Still real world useful?

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **on:** October 26, 2009, 10:11:59 PM

I was looking at this today, and I'm trying to decide if it's still useful to have, or is just a quaint piece of olde worlde nostagia

http://www.heinnie.com/product.asp?s=mig9kf604030&strParents=&CAT_ID=0&P_ID=4581

For the size, weight and run time, something like a tail standing AA torch would be more useful surely, and without the attendant fire risk

Freudian Frog · **Reply #1 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:14:04 PM

Yeah... I'd stick to a modern light. =P

jzmtl · **Reply #2 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:15:46 PM

I use the mini one that uses a tealight, although I admit it's more of a toy. Still a candle is much more energy dense than any battery you can find, and can provide heat and fire when you need it.

AHB · **Reply #3 on:** October 26, 2009, 10:16:07 PM

Somehow these always reminds me of an old Dracula movie... Wonder why..?

But they will without a doubt bring a certain atmosphere when used.

Bowman1911 · **Reply #4 on:** October 26, 2009, 11:31:02 PM

I voted definitely yes. Power goes out, either those, oil lamps, or propane torches for the long haul. Was without power for almost 3 weeks in flooding due to Andrew & Floyd. Those are still pretty useful.

Spork, Lord of Lime Jello! · **Reply #5 on:** October 26, 2009, 11:42:08 PM

Works best if there is solid steady surface for it to rest on and it does not get moved or bumped. I've hung mine inside a tent or from a line before and bumped into it...spilling wax and jamming the feed mechanism. It's a real pain getting it cleaned out.

I have both top hat and side reflectors for mine...they don't improve light output much, just directs it.

Good for a little extra warmth in a tent and you can get the citronella candles for repelling mosquitos...although I wouldn't burn those inside the tent.

nuphoria · **Reply #6 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:14:32 AM

I love candles and would definitely use one of these in the right place - that may not be a tent though! $:-\$

DaveK · **Reply #7 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:17:49 AM

Quote from: AHB on October 26, 2009, 10:16:07 PM

But they will without a doubt bring a certain atmosphere when used.

Exactly. As Mike knows, I have a Hurricane oil lamp that I bought to take to the meet in April. Works perfectly well, and isn't as soul-less as a modern torch.

Anthony · **Reply #8 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:37:42 AM

I've got a similar one from County Comm that uses a tea light candle. Maybe a mini Mag standing on it's tail will produce more light, but it's nice to have options. Tea lights can be bought by the bag of 20 or so very cheaply.

If the one in the link is anything like my County Comm one, it's almost impossible to start a fire with one. You'd have to pitch it full speed into a wall to break the glass and dislodge the tea light from it's harness..and after that amount of force the tea light would have been blown out. Simply tipping it over would just extinguish the flame.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #9 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:05:22 AM

I do think they have there place

, but just in the home as they'd be just too fiddly for the great outdoors imo $:-\$

FredKJ · **Reply #10 on:** October 27, 2009, 12:01:36 PM

I have one. They are still a best seller at REI. Backpackers like them because they give an ambient light in the tent so you don't have to waste batteries. They do add warmth to a tent and give a back up fire starter candle. Unlike the tea light candle these use long burning 9 hour candles. It's a traditional item that probably won't go away. The REI version has added an LED light to it. The LED fits on the base and REI provides this separately as an upgrade. In the customer review rating it gets 4.5 stars at the REI site. This is just one of those "classic" items like the SVEA 123 stove that will probably be around forever.

Neil · **Reply #11 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:40:37 PM

For all practical purposes I'd stick with a modern torch. Very pretty for taking carol singing though

zepla · **Reply #12 on:** October 27, 2009, 02:28:55 PM

Ever tried to get things going with a girl in a dark forrest under the stars on a hot summer evening with the romantic light of a 10000 lumens blister burning plutonium powered laserbeam that could burn a hole in the moon? Trust me, go for the warm, soft, flikkering light candle option any time

FredKJ · **Reply #13 on:** October 27, 2009, 02:55:40 PM

Quote from: zepla on October 27, 2009, 02:28:55 PM

Ever tried to get things going with a girl in a dark forrest under the stars on a hot summer evening with the romantic light of a 10000 lumens blister burning plutonium powered laserbeam that could burn a hole in the moon? Trust me, go for the warm, soft, flikkering light candle option any time

Yep it does have advantages for those romantic nights under the stars. Backpackers look for multipurpose equipment. If you are going to keep a candle for a fire starting aid then why not have a candle lantern. Also in Colorado often you can't have a campfire. The candle lantern gives some of this ambiance. You do have to be careful using one in a tent but in a small backpacking tent it can add as much as 5 degrees to the temp inside which can keep you from freezing. They do still have purposes.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:10:22 PM

Quote from: zepla on October 27, 2009, 02:28:55 PM

Ever tried to get things going with a girl in a dark forrest under the stars on a hot summer evening with the romantic light of a 10000 lumens blister burning plutonium powered laserbeam that could burn a hole in the moon? Trust me, go for the warm, soft, flikkering light candle option any time

FredKJ · **Reply #15 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:39:40 PM

All I can say is these candle lanterns are extremely popular in the Colorado backpacking community. But then I guess we are romantic types here.

The REI stores in Denver will sell a ton of these over the holidays. They make the perfect stocking stuffer. Does that mean they are still practical or we are just real romantic on the Colorado trails? But then I think I have mentioned in the past that I carry condoms in my survival kit. You can never beat carrying things on the trail that serve multiple purposes.

Neil · **Reply #16 on:** October 27, 2009, 04:59:49 PM

So.. if you're on the pull buy one

otherwise its torch time

Mike, you might want to see if they'll bulk ship to you

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #17 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:15:03 PM

Quote from: Neil on October 27, 2009, 04:59:49 PM

So.. if you're on the pull buy one otherwise its torch time

Mike, you might want to see if they'll bulk ship to you

Well I'm not having much luck on the romance front, so maybe I should

FredKJ · **Reply #18 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:20:03 PM

Quote from: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on October 27, 2009, 05:15:03 PM

Quote from: Neil on October 27, 2009, 04:59:49 PM
So.. if you're on the pull buy one otherwise its torch time

Mike, you might want to see if they'll bulk ship to you
Well I'm not having much luck on the romance front, so maybe I should

You need to start carrying a candle lantern and condoms in your survival kit. Get with the program man.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #19 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:24:58 PM

Quote from: FredKJ on October 27, 2009, 05:20:03 PM

Quote from: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on October 27, 2009, 05:15:03 PM
Quote from: Neil on October 27, 2009, 04:59:49 PM
So.. if you're on the pull buy one otherwise its torch time

Mike, you might want to see if they'll bulk ship to you
Well I'm not having much luck on the romance front, so maybe I should

You need to start carrying a candle lantern and condoms in your survival kit. Get with the program man.

The johnnies are there already

Maybe I can stick a birthday candle in my wallet

FredKJ · **Reply #20 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:26:59 PM

Don't forget some of this and you are set.

http://www.adamsextract.com/product.asp?productID=37170

Perhaps the list of 10 essentials needs to be revised.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #21 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:29:39 PM

Bargain

FredKJ · **Reply #22 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:34:44 PM

Now I suppose you know why they are popular in the Colorado mountains. Trust me I am an expert. If you can't get action with all that I can't help you. Your only alternative is a big horn sheep. That's not pretty.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #23 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:36:49 PM

Quote from: FredKJ on October 27, 2009, 05:34:44 PM

Now I suppose you know why they are popular in the Colorado mountains. Trust me I am an expert. If you can't get action with all that I can't help you. Your only alternative is a big horn sheep. That's not pretty.

I've dated worse

FredKJ · **Reply #24 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:40:42 PM

Quote from: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on October 27, 2009, 05:36:49 PM

Quote from: FredKJ on October 27, 2009, 05:34:44 PM
Now I suppose you know why they are popular in the Colorado mountains. Trust me I am an expert. If you can't get action with all that I can't help you. Your only alternative is a big horn sheep. That's not pretty.
I've dated worse

If that's the case don't forget Velcro on your gloves.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #25 on:** October 27, 2009, 05:43:32 PM

Quote from: FredKJ on October 27, 2009, 05:40:42 PM

Quote from: Mike, Lord of the Spammers! on October 27, 2009, 05:36:49 PM
Quote from: FredKJ on October 27, 2009, 05:34:44 PM
Now I suppose you know why they are popular in the Colorado mountains. Trust me I am an expert. If you can't get action with all that I can't help you. Your only alternative is a big horn sheep. That's not pretty.
I've dated worse

If that's the case don't forget Velcro on your gloves.

I'll dust them off now