View Full Version : Bushlite candle lantern
greg2935
28-01-2005, 19:52
I have been toying with the idea of getting one of these bushlite candle lamps, has anyone had any experience with them ? are they robust?
Link is here here (http://www.maplanga.co.za/bushlite.html)
and a similar type is here (http://www.northernmountain.com/NMSmain.asp?Option=Detail&ID=ADV16AluminumCandleLantern&Dept=LS&Cat=LS3SubCat=LS30&ClearLast=Yes)
Greg
Don't have one but I've always fancied one too.
rapidboy
28-01-2005, 20:27
I have been using 2 of them for years.
I got mine from Attleborough and i reckon they are great kit.
If you use one in your tent it really helps to prevent condensation.
There is a surprising amount of heat from them and they really take the chill out of the air.
Here's a self portrait...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/364_6408_1a.jpg
I even use them in my camper van as they give a much nicer light than the fluorescents it has and you can burn Mozzie patch's to keep the bugs under control.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v76/rapidboy1/370_7004_1.jpg
At first i wasn't sure how well they would last but i have used mine for years and they are still going strong and the glass is still intact.
rb
RB, whats the burn time on candles?
I have the uco one they work well and last for ages i have the uco tealite one two cheap and easy to get hold off the the tealites from b and q :wave:
rapidboy
28-01-2005, 20:48
I find i have to shorten "standard" candles to fit and they usually last a couple of evenings.
I never did a timed test.
My father has a tealight version but it doesn't burn as long.
What about the safety side of things?
I've never thought of using one in my tent before because of what I would of thought was an obvious risk. I guess it's not a problem?
hi stew the uco one will snuff itself out if it falls over so they are save to use and the hanger keeps them a safe distance from anything so no worrys about them setting the tent on fire :wave:
rapidboy
28-01-2005, 21:37
What about the safety side of things?
I've never thought of using one in my tent before because of what I would of thought was an obvious risk. I guess it's not a problem?
The wire handle on mine is long enough to keep it from damaging the tent inner when it's hung up (providing you keep the little top piece closed over).
They are not very stable but you can get an optional base ,i usually try to hang mine up and so far i have never had a problem.
There is something very comforting about a flame even if it's it's only from a candle rather than a fire ,these make a tent a much nicer place to be than if it was illuminated with a torch.
have been using candle lanterns for years, can't tell you anything aout those particular ones but can give you another source, I have done buis. with them for a couple years always got good service, good prices. http://www.campmor.com
greg2935
29-01-2005, 10:51
Cheers for the help all, looks like I might get one then, I've wanted to minimise my use of batteries for a while and guess this is the only realistic alternative.
Greg
bothyman
29-01-2005, 11:08
I have a uco one (whats the difference??)
I have been trying to buy a reflector for it but wherever I ask no one seems to keep them.
I have made one from the top of a gas canister but would like to get hold of the proper one that folds.
I have a UCO and cant complain, but you can make one out of a beer can and a tealite and I have to say that there isnt much of a diffrence - except the tealite costs pennies (and last about 3 hours) and of course you get a good drink first.
Since I was shown this trick I havnt bothered packing my UCO.
Nick
bothyman
29-01-2005, 11:54
I find the reflector casts a lot more light down to where I need it.. :biggthump
I did make one from a beercan but when it was packed away it got crushed. :yikes:
:wave:
bigjackbrass
29-01-2005, 14:02
I've been using a Bushlite for about six years, and indeed when it's not out in the field with me it sits on the bedside cabinet and gets use every evening as my bedside light. The original distributor vanished, but a couple of years ago I tracked down Attleborough who stock the lanterns and accessories. The reflector is well worth buying, but the glass has proved tougher than I expected so the spare I bought is still sitting unused in a drawer.
For candles I use ordinary Price's Household candles, in the red box, less than a pound for a box of six and burn time is generally three hours or so. Price's quote up to five hours, but I suspect that the closed lantern means extra heat and reduced burn time.
There used to be a sort of stove attachment for this lantern, with a spring system to stop it collapsing, but that now seems to have disappeared; probably a good thing. All in all I'd recommend the Bushlite. Most candle lanterns take a slightly larger than normal candle, whereas this one lets you use pretty much any standard candle even if you have to trim the length (which you don't with Price's).
Abbe Osram
29-01-2005, 15:17
I have been toying with the idea of getting one of these bushlite candle lamps, has anyone had any experience with them ? are they robust?
Link is here here (http://www.maplanga.co.za/bushlite.html)
and a similar type is here (http://www.northernmountain.com/NMSmain.asp?Option=Detail&ID=ADV16AluminumCandleLantern&Dept=LS&Cat=LS3SubCat=LS30&ClearLast=Yes)
Greg
I made a candle light and cooker myself and tested the thing in my winter shelter. I love the little thing! Its a real survival equipment, before you get up your fire you have already some snow melted and get a sip of hot water if you want. The candle light gives a very nice light and warmth for a shelter.
Freezing my nuts of last time when I was sleeping in the snow shelter I enjoyed very much to stretch out my hand and get a sip from my little water cooker. It doesn't cost you anything either. I highly recommend that design for you guys. It takes only 30 min and you get the first cup of melted snow to drink.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Abbe/candlelamp03.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Abbe/candlelamp02.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Abbe/candlelamp01.jpg
Here you see the little guy in action
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Abbe/inside_shelter02.jpg
cheers
Abbe
I've got a UCO, the candles are supposed to burn for 9 hours, I like it. The chain is long enough for the heat not to affect my tent and gives a nice warm glow, also takes a bit of the cill out of the air on those cold mornings.
Brian
ChrisKavanaugh
30-01-2005, 05:18
The version sold by Campmor is available in brass or aluminum with an extensive parts list. Candles are an excellent survival item. The Inuit used soapstone oil lamps inside igloos not only for light, but to increase the temperature. If I recall correctly, our quinzie in arctic survival school was @ 0 degrees with subzero temps outside + windchill. With a single pink lady candle burning it warmed up to 20 degrees. The lantern's best feature is safety. http://www.leevalley.com/gifts/page.aspx?c=2&p=46786&cat=4,104,45478&ap=2 is a WW1 soldier's collapsible lantern. LeeValley also has an inexpensive candle lantern listed.
simonsays
30-01-2005, 09:19
[QUOTE=Abbe Osram]I made a candle light and cooker myself and tested the thing in my winter shelter. I love the little thing! Its a real survival equipment, before you get up your fire you have already some snow melted and get a sip of hot water if you want. The candle light gives a very nice light and warmth for a shelter.
Freezing my nuts of last time when I was sleeping in the snow shelter I enjoyed very much to stretch out my hand and get a sip from my little water cooker. It doesn't cost you anything either. I highly recommend that design for you guys. It takes only 30 min and you get the first cup of melted snow to drink.
Hi Abbe, how do you suspend the inner tin (Melting pot) over the candles and how much of a gap did you leave between the flame and the inner tin?
Cheers,
simon
Abbe Osram
30-01-2005, 10:49
[QUOTE=Abbe Osram]I made a candle light and cooker myself and tested the thing in my winter shelter. I love the little thing! Its a real survival equipment, before you get up your fire you have already some snow melted and get a sip of hot water if you want. The candle light gives a very nice light and warmth for a shelter.
Freezing my nuts of last time when I was sleeping in the snow shelter I enjoyed very much to stretch out my hand and get a sip from my little water cooker. It doesn't cost you anything either. I highly recommend that design for you guys. It takes only 30 min and you get the first cup of melted snow to drink.
Hi Abbe, how do you suspend the inner tin (Melting pot) over the candles and how much of a gap did you leave between the flame and the inner tin?
Cheers,
simon
Here is a blueprint of the stove:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v216/Abbe/canblueprint_small.jpg
I guess it will be to small for you to see so I put a link to my webplace where you find a bigger version of the file in the picture gallery.
http://web.telia.com/~u18313429/
I was lazy and didn't put the nail in and only bent the little window flaps into the can, in that way is the water pot standing on the little window flaps. That works fine only problem is that you have to be careful not to cut your fingers. If you are handy and have some good tools I would suggest that you build the one from the blueprint because it is much safer not to cut yourself putting new candles into the cooker/lamp.
good luck mate
cheers
Abbe
We've used the Northern Lights candle for 4 or 5 years now, and we wouldn't go camping without it - It gives out a wonderful light, and on cold evenings inside a 2 man tent, takes the chill off a little. The design also makes it fairly wind proof.
We tend to try and get the candles with Citronella in them, to try and keep the mozzies away - don't know if it works, but physcologicaly it helps :-)
The only maintainance we've had to do is to occasionally clean the glass as sometimes wax creeps up the side - easy to field strip and maintain.
Graham.
greg2935
09-02-2005, 14:16
I went for a bushlite candle lantern which arrived this morning. Very happy with it even if everyone in the office thinks its a waste of time because, 'we have torches and batteries now'. I just wanted to say a very big thank you to everyone that posted.
Greg
dchinell
09-02-2005, 14:37
I've used the non-collapsing Uco that burns tea candles as a "streetlight" to mark my campsite. It does have a harmonious glow that LED lights do not have. Do not touch the top plate during operation.
Bear
I love my bushlite... Does everything it says on the tin !!
I think they go for about £20 on Evilbay at the moment
i use a little screwgate crab on mine and hang it on my hang rope under my basha i love it and have taken it every where with me You can always get a candle and tesco burn for approx 6 hours +
Digressing a bit, can you still get decent paraffin hurricane lamps (the wick type, not pressurised) in the UK? I used to have an excellent German one by Feuerhand but lost it and could only find a very inferior Chinese replacement.
I could buy two Feuerhands for 30 euros delivered to the UK from Germany but surely somewher in Britain has them?
Digressing a bit, can you still get decent paraffin hurricane lamps (the wick type, not pressurised) in the UK? I used to have an excellent German one by Feuerhand but lost it and could only find a very inferior Chinese replacement.
I could buy two Feuerhands for 30 euros delivered to the UK from Germany but surely somewher in Britain has them?
Ikea, about £2.99 iirc :)
Cheers,Toddy
Spacemonkey
06-07-2005, 15:41
I've used the non-collapsing Uco that burns tea candles as a "streetlight" to mark my campsite. It does have a harmonious glow that LED lights do not have. Do not touch the top plate during operation.
Bear
When we make camp, we hang up a couple of those tritium glow rings on paracord (they usually have keys, firesteels, knives etc hanging off so you can find them in the dark) to mark the camp. These can be seen up to about 50ft away but no more, so you can find the camp yourself but not be seen from the other side of the hill, if that's what you want... ;) Great for the middle of the nigh tpee etc! I also hang one on the dog's harness so I can see where he is when out on night time dog walks. Much better than the obtrusive LED he had before.
I too have toyed with getting a Bushlite, and it's only a matter of time. Couldn't buy an Uco, as it reminds me too much of the Japanese word for Poo.... :)
Spikey DaPikey
08-02-2006, 18:43
Just got myself a bushlite, and im very pleased with it.
Only used it in the house for now, but it will go camping with me :)
Spacemonkey
08-02-2006, 19:59
Now tis has been reurrected, I have a question:
What happens to all the wax?
It burns! The metal "cage " holding the candle keeps the liqid wax from dripping, so the vast majority gets burnt.
British Red
08-02-2006, 20:07
Now tis has been reurrected, I have a question:
What happens to all the wax?
Same think that happens to the paraffin in a lamp mate :) most candles are paraffin wax (some are tallow etc.). Either way its an oil that liquifies and burns. The wick draws up the liquid oil (melted by the heat from the wick) and burns it off as vapour. Even "oil" and "petrol" are hydrocarbons - same process
(wow that was nerdy :o )
British Red
08-02-2006, 20:08
It burns! The metal "cage " holding the candle keeps the liqid wax from dripping, so the vast majority gets burnt.
And that was less nerdy :lol
Yup I've got an old Candle Lantern (http://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/Cat/110407?Ref=) (think they're UCO) and they're almost bullet proof, never really leaves my bag.
Grrrr. I didn't know I wanted one until I read this thread! :lmao:
RovingArcher
08-02-2006, 22:12
I have the UCO brass model that I picked up at a yard sale for $5.00. It's a good piece of kit.
More kit I now need :rolleyes:
More kit I now need :rolleyes:
:lmao:
$5!! R.A. you are a jammy beggar, :rolleyes: , mine was nearly £20 :eek:
I got a good bushcrafty green one as a prezzie from my little brother and it is such a simple 'good thing'.
I agree with the something warm and comforting about a little flame, and this one is safe too.
I think there was a thread about a year ago on making your own?
Cheers,
Toddy
I bought my brother one of these for christams about 15 years ago from a company called survival aids.
It is a brilliant piece of kit and as an optional extra I got him an oil lamp insert that converted the candle lamp in to an oillamp. I have never seen these since, nor the company, which is a shame as they had some really good kit.
I bought my brother one of these for christams about 15 years ago from a company called survival aids.
It is a brilliant piece of kit and as an optional extra I got him an oil lamp insert that converted the candle lamp in to an oillamp. I have never seen these since, nor the company, which is a shame as they had some really good kit.
Chopper, Survival Aids basically went bust, but they are still about they now trade under the name of Penrith Survival (although I don't think that they are totally the same as they used to be).
Survival Aids used to offer a couple of different versions of the candle lantern, IIRC the more expensive of the 2 was called the Northern Lights candle lantern and used similair candles to the ones used in the UCO ones.
The Coghlan candle lanter is very light and dependable. It has become my all time favorite.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images12/candlelantern1.jpg
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images12/candlelantern2.jpg
I have a Coghlan's one too. I like the light weight. However I find that it will blow out in the wind. It is fine in a tent though.
I’ve been resisting one of these for years, so thanks for tipping me over the edge!
Does anyone have both a Bushlite and a UCO model, so they could give a definitive answer to which one I should buy? (Although, I think, the Bushlite is the original and I like the brass finish, the UCO one has loads of accessories, and I’m a sucker for accessories!)
Also having discovered these tea light versions made by UCO, should I get one of them instead or as well?
Please help, I have a need to spend £20 on something I’ll probably never use!
Thanks
Andy
Big John
16-02-2006, 12:49
I picked up a tealight lantern the other day - similar to Hoodoo's one but not as solidly built.
Still it was only £1 from ASDA! Bit of a bargain I reckon, definately needs something to pack it in though at the glass is a bit thin. They also had Citronela tealights, 10 for £1.
Labrador
16-02-2006, 13:11
The Orvis Outlet Store in Spalding has the complete Bushlite Kit for £32.00!
(c/w Bushlite, candle box, mozpad adaptor + two mozpads, cleaning stick, reflector & a natty green case for all of the above)
Missus has just got me one from there for my birthday!!!!!
:You_Rock_ (well she does anyway)!
That's a good price. I've ordered one online from endtackle.com for £32.95 delivered - that was the cheapest online price I could find for the kit.
Spikey DaPikey
16-02-2006, 18:47
There for sale on ebay here (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Camping-Latern-Bushlite-light-Land-Rover-Green_W0QQitemZ8766287155QQcat egoryZ36112QQssPageNameZWDVWQQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) The person is in Austraila, but p&p is still good :)
HTH
Don't know if you ever got sorted AJB but I was in Burton on Trent at the weekend visiting friends and they took me to Stringtown Army Surplus Store.
I had a look around and found the UCO Candle lantern (£22) and sitting right next to it was a Sunncamp Candle lantern (£10.99!!).
Bargain I thought, so took a closer inspection. The dimensions and design are pretty similar, saem spring loaded candle and telescopic design.
I favoured this one over the UCO because, not only is it ten quid cheaper but the top of the latern is hinged so you can open it up and light it, whilst closed or as with the UCO, light it thru the side 'window' whilst extended.
If you haven't already bought one I'd definately recommend tracking one down.
Hi Scruff,
Many thanks, no I’m not sorted yet, I was hoping for someone with experience of both, to post some information in this thread. So thanks for bothering, is the version you bought as solid as the UCO?
Thanks again
Hi Scruff,
Many thanks, no I’m not sorted yet, I was hoping for someone with experience of both, to post some information in this thread. So thanks for bothering, is the version you bought as solid as the UCO?
Thanks again
In comparison I found there were elements of them both that let them down.
The UCO has a plastic base screw cap. I thought that it could be quite easy to thread and that the lack of acces through the top was a bit of an oversight.
With a one piece hinged lid I thought the Sunncamp was more practical but this said the holes in the top perhaps let a bit more heat escape than the UCO lantern. Although this does allow you to blow the candle out easier (tricky to open the lid as it gets hot - unsurprisingly :rolleyes: ).
They both extend with the same 'uneven' sliding action. The UCO being painted it was tricky to tell if it was thicker metal.
I think any difference in build quality and materials was very marginal and really wouldn't be surprised if they're made in the same factory.
ps. both come with 9 hour burning candles.
pierre girard
21-02-2006, 14:10
The Coghlan candle lanter is very light and dependable. It has become my all time favorite.
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images12/candlelantern1.jpg
http://www4.gvsu.edu/triert/images12/candlelantern2.jpg
I have something like this, but I think it is from Coleman. Very cheap, and cheaply made from white metal or aluminum, but tiny for packing, and I've used it for years with no complaints.
Most often I just pack candles. Church candles are best as they last a long time. Most churches discard them about the length that they become useful to the camper. I make a lantern (if needed due to wind conditions) from a tube of birch bark with pinholes for light.
To make a birchbark lantern:
Take a piece of birchbark. Make muliple small holes in the center with an awl. Make a slit on one side, and a tongue on the other. Slide tongue through slit making your bark into a tube. Take a piece of wood, sawn across the end grain, and shave the sides so it fits snuggly into the bottom of the of the tube. Sharpen other end of wood to stake into ground. Using your awl, make a hole in the end grain. Sharpen a sliver to fit in the hole. Melt bottom end of candle to fit onto sliver.
You can also make this into a hanging lantern by attaching watabe (spruce root) to two holes bored in either side of the top of the birchbark tube.
Nothing special, they take a few minutes to make, and can be discarded into the fire when you move on.
PG
Minotaur
21-02-2006, 18:30
I really like the idea of one of them, but I want the oil tank as well, which nobody seems to sell in the UK.
Hi Scruff,
Thanks for the info - appreciated.
AJB
I paid $35 Aussie dollars +$12 shiiping for one from here (http://search.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsassZmelkrivier) .
That's about £18 total.
Nice light, very bright, fitted a standard candle.
Thanks for the suggestion:rolleyes: Like I *need* to spend more money.