Seeking recommendation for lantern

I have an Optimus 200P that I used as a basic utility / work lantern but it is now broken. I'll get around to fixing it someday. In the meantime, I'd like to obtain a replacement. I need something that is a good solid workhorse. It doesn't need to be rare or expensive but it does need to be dependable.

 

Some more thoughts, If I could find a Optimus 1200, maybe I could use the 200P for parts?

 

hi, i have a 3470 agm, bright and reliable, also have a older Petromax 500cp, super bright, most reliable of all perhaps? if you just want cheaper bright reasonably reliable, try one of the 500cp Chinese, such as Anchor, other on here can probally give a better guide, maybe of some help,Frank

 

I can see you're in the US, so an obvious choice would be a Coleman. IIRC the kero single mantle lantern is the 201. Robust and reliable. The only drawback is the steel tank.

 

The vast majority of the Coleman's I run across are the white gas models. The kerosene models are available but generally are in the collectors status or in very poor condition. I'll keep looking but I may be heading for one of the Chinese knock-offs.
Are the 500CP models better?

 

What is broken at the optimus ?
Maybe somebody here can help with parts.

I would not recommend a Chinese lantern. You get what you pay for.

A "swiss" petromax 500 tank with a 250-350cp upper part would be a good combi.

 

The cleaning needle is broken and it needs a new jet and mantle.

I wouldn't mind having a second lantern but I'd like something that has more universal parts. It seems everything on that small Optimus is unique to that model.

 

It seems that the 200/250 cp size Petromax style lanterns havn't been made for a while, but jets, needles and mantles are still readily available. Any Petromax style 200 or 250 cp jet and needle will fit the Optimus. Same with the mantle. At least there are plenty of spares available from various shops in Europe.

 

Remember the film Gremlins?

Well a similar thing happens if you get them wet; they turn into something nasty...

With a bit of work you can get them to run brilliantly though, even if they are rust buckets!

 

I'd prefer something brass like my Optimus but I don't have a ton of money to spend.

 

If you like that lantern, it's obviously a better choice to fix it for a small amount of money than to start chasing another brass lantern.
Especially since it just were normal spare parts you needed!
As Nils says. It's no problems to get needles and jets for these lanterns.
E.g. three jets are around $14 on eBay. Not what I would consider tons of money, but we might have different preferences.
Base-Camp also has all parts, but more expensive.
And I'm also pretty certain that Fogas has them.

 

Thanks, I intend to fix it. In the meantime I would like to obtain a second lantern to fill the gap. I'd like something with a known reputation of reliability.

 

You could buy a gasoline Coleman as they are common enough and then convert it to Kerosene - many users do this. Here is a thread from CCF on the subject:

http://www.colemancollectorsforum.com/post/best-candidate-for-kerosene-conversion-6843542

 

I didn't know that was possible. Can one still get kerosene generators for older Coleman lanterns?

 

The 201 generator is readily available if you wanted to convert a 200A. I can provide you with some links if you want.

 

Thanks to all

 

Coleman still makes a 500 cp single mantel kero lantern. I don't have one but guys on Coleman collectors forum speak very highly of them. Google luck. Cheers jim

 

Do keep an eye out for something like the Coleman 339... I know you said they are less common but they are great little lamps.

I love mine and after the initial fettling it's never given any trouble.

 

The link below shows Coleman model 237 lanterns etc., and they are good lanterns.

I have found that it's better to fit a more bulbous mantle such as an Anchor 500 cp., mantle to them rather than a Coleman mantle, because the bulbous mantle forms closer to the vapouriser/generator and that keeps it hotter and the paraffin/kerosene vapourises properly, which means that the lantern burns brighter, Jeff.

http://www.classicpressurelamps.com/forum/showgallery.php?fid/213/

 

Hail Jet-A. Why not consider the Coleman 639 kerosene single mantle 500cp kerosene burning lantern? It can be bought new for about $89 with free shipping from Amazon or one of those discount houses? I have one and it performs quite well. You also might consider one of my NOS NIB Work Horse lanterns that I have listed on Mother Ebay. Wonderful, safe lantern with two control cocks. You can find them under the my user ID, goldmanschoice.
Thank you, Captain Mike in Hampton, Virginia. You may call me @ 757 310-3911 from 10am to 7:30pm daily.

 

Just make sure all the connections are tight when/if you get a Work Horse. Leaky as a sieve when I fired mine up. Jet was loose and the needle/valve cock leaked along with the pre-heater. Works ok now tho.