Camping Lantern Test

[SSWesty]

I've been using a single mantle propane lantern for camping and it has served us well over the years. However I try to use stuff that is compact, lightweight and simple to use. The propane lantern is compact but the bottle is kind of clunky and has an additional base to keep if from tipping over which also needs to be stored. When we're done with the lantern I shut it down and set it under our westy to cool and stay dry. Then in the morning I pack it up. It's actually pretty compact for what it is however I would not call it simple because I carry the lantern, extra mantle, propane bottle & plastic base and you have to treat it like an open flame. Sometimes when I don't want to hassle with the propane lantern we just use a solar Luci light.

Costco has a some battery LED lanterns on sale so I picked up a couple for a test. The short of it is the propane light will be headed for craigslist and I am keeping both of the Costco lights.

Line line up, Luci Solar Light, Costco Flashlight/Lantern Combo, Costco Lantern, Propane lantern

The test, each light gets to sit on a 5 gallon bucket 10 feet from the front bumper. I used a cell phone for these pics so the quality is low but I did lock the phone in manual mode so it wouldn't adjust for the differences in light.

First up, the propane single mantle lantern. Warm light and lights things up well like the landscape to the left and depending on your monitor you may see the van interior.

Costco Lantern on High, Harsh light and close or equal to the light output of the propane lantern. https://www.costco.com/Cascade-Mountain-Tech-Multimode-LED-Lantern-3-pack.product.100382516.html

Costco Lantern on Low

Costco Flashlight in Lantern Mode which matches the Costco lantern on low. This also has a flashlight that has a fixed spot beam. The spot beam easily lights stuff up a 200 feet away, it will be good for inspecting parking spots at night. It will replace our other flashlight, I like that I can use if for investigating parking spots and as lantern light around a campsite. https://www.costco.com/Life-Gear-100-Lumen-AR-Tech...15035.html

Luci Solar light on high, barely can make out a reflection of a Bus Depot headlight. This pic may get booted from Samba since it's tough to pick out an VW content. Luci does better from an elevated perch but today the test is on the bucket.

It's time to go camping!

[Wildthings]

We have moved to just carrying a Luci with us along with flashlights and head lamps.

If there was a better way to make kerosene mantel lamps function, they would be my favorite light, but since they tend to FU if you don't watch and adjusted them constantly, they are only good for decorative use in most cases.

[Jon_slider]

[kourt]

I have used that Costco lantern for the past year. It was a gift that I would normally not purchase for myself. It is not a design exclusive to Costco--it is an extremely common pop-up LED lantern that is sold all over the place.

It has a magnetic base that is very handy--I can slap it on any body panel on the outside of the van and get great results.

As you mention, it has two light intensities. The light intensity can also be regulated by raising or lowering the telescoping lens housing.

It also has a red light feature, for helping maintain night vision.

Also has a SOS strobe feature.

Also has USB charging capability (can be charged by USB, and can recharge other USB devices).

Also can be powered by AA batteries in the top cavity.

All in all, a very versatile product.

kourt

[llilibel03]

We carry two lanterns- one is a Coleman battery operated fluorescent. We use it mostly in the van, hanging from the pop up cross bar. Then we have an old kerosene lamp, the old mining style. It has the warmest light. I don't know how you can stand the LED lamps. We have the propane but even those are too harsh. The kerosene is like a mini campfire in the light it produces. Only drawbacks are you have to store it upright and bring some fuel in an airtight bag (smelly).
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87 syncro tintop
90 gl tin top
85 westy 2.0 tiico automatic (present)

[Jon_slider]

[E1]

As with WildThings, only Luci lights and headlamps for us.

We have three clear Lucis, and two frosted ones that have several different colors to mood up the place. They can be set to rotate through the colors like a lava lamp, which is cool.

The canister lanterns should be outlawed, the environmental impact of the Coleman bottles is a nightmare, and the mantles are very toxic.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[llilibel03]

[Jon_slider]

an example showing how my iPhone sees PWM Luci


Link


more Luci in a Van photos
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=618569

a link to another lantern thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4511351&highlight=collapsible#4511351

[E1]

[SSWesty]

It will be a good day when warm or soft LED lighting will be mass marketed in these inexpensive "camping lanterns". For now I'll endure some harsh light for the convenience. However after seeing Jon's thread I am thinking I could hack the light and swap out the LED for a warmer one.

Jon - Cool info on the led lights, that Utorch is impressive. You should update your signature line to include "LED Light", you're really into getting the most out of a light.

Kourt - Looks like there may have been some cost cutting this year at costco, no USB port or magnet on this year's light.

[kourt]

Here's the lantern I have, with full features:

https://www.amazon.com/SUBOOS-Power-Ultimate-Rechargeable-Lantern/dp/B00UZ2R89O

kourt

[Sodo]

Agreed, I don't like harsh light when camping. In my shop it's OK.

There are lots of strings of Warm white lights available. Wrap them around pine-cones and set a few on the picnic table ($1.40 each)

LYA Led String Lights Silver Wire Powered by 2 x CR2032 Batteries, 2M/6.8 Feet and 20 Micro LEDs, 10-Pack in a Box
Link: http://a.co/8IsX1A9

Or build your own 12v lantern using "warm white" LEDs. These 12v LEDs are 1/5 watt each.

50 12v LEDs for $8.98 5mm pre wired 12 volt led Diodes Light - Warm White
Amazon Link: http://a.co/0Wbzupf
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'90 Westy EJ25, 2Peloquins, 3knobs, pressure-oiled GT mainshaft, filtered, cooled gearbox
'87 Tintop w 47k 53k, '12 SmallCar EJ25, cooled filtered gearbox
....KTMs, GasGas, SPOT mtb

[simonslp]

We’ve had one of these the past few years and like it a lot. It’s a USB rechargeable device, it has dimming adjustability, it’s very bright, lightweight and packs away small, and has a quite acceptable (if not quick as nice a real flame) light spectrum. Without the hassle, heat and fire hazards of our propane lantern.

Available through MEC in Canada, I’m sure it’s easy to find in USA too.

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91 syncro westy w/ 08 suby ej25
& Get-Away hightop

[jimf909]

Thanks for the lantern review SS.

Like Jon S my mind went to my opinion that LED lights deliver amazingly efficient light but the quality and whiteness can sometimes be unbearable for me, esp. when in nature. While in camp at night I much prefer to glow of a fire or candles compared to the harsh white 5000K light of an LED (I’m not a fan of spilled candle wax though!).

To address this, I’ve been experimenting with filter papers to change the color of leds to appear warmer with some good results. This may make LEDs more pleasant for some folks.

Converts 5500°K daylight to 2900°K. Preferred either for a warmer look or when daylight is over 6000°K.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/44198-REG/Rosco_RS340711_3407_Filter_RoscoSun.html

And yes, it’s tome to go camping!
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- Jim

[Abscate]

[E1]

Capitol concept!

We once watched a local drop three into the bin, then yell at a guy for smoking a cigar for its environmental hazards. Classic behavior all-too-common with the "Do as I say..." crowd in some areas.
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‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[Michael4104]

[shagginwagon83]

I refill my little propane bottles.
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Brandon
"Jo Ann" - '83.5 Westfalia EJ22e w/Peloquin
Instagram @joannthevan

[E1]

Like the MSR-style cans?

Because that sounds like one fine resolution!

Please, do tell.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman