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RV Camping And The Perfect Camping Lantern
RV Camping and enjoying pleasant nights are
perfect activities. This article about camping lanterns will help you decide what is the
perfect camping lantern for your needs.
Let There Be Light, Part 1 The Camping Lantern
Author: Nick Smith
The only thing worse than setting up a tent in the rain is setting up a tent in the rain
in the dark. That is a lesson I learned all too well while trying to set up camp in the
middle of the night during a cold New England thunderstorm. Having the right camping
lantern can be the difference between a camping trip you'll never forget and one you wish
you could.
A good camping lantern is usually one of two styles - gas or battery - and the right one
for you depends on the type of camping you'll be doing, the amount of gear you can afford
to take, and what you'll be doing while you're camping.
Gas Camping Lanterns
Gas-powered lanterns typically provide the brightest light of the two types, though most
are adjustable so you can conserve fuel when you don't need as much light. They usually do
better in the cold than do battery-powered lanterns. There are a number of 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 fuel lanterns
are probably the best option because they allow you use unleaded gas. You usually can't go
wrong if you choose a lantern that uses the same fuel as your camp stove.
Though it may seem obvious to most, it is worth mentioning that all of these fuels are
extremely flammable, and any time you change or refill tanks you should be far away from
any open flames or flame sources. Also, because of the nature of system, gas camping
lanterns can become very hot, and while in use they should be kept out of children's easy
reach.
Necessary equipment besides the lantern and fuel includes spare mantels and a way to light
the lantern. Most new lanterns come with electric ignitions, so you won't have to worry
about including matches or a barbecue lighter in your supplies for the lantern (don't
forget them if you plan on having a fire or cooking something!). You'll need to get a
protective carrying case as most lanterns don't come with one included. Optional equipment
includes a lantern reflector to redirect light escaping out of the back of the lantern,
and a stand to hang your lantern in a central place in camp. Gas camping lanterns are not
practical options if you'll be hiking to where you'll be camping, so you'll need to
consider another lighting option.
Battery-Powered Camping Lanterns
Battery-powered camping lanterns make up in convenience anything they may lose in other
categories. With a little bit of searching you'll be able to find lanterns that use every
size and type of battery, and you will be hard pressed to find a gas station or convenient
store that doesn't sell batteries. Though not as bright as their gas-powered counterparts,
battery-powered lanterns put out plenty of light. On many you can adjust the brightness.
One of their biggest advantages is that they are safe to take inside tents, cars, or other
enclosed space. You should never take a gas-burning lantern into a tent or car because of
the risk of fire. Depending on the type of light bulb, battery-powered lanterns don't ever
get very hot, so they are safer to use around children. They don't do as well in the cold
as gas lanterns, so if you're planning any cold weather camping trips, you'll need to
consider whether you should have a gas lantern available.
Battery-powered camping lanterns, though sometimes less bulky than gas lanterns, typically
are a little larger than you would ever want to carry with you on a hike. Some flashlights
feature a lantern option - you sacrifice quite a bit in the way of brightness, but you
lose a lot of the bulk, which makes them good hiking options. Additional equipment you
should have on hand in addition to the lantern includes extra batteries, spare light
bulbs, and optionally a lantern stand that you can put in a central spot in camp.
Which Brand Should I Get?
The brand of lantern you should get depends on what you need and how much you're willing
to spend. There are a lot of quality camping lanterns out there. Some have a few more
bells and whistles than others. Some cost more than others. The best way to shop for a
lantern is first, decide which type of lantern you'll need; and second, shop around for
the best price. You'll usually find the best deals online, though retail stores and
outdoors warehouses also have great prices sometimes. The most important thing to remember
is to get out and enjoy the great outdoors, even if it's dark.
About the author: Nick Smith is an outdoor enthusiast and client account specialist
with 10x Marketing
- More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue. If you need a camping lantern, check out
Bargaintable.com.
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