Camping Lantern

[DaveK]

Guys, what cheap (but reliable) lantern / light would you guys recommend for a one night "proper" camp? Myself, I'd be happy with a torch, but as I will be spending the night with my 12 & 13 year olds, I'm liking the idea of a lantern, maybe a Tilley type or similar, so that the camp is illuminated between sun-down and sleeping.

As it will need to be carried, I'm looking for something light, robust and waterproof so it can be clipped to a back-pack.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

What was wrong with Flashes UFO

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Woolworths have got some of those cheap tea candle lanterns for about £2.50 atm, there not brilliant quality but they should do you a turn

[DaveK]

Woolworths have got some of those cheap tea candle lanterns for about £2.50 atm, there not brilliant quality but they should do you a turn

I never thought of candles - hmm I'll have a think about that - ta.

[Neil]

I've just come back from a couple of nights in far too small a tent with my wife and boys. 
 What fun 

I popped ones of these...



...on the end of my Fenix L2D. It did a good job of area lighting.

Neil

[DaveK]

Does that work as well as say, a Camping Gaz butane lantern? It seems to make more sense to use a torch if I can, as that will get used at home too.

What sort of torch would you need to make it illuminate a reasonable area so that you could walk around a bit and see where you're putting your feet?

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've just come back from a couple of nights in far too small a tent with my wife and boys. 
 (Image removed from quote.)What fun  (Image removed from quote.)

I popped ones of these...

(Image removed from quote.)

...on the end of my Fenix L2D. It did a good job of area lighting.

Neil

Bloody hell, so your the reason the weather Gods have been pissed

[Neil]

Bloody hell, so your the reason the weather Gods have been pissed

I'm so sorry 

Neil

[Neil]

Does that work as well as say, a Camping Gaz butane lantern? It seems to make more sense to use a torch if I can, as that will get used at home too.

What sort of torch would you need to make it illuminate a reasonable area so that you could walk around a bit and see where you're putting your feet?

I used it with the L2D but it'd be good with the P3D.  In the camp site I had it on high power and then dropped it to low for in the tent.  Its been many years since I used a gas light so can't really offer a fair comparison.

Neil

[DaveK]

Hmm seems a bit pricey for my pocket just now....

about £40, or £30 from the US and risk the duty 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Bloody hell, so your the reason the weather Gods have been pissed

I'm so sorry 

Neil

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Gas light's aren't very plesant in a tent anyway imo

[Neil]

Hmm seems a bit pricey for my pocket just now....

about £40, or £30 from the US and risk the duty 

The L2D is a superb torch but your right, not cheap.

Didn't you have one of those Tesco torches?  Have you tried diffusing the output from that, perhaps with a yoghurt pot or similar.  Worth a go

Neil

[DaveK]

I'm thinking of something like this:

 

It will only be a tiny tent, just big enough to sleep in.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I'd still be inclined to go down the candle/torch/diffuser route, those gas light's really are smelly pain's in the buttocks

[DaveK]

I'd still be inclined to go down the candle/torch/diffuser route, those gas light's really are smelly pain's in the buttocks

There is the weight advantage of a torch too... 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

And the greater flexibility 

Couldn't you just get a cheap aa maglite and make a diffuser

[DaveK]

And the greater flexibility 

Couldn't you just get a cheap aa maglite and make a diffuser

Well I have that Tesco's CREE thing too, but I don't know where I'd get a diffuser for it. Also that torch only has one mode, so it could be bit heavy on batteries in both senses of the word). 

[Neil]

Here's one I made earlier...



... OK about a minute ago

2AA Mag with a 35mm film canister on it.  Note the high tech spacing devices (rubber bands) to ensure good fit.

Neil

[DaveK]

Oh wow - so you can use any translucent material for a diffuser then?

[Neil]

Some work better than others. Clear 35mm film containers work great, most shops that process film will give you a few for free.  Otherwise its time to raid your recycling bin and start experimenting

Neil

[DaveK]

Some work better than others. Clear 35mm film containers work great, most shops that process film will give you a few for free.  Otherwise its time to raid your recycling bin and start experimenting

Neil

Recycling bin - great idea - back shortly

[nezza33]

i was at asda the other day and picked up 2 energizer battery light sticks will be a lot more usefull than cyalume sticks.

[Rodion]

^ But not gas-leak safe.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I like the idea of the inexpensive battery powered LED models that are everywhere these days.



Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Here's one I made earlier...

(Image removed from quote.)

... OK about a minute ago

2AA Mag with a 35mm film canister on it.  Note the high tech spacing devices (rubber bands) to ensure good fit.

Neil

Great bit of recycling mate

[Tarrodemierda]

I'm thinking of something like this:

 

It will only be a tiny tent, just big enough to sleep in.

i have had one similar to that,i like them cause its easy to adjust,not too bright,and dont waste too much gas,and they produce(imo) more like round light that other softshells stuffed on top of any flashlight.

and they heat the tent abit too which is here concidered as a good thing.

[NutSAK]

I like the idea of the inexpensive battery powered LED models that are everywhere these days.

(Image removed from quote.)

Def

I have three of these, and they work pretty well, but they glare horribly.  It's best to get something that diffuses the light with a frosted globe like the Fenix diffuser.

Nothing beats the old Coleman model 200 for large, open areas though.  I have two of them and wouldn't trade them for anything:

[scibeer]

I have a couple of those LED lanterns too and agree, they throw light, but in the most annoying way ever.    If you want to go lightweight and its only for one night, they are fine, but they start to annoy me after a few nights, especially if you are trying to read.   

I've had a camping gaz lantern for 15+ years and it works great.    Its small, light and throws nice even light.

[Neil]

If they dismantle OK perhaps you could rub a bit of wet & dry paper over the clear surround?

Neil