What do you think of the petromax hk500 that are sold new on the camping sites? The truth is that I am considering buying one ... Do they still have the quality they used to have? Cheers
@_kona_ The short answer to your question is - no they do not have the quality they used to have. My first lantern was a brand new Petromax. I had a number of problems with getting it to run. After finding this (and other forums) soon learnt that a Petromax that was made in Germany is of far higher quality. If you have used an older Petromax you will see a real difference, they are built better.
If You go to hytta.de http://hytta.de/petromax/index_2015.htm There you can buy a used ex. army lantern. Original Petromax / BUNDESWEHR Modell 829/500 CP Rapid - gebraucht,ungeprüft Regards Matti Kucer
I have only one true Petromax, a modern one that was made in China. It has been problematic to get it working ok and it still smells s little in use. Sadly, all my Petromax clones, also made in China work well and are extremely reliable!
@_kona_ I don't have a modern 'Petromax hk500', so I can't tell if they're still anything like the Petromax we know, in terms of quality. But in my opinion, if you could buy one at an attractive price, I don't see why you shouldn't. It'll be a matter of time before you get, in your possesion, an older, original Petromax that was made in Germany. I'd like to make a side-by-side comparison of them too.
Well, you are right, for the price it has, I can get a military lamp with a metal box in my country, so surely I will do that. I will inform you
@_kona_ that is a good choice. I ended up with a 1960 ex-bunderwehr Petromax, with its transit box and haven't looked back. It is one of my go to working lanterns.
A friend once said that when the factory in Altena ended making lanterns there where no Petromax lanterns made anymore. Petromax is now a tradename and used for everything even a box with wood curls. If buying a BW petromax with metal box make sure you get the frontloader type of box. These boxes are better in stability.
I bought a new Petromax lantern at the beginning of the year, which is why this hobby started going on myself, the new Petromax worked fine from the beginning, only the rapid fire seal was replaced almost immediately.
All my Petromax lanterns, with the exceptions of two, were made in Germany and are all over 50 years old!
You have to fettle them all. And if you fettle them they will work like a charm. Regardless of age or make.
one of which I have looks is this. the front load is like what you say? I hope whoever sells it leaves it at a reasonable price. As it says in the ad, it was never lit, but I don't think so because of the color of the carburettor If so, would you light it or leave it as a collection item? Greetings
That is up to you, d you want a lantern to use use or look at. If you can get more are get the bug you can leave NOS NOS.
well, finally after talking to the seller he assures me that this is new and never came on, the price he gives me for what I want the lamp is too high, he asks me for € 400 so I'm going to discard it. I don't know if you can put links on the forum but in any case send me an mp and I'll give it to you. I keep looking to see what appears
I've got two Chinese petromax hk500 work very well but took a bit of fettling to set them up, bought very cheap at car boot sales but I also have a hipolito hk500 which i bought 35 years ago worked superbly straight from the box ,has a massive amount of use and still works as good as new, petromax clone made in portugal an excellent user. Regards Ian.
NOS BW Petromax lanterns where always around the 100euro mark. So this must then be the last one or gold plated. Or shipping is very expensive.
Having read the above thread, is there an update? Have you considered a Hipolito or Geniol 500HK, both great lanterns. Geniol also did a "milspec" style lantern in both the 250 and 500. ⬆️ As @WimVe said.
Thanks for the link I looked at them and they are selling used army lamps at 119 Eure with about 17 Euro postage has anyone bought one of these ? I would love a German made Petromax
@rayw, I don't know your seller but I would ask if the spare parts are included too (Px funnel) or even an extra set. The front loader box I find better. More sturdy then the top loader.
Here is the one I was looking at Original Petromax / BUNDESWEHR Modell 829/500 CP Rapid - gebraucht,ungeprüft -
