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Coleman 2-Mantle Propane Lantern Camping Appliances
Camping Appliances Manufacturer: Coleman
Coleman Model: 2-Mantle Propane Lantern
Review Category: Camping Appliances
Purchase: My friend and I were doing a lot of night fishing last summer, and it wasn't uncommon for us to stay out most of the night. We wanted something that would cast a good steady light that we wouldn't have to keep fooling with, but was also economical. Walmart carries a variety of propane and liquid fueled Coleman lanterns, this one costs $20.
Things I like about the Coleman 2-Mantle Propane Lantern: The lantern throws a steady, bright light. The brightness knob allows you to set the lantern as bright or as dim as desired. According to Coleman the lantern will work for 7 hours on high and 14 hours on low using one propane cylinder. I think that may even be conservative, the lantern can go for a long time. The propane cylinders cost $3-$5 if memory serves me right, not a high cost per hour, and certainly a lot less than batteries. Burning propane is also pretty environmentally friendly, releasing only carbon dioxide and water. This lantern works in all types of weather, and the metal is covered with a durable porcelain coating.
What I don't like about the Coleman 2-Mantle Propane Lantern: This thing gets hot, and if you are doing some night fishing and want to leave fairly quickly, somebody is going to have to hold the thing in the car so it doesn't burn anything. Unfortunately that gives your "friend" driving a chance to see if he can make the lantern touch your leg by hitting every pothole in the county. Coleman sells a lantern carrying case, and though it seems like a good idea for travel (when cool), putting a hot lantern in a foam lined plastic case seems like a recipe for disaster. I am considering building a well ventilated wooden box for the lantern for those types of situations. As far as I know the propane cylinders can not be recycled.
2-Mantle Propane Lantern quality: High quality Coleman unit. I can't say enough about Coleman's customer service. My dad sent them an old liquid-fueled lantern which malfunctioned, and they fixed it and sent it right back.
2-Mantle Propane Lantern summary: The same propane lantern is available with an electric ignition, meaning you can never "forget the matches," and costs about $5 more. Nothing wrong with the match light version, just a convenience factor, I guess. There is also a 1 mantle version available, but I like the heftier 2 mantle. Coleman has been around for a long time, and I think their quality lanterns have something to do with it. Look at it this way, what else is going to give your kids good memories of the smell of burned bugs?
Rating for this Coleman product: 5
Author of this review on Coleman Camping Appliances: Fishin' Phil
Date: 2004-03-24
Usefulness Rating: 4.33333 out of 5.
3 reader(s) voted.
This Coleman Camping Appliances review brought to you by Hunting & Fishing Gear Review!
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