Reviews > Lighting > Lanterns > Brunton Glorb Lantern > Pam Wyant > Field Report

Field Report: Brunton Glorb Lantern

Product Information -

Physical description: 

Field Use -

So far I have tested the Brunton Glorb Lantern in my front yard several times in candle mode, in temperatures ranging from approximately 20F (-7C) to 60F (15C) .  I have also used the Brunton Glorb in mantle mode on one overnight backpacking trip to Shenandoah National Park, at an elevation of approximately 3000 ft (900 m).  I had hoped to get in a couple more overnight trips by this time, but alas, plans for these fell through.

Use:

My use of the Glorb Lantern in my front yard was primarily to give the lantern some early use until I was able to take it on a backpacking trip.  Basically I hoped to determine how different temperatures affected the lantern in candle mode, and how long I could expect the lantern to burn under the various conditions.  In sub-freezing temperatures, I found if I started with the lantern warm from being inside my heated house, it would burn brightly for a short period of time, and would then gradually dim to the point it was a barely visible blue tinged flame.  All the front yard tests were in candle mode and were performed with the lantern filled to the maximum capacity recommended by the manufacturer.  At 20F (-7C), the lantern burned for approximately two and a half hours before running out of fuel, but was so dim as to be barely visible.  At 60F (15C), and adjusted for low output, the lantern burned for about an hour and a half before going out, dimming noticeably near the end of burn time.  I was unable to read a standard print book at the low output level, but could read it without much effort when adjusting the flame to medium or high.

In mid-April, I packed up the Glorb in the provided plastic case, jammed it between some clothes and my sleeping bag in my pack, and set out on an overnight trip in the wooded, rocky hills of Shendandoah National Park with three friends.  Temperatures during the daytime hours were around 60-70F (15-20C), falling to around 40F (4C) overnight.  The woods were very dry, and campfires were prohibited.  Due to some difficulty finding a moderately level campsite suitable for my friend's tents, it was after dark before I could get the lantern out of the case and ready to light.  Unfortunately, I had not installed the mantle before leaving home, figuring I would have plenty of time when we made camp to get it ready.  Never having installed a mantle before, I found it fairly awkward to do in the dark, even with a headlamp.  Between trying to hold the lantern in place, keeping it in the light beam from my headlamp, and trying to see what I was doing, I did a poor job on the installation, and when I burned the mantle in preparation for it's first lighting, it slipped partially off the burner head and developed a large hole.  Drat!

 A bit apprehensive, but figuring I would probably also make a mess of the second mantle if I attempted installing it in the dark, I decided to go ahead and try the "holey" mantle anyway.  I adjusted the gas flow, slid the lever at the rear of the lantern to "ignition" position, and clicked the red button on the front of the lantern.  After a couple of tries, the lantern lit and the mantle began to glow.  To my surprise and pleasure the lantern actually burned quite well even with the defective mantle.  I was a little worried about the glass globe, since the mangled mantle was right up against the side of the glass, but it survived without a crack.  The light given off by the Glorb in mantle mode was considerably brighter than in candle mode, even with the damaged mantle.  Our group found the lantern made a nice safe substitute for the ambiance of a campfire for relaxing and socializing.  I burned the lantern for about an hour, with temperatures dropping from about 50F (10C) to about 45F (7C) and then turned it off to cool before turning into bed in my hammock.  I found it cooled within five minutes, and tucked it safely away in the case.  Upon checking, it looked like about two-thirds of the fuel was burned.  Unfortunately, the "holey" mantle didn't survive the return trip, disintegrating into a spiderweb-like mass of ash by the time I returned home.  Fine ash stuck to the inside of the glass globe, but after wiping it with a soft cloth, it looked as good as new.

About a week after returning from this trip, I decided to get a few final pictures of the lantern in candle mode for this report, and to install the second provided mantle to see if I could do it successfully.  This time I installed it very carefully in the warmth and bright light of my home, and am happy to report the installation was a success.  I think the key was being able to better see that I had the mantle tied securely around the spool shaped area just below the burner head, but it may also have helped that I after I lit the mantle all around the edges this time, I let it burn by itself naturally.  This results in more of a smolder than a flame as the mantle burns.  On the failed first installation, I had gently blown on the mantle as it was smoldering since I thought it should burn with a flame, and this could have contributed to the development of the hole.  So far, the new mantle has survived intact through two brief use sessions for test and photo purposes, and although it isn't a perfectly shaped sphere, it doesn't have any holes.

Comparison Test Photos

Testing plan –

Most of the testing will be done on overnight and weekend backpacking trips, starting with a trip on the Greenbrier River Trail around the middle of May.  I will also be using the lantern at several Girl Scout camping events, which may provide some additional insight.

Specifically I will be looking at: 

• Durability – whether parts have broken or are showing wear, especially the body of the lantern, the glass globe, and the ignition
• Performance – how well the lantern performs under different weather conditions
• Mantles – will a properly installed mantle survive a "pack trip" intact?  How many have I used over the full period of the test?
  
• Fuel – whether the cost of fuel affects how much I want to use the lantern
• Burn time – final conclusions on how long actual burn time is, and the effect varied temperatures have on burn time
  
• Light levels - additional comparison of the light put out by the Glorb to that emitted by headlamps, flashlights, and battery operated lanterns at differing temperatures.
• Enjoyment – do I continue to like using the lantern?  Do I most enjoy it on group trips or on solo or partner only trips?
• Weight versus benefit - I will answer the burning question – do I enjoy using the lantern enough to make it a permanent part of my backpacking gear in spite of its weight, considering my efforts to lighten my load?  If not, will it be an item I occasionally want to take along, or relegated only to car or base camping?

Continued testing will take place mostly on West Virginia trails and camps, varying from the mountainous eastern region of the state with elevations from 2500 to over 4000 feet (750 to over 1200 meters), to the river valley corridors in the eastern, western and central part of the state, with elevations from 550 to 1000 feet (150 to 300 meters).  Temperatures will likely range from lows around 40F (4C) to highs near 100F (38C).  Rainfall is typically ample in the area, with normal monthly levels ranging from 3-5 in (8-13 cm), and humidity levels are often high.  Some testing may take place in border states where conditions would be similar.  I am a hammock sleeper, and I am working on lightening my pack, which should vary between 20-30 lb (9-14 kg) during the test period, depending on weather conditions.

Likes, dislikes, and concerns so far: 

Thanks to Brunton and BackpackGearTest for the opportunity to test the Brunton Glorb Lantern.

Reviews > Lighting > Lanterns > Brunton Glorb Lantern > Pam Wyant > Field Report