Lanterns

[Green Ganesha]

I gave up on mantles long ago. In addition to the battery-powered options, there's also this very cool and ultra-compact Liberty mantle-less glass-less lantern from Brunton:



Its platinum screen makes a very pleasant orange glow...



...and it folds down small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

[Desertdude]

I have that Brunton and like it (its a bit more of a mood light though.) Bought it for the same "non mantle lighting."

X2 on the ARB florescent light for the $$ you can't beat it and it also works for night time trail repairs - uses very little 12v power.

[DaveInDenver]

Are Coleman battery lanterns ok, or are there other better options?

I have one, uses two 9" tubes and takes four D cells. On high it uses both tubes, on low just one. It's bright enough for reading inside the camper, but not a substitute if you want the same light as a regular white gas Coleman on high outside. It's orders less bright than a real lantern. I'll get a couple of months of typical use (hour or so at night, few minutes here and there overnight or in the morning) on batteries. I've had this a few years and so they may be better now, but I'd be hard pressed to call the fluorescent lanterns a substitute for a gas lantern for illuminating a whole camp site.

[Lynn]

... but I'd be hard pressed to call the fluorescent lanterns a substitute for a gas lantern for illuminating a whole camp site.

I think the Rayovac I have is probably closer, since it uses twice the juice (8 Ds) and has twice the tube (two folded tubes v. Coleman's two straight tubes), but even then it doesn't quite put out the light of a gas lamp.

For us, however, that's a suitable compromise for the convenience and durability.

[Andrew Walcker]

I'll vouch for the Brunton Mantless unit like GG and DD mentioned in the above post. What I like most is that the light is very pleasant and is not overly bright white. It doesn't destroy your night vision as much as some other units. It also has a surprsingly large amount of adjustment from low to high brightness.

[DaveInDenver]

I think the Rayovac I have is probably closer, since it uses twice the juice (8 Ds) and has twice the tube (two folded tubes v. Coleman's two straight tubes), but even then it doesn't quite put out the light of a gas lamp.

For us, however, that's a suitable compromise for the convenience and durability.

Like I say, the one I have is pretty old (and even discontinued I think) and so it would not surprise me to find they're better now.

[rusty_tlc]

The one thing the ARB has impressed me over the Sears stick I had for my garage light (floro 120V) is it's resistance to cold temps. The ARB works better in the old than any other floro light I have. Maybe someone with a bit more electrical knowledge can offer up an explanation.

I would guess it is all about how fast/efficiently you heat the electrodes.
I would also guess that the ARB also uses more energy at lower temps, you just can't get something for nothing.

[BigAl]

How do the flourescent lights do in the cold?

[adventureduo]

I carry a 1970's white fuel Coleman lantern on every trip. Comes in a protected red case and never (knocking on wood) has broke on me. I have a spare set of mantels in the cruiser and I tend to use it on every trip.. but now with the trailer and its own 12 volt lighting i might not use it as much as before. I still will continue to bring it on every trip. I don't think i could leave it behind. It would be like leaving my kid at home. It just has too much history. If the point comes where i need to trade space.. then it will stay home then.

How do the flourescent lights do in the cold?

Had our 12v ARB adventure light on for 12 hours on the last trip with temps near freezing. No problems whatsoever. Don't know if thats cold enough or not for you.. but it's all we'll likely ever need.

[Grim Reaper]

Gave up on the White gas gear and went to propane.

As far as breaking globes. I bought the hard case for mine and never been an issue.

My issue with battery powered is money and waste. For what that 8D cell electric costs in batteries I can run 10 times as long on propane even is I do have to replace a couple mantles and have 2-3 times the light and if I refill my bottles or use a bulk hose I have no waste in the form of heavy metals in the battery. Yes rechargables woudl lower the waste and cost BUT at some point those batteries will have to be disposed of.

The Propane with a little venting will also bring some warmth to a tent.