Hi, What's your favourite lantern and why? My favourite ones are Primus 991 and Optimus 200P. Reasons: - "compact" size and very bright lanterns although "only" 250 cp - easy to start (only few pumps needed after preheating) - hassle free and reliable - Optimus 200P fuel gauge is handy - Primus 991 has large fuel reservoir - No torch on both --> less leaking points No experience on Bialaddin / Vapalux or Coleman so far. Cheers, Tommi
I'd have to go with my trusty 237's. Most are over 50 and with minimal cleanup they are blazing bright beasties. No preheater torch just a cup. None of them have had their NRV leak, miraculously. They are nearly eternal.
I like the coleman 249's. They are similar to the 237's but are smaller, quieter and have lower cp rating.
Bundeswehr Petromax 829 B. •Parts cheap and readily available •Take different jets from 250cp - 500cp •With additional devices, can be used as a heater and cooker. •Supplied with excellent metal transport boxes.
Hi, I've seen a Bundeswehr Petromax that came with special made army-like box including a spring inside the box as shock absorber. Are the heater and cooker elements standard accessories in such setup? Cheers, Tommi
For me it has to be a Tilley X246b Easy to maintain, spares readily available, durable and most importantly for me, relatively "scout proof".
I presume you mean were they included in the original Bund package? No, they are sold as after market accessories by Petromax or spurious manufacturers. It is an idea taken from the Petromax 1500 which operated on the same principle. I found though that there is no need for the heater element when cooking as more than enough heat is generated from running the lamp with a mantle fitted. Speaking of which, it's time to order more!
I have to say that so far my favorite is a optimus 930 big wheel with the swedish army box and kit, 3/4 frosted glas and home made shade. I think its somthing about the shape that i like.. It differs from the other lanterns i got.
For me, in standard-tune, I must say it is the Tilley AL15A Hand-Lamp. Burns well, gives out a decent intensity of light, very stable, very directional and very reliable. The only let-down is its outside performance due to the open nature of its Mica Globe. I have experimented with top/bottom flyscreens/wind-deflectors with limited success. In modified-tuning, and my all-round favourite is a bitsa I pieced together for the soul purpose of functionality and meeting my requirements. An AL15A Fount, Reflector and Stand but mounted with a 449 hood and rounded air-buttons, onion globe and AL620 protective cage. Why go to all that bother, why not use an AL620? Because of two factors. 1. The "Straight" air buttons perform poorly in outside conditions compared to the rounded/shielded buttons. 2. The AL620 burner/hood assembly has the peculiarity that if you raise or lower it quickly, the light level drops by 50% or more, quite annoying. The older burner in the 449 hood exibits none of these symptoms! I have compared it with a total of 5 AL620s, 4 AL15As, 2 AL15s, 1 AL16 and 2 AL10s. The AL15/15A/16/10s are fine in operation but again have limited outdoors capabilities. It's also lighter/cooler in the hand than the AL21... Alec.
