I have been reading posts here for sometime about lamps. I want to buy one as I finish up my preparations. I have heard that the Petromax lamp is the best but is very expensive. Is the coleman type lamp a good alternative? I have seen them at Kmart but they don't seem to have any stock left.

Also does anyone have a listing of where to purchase either of these?

Thank you.

Also, does anyone know of anyone with Katadyn pocket filters in stock?

-- Lisa Wu (wu@parkavebridals.com), January 15, 1999

Answers

I think Aladdin is best.

-- Blue Himalayan (bh@k2.y), January 15, 1999.

I've used both brands.

Petramax is of a much, much higher quality. Made of nickel plated brass. It's a real work of art and will last 100's of years.

-- fly . (.@...), January 15, 1999.

Lisa,

last I heard, katadyn filters are backordered to the US distributor until sometime around March. Best bet would be to check local yuppie camping stores - I've seen a few of the smaller filters in such places here in the DC metro area - just be ready to pay yuppie camping store prices for them...

Arlin

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), January 15, 1999.

Hi Instead of katadyn you might want to take a serious look at this http://www.atkinsid.com/bottle.htm - It filters rain, snow and swimming pool water to drinking water. Mention the name "Duane" and receive 5% discount for being a Y2Ker.

Duane

-- Duane (Duane24062@aol.com), January 15, 1999.

Lisa,

Petromax can be purchased at:

http://www.petromax.com/

The back order is about 4 weeks (not crucial now), but is increasing. The Petromax is heads and shoulders better than the Coleman, both in reliability and in light output. Yes, it's expensive, (lamp = $99, reflector = $39) but not overly expensive compared to the Alladin.

There's a difference between the two......the Alladin is intended for decorative purposes and indoor use in a home, while the Petromax, as a military lantern design, provides greater light output than the Alladin and is nearly indestructible.

-- glowing (well@lite.com), January 15, 1999.

Here is a good source for a different water filter. The specs are great -- as good as or better than the Katadyn, but the unit is counter top, not a portable back packer's filter.

http://www.noahspantry.com/filter.htm

-- not thirsty (drinking@well.com), January 15, 1999.

I have a lantern that I bought from petromax http://www.petromax.com about 2 months ago. My wife won't let me light it!! She says that the finish on it is so impressive and shiny. She thinks that we'll get it "dirty" by using. I will NEVER understand women!

The people down there (I think they're from florida or georgia) are really nice to deal with. I saw stove on their web site but my budget was very limited and we only bought the lantern and reflector.

The reason my budget was limited is a dirty little family secret: MY WIFE IS A DGI!

I used to have a Alladin lamp. Actually it was my parents that had it. It was ok, but nothing like the quality of the petromax. I don't really know how bright the petromax is, but it is really well built and the people over there were great. Customer support and attitude mean everything to me!

The only other problem I have is determining where to buy kerosene. From reading posts here, I know that using gasoline indoors is dangerous. I live in northwest NJ and no gas station carries kerosene anymore. I recall them having it in the early 80's when kerosene heaters were in fashion..

-- Jake WIlford (Jake@ginjohn.com), January 15, 1999.

"Where to buy kerosene" remember that diesel fuel is kerosene, just not as pure as the heating fuel version. Any heating fuel co will have what you need if you are going for K-1.

CR

-- Chuck, night driver (rienzoo@en.com), January 16, 1999.

The Coleman lantern is NOT a good alternative as it puts out carbon monoxide (due to the kind of fuel it uses) and shouldn't be used indoors.

-- Maria (encelia@mailexcite.com), January 16, 1999.

Hi, Folks!!

Just a short note to let you know that I am doing my best to keep the prices for the Petromax products as low as possible, so that everybody might have the opportunity to purchase and enjoy these products. During these trying times, and the preparations for Y2K, I would like to set everyone at ease, and let you know that I was informed that the shipments should be arriving at any day now.

After shipment arrives, my techs and I will be inspecting each piece, before it is shipped, processing orders, and getting them shipped out as quickly as possible. Shipments will be coming on a regular basis, now that the urgency for the product demands it.

JAKE: What in the world is "DGI?" Guess I am really tired...just can't seem to grasp that one. (Smiling)

As far as fuels go.....Petromax lanterns & stoves use all types of fuels on the market. If you can't get kerosene, then you can use mineral spirits, lamp oils, diesel, home-heating fuels, alcohol-based fuels, and you may want to look into the new "BIODIESEL" or "SYNFUELS". These are made from old vegetable oils, and you can read about these further on the web. Also....for pricings, you can check out the "sotre at www.hiperfuels.com They will let you know where this product can be located.

Hope this information helps out a bit.....and...oh, yes...these products are being used by the military around the world because of their sturdiness, multi-fuel capabilities, and in some cases, just all around good looks (Smiling)

Thanks again for all the kind words, and hope to hear from you soon.

For technical info.....you can e-mail eddie@petromax.com

Diana....("MOM") Britelyt diana@petromax.com www.petromax.com 727-856-9245 727-856-7715 (Fax)

-- Diana Clifton (diana@petromax.com), January 16, 1999.

Diana, it is so sweet of you to post! Ashton & I will be ordering a Petromax soon. A DGI is a Don't Get It, as in, a person who just doesn't understand what Y2K is, means, implys, portends, exposes, etc. An increasingly dangerous species to be ;-)

xxxxxxx xxxxxxx xxxxxxx

-- Leska (allaha@earthlink.net), January 16, 1999.

Looking for a good deal on Y2K lighting, water filters, and grain mills? Check out the links below:

Cooperative Preps: Aladdin Lamps, etc.
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001p 2y

Cooperative Preps: Katadyn Water Filters, etc.
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001p IM

Cooperative Preps: Corona Victoria Grain Mill with Large Hopper, etc.
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl?msg_id=001p JE

Sincerely,
Stan Faryna

Got 14 days of preps? If not, get started now. Click here.

Click here and check out the TB2000 preparation forum.

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), November 22, 1999.