Hi from Japan, First I would like to say that this forum is very informative and truly helpful on every step of me finding my very first pressure lamp. Before I continue I would like to apologize if I’m violating any rules, as I am noob so please forgive me. If the admin wants me to move this post I will do it immediately. Here’s the lamp I found online and I don’t know what model this is and I really need help if anyone can fine more info on this lamp. It says Primus but I think this is a Franken or may be it was made like this. Any help or advice is much appreciated. thank you, Eleazar
Thank you guys for the info but this 1092 is this noisy like the Petromax? Also the seller wants $130USD for it is this a goood deal or should I pass?
A quick update, I pass on the Primus 1092 (I was really going to get it but change mind in last minute) and went back on a hunting mode with a new objectives in mind. Please feel free to give me an advice. We are a family of three who likes to go on camping trip and for the past months we’ve been upgrading our gears. Our recent purchase is Tentipi Safir eco 7 and we thought adding a pressure lamp made in Sweden would complete the set up. My wife is on board and love the idea of having a vintage shiny made of nickel or brass pressure lamp as a nostalgic feeling, however we have never had any experience with it we are afraid it might be too noisy to have in the camp site. So with that being said is there something you can recommend? Like a quiet, made of nickel or brass preferably small type of pressure lamp. I’m sorry if I’m too chattery as I mention above that it’s a quick update but it turns out to be a long one. Honestly, the more I dig in to it the more excited I get. It would be really special time that we as a family can enjoy while doing a yakiniku at night or just sitting back relaxing whatever it is we’re doing it’s going to be fun knowing we have a lamp that we can rely on for life.
Curious why it must be a Swede. Also: try the smallest one, 250-150cp versions. They give light too and are easier to camp with. A Hipolito 250cp lantern would be a good choice.
I believe they are well built and I like their attention to detail when it comes to camping gear. I will look into it! Excuse my ignorance, is hipolito made by petromax? Thanks!
The Optimus 350's are not as loud as the 500's. Swedish and not too hard to find. (well here anyway). If you want a basic, quiet lantern look at a Bialaddin/Vapalux or a Tilley.
Is Mercedes made by Toyota ? Petromax is made somewhere in China. HIPOLITO as AIDA 1250 are well made lanterns. The roaring is, my opinion, caused by the paddle of the mixture screw. Besides the fact that the expanding gasses leaving the jet make a noise too. But this should be the same at most lanterns of the same build and jet size.
That’s a great input I prioritize the noise more than anything else but wifey likes the Swedish bling factor. Do you know how big the 350 is, let say to Optimus baby 100?
Your analogy of Mercedes and Toyota thing is well understood. There’s so many petromax here in Japan with a high price tag and I thought they were made in Germany. most people at the camp site that own a pressure lamp have told me the sound they make is like a music to their ear. Is there a possible way to adjust the jet noise to at bare minimum?
The 350 is the same size as the 500 - but the jet/nipple is smaller resulting in lower noise. No - they are not really adjustable - the wheel is not a volume control just an on/off and move the pricker wire mechanism.
Originally Petromax were made in Germany. Hipolitos in Portugal but basically the same lantern - similar quality. Petromax production moved to Portugal, and later all production moved to China. This thread is helpful: Distinguish between European made petromax an asian made
Depends on your camp site quite honestly. Some pack you in like sardines in a tin. A 500CP Petromax Hipolito or any other will be most unpopular - and might be judged a fire risk. Sorry electric hookup and LEDs only here. Not my kind of place. If you do end up on a friendly site, even if there is enough space, some neighbours say a 500CP lamp is anti-social at 50m away. Meanwhile they keep playing their TV or music. A 200-250CP, something like a Tilley usually goes unremarked. For use inside the tent better go for a gassie of about 100CP
@Fireexit1 thank you for the great info yet again, it’s fascinating to learn all the amazing history behind the pressure lamp at a speed of light. The link is a must read and I can’t recommend enough for those who is about to buy petromax. Thank you!
I was bouncing around between vintage Tilley and Bialaddin circa ‘50 they look really nice but for some reason the Sweden’s make like the Primus, Optimus and Radius are more appealing for me. I hope I make any sense. Due to our purpose I will stick to your advice of getting 100cp I think for the most part it will be a stealthy and won’t be loud as the 500cp.
I like the Radius 119 a lot and have gotten most of the check marks for what we’re looking for, however I’m concern about the size. After getting some great advice my wife and I are leaning to stay 100cp/150cp small build but high quality. Here’s the list of what we think is good. Optimus 100 Radius 101 petromax 100 Hipolito 100 - 150cp I like Primus a lot but looks like all their offering are large.
I don't know what the market is like in Japan - but here in the UK the 100cp lanterns are very hard to find. 250cp lanterns are more common - but still much more rare than the 350/500cp ones. Tilleys/Bialaddins work a little differently to the petromax type of lantern but the principle is the same. You should probably make sure you understand that before buying/lighting one. That said, they are all great fun and a nice piece of working history - whatever you end up with. Another consideration is spare parts. Petromax spares are easier to come by. Many parts are interchangable between the other petromax - type lantern manufacturers but some are not. All except Petromax are no longer made - and even then these are made in China. Optimus parts are normally not too difficult to find in Europe.
Forget the 100cp or 100Hk lanterns. They are overpriced and parts are not available. Even parts for a genuine 150cp lantern are hard to get, simply because they are not made any more.
Tilley X246B are much maligned but they are plentiful and cheap here. Once you get one working well it is very quiet and inoffensive to use on a camp site. 100CP is not quite enough for outside the tent but it is perfect inside. I like gas lamps there. They either burn and give light or they don't. If they go out they leak some gas instead which vents out of the tent anyway (always a bit leaky). A paraffin/kero lamp will keep on going until it starts burning up in the dome - that usually ends up as a melted burner and scrap. A petrol/naptha lamp - in my experience- usually burns down quietly until all the fuel is gone. This might be the best outcome. Does anyone have any further comments? It's a subject we might discuss.
After considering all your input my wife and I have decided to buy a Primus 991 (I made a WTB thread on the trading post) so please PM me. @Fireexit1 I valued your advice of considering the spare parts. The 991 is famous here along with 981 and some parts are still available but expensive. @WimVe youre right about the 100cp being over price but I got really charm with their attractive measurements. That’s why we went with Primus 991 is expensive but not insanely overpriced like 100cp you’ve mentions above and it can produce 200cp not too bright just enough not to alarm the next campers. @JonD I have been told many times too before that we should settle with the Tilley due to their quietness, availability, affordability and robustness. It gotten all the check marks and if it was for me I would have gotten it in a heart beat but I camp with family and Primus won my wife and daughters heart. Probably Optimus and Radius is their second choice.
