Still real world useful?

[FredKJ]

I prefer Michelob when making alcohol stoves but I suppose that's a matter of taste.  Just one other thing.  Modern flashlights don't repel ghosts, zombies and vampires like a candle lantern will.  If you're dealing with a zombie outbreak nothing beats a candle lantern.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

You can make your own for free Mike ... Tea Candle Lantern

...all you need is a Multitool...

That's not a bad idea actually

[FredKJ]

So to answer your original question Mike I would have to say an emphatic yes.  They are still useful.  I can speculate on the why.  First they are incredibly popular.  They don't replace flashlights or torches as you Brits say.  Several reasons for this come to mind.  First they are low tech with less to go wrong.  As you can also see they can also be homemade.  I always love homemade gear.  They double giving you an emergency fire starter.  They also add heat to a backpacking tent which might mean the difference in a survival situation in the cold.  Modern LED lights often burn with a cold white/blue light.  Candles burn with a hot red/yellow light which is less stressful on the eyes.  The spring loaded dripless candle you showed works really nice.  I noticed on the www.rei.com website that the candles also come in beeswax and citronella versions now.  The beeswax version burns 12-15 hours with less smoke and a pleasant odor.  Of course the citronella version helps keep bugs away.  The tea light versions you have to be a bit more careful with as all the wax turns to liquid so are probably not as good for hanging.  Of course since you are dealing with a flame reasonable care has to be taken.  If you are camping with kids who jump around in the tent it's probably not a good idea to have one hanging.  

Other than that they also score high on the cool as heck factor.  The final appeal is that we go into the wilderness for various reasons but most involve getting back to nature.  Candles fit that better than cold white LED lights.  It also conserves battery life giving ambient light.

The Svea 123 stove was invented in 1899 and still competes with the modern hi  tech MSR stoves.  The UCO spring loaded candle lantern is another piece of gear like this.  It will be around forever.  It's a "classic".

[Screwtape]

Yup I'd use one,

Also just the thing to use on a stage if you need a live flame in a lantern,  still can't fake this well with a battery

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

You can make your own for free Mike ... Tea Candle Lantern

...all you need is a Multitool...

That's not a bad idea actually

Don't forget to take photos

[zepla]

Of your burned down house   

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Of your burned down house   

@Fred. Yeah I might get one as a Xmas present from my boy, to me

[John]

Forget the candle just stick one of those cheap "flickering" led flashlights from DX in there,safe alternative for use in the tent 

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Of your burned down house    

@Fred. Yeah I might get one as a Xmas present from my boy, to me

Oh good...now we don't have to take up a collection for one

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Of your burned down house    

@Fred. Yeah I might get one as a Xmas present from my boy, to me

Oh good...now we don't have to take up a collection for one

Hey, if you feel that you want too...

[NutSAK]

Stick with the Infinity.

or, buy one of these: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000000264#at

Yeah, it's not cheap, but it sure is cool.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I've been thinking of getting one of these - Candlelier ...3 times the mess in spilled wax to clean up  

[Santos]

i use to have one of these when i was a boy. Something people haven't pointed out is wax floats and a wet wick lights up easier then a wet elecronics circuit .

(i do have a floating torch, but its bulky)

[WhichDawg]

I like it! it could come in handy and even a tea-candle can give warmth
in an emergency (and these are bigger), I'd get one.

[Gareth]

Stick with the Infinity.

or, buy one of these: http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=2000000264#at

Yeah, it's not cheap, but it sure is cool.

OT here but did anyone see the other Coleman light? 

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/detail.asp?product_id=4347-715&SourcePage=&SubmittingPage=

Notice the extra sharp bit?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Oh dear

[jzmtl]

But really if I choose what to use for camping I'd take coleman naphtha stove and lantern, only have to bring one type of fuel and cheaper than propane (and candles).