Lantern for portable lighting?

[fishingguy]

Many threads have been posted on lighting for a portable. Any one else use a lantern? I currently use a battery powered colmann style. I like it alot. I set it on the ice and am able to see my holes desent and the light doesn't shine in my eyes. But it seems that I'm replacing them every year. They are not very durable. Get cracked and broken, or the switches go bad, ect... Any one else use a lantern? Have any better luck? Any style or brands that stand up better? How about any type of LED worth buying?

[Scott M]

hey fishingguy,

I would have to say the easiest thing in the world is hooking up some LEDs. Don't get overwhelmed by the information here, it is very simple. Use a 12 volt battery, 7-9 amps is standard, like you would use for a flasher or underwater camera, and get some premade LED rope lights, or buy an 12 volt LED circuitboard off the web and in do-it-yourself fashion, add some wires, plastic tubing (for housing) and alligator clips. It's that easy and now is the time to get on top of it. Just my opinion, there are other ways and plenty of threads that can help you if you want to go another route.

[tunrevir]

I also like the LED lights for the portables but I have single globe lantern that is a propane light that works well. The globe is thicker and the mantles hold up well with a bit of banging around. The added plus is that it gives off heat and packs in and out easily.

Tunrevir~

[cold one sd]

Quote:

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I also like the LED lights for the portables but I have single globe lantern that is a propane light that works well. The globe is thicker and the mantles hold up well with a bit of banging around. The added plus is that it gives off heat and packs in and out easily.

Tunrevir~

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I think I have the same small propane lantern. I hang it in the ceiling of my portable. Easy to pack around and durable. I haven't broken a mantle in the four years that I have owned it.

[Powerstroke]

I have a 2-mantle white gas lantern that I love. It does hiss a bit, but it adds heat AND light to the shack. It gets a bit "fumey" in there if you don't have a vent open though. Make sure of that.

[Phred52]

Hey fishingguy! If you don't mind AA battery power, I just picked up some LED lights from Menards for about $13/2. They're stick on&/or magnetic and they come with batteries. They're Sunbeam Beamit lights, and they're a "AA LED Tap light" I know this probably doesn't answer your post, but it could be an option for you. I personally use a portable flouresent light in my tub, with a headlight on my cap. In the shallow waters of this area, I believe light IS a factor. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. Phred52

[Rozman]

Just had my shanty set up in the backyard tonight. Set my 2 coleman propane laterns up in it and the light and heat put out was great. As a previous poster stated just make sure u venilate some. Good fishing!!

[Bobb-o]

I use either my one mantle Coleman lantern or a headlamp, but have been looking into getting some LED lights to hang from the ceiling, as it would be nice to have one less thing able to burn things in my HSOList.

[marbleeye]

Hey Fishingguy. I use a Rayovac 4D Focus-Lite. You can buy them at Menards for about $5. I too used to use a propane and also a battery powered lantern. I found them to be too much to carry around once I discovered the Rayovac. The Rayovac is way more user friendly towards portable ice fishing. Here is the product description taken off the tag. "Unique, Multiple Funtion Light and Lantern, All in One! The light can be switched from a powerful beam to a wide area lamp (this is the way that I use the light) with the sliding switch. I bought a frabill hook from Farm/Fleet and hook the light to the top bar of my Clam Yukon. Works awesome. It has a dimmer slide switch that controls how much light you have. Very nice and also small, portable, and inexpensive. Puts off just as much light as a lantern. The best thing about this light is you don't have to do anything for work to get your shanty well lighted. The broad angle verson of the light keeps everything lit up from behing my seet to the door of my Clam. It also fits inside my Revolution rod bag!!!

[fishinalot]

Cabelas has a great LED portable lantern that folds down for storing.

[fishingguy]

When I got back into ice fishing a few years ago, I used a gas and mantle style. It seemed every time I went to use it a mantle was broke. Then I went to a propane mantle type. Thinking it would be easier to deal with the 1 lbs bottles vs filling the lantern with gas all the time. But still had mantle issues. So I went with battery lanterns. Alot less hassle and pretty easy to store and transport. But they, over all are fairly fragile. Have had to change batteries only a couple times a year, but again, have had to replace it nearly every year.

I Know if I go to some type of hanging LED rope lights that I need to run wires and use a seperate battery, I, being real rough on stuff and sortof a cluts, I will find a way to cut the wires by accident, or forget the battery, ect... Thanks for all the ideas so far. Keep them coming. The light, (forgive the pun) will go on for me sooner or later!

[Feldy]

I've tried everything. Trust me get the dewalt 18v flourescent lamp for around 50 bucks. Rechargeable as many times as you want, very durable unless you drive over it. Very bright I was impressed. Best of all no propane. Its got a great built in hook and two batteries will get you through the whole night fully charged. Best ice fishing tool I bought that wasn't made for ice fishing. Everything else marketed for ice fishing is cheaply made and I got sick of it.

[marbleeye]

The Rayovac is your answer. It's very durable.

Features:

swivel Handle/Hanger

Area or Spot Light

water resistant

Krypton Bulb

Lifetime Warranty

the handle swivels so that you can have it hanging above you with the light pointed down.

[Note from admin: Edited. Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[Mr. Pike1]

I actually get by with in most cases with just my head light. On occassion I will spark upf the coleman lantern. I also have these coleman tent lights that are batteried operated that work well

[Blainebob]

I use a flouresent coleman lantern, has a hanger on it so i can hag it in my portable,nice brighht light to shine my glow jigs

[ice bandit]

guys i use one of those neon tube lights they sell at walmart by tha car stereos just cut the cigerette plug off split the wires and put a couple alligator clips on its light and pretty durable also runs well off the vex battery

[anyfishaldo]

I have a similar light and it works great. Hang it, prop it up, doesn't matter. I use it in my ice house as well as my little bros boat in the summer.