Camping Lights - Choosing the Right Type of Light for You

There are many options available to the buyer on the market today when it comes to choosing the right camping light. Modern electronic technology is certainly there along with the old traditional types that have been around for generations. People choose different lights based on different reasons. We hope in this article to inform you of some of the things to think about when choosing a camping light right for you.

Things to think about includes questions such as; will there be children around that may touch the light? Does the light need to be left on throughout the night? What exactly are you using the light for and how much light do you really need? Will you be frequently moving the light or leaving it in one position?

Answering some of these types of questions can help you to make a decision of the right light for your situation. There are two basic types of lights available. That is those that run on liquid type fuels (such as kerosene, paraffin, LPG etc) and electronic lights that run on batteries. You might even come across lights that can operate on more than one fuel source. Bu a rule of thumb, the lights that run on liquid type fuels tend to burn brighter, but running costs are often higher. Another consideration with liquid fuel type lights in the danger involved should a lamp be bumped over or played with by children. Liquid fuel lamps can also let off an unpleasant odor which some people have even suggested could be toxic (especially to children).

Modern advances in technology has seen a range of very long life, safe, inexpensive and reasonably bright options. Of the electronic lights, there are those which have a traditional incandescent (filament) bulb and of course modern LED lights. Lights that run an incandescent bulb are usually much more draining on the battery power than LED lighting options. There are even LED options available which can be charged by simply winding or cranking a lever and some which you can just shake the entire light to generate some power.

When choosing a light type, think about how readily you can get more fuel to power it if you run out. This applies for electronic lights too, as if you run out of batteries where you can not easily get to a shop, you will be literally left in the dark. It always pays to pack some emergency extras.

The actual size and weight of the light should be thought about. Are you planning on taking the light walking with you? If so, then a liquid fuel type will probably be too heavy and potentially dangerous. If you are walking in the dark, perhaps something like a headlamp would be best suited for that situation, allowing your hands to be free.

Most people agree that when camping where children are involved, it is always safest to opt for electronic type lights which minimize the risks down to almost zero. None of us want to see children being burned by lights.

Camping Lights - 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Purchasing

It is fantastic to see that there are so many options when it comes to camping lights on today's market. With this many options it can sometimes be a bit overwhelming trying to choose which option is the best for yourself. In this article, we hope to give you some questions to think about to help you come to a clearer decision of which type of light might be the best choice.

Will there be children with you?

If you are camping with children, consider the dangers involved when it comes to using lighting that requires a flame of any type. Children might be well behaved at home, but a new type of light is interesting enough to attract just about any child to want to explore more closely, increasing the risk of personal injury or fire. If children are camping with you, the safest option is to go with an LED lantern which has practically no risk of injury or fire.

Will you be walking at night or fishing at night?

If you are planning on taking the light out on night walks or fishing a flame type light may not be the best option. Some fuel lights are fine to walk around with (such as most kerosene lanterns), however all flame options come with some risk of fire. If walking around or fishing is something you are planning on doing, consider an LED head lamp which will be perfect as it will provide a bright light whilst freeing up your hands.

Is anyone sensitive to fuel odors?

If you are camping with anyone that is asthmatic or has any type of respiratory condition, consider whether they could be potentially effected by the odor that is given off by a flame type light. If this is the case, an LED lantern will be the best type for you.

How bright do you need your light to be?

If you are doing anything that requires bright light for extended periods, you might be best with an LPG lantern as they are very bright. If you have access to mains power, a fluorescent light may also be a good option. LED lights today can be extremely bright, but have not come to the point of being as bright as an LPG lantern on full.

Can you find more fuel if needed?

If you run out of fuel where you are camping, where is the nearest place to get fuel? This applies to electronic type lighting too. What type of batteries does it take? Do you have spares?

We hope this article has provided you with some questions to help steer you in the right direction towards making the best decision for your needs. Of course, whatever the choice it is always recommended to have a hand held torch as a backup light.