Hi guys,
Saw this in BIGW @ QV Melbourne store today. It might be at other stores also but can't confirm. Campmaster starter kit was $100 down to $40. They had 3 in stock that I saw. Looks like run out stock.
2 burner stove with legs
200 CP gas lantern
Gauze toaster
Telescopic gas pole
Gas hose
Are the camp gas bottles a different fitting to the usual BBQ gas bottles? Or would a 8.5kg normal bottle work fine?
The packaging shows a normal BBQ screw fitting bottle and threaded connectors, but I didn't notice any regulator.
The packaging shows a normal BBQ screw fitting bottle and threaded connectors, but I didn't notice any regulator.
No you'll probably find its a 3/8" BSP-LH fitting which points vertically (to hold the gas lamp up), as opposed to your standard BBQ screw fitting (POL) which points horizontally.
Also, as noted below, those little gas bottles can be surprisingly uneconomical to fill.
Yes. Not commenting on this one, but my gas mate only fits smaller connections. Unless you are actually travelling it's not worthwhile as the you can fill a 9kg bottle for less than a 3.5kg bottle (at least where I have been)
I've tried a few of the cheaper sets during a stint of off the grid in NZ.
I had no issue with the stoves but the lanterns would last a matter of weeks before corrosion would destroy the part you attach the mantle to.
I ended up going back to kero pressure lanterns with the Tilly seeming to offer the best economy and the 500 candle power Petromax type offering the most output but at horrendous cost.
Kero there was around $6 a litre and the Petromax would chew through a litre in around 4 to 5 hours and the Tilly around twice that hourly rate if memory serves with the penalty of much less light.
It was around 5 years ago now so exact figures are probably a little out but generally my above info is correct in my view.
Honestly even if it worked who would burn gas for light when you have Led rechargeable lanterns that last ages and are clean and safe
Edit: just saw the 3 posts below this. Also isn't kerosene poisonous and only useful for open areas (so not in tents)? We have numerous charities extolling the virtues of solar lighting in the 3rd world and we are going to use kero here?
How do you recharge led rechargeable lanterns when your off the grid?
Solar isn't much cop in parts of rainy NZ or wasn't when last I was there.
You wouldn't use either kerosene or gas in a tent unless you wanted to toss the dice at being shrink-wrapped in an accident.
As for Kero being poison indoors, how do you think people got on before electricity became mainstream in the western world?
Its still de-rigueur in many third world countries for heat and light although solar is starting to make inroads.
Not suggesting the fumes of Kero or gas are beneficial by any means but needs must some times.
Now here in the lucky country I've my usb rechargeable Petzl Tikka 2 that when cycle touring I can charge off the dynamo hub on my bike.
I'm not totally disagreeing, but in short, how long are the tech nerds on this site spending off the grid? Not longer than their phones are lasting that's for sure. People did get on, but kero has been linked to birth defects and growing difficulties. LEDs are very efficient, and could last days, and be charged from relatively cheap charging stations or a car that would give the vast majority of people enough time. From what people are saying about the fragility of them the reasons are stacking up.
One question, the do you notice any load from the dynamo? How many amps can it put out?
@Jackson: I use a late model dynohub called a Son28 who also make the Edelux headlight on my bicycle. I think its 6 volts and 3 watts http://www.nabendynamo.de/produkte/son_28_en.html
I can notice no load from the dynamo hub. Some people claim to be able to but I can't. They are not like the old bottle dynamos that used to rub on the tire which felt like you had the brakes on when riding. Mine will keep my iPhone, Garmin Edge 800 gps as well as my Tikka 2 charged whilst on tour. I've just recently gotten my bikes Extrawheel trailer (http://www.extrawheel.com) built up with a dynamo hub so I can now keep my camera charged and maybe an iPad which I'm yet to buy. I use an E-werk to sort out the voltage/amps and a cache battery to smooth out the current. http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/ewerk.asp
Gas lanterns were good back in the day, but why would you bother now that LED and battery technology have come so far?
The thorium mantles are so fragile, and a car trip can turn them to radioactive dust.
Fair but on the subject of mantles. I got a fairly cheapy about 3 years back and has survived in the back of my jeep after about 20 camping trips… Bought 3 spares never had to change.
Or maybe mine was a better model who knows. Just thought I would input.
Fun to use a few times and then ditch it for an LED lantern.
Its not that easy to find a free-standing LED lantern that puts out the same amount of warm-white light (>1000 lumen) in the same price range. Then there's the issue of battery life. A gas lantern will run for two days straight off a 4KG cylinder.
True, LED systems are not so easy to find, but a common 18W floro leaves the gas lantern for dead and doesn't cost $20 per recharge, like gas.
@manic:
Yeah fluoros are great although an 18w tube would be pretty unwieldly for camping. You'd also need a pretty decent battery to last long enough for a few days camping.
@manic:
Perhaps you could help us all out and link to a common 18W fluro that leaves a gas lantern for dead? I'm assuming you're referring to a setup just as portable as a 4kg cylinder and lantern with adjustable light output that will last just as long.
Gas lantern has always been easy for me since I'm usually carrying gas for cooking but I switched to LED a few years ago because of kids.
I'm assuming you're referring to
Strawman much?
You can get a hand-held torch with the lumens of the gas lamp, but directed, so much brighter.
For car-camping, a 12V system is good. Deep-cycle battery. Charge from solar, car, generator, or at home.
Lots of 12V LED and floro options. JGI. -> CFL, linear, LED strip-lights, even MR-16 LED downlights for your gazebo.
I issue the whole family with AA-powered head-lamps as well, which gives good work illumination.
A single blinding central lamp casts dark shadows.
Name calling instead of responding to the question…okay.
All sound like good options. Much more practical than offering an 18W fluorescent tube as a comparison for camp lighting.
"strawman" refers to the argument, a mischaracterisation of my statement. It does not refer to a person.
I wouldn't use linear floro. Just saying it was better than gas.
Strawman much?
I don't think thats a fair assessment. He's just pointing out the shortcomings.
For car-camping, a 12V system is good. Deep-cycle battery. Charge from solar, car, generator, or at home. Lots of 12V LED and floro options. JGI. -> CFL, linear, LED strip-lights, even MR-16 LED downlights for your gazebo.
That sounds like a great setup but deep-cycle lead acid batteries are expensive and have a number of drawbacks.
I issue the whole family with AA-powered head-lamps as well, which gives good work illumination.
A single blinding central lamp casts dark shadows.
Those are two different kinds of lighting (task lighting vs ambient lighting). It is a matter of personal preference which you prefer and how you use them.
I wouldn't use linear floro.
Good to hear, neither would I or anyone else I camp with.
Just saying it was better than gas.
Subjective and I disagree for reasons stated in my facetious comment above. To be better it would need to be more useful at the camp site and I just can't see it.
Doesn't really matter since I doubt many here would camp with an 18W flouro unless they're towing a van or camped out in their backyard.
Light is free from the sun. Camp before dark and get up at first light.
PS If you are really keen without wood then cooking is free too - with a solar stove!
Damn that sounds like a boring camping trip…or have you never been camping in winter
Just think for a minute - what is the point of stuffing around for three hours in the dark then staying in bed three hours after first light? Actually I've done heaps of camping but I seldom use any light other than a campfire.
yep, summer camper :)
Too hot to camp in summer here in WA. And when we do camp, its too cold to get up at the crack of dawn :-)
Just think for a minute - what is the point of stuffing around for three hours in the dark then staying in bed three hours after first light?
Don't have to stuff around in the dark cos I take lighting to make my family's trip safer and comfortable!
Have been camping for 30+ years and always found lighting after sunset rather handy. Now get woken by midgets at the crack of dawn.
Maybe you should chat to some people outside of the book club and see what they do.
This appears to be a clone of the gasmate kit: http://www.bcf.com.au/online-store/products/Gasmate-Camping-…
I've got the aldi/gasmate version and I must say its pretty good. Mine came with a brighter lantern (300-400cp) which really lights up the campsite. Having a free standing stove really makes cooking easier.
Bear in mind that you'll need to buy a special camping gas bottle which will set you back ~$30 (depending on size) + gas. Also the gas lanterns need mantles which are quite fragile once they've been used.