Review of the Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern
For those who enjoy spending time outdoors, whether it’s camping, fishing, or enjoying a backyard BBQ, reliable lighting is essential. The Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern is designed to provide outdoor enthusiasts with a bright, efficient, and durable light source that is both easy to use and maintain. Powered by propane, this lantern offers convenience, high output, and long-lasting performance. In this review, we’ll dive into the features, performance, and overall value of the Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your next outdoor adventure.
Overview
The Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern is designed to deliver brightness and efficiency in a compact and user-friendly design. Powered by a 16.4 oz propane cylinder, this lantern provides up to 1,000 lumens of light to illuminate your outdoor space. Its rugged, weather-resistant construction ensures it will perform well in a variety of conditions, making it an excellent choice for camping trips, outdoor events, or emergency use.
Key Features
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1000 Lumens of Brightness: The Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern emits a powerful 1,000 lumens of light, which is more than enough to light up a large area. Whether you’re cooking, reading, or socializing, this lantern provides bright and consistent light, making it ideal for illuminating your campsite or backyard. It’s perfect for those who need a reliable light source that can cover a wide area.
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Convenient Propane Power: Powered by a 16.4 oz propane cylinder, the Coleman Northern Nova offers the convenience of easy-to-find propane fuel. Unlike traditional liquid fuel lanterns that require more specialized fuel types, propane is widely available at most outdoor retailers, making it an easy and reliable option for those looking to power their lanterns on the go.
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Advanced Mantle Technology: This lantern utilizes Coleman’s patented mantle technology, which allows it to produce a brighter, more consistent light while ensuring optimal fuel efficiency. The mantle absorbs the fuel and produces light when it is heated, resulting in a cleaner burn and more efficient use of propane. This technology helps extend the lifespan of both the lantern and the propane cylinder, allowing you to get more hours of light per fuel tank.
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Durable and Weather-Resistant Design: Built to handle outdoor conditions, the Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern is designed with a durable steel frame and a protective globe that shields the light from the elements. Whether it’s a rainy evening or a windy campsite, this lantern is made to continue operating reliably, ensuring that you always have light when you need it most. The protective globe reduces the risk of breakage while the lantern is in use.
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Adjustable Brightness: The Coleman Northern Nova Lantern features an adjustable control knob that allows you to adjust the brightness according to your needs. Whether you need a soft glow for reading or a powerful beam to light up your entire campsite, you can easily dial in the perfect light output. This flexibility makes it an excellent choice for various outdoor activities.
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Easy to Use: Lighting the Coleman Northern Nova Lantern is a straightforward process. With a simple push-button ignition system, you can light the lantern quickly and without hassle. There’s no need for matches or lighters, making it especially convenient when you’re setting up in the dark or in adverse conditions.
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Long Burn Time: On a single 16.4 oz propane cylinder, the lantern provides up to 12 hours of continuous light at its highest setting. This long burn time makes it perfect for extended trips, as you won’t need to constantly refuel the lantern. It also helps ensure you won’t run out of light in the middle of an evening, especially during long camping trips or emergency situations.
Pros
- 1000 lumens brightness: Provides a powerful, consistent light that is suitable for large campsites or outdoor gatherings.
- Convenient propane fuel: Propane is easy to find and store, making this lantern a practical option for outdoor adventurers.
- Advanced mantle technology: Produces brighter, cleaner light and increases fuel efficiency, resulting in longer-lasting performance.
- Durable, weather-resistant design: Built to withstand the elements and continue operating in challenging outdoor conditions.
- Adjustable brightness: Allows you to control the light output to suit your specific needs.
- Easy to ignite: Push-button ignition makes lighting the lantern simple and quick.
- Long burn time: Provides up to 12 hours of continuous light on a single propane cylinder, making it ideal for extended outdoor use.
Cons
- Requires propane: While propane is widely available, the need to buy and store cylinders may not be ideal for those who prefer rechargeable or multi-fuel options.
- Size and weight: The lantern is bulkier and heavier than some other options, particularly LED lanterns, which might be a concern for ultralight backpackers or those looking to minimize gear weight.
- Glass globe: The lantern’s glass globe is durable but can break if dropped or mishandled, although the protective design helps reduce the risk.
Performance in Real-World Conditions
The Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern performed excellently during our testing in real-world outdoor conditions. We used it on a camping trip in both calm and windy conditions, and the lantern maintained its bright, consistent light throughout the evening. At its highest setting, it provided ample illumination for our campsite, allowing us to cook, read, and enjoy the evening with plenty of light.
The adjustable brightness control allowed us to dial down the light to create a more intimate atmosphere when needed, and the propane fuel was easy to find and swap out when it ran out. The 12-hour burn time was more than sufficient for an entire night of use, and we never had to worry about the lantern dimming or running out of fuel prematurely.
Even in windy conditions, the lantern held up well. The protective globe and weather-resistant design ensured that it remained lit and functioning, despite the gusty winds. The easy push-button ignition also made it quick to light, even in the dark or when we were in a hurry.
Conclusion
The Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern is a fantastic choice for outdoor enthusiasts who need a powerful, reliable, and easy-to-use light source for camping, hiking, fishing, or emergency situations. Its 1,000-lumen brightness, long burn time, and weather-resistant design make it perfect for illuminating a large area, and its adjustable brightness feature adds versatility to suit different lighting needs.
While it may not be the lightest option on the market, its performance and durability more than make up for the extra weight. The Coleman Northern Nova is a durable, reliable, and convenient propane lantern that will stand up to the challenges of the great outdoors, providing ample light whenever and wherever you need it.
If you’re looking for a dependable and high-performing lantern that is powered by propane and offers excellent brightness, the Coleman Northern Nova Propane Lantern is a top-tier choice that is sure to meet your outdoor lighting needs.

