This year Cliff Jacobson talked me into giving candle lanterns a shot. I've been stretching my season earlier into the spring, so the thought of getting a little heat along with my light had its appeal. For $20, UCO offers a basic aluminum model of their Original Candle Lantern at http://ucogear.com/original-candle-lantern-classic-series.html. I also added the Pac-Flat Reflector (http://ucogear.com/pac-flat-reflector.html) and some extra 9-hour candles (http://ucogear.com/9-hour-candles.html) for another $15.

I found the results generally positive, though this set-up should absolutely not be considered a primary source of either light or of heat. The 9-hour candles blew away expectations, easily lasting more than nine hours with a soft, steady glow. The light itself was not strong, but it was plenty for a nightlight in the ice fishing shelter and enough to rummage around in the tent at night. The top of the lantern got warm enough that I wouldn't want it directly against fabric, but UCO provides a long enough (3-inch or so) chain to comfortably hang it from the dome of my tent. Heat in general was negligable.

Overall the outlay was cheap enough to make this a worthy buy. It's small and light so it'll likely find its way into a pack for the BWCA this summer, but I wouldn't call it particulary necessary equipment.

Below is a picture. Ben, if you can figure out how to rotate it 90 degrees clockwise I'd be highly indebted.