Quote: Originally posted by Chelz on 07/6/2009
I agree with kmac, for reading the best thing is a headlamp, and you can pick one up quite cheap if you shop around. I'm sure you can get one for less than £15.
Yep I'l be looking at this weeks Lidl camping offers - headlam for 2.99 - LED type which is the type to go for (bright and long battery life)
i've just come back from a weekend in nottingham and picked up from co op a couple of u tube florecent remote control rechargable laterns for 4.88 each!!
Yup to headtorches, best thing for reading, and would be my first lighting source when campoing if I had to have just one.
There are lots of cheap ones around, but not all are that good. There is varying brightness (lots of LEDs can just mean lots of cheap LEDS) and not always that comfortable
Quote: Originally posted by leicester campers on 08/6/2009
Thanks to everyone for answering it seems that the LED lights are the thing to have.
umm, yes and no. LEDs are good for smaller lights for lioghting up a more limited area. But if you look at the amount of light you get and the battery run time if you want a light to be your main light source then a batttery powered fluorescent light is a better bet I reckon - such as the previosuly mentioend inspection lights
Do you use EHU? If so, a suitable electric light will give a far better light than a UFO light. We use an Outwell Tauri light with a 20W energy saving bulb, (equivalent to a 100W), this gives us plenty of light to read... UFO lamps are however the way to go IMO if you don't use EHU...
Headlamps can be pretty good for reading - the Gamma headlamp from www.alpkit.com is pretty good for the money (£15 delivered).
I would second this - £15 may sound a little much to some but you are getting a 1 watt LED lamp which is VERY bright and really good quality product. WELL worth the extra few quid and still much cheaper than a Petzl equivalent. Alpkit are a really friendly bunch making some great products and are well respected - check them out.
Quote: Originally posted by leonsmith on 08/6/2009
Quote: Originally posted by kmac9909 on 07/6/2009
Headlamps can be pretty good for reading - the Gamma headlamp from www.alpkit.com is pretty good for the money (£15 delivered).
I would second this - £15 may sound a little much to some but you are getting a 1 watt LED lamp which is VERY bright and really good quality product. WELL worth the extra few quid and still much cheaper than a Petzl equivalent. Alpkit are a really friendly bunch making some great products and are well respected - check them out.
If you want a headlamp for reading, working up close etc. You might want to look at Zebralights. A bit pricier than the Gamma with the current lousy exchange rate, but excellent lights. They use a newer, much more efficient LED so they're much brighter but only use a single battery. They are not much bigger than their batteries (one AA/CR123A/18650) and weigh hardly anything, one simple strap to hold them on your head (plus the option of lanyard/pocket clip/keyring clip supplied) and no wires or separate battery pack. The light comes out in an even circle, no bright central "hotspot" like normal torches, so you don't have to move your head around to bring it to bear on things. Hung from the ceiling hook in a tent on low they make a good nightlight, no problems seeing what you're doing or finding a light in the middle of the night.
As you might guess I am the very happy owner of a Zebralight (H30 model).
I am going camping soon for the first time, just bought an Idaho L. Would a Campingaz Stellia CV Lantern give out enough light at 160 watts and would it keep the tent warm aswell. Hope this is the correct thread.
Quote: Originally posted by leicester campers on 06/6/2009
Last time we went camping we struggled to read at night in our Outwell Montana Tent. Can anyone recommend a good light.
On our last camping trip I was reading a book on my iPhone using the kindle app. It's back lit so no need for a reading light!
I am going camping soon for the first time, just bought an Idaho L. Would a <SPAN class=Label35 id=LblTitle>Campingaz Stellia CV Lantern give out enough light at 160 watts and would it keep the tent warm aswell. Hope this is the correct thread.</SPAN>
Others may disagree, but in my opinion, while it should give out plenty of light and quite a bit of heat but it will also, like any other gas/petrol/kerosene etc. device, probably give out moisture (which may not be a great problem) and carbon dioxide, and possibly carbon monoxide (which could be a very serious problem, in a closed tent).
I'd recommend one of the LED options - rechargeable, wind-up possibly?