My Coleman lantern versus a basic LED headlamp for a week in the Boundary Waters

I took my old Coleman dual-fuel lantern on a trip to the Boundary Waters last summer, thinking it would be great for camp light. After dealing with the weight, the fuel, and the bugs it attracted, I switched to just using a Black Diamond Spot 350 headlamp. The headlamp was brighter where I needed it, hands-free, and the batteries lasted the whole week. Anyone else ditch the big lantern for something simpler?

3 comments

3 Comments

wendy3911mo ago

Oh man, that Coleman lantern is a total bug magnet! Made that same switch years ago after a trip where the lantern just lit up a cloud of mosquitoes. My old Petzl headlamp changed everything. It's so much easier to cook or set up a tent with light right where you're looking. Never going back to hauling a big lantern and fuel again.

nora_walker5728d ago

Can't believe you were still carrying that thing.

chen.adam1mo ago

Wait, you were still using a Coleman lantern on a trip recently? @wendy391, that feels like bringing a whole gas stove when you just need a lighter. I switched to a headlamp maybe ten years ago and forgot those big lanterns even existed. The bug thing is bad, but just carrying that heavy metal case was its own kind of punishment. You're right about the light being where you look, it's such a simple fix for fumbling around in the dark.