LED Mini Lantern Round Up

k_estela

k_estela

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With the advancements in LED technology, it would be foolish not to consider a battery operated LED lantern as part of a camping kit. Having been a die hard user of canister lanterns like Primus, I am now looking for a good compact lantern for use in my various shelters. I'm not trying to illuminate the whole north woods but I would like to know who has what and what kind of output should be expected.

So....

If you have a compact LED lantern, post some feedback and pictures here.

Kev
 
I had a LED lantern with a remote controll a few years back. It used way too many batteries. I think it was like 4 Cs if I remember correctly. Now I just use my headlamp for that kind of thing. Keep in mind, this was 3-5 years ago, and it wasnt very compact. Im sure they are way better now with all the advancements in LED tech. My Zebralight has a really nice soft flood setting that iluminates the interior of a shelter quite nice, and lasts for days on 1 cr123a battery. Handy when you remove it from the headlamp bracket, and hang it by the snap link inside the tent..... I have both the AA and the cr123a versions. I use the AA for a light on my pack strap, with the accesory pocketclip. Either one would be a good one for illuminating a shelter.

AA version

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No pics, but the Coleman Exponent collapsible ones are pretty slick. I have the CR123 and AA versions, and both work great. Very bright, good battery life, multiple levels, small size, good durability. The only bad thing I would say is that the plastic globe or whatever you call the plastic around the thing is clear and not frosted, so the light has a lot of artifacts in it.
 
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I have 3 or 4 Brunton Glorbs Kev. Good stuff. Pretty durable and fantastic run time (240+ on 4 AA's if I recall right). Not super bright but fine for navigating the tent, cooking, power outages etc.

I saw a bunch of new ones at SHOT and want to follow up on them. One of the most interesting was from Industrail Revolution, the folks who deal Light My Fire stuff here in the US.
 
Kev, how about a Fenix LD10 with a light diffuser tip. It weighs only 1.7 ounces (without battery), takes a single AA, lasts 34 hours at 9 lumens and you can pull the tip off and have a 9, 47, 94, and 120 lumen flashlight. I'm going to start a pass around on one within the week. If you want to be first on the list let me know.
 
I have the River Rock on listed above, and an Osram (now sylvania) 1 watt LED lantern - by far the best one I have. 2 power settings, & good light output. fairly compact (same case design as the glorb), but heavy (mainly due to batteries -takes 4 AAs)
 
I have the Brunton Glorb as well. It has had the same batteries for 18 months - great device.
 
There is a newer design of the River Rock lantern that is smaller, uses 3aas, and you don'n have to cycle though the strobe or levels to turn it off. Fantastic light.

At Target of course...
 
I like River Rock stuff. I talked with those guys a good bit at SHOT and they have some great stuff coming out. I need to try their lanterns.
 
I hope this is ok to post here. If not please let me know and I will delete it.

I started a pass around of the lantern/flashlight Fenix LD10 with the light diffuser. I like it because, like I posted above, it weighs only 1.7 ounces (without battery), takes a single AA, lasts 34 hours at 9 lumens and you can pull the tip off and have a 9, 47, 94, and 120 lumen flashlight. If you want to try it the link is below.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=620056

picture.php
 
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I always thought about getting an LED lantern, but since I usually carry a Tikka headlamp as a lightweight back-up light, I hang it in the tent or wherever it's needed for lantern duty. I have a bunch for rechargeable NiMH AAA and AA batteries so I don't fret much about on-time and battery life. One set will certainly last through a normal camping trip.

I have a soft spot in my heart for the good ol' candle lantern too, and almost always pack one.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
I looked at one of those Fenix diffuser's at SHOT. Neat idea. I haven't tried one yet other than on the brightly lit showroom floor but that has a lot of potential.
 
I'd eventually like to have a Zebralight. For now, though, I wedge a Fenix AAA into a milky clear film canister or orange-ish medicine bottle. Works great.
 
BushcraftBrainTrust said:
I hope this is ok to post here. If not please let me know and I will delete it.

I started a pass around of the lantern/flashlight Fenix LD10 with the light diffuser. I like it because, like I posted above, it weighs only 1.7 ounces (without battery), takes a single AA, lasts 34 hours at 9 lumens and you can pull the tip off and have a 9, 47, 94, and 120 lumen flashlight. If you want to try it the link is below.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=620056

picture.php
Click to expand...

light diffuser ehh?? If I Found that accidentally at a friends house my face would turn all red :o
 
I have the AA Coleman Exponent. To throw some light into your tent it is great. However as mentioned earlier the light is full of artifacts. it is unsuable for something like reading if you are in the tent and have the light hanging from the top, there are just way too many shadows. I always take a headlamp for detail tasks like reading etc...
 
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