Human being are extremely sight oriented creatures. We depend upon our precious eyes for nearly all of our sensory input. This tends to leave us at a bit of a disadvantage when night comes, especially if we are far from the electric lights of our cities and suburbs. This scenario comes into play fairly routinely when camping, as overnight stays in the wilderness are the norm. There is however one very convenient way to remove this disadvantage however, if but for a small area. The use of a specialty camping lantern has become almost mandatory on any camping trip. Not only are there a wide variety of styles of camping lanterns to chose from, but there are also many newer models featuring the latest technology.

What is a Camping Lantern?

Camping lanterns are a special kind of lantern that are designed to be taken camping or on any other kind of extended outdoor expedition. These lanterns can be told apart from there less functional cousins by their sturdier, weather proof build and inclusion of convenience features such as carrying handles. Modern camping lanterns now come in two major varieties; fueled and electric.

• Fueled camping lanterns are any type of camping lantern that actively consumes and burns a fuel to produce light. The oldest and most simple of these lanterns are the old style "wick" lanterns. However, as technology has progressed, so to has the evolution of the camping lantern. Many liquid fueled and liquid-to-gas models are now available, and offer many advantages over the classic wick lanterns. First off, especially in mantle lanterns, much more light is produced than with conventional wick lanterns. Second, switching fuel on modern lanterns is often easier, and much safer, than older wick models.

• Electric Camping Lanterns, as their name implies, are powered by electricity instead of consuming a fuel. These camping lanterns offer a few advantages over fueled lanterns. Electric lanterns produce little to no heat when in use, so the risk of burning yourself on a hot lantern is almost non-existent. Next, there is no need to store or carry dangerous fuel, as electric camping lanterns will either use batteries or a hand crank to produce power and light. One disadvantage that some electric lanterns do have is vulnerability to moisture. Unless a weather proof model is purchased, getting a common electric lantern wet can leave you in the dark on a rainy night. Many models of LED camping lantern are also now available.
  

Camping Lantern Tips

Just like any piece of outdoor equipment, learning how to properly use and maintain your camping lantern(s) can spell the difference between having a reliable light source, and useless piece of steel or plastic. Remember, when camping you should always have a lantern of some kind, if only for emergencies. Here's a quick list of tips that will keep you safe and illuminated when using your camp lantern:

• When using a fueled camping lantern of any kind, always keep in mind that these lanterns can become quite hot. A camping trip can be absolutely ruined by a severe burn on your hand. So before picking up a lantern that has been on for a spell, place your hand a couple inches away to feel for any radiating heat. Also, if the handle is metal and left resting against the lantern, it too can become quite warm. Many models of fueled lanterns come with hooks on their tops to help hang them from tree limbs and camping chairs to help reduce the risk of burns.
  
• Always bring spare fuel, and spares for the spares, when using any kind of lantern. A camping lantern is nothing more than a useless piece of metal or plastic if it hasn't the fuel to make light. Make sure to read your lantern's instruction's carefully to find out how long it can stay lit on a full fuel tank/charge, then pack fuel or batteries appropriately.
• Even if you plan on using a fueled or another type of electric camp lantern, consider bringing a crank-able lantern as well. These emergency lanterns are charged through the use of a manual hand crank, thus eliminating the need for carrying extra batteries or fuel tanks. However these camping lanterns should not be used as the primary lantern, as they require substantial cranking to produce the light of a more conventional lantern.