After Hurricane Andrew hit the South Florida area in August of 1992 and was followed over the years by several other tropical storms and hurricanes (especially 2005's Katrina and Wilma), we have become almost fanatically concerned about hurricane preparations; starting in the last weeks of May we begin taking stock of what we have on hand and what we need to buy so that when the meteorologists tell us that a storm is heading our way we'll be at least somewhat prepared. Not only does that mean checking on food supplies, water, first aid materials, and things to help us pass the time, but also batteries for our two **Coleman "Nightsight" Twin Tube Fluorescent Lanterns**. **Coleman "Nightsight" Twin Tube Fluorescent Lantern: Features** ** Patented tube replacement -- no tools required. *** 360-degree illumination *** Multiple position switch operates one or two tubes *** Operates on two 6-volt lantern batteries, a 12-volt adaptor that plugs into auto, truck or boat cigarette lighter, or two adaptors for eight (8) D-cell batteries. *** Completely waterproof* According to the package, the **Coleman** fluorescent lamps have "a unique circuitry (which) allows operation at lower temperatures when most other fluorescent lamps won't start." Although this feature is irrelevant to us in subtropical South Florida, it is a nice selling point to campers and homeowners in areas where snow and cold weather bring temperatures down to below freezing levels. This advanced circuitry, Coleman states, "provides longer running time on a set of batteries." Because **Coleman "Nightsight" Twin Tube Fluorescent Lanterns** have a three position switch, you can choose to use one or two tubes, depending on your lighting needs and desire to conserve battery power. For instance, you might want to use both tubes for brighter lighting on a planned camping trip where you know more or less how long the outing will last and battery consumption isn't a crucial factor. Conversely, if you are using the **Coleman "Nightsight" Twin Tube Fluorescent Lantern** in the aftermath of a blizzard, earthquake, or hurricane -- when battery life *is* a matter of survival -- you might opt to use only one tube to conserve power supplies. You can, if conditions allow, also use a 12-volt adaptor to run the lamp from a car, truck or boat's cigarette lighter socket. A third advantage that the **Coleman "Nightsight" Twin Tube Fluorescent Lantern** has is toughness. Because it was designed primarily for outdoor use, it's definitely weather resistant. It can be operated in rain, snow, and ice. Again, it's unlikely that we in South Florida will see a blizzard come our way, but snow in Miami is not unheard of -- it snowed here in January of 1977!

Fardreamer

Miami, FL