Purchase and 1st try of HK500

Hi all,

I recently purchased a HK500 chrome from Nauticalia in the U.K. and was eagerly awaiting to try it out as I had heard so many good things about it including where it is made or supposed to be made.

I unpacked it and primed it for use, it being not my first pressure lantern and to tell you the truth my first impressions were not all that positive. Even with all the fittings tightly fastened I was amazed at how much the lamp flexed, not only that but I was surprised at the delicate nature of the metal used. I would say my lamp took a beating as it was being mailed but having assessed it it wouldn't need much to render it inoperable.

As it happens my lamp wouldn't even hold any pressure as the air hissed out of three places, at the preheater nozzle, the lower part of the carburettor and finally at the vent screw.

Now I know there are probably methods to solve these major problems but I am from the old school that when I buy an item, especially one with such a prestigious pedigree, I expect it to work, I'm kinda old fashioned that way. When I buy a tool for a job I don't usually spend months trying to fix the tool and forget what I bought it for.

I can certainly say for sure that the lamp I received last week and the lamps I read about with such an illustrious history are two very different animals. Basically I'd be ashamed at such a decrease in workmanship. To put it more bluntly, it's only a pity the German army in 43 didn't have the lamp as it is made today because the war wouldn't have lasted two days! Just what kind of incandescent crap are Petromax trying to peddle here. Could it be connected with the fact that Petromax's custodians are rather less than forthcoming about where the lamps are made these days?

Well you've basically lost me, I am choosing another lamp make from now on and one that doesn't take a degree in thermodynamics just to light the damn thing. I think Schiller's "spark of light" is well and truly snuffed out.

Hi, I understand that globalisation is a factor in deteriorating standards but what really gets me is how companies like these can treat their potential customer base so despicably by out and out lying. By playing up the German heritage and conveniently omitting where the products are made they are selling under false pretenses and contravening amongst others article 6 1.(b) of the Directive 2005/29/EC or the "Unfair Commercial Practices Directive" so it's not just a case that they can do what they like and consumers have to take it up the exhaust. Product standards will slip if consumers continue to allow it to happen. I have no problem with earlier models- you knew what you were getting. That is a nice example. I remember using one when I was in Kassel in 1992, I think it was made in the 60's but I could be wrong but it worked well and lighting and using it was but a minor task and that was the main thing.