Hi! Just got this Optimus from a charming old lady. As I understand it quite a few of these lanterns are China made. Is there a definite way to establish where my lantern is made? Bought new in Sweden. Thanks in advance. /Peter
All 1551s are made in China. I believe it was the same factory as Anchor. There are two variants, the one you have here and another that is identical to the Anchor with the red wheel and pump knob.
@Nils Stephenson Ahhh! Thank you. Thought it was a bit “cheaper made” than my other lanterns... So basically no need to keep it in unused condition, for value reasons then? /peter
Hi Peter, if you plan to use the lantern, don't forget to take away the plastic globe protectors! Personally, I'd not keep this lantern unfired (but, that's my opinion!). Most of the Anchor products are of decent quality. Only 'problem' would be it probably has a steel fount, and so might develop some rust if not well looked after. But, unless used by the sea or in very damp conditions this will be no problem. Best regards, Wim @Peter
@Wim Just what I wanted to hear! Curious about the light a 500cp lantern produces. Reckon it must be very bright since the 350 I got lights up half of my neighborhood /Peter
These lanterns usually work very well, but might need a bit of adjustment first. They are steel so are prone to rust, so keep it dry. The one I use is a very bright lantern, certainly on par with any other 500cp lantern I've seen. As the prices of these is still reasonable (even though it seems to be going up), I have an unused one in my collection and a slightly rusty one to use.
A real shame in some ways... Optimus lanterns made in Sweden were of such good quality. The 1551 in some ways gave Optimus a "black eye". The quality is just not the same. I guess it's the same as today's Petromax lanterns. I'm sure Coleman "cuts corners" on their lanterns, too! I'm sure most parts are made overseas and assembled at the Coleman plant. That way they can say made in the USA!
Once it's set up properly and the plastic guard for the glass has been removed then it should work well, but do keep it dry or it won't last long.
Mine works very well, and is the identical version as Yours. As others have stated, one has to look after it or rust hits it.
That Optimus was probably manufactured in China according to the basic features of the Anchor. I think its fairly well-made for a day-to-day workhorse and seldom plagued with problems. Keep the rust at bay, and it'll serve its function boringly-well. The light output is nothing less than the World's best-made 500cp-rated lanterns of any make or brand. Ok, perhaps not as finely-finished to the smallest details like a... say, an Optimus 300? But then, those were iconic Swedish-mades that have been nostalgically impressioned in our minds. They can't be compared against.
Looking at picking one of these up myself. Does yours have the Optimus globe? I have a Tower brand 500cp and I’m wondering if this is the same quality.
I had the latest 1551 with the red plastic parts for the speed ignition and pump knob. It worked really well. My present 1551 is identical to the one the thread creator has. On that one it is the same Optimus german made Suprax globe, but the later one had a other make, marked Optimus though.
