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Reviews > Lighting > Lanterns > Brunton Glorb Lantern > Tim Coughlin > Initial Report
. "[T]he Glorb is a self-contained butane lantern with a built-in igniter and foldout base...the Glorb wins the hearts of campers everyday." - from the Brunton website
Tester Biographical Information
Backpacking Background: I have been an active backpacker for 28 years, with experience hiking in many parts of the continental United States and Canada. Most of my time is spent in the Northeast, especially the Adirondack region of New York. I am a seasoned veteran to 3-season backpacking, and I’m expanding my resume to include winter backpacking. I would classify myself as a "lightweight" backpacker, but always working towards the "ultralight" title. I am an avid four-season dayhiker.
Product Description:
Emptying the contents of the retail box out onto a table, I observed the following characteristics:
First Impressions: I was pleasantly surprised at the small size of the Glorb. The included plastic storage case is meant to protect the Glorb while bouncing down the trail. By operating both with and without a mantle, the lantern's usefulness is greatly increased in my opinion. In initial tests, I really like the way it operates in both modes. The piezo-electric starter has lit the lantern every time so far on the first try!
Beginning Tests - Operating the Glorb The Glorb operates on butane. In this
first week of testing, I've found butane on sale all over the pl When the lantern is full, simply reinstall the foot assembly and tighten the brass screw. Turn the lantern upright.
If the Glorb is to be used in "Mantle mode", a mantle must
first be installed over the burner assembly. Again, set the slide valve to "Ignition". Push the operating valve all the way to the lock position, allowing the gas to turn on and activating the igniter. After the lantern lights, simply turn the slide valve to the "Mantle position" and adjust the brightness by rotating the lantern base. To extinguish the lantern, simply push up on the red operating valve, freeing in from the locked position and shutting off the gas. Note: the lantern burns hot to the touch in either mode and requires a cool down period before it's stored away in the carry case. The black plastic carry case holds the lantern securely in place. There is foam attached at the bottom and top on the interior of the carry case. The top is shaped to securely attach to the base via a friction fit. The lantern does not feel like it moves around at all. There is enough room to store a couple of mantles in the carry case, but not a bottle of butane fuel. Test Plan I'm curious to detail exactly how long the fuel lasts. The website claims a 2- 4 hour burn time, yet the printed documentation that came with the lantern states a burn time of between 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on whether the lantern is used in "Candle" or "Mantle" mode. Another variable not documented is the effect flame height has on fuel consumption. I plan on evaluating these effects on both modes, setting at minimum and maximum fuel consumption levels (i.e. dimmest to brightest setting). The test period begins in the midst of winter. We've had plenty of cold days this winter, and I suspect this trend will continue for some time. I'll be able to test the Glorb's ability to perform in conditions as low as -10 F (-23 C). The winter slowly loses its grip on the region over the next several months, allowing me to test the lantern is a variety of temperatures and conditions, allowing me to see how susceptible it is to conditions, especially dampness in all its forms. The testing will continue through a damp spring into the dog days of summer, where temperatures will hit 90 F (32 C). I'll be testing the Glorb though all of this, seeing how well it holds up. I'm interested in durability, including the mantles. I want to see how well they can take the shock of hiking, or do I have to change them constantly? I'll be interested in true availability of butane. I'll be checking every little town I hike near or through to see if it's readily available.  my memories of
camping as a kid always includes the glow of a lantern burning. Over
the years, as I took more to backpacking, I was not willing to drag a large
lantern along; they were just too big and too heavy. Now, along comes the
little Glorb! The picture at the left has the Glorb set next to a VHS tape
for size comparison. It's small enough to fit in my pack, even in its
carry case; it's light enough that I can justify it on most trips, and it really
puts out the lumens! Even in "Candle mode", I can adjust the flame from
bright to low. I'm going to enjoy this test!Field Testing Information There are three primary areas I frequent for my gear testing. They include Western New York, Northwestern Pennsylvania and the Adirondack Mountain region. Currently, local conditions in Western New York are classified as winter. Temperatures during the initial part of the test run will be mostly in the 20 F (-7 C) range. We have lots of snow. As the weather warms up over the next few months, conditions will change to sleet and cold rain. Spring in many ways is the toughest testing time in my opinion. It's wet, cold and often gray outside. Summer is beautiful, with temperatures approaching 90 F (32 C). The terrain is a mixed bag, starting out close to the shores of Lake Erie as a flat plateau and changing to rolling hills further away from the lake. The flat land is around a 700 ft (200 m) elevation with the hills steadily increasing to close to 2000 ft (600 m). Northern Pennsylvania tends to experience temperatures similar to Western New York, although the terrain is considerably more hilly and steep. This is the home of the Allegheny Mountains, with elevations typically around 2000 ft (600 m). The Adirondack region is much cooler than Western New York. Water runs fast and high during the spring and early summer. Summer months are July and August, with daily temperatures fluctuating anywhere between freezing to 80F (27C). Snow is possible any time, with excellent chances from now through June. This mountainous region has elevations starting at 3000 ft (900 m) and upwards of 5000 ft (1500 m). Tim
Read more reviews of Brunton gear Read more gear reviews by Tim Coughlin Reviews > Lighting > Lanterns > Brunton Glorb Lantern > Tim Coughlin > Initial Report | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Glorb is a
lantern small enough to be considered for backpacking applications. It
runs on readily available butane. It will operate both with, and without,
a mantle. The Glorb came packaged in a very informative box,
measuring 2.75 x 5.5 x 6.25 in (70 x 140 x 160 mm) [l x w x h]. The Glorb
was immediately identifiable through a clear plastic window on the front of the
box. Included inside the box with the Glorb was a plastic
storage case for the lantern, two mantles and instructions. Printed on the
outside of the box was a bunch of useful information in both English and French,
including product description, specifications and contact information
for Brunton. The Brunton motto could also be found printed on several
sides of the box, "Get Out There", and personally, I like it!
The Glorb was just what I expected, except it's smaller than I imagined,
and that's a good thing. Construction appears excellent. The Glorb
looks and feels well made. 
The glass globe is easily removed by simply
unclipping the hold-down bracket just above the operating valve and swinging
the top off. The top is hinged on the far side with ample room to
clear the glass globe. The globe is then simply lifted straight up
and out.
ace - from corner gas stations to drug stores, even
supermarkets. To fill the lantern, simply unscrew the brass
thumbscrew on the bottom and remove the foot assembly. There, a filler
port is clearly visible. Simply put the butane bottle up to the port and
press together. The level of butane in the Glorb is easy to see through
the translucent bottom of the reservoir. The Glorb is considered full when
the fuel level is up to the filler port when checked with the lantern on its
side.
If the lantern is to be used in "Candle
mode", no mantle can be installed on the burner. Simply set the slide the
valve to the "Ignition" position and depress the operating valve.
Immediately, the lantern begins to allow gas to escape at the burner. When
the operating valve is fully depressed, the piezo-igniter is activated, lighting
the gas. The operating valve then locks in place, keeping the lantern
lit. Finally, turn the slide valve from "Ignition" to "Candle position"
and rotate the lantern body to set the flame height. The flame height
ranges from a maximum as seen in the picture, to a minimum height never
exceeding the confines of the glass globe. 
Two mantles are included with the
Glorb. First, swing the top assembly out of the way and
remove the glass globe. Now, place a mantle over the burner assembly, with
the open end facing down. Press the mantle over the little loop at the top
of the burner securing the top of the mantle. Then, pull the bottom of the
mantle over the burner and tie it off around the brass ring above the location
of the piezo-igniter. Trim off the excess string and light the
mantle, letting it turn to ash. When it's fully burned, reassemble the
globe and top and the lantern is ready to use.