But for Damian coleman battery lantern, of Superior WI, one specific lantern—the Coleman gas lantern—is the pinnacle of cool. In fact, Wilmot’s appreciation and respect for the Coleman lantern has led to somewhat of an addiction for collecting vintage models. Wilmot collects lanterns the way other people might collect art.
is not the only name in camping lanterns—Kamplite, Nulite, Aladdin, Preway, Ash Flash, and Sunshine Safety are a few of the others—but Coleman is the big dog. The company’s first lantern in 1914 was called the Arc… Today, with gas lanterns falling out of favor to lightweight, battery-powered LED lanterns, Wilmot feels a nostalgia for the craftsmanship of old. Before the advent of electricity, lanterns powered by oil or white gas were the most common source of artificial light. As electrical distribution systems were improved and expanded, lanterns were quickly discarded for a more convenient and brighter source of light. The Amish, however, continue to use lanterns.
If you run these lanterns on low, it costs much less per hour to operate. See the chart below for all the figures side by side. For this test, I used a Canon D6 DSLR camera mounted on a tripod. I used manual settings to keep the exposure the same for all three lanterns. Here they are starting from dimmest to brightest. The test was conducted in my shop which is a approximately 30ft X 30ft.
The first production of instant lighting lanterns was in March, 1928 when Coleman made the L220 and L228 (above- missing mica globe). Nifty collectible key fob flashlights that look just like miniature Coleman lanterns. An incorrect gas feed tube was installed on the lantern. When lit, the tube can release too much fuel, posing fire and burn hazards.
Please note it does not include valve stem or a wheel. You’ll notice that on the photo credits some include a dot (•) after the contributors name. This is my notation of what globes I have in my collection.
My second favorite coleman lantern is the gas powered one, and coming in third place is the propane powered lantern. See how they compare in each test below, and see if you come to the same conclusion that I did. The Northstar doesn’t have a lot of fancy features.
Yes, for the uninitiated, lighting a Coleman lantern is no picnic. Don’t forget to check out my other articles, like Pop Up Camper Canvas Replacement. Also check out the Best Lake Reviews On The Web. You can also come hang out with us on my youtube channel. As Justin put it, “It sounds like a little jet engine.” With all the negative things I’ve said about it, I will say, this lantern it bright! If you need to light a large area, this is the one you need.