Well we’ve finally gone and done it !
We have just got back from Go Outdoors at Stockport after purchasing a Outwell Sun Valley 8 and the majority of the other gear we need for our first camping trip to the lakes next week.
However we have still got to get a few final things and decided not to purchase them today as we need some advice from some kind souls on this forum.
Lighting : We are not having an EHU so what do you guys recommend ? We had a look at both gas and also battery operated lanterns, but were very undecided. Even more so after the shop assistant told us that with one particular gas cylinder we would get two hours lighting from it.
Is it worth investing in a dual fuel lantern ?
Heating : With no EHU is it worth us getting a gas heater ? If so what kind ? There will be myself and my wife and two large dogs. According to the weather report we could be having a few showers next week. The last thing we want is two wet and cold dogs as well as us being chilly after walking in the rain.
I have a rechargeable lantern and gas lamp (bluet), plus ordinary battery lantern (which I started off with). Out of the 3 I use the rechargeable battery lantern in sleeping pod and gas lamp in main tent area. I use the other battery lantern as a torch. Gas cylinder has lasted for several trips. I bought a sunncamp (I think) gas heater which operates on one of those gas cannister you use in the cookers. I have only used it once, not sure if I would buy again though, I thought I needed everything when I started last year. We don't tend to sit around in the tent in the day and are out and about and at night we normally go to bed if we can't sit outside so not really any need for a heater. I wrap up warm with fleece blanket or occasionally get into my bag and sit in a chair. Take hot water bottles to warm up your bed!
For the lighting its down to personal preference. I use both. A gas lantern will supply a small amount of heat but remember you should not use for long periods in a closed tent, carbon monoxide poisoning!
The same applies for gas heaters and you would need to be carefull with 2 dogs incase it gets knocked over and burns the tent.
Mallets, mot helpful here but i have both, my wooden one is a bit heavier but if you have crap pegs either type will bend then quite easily if the ground is hard or rocky
Thats my 2 pence worth
Regards
Nick
Definitely wooden mallet, I started a thread on this a couple of days ago so you can pick up some info. from there! I'd give you the link if I knew how to! I expect some kind person will come along soon and do that for you.
Hiya. Gaz lanterns are warm and atmospheric and sound lovely in the evenings. But also a battery lantern is good for when you first walk into a tent at night and are looking for matches to light the gaz and again in the night if you have to get up briefly. I reckon a bit of both will cove all grounds.
1. LED camping light - not very bright but last for ages
2. Rechargeable twin tube fluorescent - lasts only for about 4 hours but you can recharge in the car next day.
3. Sleeping pod lights/torches - again LED last longer. Doesn't need to be so bright
Hang high and/or behind you for general light - looking directly at the light source closes down the pupil in your eye making things look darker - kinda defeats the object!
I'd only use my gas lantern outside the tent as they get so hot and you only have to touch or get near to the tent wall/roof for a disaster.
Heater - got one of those little ones running off the small butane cannisters, same as for those small single ring stoves BUT NEVER USED IT!!
Mallets - no opinion really - use a rubber one and a lump hammer for windbreak.
Hi Paul, above is a thread I started regarding the mallet question, this was prior to Cemh 's thread.
Paul, you never know what the ground is going to be like , it could be like rock , it could be really soft. ok with any peg thumper and pegs if it is, but, you should invest in rock pegs , they are not fantastically expensive and can save a lot of frustration, and bent normal pegs,and you have them forever to use whenever needed. I always take both types and have been very glad more than once. If you take the advice about choosing a heavy hammer, you can't go wrong.
Hope this helps
Cheers
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2006 Summer Tour
Ormskirk May
Cornwall June
Christchurch June
Ullswater July
St.Michaels on Wyre August
Wastwater September
Glen Nevis September
Arkholme October
Quote: Originally posted by colette on 05/9/2006
Hiya. Gaz lanterns are warm and atmospheric and sound lovely in the evenings. But also a battery lantern is good for when you first walk into a tent at night and are looking for matches to light the gaz and again in the night if you have to get up briefly. I reckon a bit of both will cove all grounds.
2nd that motion
adding that if its a dark site a remote controlled battery lantern is very handy.
also a rear LED bike light is useful as a bucket with lid night light..
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Done it. A bit more advice please.
