Perfect for Emergencies or Camping
I’ve got several battery-powered lanterns, but they all have the same problem: batteries that never seem to last as long as the power outage. Plus the cost of the large, heavy lantern batteries has increased greatly, and they are getting more difficult to find.
This lantern avoids that problem of expensive, short-lived batteries with a couple of options to keep the lights on until your power comes back on or your camping trip is over.
The lantern itself is attractive with a carrying handle and fold-away hook for hanging it in a tent or overhead. The solar cell at the top of the unit is firmly attached and the handle for cranking the dynamo folds away into the base’s side. I would advise caution when cranking as a too-energetic person could get carried away and over-do it; only a few quick turns are needed to power up the unit. The crank handle is plastic and could be broken off if not tucked back into its “docking station” when not in use for charging. The storage battery in the base gives the lantern enough weight so it won’t be tipped over easily.
The LED lights are controlled with a push button on-off switch on the top of the base. The lights have three lighting levels, illuminating the center four LEDs on each face of the center post on low, eight on each face on medium, and all 12 on each face when on high. Unlike the older lanterns that used incandescent bulbs, the LED bulbs stay cool, which can be an important feature when used in hot weather or around children who might bump into the lantern. The light emitted by the LEDs is bright white.
The unit I received also had a housing at the bottom of the base for three AAA batteries for another method to power the lantern, though why anyone would opt for this when the solar and crank options are there is a mystery. No mention of using it with AAA batteries is made on the skimpy instruction sheet.
My only complaint about the lantern, in fact, is the lack of clear instructions. There is one page of product information included with the lantern, but it is not very informative. There is a large photograph of the lantern with the major features pointed out, but the smaller photos are unclear with no detail or captions with explanations.
The instruction sheet points out the “USB Charging Socket” but does not specify whether it is used to charge the unit, as through a computer or adapter, or if it can be used to charge devices with USB cables. Upon seeing it, a neighbor immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was for charging via a computer. Based on the product description, it is meant for charging devices after you have powered the lantern with the solar or dynamo option. Another user making the same mistake and plugging it into a computer could do some harm to either the lantern or the USB connector. It should be written more clearly in the instructions to ensure users don’t misunderstand the socket’s purpose.
Another disconnect between the information on the sheet and the online product description is the estimated life of the LEDs themselves. The online description claims 100,000 hours yet the instruction sheet claims “more than 10,000 hours.” While taking this literally, 100,000 is more than 10,000, it is still a major discrepancy for the estimate.
If the manufacturer could do one thing to improve its product, it would be to re-do the instruction sheet with clearer photographs and more precise instructions and product information.
This lantern has already proven its worth during two extended power outages following a hurricane and an ice storm. It’s still going strong, and I have no worries of running out of battery power when a few turns of the crank will get things back into the light in just a minute or two.
Recommended for every home’s emergency preparations and for those who enjoy camping and other out-in-the-wild types of activities.