First off, hello everyone. I found this thread on a Google search and this seems like an active and interesting forum. I am a frequent hiker, backpacker, and car camper, so lighting is important to me.
OP, there is a good lantern out there with a modern emitter. Hoop, is this similar to what you mentioned? 5hrs, 1k lumens, and is compatible with both a proprietary rechargeable battery and 4 D batteries.
http://www.coleman.com/product/1000-lumen-cpx-6-lantern/2000013865?contextCategory=1080
With that said,
-Since the 1930s, the majority of liquid fuel lanterns have been 300-500 cp (approx. 700 to 1100 lumens)
-Today, we use lanterns for camping and in case of emergency
- When camping, the idea is to have a warm, soft light that illuminates the immediate area without blinding your neighbors. 500 cp lanterns (like the modern Coleman Powerhouse and the Petromax and its clones) are borderline too bright.
-For comparison purposes, let's say 4 D batteries cost $6 and one gallon of Coleman fuel costs $13 a gallon.
-The CPX6 lantern lasts 5 hours at 1000 lumens (presumably on 4D) and a 500cp lantern will burn for around 7 hours on a quart of fuel.
-> CPX6 ($1.20/hr) vs lantern ($0.46/hr)
Note: Mantles last about 20 hours (new Chinese Coleman) to 200 hours (Fillipino Peerless brand)
-Both types of lantern have a cost saving option
-On CPX6, you can use the rechargeable battery. If it will run for 5 hours on 4D, maybe 4 hours on the rechargeable
-On the liquid fuel lantern, you can use regular unleaded at $3.60/gal, but you wil have to clean the generator every 10 to 20 fills (takes 5 min) and if you store the lantern with pump gas, it will gum up in a few years.
-If you need to run your CPX6 continuously, you will either need to have a steady supply of D batteries or you will need 2 rechargeable batteries, with one constantly charging. For the liquid fuel lantern, as long as you have gasoline, there is virtually no downtime.
-In an emergency situation, are you more likely to find batteries on store shelves, or will you be able to scavenge small amounts of gasoline?
-Even if electric lanterns match liquid fuel in light output and runtime, you will need an auxilary heater and bug zapper.
-Would you rather have something made in China of plastic, or made in USA of steel, brass, and glass (ok, I am not fair and unbiased).
Whether you prefer one or the other, if you consider yourself a lighting enthusiast, I believe it is important to have a classic pressure lantern in your collection in case SHTF.
-Ryan
OH YEAH,
From an environmental perspective, is it less damaging to throw away countless D batteries, one or two rechargeable batteries, or burn many gallons of white gas?