General lamp for tent , what's best

[Deano3]

Hi everyone I am starting camping and already posted a few questions but I require a sort of general light for when its dark instead of a torch my mate told me about a Coleman petrol light that also gets hot as a heater anything like this sort of thing that is fairly compact would be great any ideas welcome

Thanks Dean

 

[bilmo-p5]

How big is your tent?

 

[Fat Rog]

Do you mean something like this? http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/coleman-single-mantle-lantern.html

As opposed to something like this: http://www.outdoormegastore.co.uk/campingaz-lumostar-plus-camping-lantern.html

As you can see there is a significant difference in price. But the cheaper lantern requires gas canisters, which are non -refillable (and not cheap), so in the long run the petrol version will work out cheaper.

Each to their own, but I'm always wary when it comes to flammable stuff inside tents. We often take the dog with us, so I'd be worried about it getting knocked. And even humans can be clumsy at times. Consider a battery powered lamp and buy rechargeable batteries. My mate has a dynamo lantern which works like the clockwork radios you can get. It gives off a blueish light which some people don't like, but we found it works well enough. Of course, they don't give off any heat.

 

[SimonM]

I use a variety of lighting options, depending on what I'm doing and who I'm with.

Where naked flames are ok:
Coleman petrol lantern for groups under the parachute.
Storm lamps for gentle, ambient light...say near the latrine pit or hung in the stores tarp / tent.

where a naked flame isn't ok:
battery operated fairy lights...I love these as they can be hung in a tent gear loft, wrapped around the lavu pole or strung under a tarp. They give a nice light, that can be read by, not directional but not so bright that they dazzle everybody walking by.

I got mine from B&Q for about a fiver, keep an eye out in the run up to Christmas. Mine run for ages on 3 AA batteries.

Simon

 

[Will Bowden]

I use cheapo round magnetic LED lights camping bought from a high street bargain shop.

We are usually camping in the Land Rover so they can be attached to various points around the inside depending what you are doing. They have a hanging hook for inside tents too and seem fairly robust, obviously being LED the batteries last well.

I've got the dogs for heat and at a push an engine if its seriously cold

Will

 

[Deano3]

Not to bother about the heat just some light for when gets dark I have a vango banshee 200 then so more compact the better and was thinking maybe a rechargeable batteries one but would need to last for hours a night that's y thought petrol one

 

[tartanferret]

How about a candle lantern from the UCO range?

 

[rik_uk3]

Forget a Coleman, your tent is far too small for it to be safe. A string of xmas tree lights run for days on 2 AA batteries. Wind up are just that, you end up winding them up all the time.

Very bright
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0EKXV2QJKMCMM3ACFN5T

Ideal for a small tent
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rolson-Tools-60702-Magnetic-Lamp/dp/B001B4PINI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2 (I think Tesco sell these)

 

[cbr6fs]

Another option is to have a scout around the house for something fairly opaque that fits over the head of your torch and make a diffuser.

A guy on one of the torch forums found a 35mm film canister case fit straight on his Zebralight SC600 so i asked around and found a few to use.

Works great plus i don't have to faff about taking different batteries/fuel etc.

I use a bit of cord wrapped around the base with a clip on the end, i can then hand it upside down in the tent or camping area to give a really good useful light.

Only thing i would change given the chance is to have bought the slightly warmer tint to give a less washed out effect on colours.
Just makes reading a little less stressful on the eyes.


To be honest as i have a thing about torches i tend to create excuses to take different torches out.
So i bought a Zebralight H502 headlamp in a lot warmer tint

As it weighs next to nothing even with a battery and headband attached i tend to just throw that in and use that.

It doesn't give out much heat, but then i'm not a fan of having anything hot or burning in my tent.

 

[ateallthepies]

Yes diffusers are great, I have the ready made versions for a couple of my Fenix lights.

At a pinch a sheet of white paper can be fashioned into a tube or cone and put over a torch to give a nice diffuse light!

Steve.

 

[cbr6fs]

Don't think i'd want paper near any of my modern torches while they're turned on.

Doubt they'd get hot enough to ignite the paper even on the highest settings, but i'd still be worried though.

 

[Outdoordude]

Get a alpkit lantern. They are great. Really put a good amount of light out. Don't suck power and are pretty cheap and compact.

 

[Fat Rog]

Wind up are just that, you end up winding them up all the time.

Aye there is that about it. Still, keeps you warm

 

[ateallthepies]

Don't think i'd want paper near any of my modern torches while they're turned on.

Doubt they'd get hot enough to ignite the paper even on the highest settings, but i'd still be worried though.

Pretty safe with LED. I have tried this with 1000 Lumen lights with no problems. 100 ANSI Lumens would be more than enough for the OP's needs. I may worry with incans though !!

Steve

 

[jacko1066]

Another option is to have a scout around the house for something fairly opaque that fits over the head of your torch and make a diffuser.

A guy on one of the torch forums found a 35mm film canister case fit straight on his Zebralight SC600 so i asked around and found a few to use.

Works great plus i don't have to faff about taking different batteries/fuel etc.

I use a bit of cord wrapped around the base with a clip on the end, i can then hand it upside down in the tent or camping area to give a really good useful light.

Only thing i would change given the chance is to have bought the slightly warmer tint to give a less washed out effect on colours.
Just makes reading a little less stressful on the eyes.


To be honest as i have a thing about torches i tend to create excuses to take different torches out.
So i bought a Zebralight H502 headlamp in a lot warmer tint

As it weighs next to nothing even with a battery and headband attached i tend to just throw that in and use that.

It doesn't give out much heat, but then i'm not a fan of having anything hot or burning in my tent.

That is a fantastic Idea!!!
does the Zebralight H502 headlamp work with the film cannister too?

I have been using 1 of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-60101...sr_1_3?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1350080136&sr=1-3

Has a really handy hook on the end of it too, but is a tad heavy, works a treat though!!

 

[Harvestman]

I second this great idea. I have lots of those camera film containers, and have just found that they are a perfect fit for my cheap Asda torch. Result!

 

[troutman]

I would have to agree with the LED battery powered christmas lights.

Give the Coleman lantern a miss though, reminds me of fishing in the middle of the night in some freezing horrible place, trying to keep my hands warm on it and catching nothing! haha good times indeed.

 

[cbr6fs]

That is a fantastic Idea!!!
does the Zebralight H502 headlamp work with the film cannister too?

I have been using 1 of these - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kampa-60101...sr_1_3?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1350080136&sr=1-3

Has a really handy hook on the end of it too, but is a tad heavy, works a treat though!!

Just saw this sorry.

I do use a film canister on my H502 when reading my Kindle in bed at night, it's a fair bit bigger than the H502 lens, but i find i can wedge the canister in-between the torch head and the rubber holder on the headband.

Not ideal and i wouldn't want to go indoor hang-gliding or downhill water skiing with it like that but for sitting down reading it does hold it secure enough.