Understanding the market around the Exponent 229? (Coleman 222, 226, 229 content)

Hello All - I'm a new member to the forum but much of my internet searching has brought me to this group. Lots of good info here!

I'm an outdoorsy person and had a thought to add a small, single mantle, liquid fuel, Coleman lantern to my collection. I already have a PowerHouse duel fuel that is good for car camping. I quickly learned that Coleman does not make a small model anymore. Since I have a Coleman Exponent 442 stove, and learning that there was a matching Exponent 229 lantern, I started looking at the used market for a 229. I'm now aware that there was the 222, the 226, possibly a couple versions of the 229, and maybe other small models.

I'm finding that a 226 is pretty widely available. I'm finding that the 229 gets snatched up as soon as it is listed. My first question is why is the 229 so desirable vs. the others? I've had 2 slip through my hands recently, either because I was slow to find it, or the price went sky-high.

My second question is what is the difference(s) between the 222, 226, and 229? My assumption is that they are basically the same lantern but the model number changed with each newer generation of tweaks, feature added, color changed, etc. Pic for some eye candy:





Thanks for the help!

 

I consider them a Coleman novelty. Needing constant pumping up with the small air pressure reserve. The earlier 222s have a slightly smaller gen orfice that will get you close to 30 minutes between pump ups whereas the 226/229 variants are more like every 10-15 minutes. But they are still fun and I have a hard time leaving them behind when they are cheap

 

@zuren In terms of size and weight they’re unequalled as a backpacking lantern. I took one (a 226) on a trek through snow to light up my lunch break in the dark interior of fir woodland.










As Toby Gardner has suggested, an early 222 is the better performer over my 226. I considered why that might be in THIS post. The 222 has a conventional Coleman fuel pickup and fuel/air metering needle within concentric pickup tubes, the 226 has no mechanical metering. The 226 is harder to start and depressurises the air more quickly.

 

@presscall great pictures!! Won't be long before the cold sets in here again.

One thing to keep in mind, not all 222s have the metering rod setup. If they are a 3 position valve they have a metering rod. If it's a 2 position it does not. Same with the 275/275A lanterns. As long as the non metering rod F/A tube is good and clean they start and run beautifully. The main advantage of the metering rod in my mind is your pickup can be a little cruddy and with a quick switch of the valve you can have fuel delivered whereas on the later style F/A tube you are forced to physically clean it... Not a big deal either way

I traded off my 2 position brown 222 but here's a 222A showing the valve positions

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks for the replies!

So what I'm gathering from this conversation is that out of the 3 models, I should focus on a 222 with a 3-position valve?

 

@zuren that would be my choice. Keep in mind the 222s are easily converted to the later 226/229 generator setup. Normally evident by the heat shield as the generator slot must be cut wider to accommodate the fatter gen body...

 

Thank you for all of the guidance! I ended up with a 222 with the 3-position valve that I just fired up for the first time tonight. I already like the size. It gave me some trouble at first, and I lost some hair from my knuckles, but it finally lit, stabilized, and ran steady. I wonder if I need to add a little Seafoam to the fuel. I'll do some more reading as I know the seals can go bad.

And to show-n-tell my other pressure toys, I have a:

- 295 dual mantle, duel fuel lantern (early 2000s, I received new)
- 442 Exponent single-burner stove (purchased new by me in the late 90s or early 2000s)
- Coleman 2-burner suitcase stove (not pictured, inherited from my parents, 1970s vintage)

The 295 hasn't been lit in a LONG time...I should probably run it. Despite anything being duel fuel, I only use Coleman fuel. I have a couple other candle and oil lanterns that mostly see emergency power outage duties, as well as a couple alcohol stoves. I just purchased more Coleman and alcohol fuel so I should be set for a while.

Thanks again!

 

@zuren Glad the 222 serves. A collection of ‘classics’ you have there.

 

Today I took the 222 out to the garage, gave it a shot of Seafoam, pumped it up firm, then lit it up to run the mix through. I was also running a timer. I never touched the pump again as I wanted to see how long it would run on a single session of pumping. After 60 min., I shut it down. Still seemed bright and there was still pressure in the tank.

Toby mentioned 30 min. between pumping - is that time for keeping it at max output/brightness?

Thanks!