one of those.
Then again, a headlamp might be ideal for the 'reading before sleep' requirement. Maybe it would work for general lighting purposes as well. I'll look into it.
Thanks.
Ray
Ray I read myself to sleep everynite and use my headlamp on low so as not to disturb my wife. Headlamps Rock. Walmart has a 8 LED headlamp for 14 dollars. It might help you to decide. Good luck
If you are just reading and not trying to hike, any led headlamp will do. I like the Petzl line of lights. For hiking use at least a 5 led headlight. I converted my Petzl Duo to a 5 LED light, works great and batteries last a long time.
2Questions
03-08-2006, 20:08
I like my Zipka.
http://www.breaking-free.co.uk/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=44
Just a thought here....
Has anyone tried making a reflector that would enable a person to use a headlamp as a lantern. I might have to try making a base and using the inside of a soda can or tim foil as the reflector. It might be much better than a candle lantern and you would still be able to remove the reflector for using your headlamp.
Any other ideas?
Chris
2Questions
03-08-2006, 22:23
I'm wondering why you'd want a lantern that dispels light everywhere versus a headlamp that shines light where you want it?? If it's just for ambience purposes, I suggest a candle lantern or a nice fire.
Hikerhead
03-08-2006, 22:34
The head lamp is the way to go. Most now have the ability to use (in my case) one, two or all three of the LED's. I also carry a mini mag. Most people don't know that you can turn the mag into a lantern by twisting off the focusing beam and attaching that to the other end thus making a stand and a pretty nice lantern/candle.
Can anyone recommend a solid LED lantern that I could use in my tent at night? Preferably something I could read by.
CMG makes something, i think it's called the "bofire" that's a yellow-light sort of thing. GREAT light solely for reading in a tent or hammock. however, at about $20, i was disappointed in it's construction, and the whole hanging apparatus is weird... the end cap is just a piece of rubber that snaps over the end, the batteries are held in by a sliding piece of metal that came loose whenever it was bumped too hard, and the switch isn't really all that simple to click on and off... you have to work it some. the plastic casing itself it fine. the hanging cord wraps around the thing, vs there being two attaching points (the intuitive thing to do), which i thought was a little odd. but overall, it's a great reading light. my daughter loves it. it's just not what i prefer to carry (at 4oz, it's only use is reading. casts no beam at all, so you can't even use it to go pee. my headlamp is under 3 oz, and i can read well enough by it, so that's my preferred choice.)
CMG makes something, i think it's called the "bofire" that's a yellow-light sort of thing. GREAT light solely for reading in a tent or hammock. however, at about $20, i was disappointed in it's construction, and the whole hanging apparatus is weird... the end cap is just a piece of rubber that snaps over the end, the batteries are held in by a sliding piece of metal that came loose whenever it was bumped too hard, and the switch isn't really all that simple to click on and off... you have to work it some. the plastic casing itself it fine. the hanging cord wraps around the thing, vs there being two attaching points (the intuitive thing to do), which i thought was a little odd. but overall, it's a great reading light. my daughter loves it. it's just not what i prefer to carry (at 4oz, it's only use is reading. casts no beam at all, so you can't even use it to go pee. my headlamp is under 3 oz, and i can read well enough by it, so that's my preferred choice.)
where's the danged edit button!!?! it's BONFIRE, not BOFIRE... sorry.
Can anyone recommend a solid LED lantern that I could use in my tent at night? Preferably something I could read by.
{...}
Any other tips on how you like to handle lighting would be appreciated as well.
I carry the Princeton Tec Scout (headlamp) and Eclipse2 (button light, with the clip-holder mounted). For reading, I hang the Eclipse from the bugnet line of my hammock switched on to the low setting. Lightweight, even with a backup set of batteries.
Doug Frost
icemanat95
03-09-2006, 08:28
For a while, the folks who made the original candle lantern, made a replacement base with a single LED lamp in it. Runs on some watch type batteries. Very usable amount of light, very light.
Dances with Mice
03-09-2006, 09:57
Any other tips on how you like to handle lighting would be appreciated as well. From a previous thread on WB: http://www.imrisk.com/teacandle/teacandle.htm
sliderule
03-09-2006, 10:03
Saw this recently in a canoeing catalog:
http://www.theledlight.com/glorb_lantern.html
I vote for the headlamp. It's been a big hit with the grandchildren when they come with me on "mini trips". I also carry a candle lantern. You'd be suprised how much area this lights up.
http://www.rei.com/category/4500586.htm?vcat=REI_SSHP_CAMPING_TOC
Alligator
03-09-2006, 11:45
CMG makes something, i think it's called the "bofire" that's a yellow-light sort of thing. GREAT light solely for reading in a tent or hammock. however, at about $20, i was disappointed in it's construction, and the whole hanging apparatus is weird... the end cap is just a piece of rubber that snaps over the end, the batteries are held in by a sliding piece of metal that came loose whenever it was bumped too hard, and the switch isn't really all that simple to click on and off... you have to work it some. the plastic casing itself it fine. the hanging cord wraps around the thing, vs there being two attaching points (the intuitive thing to do), which i thought was a little odd. but overall, it's a great reading light. my daughter loves it. it's just not what i prefer to carry (at 4oz, it's only use is reading. casts no beam at all, so you can't even use it to go pee. my headlamp is under 3 oz, and i can read well enough by it, so that's my preferred choice.)
I immediatelys sent mine back. Get two LED headlamps. If you want central lighting, say in a tent, hang one from the middle of the tent roof. Alternatively, a Photon II type light can be shined down, while both occupants retain their headlamps, for an activity such as cards, etc.
LIhikers
03-09-2006, 12:25
use a mini-mag flash light with the lense cap removed as a lantern. Find something in the roof of your tent to hang it from, upside down, to light up the tent.
I did a couple of searches and didn't see anything helpful, so pardon me if this topic has been hit several times before and I missed it...
I'm getting started on backpacking, and I want to be able to see in the dark. I'm not 'ultralite' or anything like that, but the idea of a bulky lantern or carrying a bunch of batteries doesn't appeal to me.
Can anyone recommend a solid LED lantern that I could use in my tent at night? Preferably something I could read by.
I've done a little research, but the reviews I've read have been inconclusive if not outright contradictory. It's tough to know what to believe.
Any other tips on how you like to handle lighting would be appreciated as well.
Thanks in advance.
Ray
Seems like I've bought all the cheapies....
For a low-cost personal light get the River Rock headlamp from Target. $15. This is the best of the cheapies. A headlamp is much more useful than any flashlight. Each of you get your own for individual reading, midnight bathroom trips, etc. Google "river rock headlamp".
Now if you just want an area light, then LIhikers has the best solution - problably the only reason to carry a mini-mag anymore. The bulb on a mini-mag will put out a wider swath of light than possible with any LED light on the market.
Kevin A. Boyce
03-09-2006, 13:06
Looking at Campmor's site, they have a few LED lanterns for sale, one being the Essential Gear Quattro 4-LED Lantern
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=39182290&memberId=12500226
I have a latern/flashlight combo that I use for car camping that I think is made by Everready, I got it at a Lowes or Home Depot. It is not an LED though, it looks like a flashlight, but you slide the handle and it turns into a latnern. Actually a cool item, but too heavy for backpacking.
I have also heard of people using a little homemade gadget using a small opaque plastic dish/container taped to their headlamp. When hung it makes an OK little lantern/lamp. It may be bright enough to do tasks with, but it may be bright enough to read with. I have tinkered with it, mainly when I was sitting around bored once. Personally, it is not worth it, I always end up hanging my LED headlamp when doing tasks in the tent that do not require me to worry about directing the light.
Catch you later...
KevBoy
jasonklass
03-09-2006, 21:27
Like others have said, go with a headlamp. I used to use a candle lantern but the light they throw off is useless and they're way too heavy. Also, the head lamp is multi use: you can use it on or off trail. If you find yourself having to venture out of the tent for some reason in the middle of the night, a candle lantern isn't going to be of much use. But a head light will be and you can read w/ it too. I use a Princeton-Tec EOS.
Blissful
03-09-2006, 22:31
For our Boy Scout troop and to use on our section hikes, we got the Eclipse lightweight butane gas outdoor lantern. Weighs 9 oz. has a push button ignition. The other hikers at the shelters in SNP really liked having it for light when we hung it on the rafter. This was in the springtime though when it got dark earlier. By summer it's light enough to see at bedtime. I would never carry it on a thru hike, but for weekends, sure.
Nearly Normal
03-10-2006, 02:10
Try http://www.minibulldesign.com/index.htm
pete
Jack Tarlin
03-10-2006, 02:44
Lots of good ideas so far....
I know it was a well-intended suggestion, but don't, and I mean NEVER hang a candle lantern or any other kind of candle or open flame in your tent, ever. Many tents are extremely flammable and can become engulfed in fire in a few seconds.
Allowing an open flame in or anywhere near your tent is a really good way to get horribly burned or worse.
Stick to a headlamp or battery-operated lantern.
JoeHiker
03-10-2006, 17:39
Last fall when I was hiking I brought only a headlamp. It was OK. Then some friends came up for the weekend to hike with me so I stopped off in a town and bought one of those heavy Coleman gas lanterns. I figured I'd just use it for them and let them take it back with them when they left.I was surprised to find I loved the thing so much that I held on to it after they left. It was ridiculously heavy and really contrasted with the ultralight way i had prepared for the hike. but it was so nice having ambient, full-shelter lighting that it was totally worth it to me. Next time I hike I'll look for something lighter, but I definitely want an ambient light source like a lantern. It is so much nicer than just a headlamp. No comparison.
Last fall when I was hiking I brought only a headlamp. It was OK. Then some friends came up for the weekend to hike with me so I stopped off in a town and bought one of those heavy Coleman gas lanterns. I figured I'd just use it for them and let them take it back with them when they left.I was surprised to find I loved the thing so much that I held on to it after they left. It was ridiculously heavy and really contrasted with the ultralight way i had prepared for the hike. but it was so nice having ambient, full-shelter lighting that it was totally worth it to me. Next time I hike I'll look for something lighter, but I definitely want an ambient light source like a lantern. It is so much nicer than just a headlamp. No comparison.
Joe makes a valid point. In the spring and summer, the days a long. It stays light in the evening, and then it's bed time. But, in the fall, it gets dark very early. So, I'll bring along my candle lantern then. Nice to spread some more light around than just my headlamp.
I use a photon flashlight at night (almost weightless, so it doesn’t count) for general rummaging around in my pack, setting up camp, and some night hiking when it’s necessary.
I have a very bright (and heavy) LED flashlight (4.1 oz) for emergencies, night water crossings, and night hiking in the absence of moonlight if the photon isn’t effective.
I use a tea/votive candle in camp for general lighting. I’m not thrilled by the prospect of catching things on fire so I avoid using a flammable lens.
I bought a candle lantern replacement chimney/lens which fits around the candle and its thin aluminum cup-type base. The candle and lens work well if you’re assured of a fairly level fireproof surface on which to place them and it isn't windy enough to blow them over. This two-piece set-up isn’t safely portable when the candle is lighted.
I usually use a handmade silver “Indian Pawn” candle-holder cup (1.6 oz) - gaining a few style points - which is slightly larger in diameter, with slightly higher sides, than the tea candle. Unlike with a lens, light doesn’t penetrate the walls of this candle holder; light shines upward and outward at an angle.
Both “candle lanterns” are fairly wind resistant, and I doubt either weighs as much as any of my headlamps.