First time camping question (lights)
Discussion
LEDs all the way!
I have flexible strips of the type used for under cabinet lighting, I bought them (ebay) already encased in a clear silicone sheath, and run them off a car booster pack, but you could run them off your car battery without worry as they consume so little power. I switch mine with a remote fob (also ebay)... really useful to find your tent in the dark and handy when you settle down too... ' Night Johnboy!' {click}
I have flexible strips of the type used for under cabinet lighting, I bought them (ebay) already encased in a clear silicone sheath, and run them off a car booster pack, but you could run them off your car battery without worry as they consume so little power. I switch mine with a remote fob (also ebay)... really useful to find your tent in the dark and handy when you settle down too... ' Night Johnboy!' {click}

Largely depends what you want to do? Reading requires a decent amount of light whereas chilling and drinking a few beers doesn't.
I used to just have a low powered lantern for ambient light and a torch if I needed to do anything more intricate. Always had a car close by though so often used to retreat there when it got cooler / darker as it was a bit warmer, had lights, a radio and a CD player.
When we got a bigger tent we sometimes used a gas lamp which can chuck out a lot of light but is also controllable but with the added bonus of it warming up the tent a bit. Always use these well ventilated though (i.e. with the door open).
I used to just have a low powered lantern for ambient light and a torch if I needed to do anything more intricate. Always had a car close by though so often used to retreat there when it got cooler / darker as it was a bit warmer, had lights, a radio and a CD player.
When we got a bigger tent we sometimes used a gas lamp which can chuck out a lot of light but is also controllable but with the added bonus of it warming up the tent a bit. Always use these well ventilated though (i.e. with the door open).
https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/kampa-sabre-li...
These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8
These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8
For general illumination in the tent, we have a couple of these:
https://www.overstock.ca/Sports-Toys/LED-Lantern-W...
Got them from 7DayShop a few years ago but they don't seem to stock them any more. They were cheap as chips, chuck out a decent amount of light and can be adjusted to shine away from the kids sleeping compartment.
A head torch is a good plan as sometimes you'll want your hands free while keeping a light shone on what you're doing.
Also have a Lenser P14 for when I want to illuminate stuff in the next county.
https://www.overstock.ca/Sports-Toys/LED-Lantern-W...
Got them from 7DayShop a few years ago but they don't seem to stock them any more. They were cheap as chips, chuck out a decent amount of light and can be adjusted to shine away from the kids sleeping compartment.
A head torch is a good plan as sometimes you'll want your hands free while keeping a light shone on what you're doing.
Also have a Lenser P14 for when I want to illuminate stuff in the next county.
https://www.jmldirect.com/at-home/home-accessories...
These are good, we’ve got about 8 of them (big tent!)
These are good, we’ve got about 8 of them (big tent!)
Welshbeef said:
https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/kampa-sabre-li...
These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8
HOW MUCH ?! These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8

This is the stuff I bought, 5 metres for less than a tenner, simply cut to length ...you can attach new leads to the remainder.
A 1 metre length lights my family tent like daylight... for £2 worth of LEDs!

Remote switch, if you want that luxury, was about a fiver IIRC. Easy to spend more, but...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-Super-Bright-3014-SM...
TwinKam said:
Welshbeef said:
https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/kampa-sabre-li...
These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8
HOW MUCH ?! These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8

This is the stuff I bought, 5 metres for less than a tenner, simply cut to length ...you can attach new leads to the remainder.
A 1 metre length lights my family tent like daylight... for £2 worth of LEDs!

Remote switch, if you want that luxury, was about a fiver IIRC. Easy to spend more, but...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-Super-Bright-3014-SM...
Came in about half the price of the Kampa version including a remote controlled dimmer.
C0ffin D0dger said:
TwinKam said:
Welshbeef said:
https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/kampa-sabre-li...
These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8
HOW MUCH ?! These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8

This is the stuff I bought, 5 metres for less than a tenner, simply cut to length ...you can attach new leads to the remainder.
A 1 metre length lights my family tent like daylight... for £2 worth of LEDs!

Remote switch, if you want that luxury, was about a fiver IIRC. Easy to spend more, but...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-Super-Bright-3014-SM...
Came in about half the price of the Kampa version including a remote controlled dimmer.

We use these for general cheap light hanging from the tent ceiling:
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15900827/handy-heroes...
We use a big lantern for more focused task lighting, like this (not this one):
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15901760/vango-spectr...
I also have one of these for cycle camping:
https://www.alpkit.com/products/trinity
I also have an older Alpkit head torch and an LED Lensor P14 as well.
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15900827/handy-heroes...
We use a big lantern for more focused task lighting, like this (not this one):
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15901760/vango-spectr...
I also have one of these for cycle camping:
https://www.alpkit.com/products/trinity
I also have an older Alpkit head torch and an LED Lensor P14 as well.
TwinKam said:
Welshbeef said:
https://www.winfieldsoutdoors.co.uk/kampa-sabre-li...
These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8
HOW MUCH ?! These are good and you can add up to 3 extra all linked together if needed.
Ideal for the Kampa Studland 8

This is the stuff I bought, 5 metres for less than a tenner, simply cut to length ...you can attach new leads to the remainder.
A 1 metre length lights my family tent like daylight... for £2 worth of LEDs!

Remote switch, if you want that luxury, was about a fiver IIRC. Easy to spend more, but...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-Super-Bright-3014-SM...
Light thing I suggested was simply keeping everything OEM for my new tent.
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