Let There Be Light, Part 1 - The Camping Lantern
By Nick Smith, Fri Dec 9th
/p> The only thing worse than setting up a tent in the rain issetting up a tent in the rain in the dark. That is a lesson Ilearned all too well while trying to set up camp in the middleof the night during a cold New England thunderstorm. Having theright lantern can be the difference between a campingtrip you'll never forget and one you wish you could. A good lantern is usually one of two styles - gas orbattery - and the right one for you depends on the type ofcamping you'll be doing, the amount of gear you can afford totake, and what you'll be doing while you're camping. Gas Lanterns
Gas-powered lanterns typically provide the brightest light ofthe two types, though most are adjustable so you can conservefuel when you don't need as much light. They usually do betterin the cold than do battery-powered lanterns. There are a numberof different types of fuel available, including propane, butane,dual fuel, and kerosene. If you live in an area where white gas(butane, propane, etc) is not readily available, dual fuellanterns are probably the best option because they allow you useunleaded gas. You usually can't go wrong if you choose a lanternthat uses the same fuel as your camp stove. Though it may seem obvious to most, it is worth mentioning thatall of these fuels are extremely flammable, and any time youchange or refill tanks you should be far away from any openflames or flame sources. Also, because of the nature of system,gas lanterns can become very hot, and while in use theyshould be kept out of children's easy reach. Necessary equipment besides the lantern and fuel includes sparemantels and a way to light the lantern. Most new lanterns comewith electric ignitions, so you won't have to worry aboutincluding matches or a barbecue lighter in your supplies for thelantern (don't forget them if you plan on having a fire orcooking something!). You'll need to get a protective carryingcase as most lanterns don't come with one included. Optionalequipment includes a lantern reflector to redirect lightescaping out of the back of the lantern, and a stand to hangyour lantern in a central place in camp. Gas lanternsare not practical options if you'll be hiking to where you'll becamping, so you'll need to consider another lighting option. Battery-Powered
Lanterns Battery-powered lanterns make up in convenience anythingthey may lose in other categories. With a little bit ofsearching you'll be able to find lanterns that use every sizeand type of battery, and you will be hard pressed to find a gasstation or convenient store that doesn't sell batteries. Thoughnot as bright as their gas-powered counterparts, battery-poweredlanterns put out plenty of light. On many you can adjust thebrightness. One of their biggest advantages is that they are safe to takeinside tents, cars, or other enclosed space. You should nevertake a gas-burning lantern into a tent or car because of therisk of fire. Depending on the type of light bulb,battery-powered lanterns don't ever get very hot, so they aresafer to use around children. They don't do as well in the coldas gas lanterns, so if you're planning any cold weather campingtrips, you'll need to consider whether you should have a gaslantern available. Battery-powered lanterns, though sometimes less bulkythan gas lanterns, typically are a little larger than you wouldever want to carry with you on a hike. Some flashlights featurea lantern option - you sacrifice quite a bit in the way ofbrightness, but you lose a lot of the bulk, which makes themgood hiking options. Additional equipment you should have onhand in addition to the lantern includes extra batteries, sparelight bulbs, and optionally a lantern stand that you can put ina central spot in camp. Which Brand Should I Get? The brand of lantern you should get depends on what you need andhow much you're willing to spend. There are a lot of qualitycamping lanterns out there. Some have a few more bells andwhistles than others. Some cost more than others. The best wayto shop for a lantern is first, decide which type of lanternyou'll need; and second, shop around for the best price. You'llusually find the best deals online, though retail stores andoutdoors warehouses also have great prices sometimes. The mostimportant thing to remember is to get out and enjoy the greatoutdoors, even if it's dark.
About the author:Nick Smith is an outdoor enthusiast and client accountspecialist with 10xMarketing - More Visitors. More Buyers. MoreRevenue. If you need a campinglantern, check out Bargaintable.com.
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