Influencer II
I also like the idea of hooking the lantern up to a larger propane source in case you want it on for a while.
Gas Lantern or Battery powered Lantern?
- Thread starter Nickzero
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Enthusiast III
Agreed, usually the campfire is enough light for us around camp. When we do have to cook in the dark we now use a battery/LED lantern instead of our old propane lantern. We both can't stand the noise of the propane lantern and it has sat in the shed for a few years now. It's surprising how loud those things are once you get used to the quiet of using something else.
I don't do campfires anymore. Out west, it's simply too risky and I am in camp for never more than an evening. I don't want to be responsible (or waste the water) to be sure a fire is dead out. I understand the desire for campfires, especially with younger campers but I would only make one for necessity now.
Member III
Advocate III
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That's the only way I use, or will use in future, any propane devices, from lanterns to buddy heaters. Use 5, 10, or 20lb refillable tanks. I have two 20lb tanks anyway I use for my stove, portable fire ring, and trailer's water heater.
Those damned 1lb propane cylinders are a landfill nightmare. I do have a refill valve and keep one on hand to refill, though the vast majority of people just throw them out. As someone who does a lot of trail and camp clean-up and who wanders North America regularly, I see a shitload of these nuisance containers at every dump station and left behind in camps. It's actually irresponsible to keep buying and using single-use items like 1lb propane containers.
To answer the post's original question, I love the LED pods that are on the back of my four @gofsr @readylight heads. They're strong, have two levels and a flashing setting, have a built-in flashlight, a hook for hanging, and a strong magnet so you can stick it to your vehicle or any steel surface anywhere. All charged when back on the head, which is solar powered and has a huge powerful light of its own. I never even wired my van interior for lighting because these pods are so handy. See two images below.
Still, I might dig out my propane lantern with mantles now that I use larger cylinders more in camp now. Those older style lanterns do add an ambiance that brings memories flooding back. Just don't use those phuqued up 1lb containers. They're a plague.
These images show--if you look closely--the pods hanging from the edge of my awning and illuminating a circle on the ground. I like task lighting far more than the general all around glow of a lantern.
I agree with the posters who say a campfire or campfire and headlamp is enough and often have just that for camp light. Though when you live on the road or are doing extended multi-month trips, there are a lot of nights you're not just camping like you might on vacation, and need more light for working on gear, cooking a great meal, getting ready for the next day's adventure, etc. And you often camp in places that it gets dark by 4-5pm. It just makes no sense to limit oneself in those situations to just fire and a headlamp for camping's sake.
Look closely below and you can see two light pods hanging from the right edge of the awning over the chairs and table. Perfect task lighting without lighting up the whole area.
Same here; just the campfire and light pods at the points of my awning shining down.
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jerdog53
Rank V
Enthusiast III
I always do white gas or oil lamps. I love the noise and smell! You all can have your batteries and if you don't want your old Colemans then give them to me!
Enthusiast I
The ease of led is great. No mess and little maintnence. Carry good led flashlight and headlamp. Also can use a couple led lantern. Less work, more fun.
Enthusiast I
rsweet
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Member III
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I have three Primus lanterns and they take up (4"x6") very little room Lanterns and give off heat. If you want cold plastic light go LED. Rather have natural light get some heat too. Use the same canisters to run a stove.
Most often we just use two of the "frosted" style Luci Lux solar lanterns. This is enough light to see while eating dinner or around a campfire without totally killing your night vision, and they also work really well to light up a tent. In fact, we usually leave one on all night on the "low" setting as a nightlight for my daughter, and then just throw them on the truck's dashboard to recharge the next morning. We also have a Coleman propane lantern that we sometimes use if we need more light around camp.
Boostpowered
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Enthusiast III
The Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini is great. Plenty of light and the magnetic bottom is awesome with our trailer. I recommend it to friends and family all the time.
Explorer I
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This is exactly what I do. I carry a 20lb propane tank on trips right now. I use a propane tower to power my stove off the tank, and screw the latern on top of the tower. I use the propane latern because it's what I have, and it works well, nut if it ever breaks, I'll probably replace it with an led light source.
Led, because it can be turned off.
I prefer natural light during camping as much as possible. We'll get the led's out, only if we need to wrench or stitch someone back together.
Keeps the bugs away as well. Nobody uses lights at night in canada. Up there, Bigfoot is actually just a stack of bugs and flys.
I prefer natural light during camping as much as possible. We'll get the led's out, only if we need to wrench or stitch someone back together.
Keeps the bugs away as well. Nobody uses lights at night in canada. Up there, Bigfoot is actually just a stack of bugs and flys.
Trail Blazer III
I really like my Biolite Powerlite and site light string lights. I can charge them while using my biolight stove or using my Goal Zero solar panel. I do still have battery powered flash lights but am not getting any new non rechargeable battery operated lights. I grew up with a Coleman gas lantern and while I love the ambiance and the hiss brings back so many camping memories, it just isn't practical for me to carry.
I love the sound of a Coleman lantern . I reminds me of Boy Scouts and just means camping to me. With the availability of good LEDs , it is hard to justify the lantern .
A couple of LED lights do the same job and take up much less space than a lantern not to mention the 1lb bottles .
It's kinda sad that I just click a button and have light, so easy. I miss the ritual of getting out the lantern , burning the mantels but life moves on and technology does, in some instances ,make life easier .
A couple of LED lights do the same job and take up much less space than a lantern not to mention the 1lb bottles .
It's kinda sad that I just click a button and have light, so easy. I miss the ritual of getting out the lantern , burning the mantels but life moves on and technology does, in some instances ,make life easier .
I love my white gas Coleman lanterns, but I almost exclusively use my LEDs anymore.
My biggest reason is that the LEDs do not attract nearly as many bugs. The difference in color seems to matter. And not being fond of bugs I am willing to give up the traditional hissing noise.
The LEDs also pack smaller and don't need to have their mantles replaced every other time I use them. Though I do like watching how a new mantle burns when you first install it. And the globes don't break so easily on LEDs either.
I use AA Eneloops in Black Diamond LED lanterns. Those are a winning combination for my household.
My biggest reason is that the LEDs do not attract nearly as many bugs. The difference in color seems to matter. And not being fond of bugs I am willing to give up the traditional hissing noise.
The LEDs also pack smaller and don't need to have their mantles replaced every other time I use them. Though I do like watching how a new mantle burns when you first install it. And the globes don't break so easily on LEDs either.
I use AA Eneloops in Black Diamond LED lanterns. Those are a winning combination for my household.
Pyrotaco
Rank 0
Contributor I
Still have the old Coleman at my parents place, but several year ago switched to an LED lantern carried in the rig. No fussing with it or worrying about having fuel or components for it. The LED lantern is plenty bright, last for a long time with the batteries (rechargeables), and is cool to the touch. I picked up my Rayovac workhorse lantern at home Depot on a sale several years back, use it frequently, and wouldn't go back to a traditional style except in a pinch (shtf situation).
Enthusiast II
I like Goal Zero for a large rechargeable lantern and I have 2. They last a crazy long time between charges and have lasted for a 2 week trip plus. Even when using one on the lowest light as a night light for my son. Recently I purchased some HK Unilights and they were my go to for camp lighting. They have a magnet and elastic strap on the back so they could attach to anything and I love the amber/orange light mode since it is less offensive. I agree with you the old gas lanterns are cool and I have a lot of awesome memories camping with my Dad but LEDs just make so much more sense these days.
