uco candle lantern

[stickbow]

Hi There
Has anyone used or is using one of these single candle lanterns.
I am thinking of getting one for use at camps or maybe in a tent, I see they also do a 3 candle version which they say can be used as a small cooker.
The single version is around £20-00 (worth the money or just a gimmick?)
Thanx
Have fun shoot a stick

 

[giancarlo]

Been talked about here mate, recently too:

http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22738&highlight=uco

http://pablo475.blogspot.com/2007/06/and-there-was-light.html
( Pablo's done a mini review on it too)

Search is your friend mate

Cheers
Carlo

 

[JonnyP]

I have one and its ok....Not a huge amount of light, Waylands candle is brighter, one candle inserted into the bottom of a 4 litre milk carton, with the top cut off....Also, the uco lantern will get clogged up with wax from time to time, even using the correct candles, which will cost you about £1 each. They are ok and safe to use, but expensive for what they are....Some of the guys bought cheaper ones off ebay about a year or so ago, but they proved to be pretty bad at getting clogged up with wax.....

 

[Tengu]

I have two which set me back about £15 each

I have made my own candlesa but have not tried them yet. I added a touch of beeswax to make them harder

 

[giancarlo]

Waylands candle is brighter, one candle inserted into the bottom of a 4 litre milk carton, with the top cut off...

That's a good idea..I used this one last time i went out... was superb!

Free too, also swings away from the wind automatically and has built in light reflecting surfacing

Cheers
Carlo

 

[JonnyP]

Nice one Carlo....Give the milk carton a try, it really glows well, is wind proof and free as well. Just cut off the bottom of the carton, cut an x into the lid, push a candle through it and use the handle to tie it to a tree with a bit of paracord. The 4 litre one is the best to use....

 

[Toddy]

Have a look in Au Natural too; I got six pop up/ fold flat hexagonal metal lanterns for a pound each yesterday

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Leakydiff]

I have had a lantern like this for about 20 years now. It was marketed under another name in South Africa,but is exactly the same. Never a problem and the only thing that went wrong was a broken glass-easily replaced from Trek direct. The only wear on it is at the hinge at the top-no big problem. When the correct candles are difficult to get-it is easy to make your own.
I have now also bought 1 of the brass Zimbabwean lanters that take standard candles, but because of weight is finding myself still packing the UCO.
Anything that lasts this long is worth its money.

 

[gorilla]

there is one up on evilbay at the moment

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=140146387299&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=004

 

[Pablo]

I understand that Trek Direct do a natty little transit cover called a cocoon for the UCO.

http://www.trekdirect.co.uk/acatalog/Light.html

Pablo.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

That's a good idea..I used this one last time i went out... was superb!

Free too, also swings away from the wind automatically and has built in light reflecting surfacing

Cheers
Carlo

Cool.

Nick

 

[rik_uk3]

These are very good

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canal-Barge-w...ryZ69834QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 

[Tadpole]

These are very good

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canal-Barge-w...ryZ69834QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I have one just like that, it takes the thick long candles, which last about five hours, or, and this is what i do, it takes tea light candles which can last up to 8 hours, and tea lights from Ikia cost £5 for 100.

 

[Scots_Charles_River]

I was shown this by two swedes I met climbing in the verdon in 1992. They were taught it during national service. Not rain proof like the cool beer can but still good.

Evian bottle and tools.

Cut the top, conical part off,

Put it inside down with the candle supported.

 

[Danceswithhelicopters]

Mmmmm
Intersting home made versions but the UCO wins for me as it goes out when knocked over.
As I sleep under nylon it keep me stress free!
The UCO seems to provide an amazing amount of heat for its size when in a small tent. Seems to keep the condensation down and I leave it on all night.
The citronella version is untested but anything that keeps the midge away must be good.

 

[Minotaur]

I want this, but with the oil lamp setup, which no one seems to sell in the UK.

Seems such a better idea, for camping use.

Really like the can idea, carry can, drink can, do something useful with the waste.