Camping Lanterns: The Things You Need Or Want To Know

The camping lantern is a piece of equipment which would appear obsolete to the uninitiated camper, but it is just as useful if not more useful than a flashlight. There are many advantages to camping lanterns and several reasons why you may wish to opt for them instead of one of the many alternatives available.

Today, we are going to be taking a closer look at the specifics of camping lanterns and many of the potential applications for these somewhat unique portable light sources. We will break up our information into sections to make it easier for you to find the knowledge that you are searching for.

While we will be looking at detailed specs and other information, we will present it in a manner which is easy to digest and simple to retain. Before we get into the specifics, we are going to cover the basics. We will start by making sure that all of our readers are on the same page regarding the basics.

What is a Camping Lantern?

While this question may seem simple, it is important to know just what a camping lantern is and how it differs from other light sources that you will come across. A camping lantern is a lantern which is specifically designed for use in the outdoors. Before we get into that, let’s look at what a lantern is.

A lantern is a type of lamp that is usually slung beneath a handle and features a transparent casing that ensures the light or flame remains protected. Traditional lanterns were run using oil and other combustible substances, and some still are, but electric lanterns are becoming more and more common as time goes on.

While camping may be the primary application for which camping lanterns are used, you will find that there are far more hobbies and activities that could be facilitated by the utilization of this type of lantern. We will take a look at some of them, but this is by no means a comprehensive list.

Outdoor uses are some of the most common ones for which you will require a camping lantern. This is because they are designed for use in camping outdoors first and foremost. Their design ensures that they will not end up damaged by the elements and they can usually withstand a bit of a beating.

One of these uses is hiking. While flashlights are often more popular for hikers, a camping lantern has the advantage of providing a nearly 360-degree field of view. This allows you to see your surroundings more easily but often results in a shorter range for your light.[

The need to carry the lantern makes it harder to use while hiking on more challenging trails which may require climbing, but for hikes during which you will stay on your feet, they are ideal.

Camping lanterns are also an excellent choice of lighting for emergency situations as they are portable, resilient and often resistant to water damage. If your lantern is powered by a form of gas, it is even better suited for situations in which you have lost power and would be unable to charge an electric model.

One of the reasons why a camping lantern is superior to many other forms of outdoor lighting is because it can be placed upright. If this is done with a flashlight, it will usually project its light into a narrow cone in the sky, which does little to light up your surrounding area, an area like a campsite.

Types

Power Type

Solar Camping Lantern

One form of camping lantern which is powered by batteries and is ideal for use in survival situations and other times when you may not have power is the solar powered camping lantern. As evidenced by the name, these camping lanterns can be recharged by the sun, so you do not have to worry about them dying on you.

While these have the advantage of using renewable energy, there are a few situations in which models which employ solar power are less than optimal. For example, one of these lanterns will not be able to charge on a cloudy day or in the night time, when you need the light the most.

Another issue with solar camping lanterns is that they can take a surprisingly long time to charge, depending on the quality of their solar panels. A model which comes equipped with quality solar panels will often be more expensive than most other types of camping lanterns which you will come across.

Better solar panels will result in a camping lantern which can charge in a far shorter span of time. The effectiveness of a solar camping lantern is truly up to how much money you are willing to spend.

Battery Powered Camping Lantern

Camping lanterns which run off of batteries are some of the most common and most affordable camping lanterns that you will come across. They often make use of LEDs due to their excellent energy efficiency and a large amount of light diffusion. There are both pros and cons to lanterns which use replaceable batteries.

The positive aspects of these camping lanterns include the lack of a period of time during which you will have to wait for them to recharge. This makes them ideally suited for use in emergency situations in which you will require constant lighting, provided that you have adequate access to disposable batteries.

Unfortunately, they are also more expensive to run than other models of camping lanterns due to their power source. Batteries are rather expensive, and you will find that buying a new pack every time you have to replace the batteries in your lantern can be a drain on your wallet.

This is why we recommend purchasing your batteries in bulk if you intend to make use of this type of camping lantern. It is imperative that you always remember to pack extra batteries when you are going on a trip outdoors with this kind of lantern.

Rechargeable Camping Lantern

A camping lantern which features batteries that can be recharged is another type of battery powered model. These camping lanterns are usually a little more expensive than their cousins which use disposable batteries. They can save you a good deal of money on batteries in the long run, however.

There are many different ways that you could charge the batteries on a model of camping lantern which features rechargeable batteries. For example, some models come equipped with a dynamo and hand crank so you can charge your camping lantern wherever you are, regardless of whether you have access to an outlet.

One of the most popular ways to charge a camping lantern with rechargeable batteries is through the use of a USB cable. USBs are very nearly universal in most electronic items so you can charge your camping lantern using your laptop in emergencies. USBs are also easy to use with an AC adaptor so you can connect to a wall outlet.

Traditional power cables can also be used to recharge the batteries of camping lanterns, but they have been largely phased out in favor of USB cables due to the benefits we mentioned.

Rechargeable batteries can end up saving you money, but you do lose out on a bit of convenience if you need access to your lantern immediately. Since the batteries cannot be replaced, you will have to wait for your lantern to be charged at least partially before you decide to use it.

Models which work using a hand crank do not usually have this problem, as you will be able to recharge them a reasonable amount within around a minute of cranking.

Electric Camping Lantern

This type of camping lantern is growing more and rarer. These models tend to feature a power cord that must be hooked up to some form of outlet to function. This can either be a traditional two prong plug for use with a generator with a power bank or a USB plug for use with a USB battery. 

Electric camping lanterns are being gradually phased out since more, and more efficient batteries have essentially rendered them obsolete. There are a few applications where you will find that these camping lanterns are ideal, such as when you have easy access to a portable generator, but you will rarely see these while camping.

These lanterns do have the benefit of being highly reliable since they rely on a constant source of power rather than a battery or fuel which can end up running dry. Regardless, this is usually not worth the loss of portability which is incurred by the inclusion of a power cable.

Gas Camping Lantern

Another very popular choice of camping lantern is the variety which is powered by gas. Gas camping lanterns have the advantage of being entirely independent of electricity when it comes to a source of energy. This makes for an excellent choice of camping lantern when it comes to emergency situations.[G38] [G39] 

The advantages to gas power extend to more than just its independence from electricity. Models which run on gas power are usually far more durable than lanterns which run on electricity, as the nozzle is far better protected than the LEDs which are usually present on other models.

Gas models also have the advantage regarding simplicity. Their method of operation has been refined over the years, so their mechanisms are more reliable than most other camping lanterns. There is very little that can end up going wrong in a lantern which makes use of gas power.

These lanterns do have some difficulties when it comes to different weather conditions, but more advanced models are meant to resist colder temperatures without any issues. Another one of the disadvantages present in models which rely on gas for power has less to do with reliability than with operating costs.

Since you will have to purchase gas or fuel for these camping lanterns, they can end up costing more than other types, in the long run, even models which use disposable batteries. There are a few different types of fuel, ranging all the way from gasoline to propane and they all have different prices.

One other issue is that you may have to invest in a separate canister for your gas of choice. This will usually cost you another ten to thirty dollars, depending on the size of the canister and the fuel used. This will allow you to swap out canisters on the fly so your lantern can continue to function.

Design

Vintage Camping Lantern

Camping lanterns which conform to a more vintage style are almost universally powered by gas or another form of fuel. These lanterns usually feature very solid construction and are often made of metal. This has the downside of making them heavier than competing models, but they are sure to last.

This reliability even extends to the inner workings of vintage camping lanterns, as the nozzle will tend to be very reliable and they tend to function smoothly in all but the most extreme of conditions. For all of their durability and reliability, they are usually not waterproof, so it helps to keep them out of the rain.

 

Collapsible Camping Lantern

This is one of the most portable varieties of camping lantern that you will come across. They are usually of the type which is powered by batteries, but some gas camping lanterns can be collapsed when not in use as well. Camping is an activity which requires a good deal of storage space in your packs and bags.

A collapsible camping lantern is an excellent way to ensure that you have enough room to bring extra things with you. These can range from extra provisions like food and water (always important when camping) to other pieces of equipment that can prove to be helpful.

Camping lanterns which collapse are not only effective in terms of portability, but they can also have their light levels adjusted if they are collapsed while they are on. The casing can block some of the light, reducing the brightness of your camping lantern as well as the size.

Specs

Power Type

We have already addressed the different kinds of power, but we have not sufficiently covered how they can impact your experience with the lamp as a user. We would argue that electric camping lanterns are some of the easiest types to use since they require the least maintenance, but they are also less reliable than some of the other types.

Gas, on the other hand, requires a bit more experience in its use, but it makes for a much more reliable source of power as well as a more mechanically sound lantern. Your choice of power type can have the largest effect on the characteristics of your lantern when compared to the other choices you will have to make as a buyer.

Run Time

The amount of time for which your camping lantern can operate will be one of the main specs which you should look out for. Its importance depends on your intended use for your camping lantern. If you hope to use your lantern while camping, it will be less crucial than in emergency situations.

The run time of most lanterns will be directly related to the intensity of the light setting that you choose. In the case of gas lanterns, it is the amount of fuel that is being pumped into the nozzle so that the flow rate will determine the brightness of your lantern. In electric models, it is the amount of power which is flowing to the LEDs.

Size and Weight

The size and weight of your product will have a bearing on how easy it is for you to use your camping lantern. Since you may be holding the lantern for extended periods of time, you will find it easier on your arm to make use of a lighter lantern that will not end up tiring you out.

A smaller lantern will also be much more portable than one which is bulky; this makes it easier for you to bring a larger number of items along with you on your camping trip. This also makes it easier to store your lantern away once you get home without taking up too much space.

Lumens

The number of lumens featured in your camping lantern will define just how powerful of light it emits. There are three main units of measurement used for lights, candela, lumens, and lux. Candela defines the raw brightness of the light and lux defines the brightness of an area onto which the light shines. 

Lumens, on the other hand, are a little more complex than the other units of measurement. Lumens attempt to define both the strength of your light and the diameter of the area which ends up lit. This makes for a better unit of measurement for camping lanterns since they tend to feature a 360-degree angle of lighting.

Keep in mind that camping lanterns can be measured in terms of candela and lux, it is simply less effective for customers to define the effectiveness of a lantern.

Portability

Portability is another important characteristic of camping lanterns since they are meant to be portable lighting units. A more portable camping lantern is one which is good at its job. Portability is related to both size and weight, as well as the collapsibility of your chosen camping lantern.

Superior portability will allow you to bring your camping lantern with you in smaller packs as well as conserving space in your bigger bags. It will also make it less tiring for you to carry your lantern around with you while you are walking through the woods.

Manufacturers

Coleman

Coleman is one of the oldest producers of camping lights in existence, being founded in 1900. They were also the creators of the modern cooler, implementing a plastic lining which ended up significantly improving the quality of their coolers’ thermal insulation. They have the advantage over other companies in terms of experience.

Tough Light

Everything you need to know about Tough Light is evident the moment you read their name. They are a company which is superior to all other manufacturers of camping lights in terms of durability. If you need a camping lantern which can take all sorts of abuse, you should opt for a Tough Light.

Whetstone

Whetstone is a relatively new company that specializes in the manufacture of goods that intended for use outdoors. These goods include camping lanterns which are affordable yet reliable enough to be used in emergency situations without fear of failure.

Etekcity

Etekcity is one of the less specialized manufacturers on this list, as they produce a broad range of electronic products such as digital scales, Bluetooth speakers, kitchen appliances, and more. They tend to make camping lanterns which feature LED lights and extra features that you will not find on competing models.

Maintenance and Cleaning

The process of maintaining and cleaning your camping lantern will be highly dependent on the type of lantern that it is. Lanterns which are powered by gas will have the most intensive maintenance as they will require their tanks to be refilled regularly to work.

When it comes to LED camping lanterns, you will have fewer issues with maintenance and cleaning due to the much cleaner nature of electricity when compared to fuels. Keep in mind that you will have to clean your lantern off since mosquitos regularly and other insects may end up attracted to it.

Conclusion

You will find that camping lanterns are excellent products for users who wish to have an adequate source of light during camping trips and other outdoor excursions. They also make for good light sources in the event of emergencies, particularly models which run on gas or other types of fuel. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment down below.

Sources

https://www.coleman.com/coleman-history-us.html

https://www.etekcity.com

http://toolguyd.com/what-is-a-lumen-lux/

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