Epigas lantern? Hmm, not a cult item yet; a bit 1970's-ish ;-)
A Tilley lantern -- now you're talking, amazingly evocative piece of kit!! Would create a great atmosphere in a car-camp + group situation. Wouldn't use one now tho', fuel is a bit of a nuisance (smelly, bulky) and the lamps are mega-bulky pieces of kit
They are extemely good and useable, and still in production, so there is no problem with getting spare parts. I lit mine for the first time in years this morning, when we woke up to a power cut - light, heat and the nostalgic smell of paraffin! The downside is that the lanterns are heavy and need priming with meths. For most uses, a gas lantern is a better option, not only is it lighter and a lot easier to light, but it's a good way of using up almost empty gas cannisters.
I still use Tilley lanterns but find them to be helishly unreliable if you don't clean them off and check them every time you take it away. Also they are not very idiot-proof as some of my mates struggle with the priming and end up with a flaring parafin ball burning in the grass. We've recently updated to some of the coleman dual fuel ones which we use unleaded petrol in. They are far more reliable but we can't let the younger scouts fill/light them because the fuel is too dangerous.
Also use a camping gaz lantern which is pretty good, lightweight and has a built-in spark ignition.
I wouldn't say "at best romantic". We use them on scout camps for when we go back to the tents from HQ at night (we often camp a long way away from each other in the middle of a very dark place) and they get used for making cocoa etc when having just a headtorch is a bit lame. We often put about 5 of them out when we sit around in the evenings just so we can see who we're talking to without the nasty glare of LEDs in everyone's eyes. So they are useful, just they forever break down and are a bit of a pain to light. I suppose it is kinda romantic, we mainly use them because the troop owns them, and has done for 30years...
I have used tilley lamps many times during power cuts etc. They are the best alternitive to electricity IMHO but...The main problem is the afermentioned flare up possibliity especially when lighting for the first time with a new mantle.
These are best used outside because they will easily set a tent on fire! They would probably be ok in very very large tents if you light them outside first. I once lit one in a house and the flames were licking the ceiling on initial start up with a new mantle! The lamp was on a low table so think 4ft+ flames are easily possible!
Ventilation if used in a tent is also a nesecity.
There are a number of gas variations which are great for backpacking. Often they do not have a fragile glass but a mesh or wire cage instead. These are much safer in my experience than a liquid fuel tilley and I use mine in my tent in the winter. They should still be lit outside because they can also flare up on initial light up and will always flare up when a new mantle is llit for the first time. Don't forget to take a spare mantle or two!
I've seen a canvas patrol tent being trashed by a Tilley, luckily I stamped it out so only a smallish (fist-sized) hole was made, but I did ram home the dangers of fires in tents.
