Lanterns

[RMGreen]

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]

Go to bed early, wake up and use that big lantern in the sky.

How about a campfire? Not in your tent of course.

[napster]

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]

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]

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

[napster]

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

[Ridge]

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]

I like my Zipka.
http://www.breaking-free.co.uk/index...T&productid=44

[C_Brice]

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]

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]

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.

[Seeker]

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.)

[Seeker]

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.

[DLFrost]

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]

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]

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]

Saw this recently in a canoeing catalog:
http://www.theledlight.com/glorb_lantern.html

[ZEKE #2]

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....HP_CAMPING_TOC

[Alligator]

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]

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.