Cool Kids Club: 1st Coleman Lantern

[PubUltraStar]

It's not vintage, but using a 20% off coupon from REI and my dividend, I got myself a Coleman lantern. Based upon required reading on this forum, I made the assumption that it's sort of a requirement for teardrop camping. I've personally always been a tent camper, so all of my stuff is normally small and portable. I'm slowly starting to gather supplies for my future maiden voyage in the teardrop, and this was as good as any for a start to my collection. Next on the list, stove.

[Woodbutcher]

Welcome to the club! Not every teardropper has Coleman lanterns but all the COOL ones do!

[Jdw2717]

I got the same one for Christmas this year and have used it once tent camping already. It worked great after a little break in burn.

[working on it]

I've given up on getting a set of a lantern and stove from the fall of 1961 (there are rabid Collectors out there, you know!). So I am getting the same lantern as shown here, to match the new dual-fuel stove I bought last month. Forget the old memories- make new ones! However, that said, the hiss of the Coleman at night, and the smell of the naptha are memories that I don't wish to part with.

[working on it]

As I said in my previous post, I went newfangled instead of vintage, and bought a new Dual-Fuel Coleman. The advantage of having a reserve fuel source was the kicker. The stove I recently bought is also Dual-Fuel. I went to Cabela's to examine the one like PubUltraStar bought, and also the Northstar with pushbutton start. I decided on the Northstar for four reasons: (1) instant start (for my wife's benefit, though I made sure that it could also be lit with a match), (2) protective wire cage around the globe (I broke two globes on my original lantern, back in the 60's), (3) the price of $90 on sale (25% off normal), and (4) it is Coleman green.

[KCStudly]

I don't see how you could go wrong. Seems like you made the right choice for your needs.

I like the old lanterns for the nostalgia of it, but there is something to be said for new, reliable, and instant gratification (i.e. no rebuilding, useable out of the box, 100/ct performance). I assume that has the variable light/flame, which I would like to hear more about how well that feature works.

Good.

[alex k]

good start , now you'll be looking for a stove
and then old lanters and stoves . it's the begining of a new addiction .
welcome to the coleman family

[working on it]

Constructed a Coleman Corner in my galley. Now I need a big Coleman sticker to put on the duct running overhead. The stove and the lantern may be new style, but part of the reason I'm going to start camping again is to relive some of the sights and smells of 50 years ago...Coleman was a big part of it.

[KCStudly]

That's a typical drag racer's galley. All hardware and function with no frills (no cabinets, food or food storage).

You wear your priorities on your sleeve. Compliment intended.

I may be just a "wanna be drag racer", but I get it.

[working on it]

KCStudly-Thank you very much, you're a gentleman and a scholar...as they say. I much admire your welding, etc, skills from afar as well.

[Wolffarmer]

Coleman = Cool. Thats for sure. But try to use only Coleman Fuel or other white gas. Car gas only if you have to and if you do dump it out when you are going to put it away and clean out with a bit of white gas. Car gas will plug up the generator sooner and if you are a car person you probably already know what old gas smells like.

Randy

[working on it]

Coleman = Cool. Thats for sure. But try to use only Coleman Fuel or other white gas. Car gas only if you have to and if you do dump it out when you are going to put it away and clean out with a bit of white gas. Car gas will plug up the generator sooner and if you are a car person you probably already know what old gas smells like.

Randy

I know that stale gas stinks, and the varnish formed is responsible for clogging jets in carburetors, etc...but what about burning race gas (i.e. high octane unleaded, almost the same price per gallon as camp fuel!)?. I love the smell of it...almost smells like victory (to steal, modify, a movie quote).

[Wolffarmer]

I would wonder about what additives are in it. The stuff is not made to cook food or light up a camp/tent/trailer. Nor is regular gas either. Personally I would only use car gas if i had nothing else that would work.

Randy

[JeremiahO]

Coleman = Cool. Thats for sure. But try to use only Coleman Fuel or other white gas. Car gas only if you have to and if you do dump it out when you are going to put it away and clean out with a bit of white gas. Car gas will plug up the generator sooner and if you are a car person you probably already know what old gas smells like.

Randy

I know that stale gas stinks, and the varnish formed is responsible for clogging jets in carburetors, etc...but what about burning race gas (i.e. high octane unleaded, almost the same price per gallon as camp fuel!)?. I love the smell of it...almost smells like victory (to steal, modify, a movie quote).

You should try it! I'd love to know whether it would work, I love the smell of race gas too.