Hello all, I am about to choose which lamp to buy as my first one, but I am not quite sure which one to pick. Which one of these would you prefer? I am also wondering how it is with spare parts and mantles. The lamps i can choose are brand new. Optimus 1200/200 with manometer on tank. Optimus 1200M (M stands for messing/brass i think) dont know if it has manometer. Petromax Rapid 828 Primus Modell: 1082 350-500 CP made by Høvik verk They all cost almost the same so the price is nothing to worry about. What use does the manometer do, is it really that useful to know the pressure of the tank?
Hi Kristian The Høvik-verk Primus is a very very rare lamp, so just for the rarity I would start with that. The next would be the Optimus 1200 or the Petromax 828. Both of those is easy to get spareparts to for you. If you are going to use the lamps regulary then the Optimus 1200 makes cosy light and the Petromax makes "working"-light. But why stop at one - buy them all at the same time. Claus C
Hi Kristian, I'm confused here. How can you buy those lanterns "brand new"? The manometer is a bit of a luxury in my view - nice to have, but not essential. You'll soon get used to knowing when your lanterns have sufficient pressure and when they need pumping some more.
Thanks for the suggestions! It is tempting to go for the Primus Høvik verk, but I am not so sure about the spare parts for that one, gonna ask the seller if there follows any with the purchase. Dont know if Primus still produce any spare parts or where to get them. Didnt know there was much difference about the way the light appeared from each lamp. Would probably prefer the Petromax since I mainly need the lamp for reading and working. Also, there seem to be easier to achieve parts for the Petromax. So far I would chose the Petromax. Perhaps someone knows more about getting spare parts for the Primus, then I might consider it instead. For those who might want one Primus Høvik verk, the seller of brand new ones and some used, sells them for about $275 new and $175 used. You can contact them on staale@olav-teigen.no.
David, when I mean brand new, I mean stored in box and never used. I am not sure when they are made or if they are still produced? It is kind of exciting to be new to lanterns, dont know anything about them or how to use them.
Hi Kristian You can get almost any spares to your Høvik-Primus in your neighbor-contry Sweden, and I am told the are quick responding. Here is the link for something of possible interest. http://www.fogas.se/fotogenreservdelar/servicesatser/index.html Regards Claus C
OK, I'm with you now. Amazing you can still get the Primus and Hovik Verk (and maybe the others, too) in that condition. I think I wouldn't be lighting them, though. Old, mint lanterns still in the box may be more suitable for display rather than use. If you want lanterns to light and use, I think you may be better off buying good, used examples which will also be cheaper...
Claus C, I dont think I could find any parts for the Primus on your link. Might be because I am no good at searching. I have also searched the net for other retailers who sell parts with no luck. Have found a lot of sellers for Optimus and Petromax parts tho. I have also found some more lamps to choose from: Petromax 829 500CP Petromax 829 Test Petromax 830 150CP "which is a bit smaller than the other lamps. It would have been nice with a bit smaller lamp, but I am afraid It requires a lot of pumping to keep it going. Edit- I do with the lamp as I do with my stoves, If they are new, then the chance of something wrong with it are less common. Therefore I purchase mostly newer stock for usage. There is also a point that I become the first one to use it and therefore I then know how it has been used/abused.
Hi Kristian123 It should be no problem getting spares for your Primus 1082, please read this: http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/4839 And according to the Petromax 830 there is 2 lamps named that name and only 1 is the correct, please read this thread: http://0flo.com/index.php?threads/1656 Depending of your use of light, cosy or working-light, as mentioned both the Petromax 828 (350CP) and Optimus 1200 (200 CP)is very good lamps. The Petromax 829 delivers a very very sharp workinglight (500 CP) and I do believe the latest models is made in China. Claus C
I have seen and participated in the first thread you mentioned. Did not get any answer about where to achieve mantles for the Primus nor any spare parts. So the Petromax might be from China? I must ask the seller to see if there is any markings telling if so. Does 350CP to 500CP means that there is a difference i watt? Right now, I am thinking about buying a Petromax 829 500CP or the Primus 1082 Høvik verk, only need parts for the Høvik verk. I must also check if the Petromax is Chinese because I would consider Norwegian quality better.
Hi Kristian123 I would ask Nils Stephenson about spare to your Høvik-Primus. He would for sure know. The CP is a shortening of an old messureunit called Candle Power, 1 candle - is the lightpower of 1 candle burning. The germans former used the HK, also the light of a candle on german Kerzen. It is not the same as watt - 1 watt is stronger. I would anytime prefer your Høvik - but thats just me . Claus C
Thanks for the help Claus! I have asked Nils Stephenson by PM. If there is spare parts to get I will surely go for the Primus. As we wait for all the answers, I am wondering if the Optimus 930 and the Petromax 830 have to be pumped regularly to keep pressure? I am thinking like every 20th minute or so? Would be really nice to have a lamp to bring in the backpack, but I guess the Primus Micronlight already fulfills that purpose as a lightweight option. Also, how do you light the lantern? Is it possible to light the lantern without taking off the glass and with the Petromax Rapid thingy? Have no idea of how it works nor how to light a standard lantern.
Kristian, I've sent a reply by PM. If the 1082 is unused, why does it need parts? Possibly it will need a new filler cap washer, but that should be it. I agree with David though about not lighting it (my personal preference). An Optimus 930 is a nice little lamp. Lovely proportions and they usually work very well. The tank gets quite hot in use though. The Petromax 830 is a current model made in Hong Kong (like all other Petromax). The exact same lantern is also sold under the names like Santrax, Geniol and probably others. They can be a bit fussy getting to run right and the kerosene has to be good quality.
Hi Kristian Try a search on you tube you will find several videos of lighting tilley`s,petromax `,colemans and probably others. Graham P
Hi Kristian123 When I have used Optimus 930 and Geniol 150 (same as Petromax "830") then I filled the tank as directed and lighted up the lamp. I pumped it up to workingpressure and after 1 hour I pumped again. After that these 2 models have no problem burning for the next 2- 2,5 hour without pumping at all and sometimes even to the fuel runs out. And the 828, 1200 and 1082 is the same case but they would burn for a longer time, app. 4 hours. Claus C
Thanks for all the answers! Gonna buy myself a Primus Høvik verk, but I am also gonna light it even if it is unused. Feels a bit bad to light it as the lantern is kind of extinct as an unfired example. But, this will probably be my only lantern for a long time and I am going to treat it well, so one can say it gets a good home. Think I will pass on getting a 930 and 830 when I usually uses a Primus micron light on backpacking trips. The only thing that remains now is to purchase a lantern. Gonna try to add some photos in the reference gallery when i get it.
I have a similar question really, but I'm don't have a list of options... I have a Tilley X246B as my only pressure lamp and I'm possibly looking for a second lamp. I don't really mind whether it's petrol or paraffin - my main concerns are functionality, a ready supply of parts and long term reliability. This is to be very much a "working lamp" for use in a storage facility with no electrical supply. So you have a blank canvas Suggestions please...
Gneiss, I would recommend a Bialaddin or Vapalux model. These are really very well made lanterns and in my opinion are far better quality than Tilley (especially any Tilley made after 1959). The parts are all still available. On the other hand, another Tilley would make it more practical from a spares point of view, as most parts would be interchangeable between lamps. If you go that route, get a pre 1959 model. Steve.
Just wanted to tell that I recently found out that Petromax lanterns are now produced in China and assembled in Germany.
As Steve has already stated Vapalux/Bialaddin lanterns are a good buy and they can still be obtained at reasonable prices. They are usually cheaper if they are bought at local auctions etc., rather than from Ebay. Rough examples are useful for spare parts, Jeff.
