I plan on camping/hunting this fall and am in the process of getting a list of supplies. I don't have anything fancy tent wise just a basic Coleman style tent. I got most everything I need but was curious what light source I could use for inside the tent.. Maybe an electric lantern or real lantern ? Push button type light or just a flashlight ( but want something hands free)? I got a few ideas but wanted to ask those who camp quite often . Thanks
I've used a Black Diamond Orbit lantern the past several years to good service. I purchased it for backcountry/ultralight use, but I've also used it with the kids on a handful of backyard/car-camping type outings and it works great.
I'm only using it for reading at night and to provide enough light to see inside the tent. For its size and cost (apx. $25) it's exceeded my expectations. I believe Black Diamond also makes some larger versions that might better suit your uses....
I just use a cheap Coleman electric lantern to change clothes to go to bed. I keep a small flashlight handy for emergencies. I also keep a pee jar in the tent so I don't have to struggle out of it in the middle of the night or early morning.
I mostly use my flashlight. It is a fenix pd30 and has a light diffuser attachment. I hang it from the top loop in my tent and it gives me enough to dress and read a little.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v235/VIArcher/gorillatorch_family_original_image_zpsfdje48c2.jpg) (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/VIArcher/media/gorillatorch_family_original_image_zpsfdje48c2.jpg.html)
This is the one that is always in my pack. Great for extra lighting when setting camp or dressing an animal. Wrap around a branch, tent pole or hang from a guy line or loop. Three AA batteries, pretty light weight for the amount of light it throws.
I use a small Coleman LED lantern. It doesn't take up much room and is plenty bright enough for my large dome tent.
+1 on the pee bottle. Make sure it holds enough to get through the night
Good deal, I'll look into these . I appreciate the tips .
A candle lantern is all you need, it will give plenty of light inside a tent and extra candles don't take up much room.
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I've done a lot of backpack camping trips and we always tried to save weight. I bought a good flashlight and we just ran t on the low setting with a diffuser on the tip for lighting inside the tent or around camp. Puts out a good amount of light given the size.
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Duplicate post. delete please
I bought this one last fall. Its really nice.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Streamlightreg-The-Siege8482-LED-Lantern/1646815.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtr ue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dlantern%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=lantern (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Streamlightreg-The-Siege8482-LED-Lantern/1646815.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dlantern%26x%3D10%26y%3D6%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=lantern)
LUCI solar light, check it out.
Thom
x2 on the LUCI light. If you don't know what it is, please check it out. Lots of lumens, lightweight, never needs a battery and packs very small.
Ron, that is a cool lantern. I may try to make one.
I have a grease lamp or Betty Lamp as some call it. It's small and takes up hardly any room in your pack. I use it when I'm packing very light with just a small canvas for a lean-to shelter. It's fueled with the grease or oil from your fry pan (my pan is small with a folding handle).. the wick burns bright and gives off as much light as you need. If you have a chunk of slab bacon in your pack you'll have plenty of fuel.
(http://exhibits.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/athome/1800/objects/largejpgs/greaselamp.jpg)
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Sounds like car camping to me. I'd suggest a small Coleman lantern. Makes a lot of light for little fuel and has the benefit of giving off heat for those chilly fall mornings.
QuoteSounds like car camping to me. I'd suggest a small Coleman lantern. Makes a lot of light for little fuel and has the benefit of giving off heat for those chilly fall mornings.
Hey Charlie ya don't need heat, that's what they make long johns for. :biglaugh:
Charlie x 2. I like the heat and the light- a plus for me.
Toughen up guys, light a few more candles if you need heat.
Long John's? What are those? ;)
QuoteLong John's? What are those?
I was wondering when I wrote that if you'd know what I was talkin about. :goldtooth:
Depends on what you want the light for. If you're going to do any reading then a efficient LED tent lantern is the way to go.
If I'm not reading and just need light to navigate by I hang a cylume stick in the top of the tent. plenty of light and no batteries to mess with.
Also use lanterns for light and heat. Cold mornings, roll over in bag, light the lantern wait 15 minutes and rise. VENT THE TENT
I'll mainly just be in the tent to sleep, put clothes on and go thru my bag/ gear, etc. These are all great ideas. . I really hope to be outside skinnin a deer and if not, sitting by the campfire . Thanks again
Another question ... What about skinning a deer in the dark ( after an afternoon hunt )..I would say my truck headlights but I can't get my truck down to where I'll be.. Maybe my fourwheeler lights? Same light sources as above? Headlamp? Just curious. Appreciate it
Well out here your dang lucky if your within a mile of a road or trail of some kind. A good headlamp is a must for taking an animal apart after dark.
With our Eena sail canvas wall tent we use a 3 dog heater with a charcoal grid a couple of inches off the bottom so the charcoals won't smother. Two kerosene lanterns with the clean burning indoor fuel, and a gas Coleman for outside stuff. With my 8x8 sail canvas baker style we set the heater in the front porch if we don't need to carry it to far and just the Coleman gas lantern. If we carry it out a ways or are on a canoe adventure, it is a campfire out front and candle lanterns for inside light, but my wife prefers the battery powered four tube jobs when we take our nylon tents. I like to be able to stand up when I get dressed and I also like to see who I am stepping on while attempting to pull my long johns up. Those Huntmors are just about the best tent seat made. Four of them fit around our folding table, we need to have enough light to play cards at night. Lantern hangers have become very important for that convenience.
For most of what you are talking about doing a headlamp will do a great job. Going through gear, cooking, cleaning game - nothing I've tried works better. Hands free, and always light exactly where you are looking with no shadows.
The only thing that a headlamp doesn't work well with is talking to other people. You'll look like a cyclops with that headlamp shining them in the eyes.
Buy a cheap LED headlamp at Walmart. Great for dressing and skinning game in the dark. Also for rooting through and finding things.
I'll look into a headlamp. Thanks again for the info
I have found that a headlamp that tilts can do everything I need for back country trips, in and outside the tent. But in a base camp I'd also want some type of area light (lantern type) to make it more comfy.
I have a couple of lanterns I use around camp. Colman propane, a couple of Kerosene lanterns, and a battery operated one for inside the tent. I also keep a flashlight for when I need to walk around at night away from camp, and a tricolor headlamp. The Headlamp has three LEDs, a large bright white one for standard use, a green one, and a red one. I'll usually use the red light if I'm doing something around camp and don't want to wake everyone up or go blind from the sudden bright white main light.
My wife brought home led lights that slide on to the bill of a cap. They will do steady white with a high and low setting, They will flash blue, white or red. I like to put three of them on my cap when I ride my bicycle at night. One flashing red, one flashing blue and the middle one flashing white. I am like a late night bicycle cop. I tried one hunting with my Fred Bear hat. When I went to crossing a stream and looking for the shallow spot, my light slipped off the brim and into the deeper water. I learned three things, 1. They slide of the brim of my hat. 2. They are waterproof. 3. They sink.
Have the Coleman lantern my family has used for over 60 years and still keep mantles and fuel stored for it.
However, I use ordinary battery powered lanterns for the tents and a propane lantern for cooking in camp.
For a latrine walking flashlight, I found a LED pen light at the local hardware store called a "Larry" light by Nebo that has eight (that's right, 8) bulbs in its small six inch handle and WOW, it lights up the world. Gave seven away at Christmas and keep two handy for those dark corners. Bet it can be seen from outer space.
I sometimes take a small, light, UCO candle lantern for the tent, if I'm not carrying things very far.
But I always have a good multi-setting LED headlamp in my pack, and a strong Fenix LED flashlight in the tent.
led headlamps for me....I like the ones with multiple leds and different color options ...hands free ...great when your packing out in the dark...