uco candle lantern

[spiritwalker]

right i have been paid and i am in the market for another candle lantern (had a cheap copy years ago used a tea light but was not glass was plastic globe and ultimately not very good) now i plan to get the full shebang this time neoprene case and a top reflector but the big question is shall i get the classic or the mini?

its for my polish army laavu and ideally as well as light i am looking for a little heat and i want to be able to read by it so whats your thoughts based on experience please....

lurch expect an order this week

[seatarp]

I've the classic, nine hour candle lantern, and top reflector, both of which are great. It does need to be quite close to read by though and it will also burn tealight candles, needs a little trick, which doesn't damage the lantern, for that. The beeswax and citronella candles are nice.
Bottom line is it makes a nice glowing light, produces some heat, but if you want to read an LED head torch is better.

[spiritwalker]

yeah i am thinking of the citronella candles i like the smell of them... maybe the side reflector will aid reading i like reading by candle light

[Toddy]

I have both, and yes they are very good, but I think if I wanted both heat and light I'd buy the candelabra one that takes three tealights. If you buy the Prices tealights intended to keep tabletop chauffage pots warm (Chinese supermarket, 50 for about £6 last time I bought them) they last for six or seven hours and aren't smokey.

cheers,
Toddy

[rik_uk3]

You won't get any real heat of these setups, to be honest take a micro gas lantern with you which throw you significant heat and light. Any heat off these candle setups is more a placebo effect that true heating IMHO.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gelert-Halo-PZ...item255f33afcd type of thing, give off almost half a kilowatt of heat and are frugal on gas.

[RonW]

So if I understand correctly these lanterns aren't much good for heat or lighting, then??
I was about to buy one of the UCO lanterns, the ones which take candles, but at €21 (cheapest incl shipping) I think I could be looking for an alternative.

[Toddy]

It's the simplicity that appeals
They pack small and light and give enough light for comfort without destroying night vision, and it's a soft warm heat and a pleasant scent (beeswax ones)
I have to admit though that the krill lights work fine for me too

M

[Tengu]

I love mine for an ambient light but not to read by

I make my own candles

[spiritwalker]

maybe i should stick to the parafin hurricane lanterns just thought the uco would be safer inside the wee laavu

[rik_uk3]

So if I understand correctly these lanterns aren't much good for heat or lighting, then??
I was about to buy one of the UCO lanterns, the ones which take candles, but at €21 (cheapest incl shipping) I think I could be looking for an alternative.

Ron, its a candle, nothing else so ask yourself how much light and heat will you get? As others said they are a simple background light but not good for reading with. Cut the front out of a beer can and put a tea light in it which works much the same though not as windproof.

I don't worry about night vision, I use hurricane lamps and pressure lanterns.

[Stingray]

I set mine up in the tent at rallies before I go off to imbibe.
It's nice to come back to and I think it does raise the temp a bit.No good for reading by though.It does have the advantage of snuffing itself out when knocked over or bashed to death.
(i.e. falling into tent whilst imbibed )