Gear

Anyone know about those little LED tent lamps you hang from the 'ceiling'?

I've decided its a gadget that will make dark hours much more pleasant, and want to get one. Saw one in a shop about a week ago and nearly bought it, only about £7, but it was an unknown brand and only had one bulb. Maybe paying a little more gets you something much better with 2 bulbs?

Any recommendations? Not seen any information on this.....

I use one of these.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bkMKHBJBuwg/SeyNXkuHWoI/AAAAAAAAAbc/qoBaGbas33U/s1600-h/P1010333.jpg

There are 2 versions, one lights all 3 LED's, the other switches through 3-2-1. The only problem that as you press the lens to switch on you need to reverse a battery when packing. I bought my switchable one from Dunelm Mill.

 http://www.dunelm-mill.com/product/7865.htm

Drill 2 holes and thread a bit of cord through to hang it, the hook on mine came from a pack of either socks or boxers from Primark.

It weighs 66g

This baby is so bright you have to knock it down a level and its a lot smaller than it looks online.... ALPKIT..

or for £7 you could get 10 of these (says 1.29 each, but they're on BOGOF at present) - I use them and they're great, cheaper than buying the batteries for dead ones!

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_8&products_id=103945

or 2 of these solar powered ones and have money left for a beer

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_8&products_id=105780

Or you could save on the batteries (how dodgy do they get in the cold?) and use this more environmentally friendly version?

http://candlelantern.com/

Or youcould try this one as demonstrated by the Stunning Claire Maxted

Linky

I've just picked up the waterproof osrams suggested by R_Mac. Not tried them in the field yet but they are bright enough at home. They were 25% off in Sainsburys (not sure if this is still the case) Can easily fit in your pocket

I got the Alpkit one at the camping show as I was impressed by brightness. This will probably replace a cheap 4 led one I was using before http://www.dorcy.com/products.aspx?p=411017 a decent amount of light for the size but uses 4 aa batteries. 

I've also got the uco candle lanterns suggested by terrybnd these weigh about the same as the alpkit one (about 200g) including candle, decent amount of light as well as a small amount of warmth, and you can get citronella candles to keep pests away.

Aye...I have a stash of the citronella ones too...for summer use.

Bit of foil cut and clipped to the hea shield of the UCO lantern helps focus the light a bit more

The Black Diamond looks nice, but its 4 AA batteries - too big and heavy for lightweight wild camping.

Having said that if Claire were in the tent with me I'd want to see her properly, so fair play.

Think what I need is a few of those dinky little key ring things, never mind the mock "lantern" design that bumps up the price....

 I use these in the tent. Weight 28g.  As the first review on the page says, buying the lanterns is probably cheaper than buying the batteries for them in many UK shops. Very cheap. Very light. Good light output.

I use a tealight lantern, maybe the Uco one - not sure I've had it about 20 years.

Absolutely fool-proof and if you feed it with Ikea tealights it's very cheap to run (2p each, or .5p an hour).

I do have an LED keyring light but only as it's always 'just there' in the tent roof and vital for finding kit such as the lighter / headtorch.

Mini lantern here

I'd like to add that today I bought a UCO candle lantern in Millets (Cardiff) for £10.99.

I really don't know if this is a local cockup or if the lantern is available nationwide at Millets stores for that price. Check it out!

Or, as an expensive but versatile alternative if you're also wanting a v bright torch, how about one of these

 http://www.thephotonshop.co.uk/page31.htm

with one of their lantern diffuser tips (£3.25) - 65hrs@12 lumens, or 1.8hrs at an incredibly bright 215 lumens - ideal for permanently blinding your loved ones - and only 49g excluding batteries.

One question about all those candle lanterns - don't they let off a huge amount of heat from the top, meaning you're risking setting your precious and very expensive tent alight just by hanging it up, never mind the further risk of potentially having a naked flame between you and the tent exit? Having seen several of tents catch fire over the years, most of which might have been doused in petrol first given how quickly the flames spread, are candle lanterns safe enough to be used inside?

Here's a great set of instructions to make a light-weight, night-light type lantern I keep meaning to have a go at.

LEDs are ok and have their place for sure, but a candle gives a more atmospheric glow.