LED Lanterns?

[JD Spydo]

I've been doing much more research on survival type items here lately for a lot of reasons>> namely because I don't have a very bright outlook for this country in the near future I regret to say. So I'm gearing up for what could or might happen and hope it's not even necessary.

I've been evaluating many survival type products and one that I know very little about are battery operated lanterns. The LED lanterns in particular grab my eye because I can see how they could be a GOD-Send in a bad situation. I have a cabin to go to if necessary but no electricity, no running water and only wood stove heat.

So I would like something like an LED lantern to light up the place and have something to read by. I'm just wondering if any of you have had any experience with certain brands of LED lanterns or maybe some of you might have an alternative to one. I like the concept of the LED lanterns for the fact that unlike kerosene or white gas lanterns they omit no harmful fumes nor do you have a fire hazard with their operation.

I would like to know which brands are good ones. Which ones put out the best light and which ones operate longest on battery life. Also are there any good long running flashlights that I might not be up on. I love the Surefire products but I don't know if they have an LED Lantern or not. OK let's talk :)

[phillipsted]

The one I take with me every time I go camping is the Glo-Toob. Depending on the model, they will burn continuously for up to 100 hours. And they are waterproof up to 100m deep. It isn't a blindingly bright light, but it is bright enough for reading a book - or lighting up your entire tent. Good stuff.

TedP

http://www.glo-toob.com/

[farns]

I use the following two lights routinely, a Maratac AAA Rev. 1 (link) and Sunwayman M20A (link). I put a picture for comparison of size since they are very different from each other (pocket versus bag). Both are outfitted with a ring so they can tail stand or hang. I don't have a diffuser but there is one for the Maratac that I know of. I use the M20A tail standing and it lights up enough to navigate a small room on the lowest setting and gives a good amount of light on the medium setting. There is a max runtime on high (due to heat) so that is probably not best for reading. The plus for me with these is I get directional light in hand or general lighting when tail standing (I hope to get diffusers in the future to try). I also have a Micro Collapsible Candle Lantern (link) for when the power goes out, haven't used it yet but it is a candle not a LED.

[DRKBC]

Hi JD This might be too small for your purposes (although it could be a handy back up)The Fenix TK15 it is not a lantern as such but it can be accesorised with a Lampshade or diffuser tip so it may be worth consideration. Here is the link http://www.fenixtactical.com/fenix-tk15.html

I just bought one (because my TK21 got boosted) and it is a great little light 400 lumens and for about $60-70 the build quality is great. Its waterproof etc and the accessories are also pretty reasonable.

Dwayne

[Blerv]

Hey JD.

I've heard good things from the standard LED lanterns you would find at say REI or similar camping stores. Coleman, Rayotac, and the like. They are about $40 at most and running Energizer Max disposable lithiums, IMHO would be ideal for a bail-out-bag. Those batteries have a shelf life of about 15 years, massive capacity, and can survive horrible temperatures compared to Alkalines.

If you are looking for something as a more modular fix you might look at the {Solarforce Lantern Head}. As you may know Solarforce is a company that has worked to provide additional accessories for the popular Surefire GP and 6P lights. This lantern replaces the head but uses the same light module to give ambient light instead of throw. Here is a {video} that I DID NOT make of it in action. It would also work with Solarforce's imitations of Surefire's line. Not to get into a USA vs China debate but amongst hosts, for the money, they are quite terrific.

Anyways, that lantern plus a decent module for a Surefire would give a ton of runtime on low and medium modes. If you had a host that could take a 18650 lithium (or a bored Surefire) it would give more runtime than say a 17670. I guess you could also buy a brick of CR123's but I prefer those in single-cell applications.


PS: My brother has that lantern and it's quite cool. I would check with Solarforce to make sure it will fit your specific Surefire.

[Lord vader]

I have been seeing these ads on tv about the Olde brooklyn lanterns,these have led bulbs,I have thought about getting one myself,it`s worth checking out. https://www.oldebrooklynlantern.com/

[The Deacon]

If you haven't already considered it, you might also want to think about the advantages of finding an LED lantern which can use rechargeable batteries of a size for which either a solar charger, or one that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter, is available. In a real "end of civilization" scenario, batteries would probably become hard to find very quickly.

[JD Spydo]

If you haven't already considered it, you might also want to think about the advantages of finding an LED lantern which can use rechargeable batteries of a size for which either a solar charger, or one that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter, is available. In a real "end of civilization" scenario, batteries would probably become hard to find very quickly.

I have indeed done a lot of thinking along the line of "rechargable" batteries because 3 of my Surefire flashlights run on rechargable batteries and it has saved me a fortune. I'm also looking into a device I've heard that C. Crane company has that charges rechargable batteries with a solar cell. I do think they have made great strides in solar panel technology. If any of you know of a vendor or manufacturer that deals in such hardware I would truly appreciate knowing about it. So far the C. Crane company seems to have good stuff that seems feasible.

Like Blerv was saying there are also batteries out there now that have an extraordinary shelf life which deserve some consideration as well. But no one wants to be in the dark and with LED lights getting better all the time I thought that an LED lantern would truly be the way to go. I'm still wide open for more suggestions.

Great feedback so far but I want to know more.

[tonydahose]

i have the ryobi latern below. it doesnt make sense if you dont have ryobi tools already but if you do it is nice. i have the lithium rechargeable battery so run time is long but it wont do you any good if you dont have electricty to charge it up once in awhile.

[video=youtube;QiREvAfR0ag]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiREvAfR ... detailpage[/video]

[Blerv]

I just found THIS on Battery Junction, it's probably not terrific but would work for AA and AAA rechargeable batteries and cell phones on a decent charging basis. I'm not sure a similar solution for charging Li-Ions but Eneloops are awesome and can run most lights. You can get a carrier for a Mag-Lite or run singles in like a Peak. In fact, the Peak 17500 has a sleeve kit to take CR123/AA/AAA and the rechargeable li-ions.

The idea of a post apocalyptic society sucks. It would suck less though with a MP3 player and a good flashlight. :)

[Engurn]

I've been doing much more research on survival type items here lately for a lot of reasons>> namely because visit this I don't have a very bright outlook for this country in the near future I regret to say. So I'm gearing up for what could or might happen and hope it's not even necessary.

I've been evaluating many survival type products and one that I know very little about are battery operated lanterns. The LED lanterns in particular grab my eye because I can see how they could be a GOD-Send in a bad situation. I have a cabin to go to if necessary but no electricity, no running water and only wood stove heat.

So I would like something like an LED lantern to light up the place and have something to read by. I'm just wondering if any of you have had any experience with certain brands of LED lanterns or maybe some of you might have an alternative to one. I like the concept of the LED lanterns for the fact that unlike kerosene or white gas lanterns they omit no harmful fumes nor do you have a fire hazard with their operation.

I would like to know which brands are good ones. Which ones put out the best light and which ones operate longest on battery life. Also are there any good long running flashlights that I might not be up on. I love the Surefire products but I don't know if they have an LED Lantern or not. OK let's talk :)

Can you provide me those Lanterns

[Blerv]

Have you made any discoveries on the topic JD? Looking forward to seeing what you get and your thoughts :) .

[defenestrate]

Energizer makes a lantern for about 18 bucks that lasts a good while on, I think, 4 AAs. Might be 4 C or D but I can't remember for certain. I had a nice Jeep-branded 4-D lantern that ran a good while on 4 Ds but I think the Energizer ran for notably longer, being newer and running a newer gen more efficient set of LEDs. also it came with a pretty nice Pulsar-style light that clipped on the lantern fairly well.

[JD Spydo]

Have you made any discoveries on the topic JD? Looking forward to seeing what you get and your thoughts :) .

The 2 models of lanterns I've been sort of impressed with thus far are the "Eureka" Warrior 230 model and the "Kelty" Flashback model. I'm going to do a lot of homework before I make my final decision. I do thank you all for the great contributions to the thread thus far and I certainly will be checking them out for sure. Again I was kind of hoping that Surefire would have something to offer in that area.

There is one that sort of caught my eye in one of the Survival type magazines>> it is the "JOBY" "Gorillatorch"; I find it interesting and I am going to check that one out further. I'm sort of surprised that even in the Survival type publications there doesn't seem to be a huge selection. When lighting in a survival type situation is truly of paramount importance.

[Divo]

When youre looking for something small/portable and multifunctional, you may have a look to Fenix MC11. Its an angle ledlight. This one (or2) can be used in very different ways and is waterproof too.
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=146

But if youre looking for something bigger that you want to use in your cabin or other somewhat more stationary conditions then maybe one of this line is a good for you (dunno if that brand is available on the American market, its German)
http://www.litexpress.com/en/lanterns/

And about solarcells:
You have portable ones for outdoor use, but i think only the more expensive ones really work. (That means hundreds of dollars investment)

[spyderedge]

I dont have any ideas for lanterns, though I am making and hiding a BOK (bug out kit) under a pine tree. Some branches are on the ground so it is very hard to tell its there.

[Divo]

I see that the liteXpress models are also sold as Outwell Superior
http://www.outwell.com/en/Products/Acce ... Lamps.aspx

And another brand of interest can be Coleman
http://www.coleman.com/Products/1000/lanterns-lighting

[JD Spydo]

When youre looking for something small/portable and multifunctional, you may have a look to Fenix MC11. Its an angle ledlight. This one (or2) can be used in very different ways and is waterproof too.
http://www.fenixlight.com/viewproduct.asp?id=146

But if youre looking for something bigger that you want to use in your cabin or other somewhat more stationary conditions then maybe one of this line is a good for you (dunno if that brand is available on the American market, its German)
http://www.litexpress.com/en/lanterns/

And about solarcells:
You have portable ones for outdoor use, but i think only the more expensive ones really work. (That means hundreds of dollars investment)

Hey thanks for the great info Divo>> I've had 2 really good friends of mine show me their Fenix flashlights. I am impressed with their performance for the small price they ask for them. Now I've never owed one of them long term so I don't know how Fenix equipment would hold up long term which is something I'm a bit concerned about. I don't mind spending an extra buck or 2 for higher quality, more durable equipment which is why I'm testing the water before I get in.

But I'm sure going to check out the info you've given and I do sincerely thank you for bringing it to my attention.

I'm also interesting in anything solar related especially for some type of hardware I can use to recharge all the "rechargable" flashlights I already own. I'm sure going to check that one out thoroughly.

Great Responses from all you guys!! Don't quit now>>

[Divo]

Fenix is a good brand, dont worry. 5 years warranty. Find yourself some reviews on candlepowerforums and youtube. http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/content.php

Btw I see on Amazon more similar items like the liteXress lanterns.

[Blerv]

Even the best manufactured lights are subject to problems occasionally. Tight tolerances, delicate components and what-not. Many of the more popular brands are quite reliable. They are cheap too so win-win. :)

Direct-driven lights are very uncommon (Peak is one of the more popular models) but are basically just have a resistor and LED. Often they are single-brightness. Brightness fades along with the voltage but they can be less picky with battery types and have less to go wrong. At least parts list wise.

Some lights are just a bit tougher than others. Take the Surefire 6p/G2 for example or it's various clones. There is enough room to fill the backside of the driver ("potting") with copper to cut down on vibration, heat and moisture. They have beefy switches and can have thicker tubes and protective bezels. Along with custom lights they can be really tough and overengineered depending on who puts together the light engine. If you do burn out the pill or drop-in you can install a new one in seconds and you're back in business.

Water, heat, dirt, voltage mistakes all can do a light in. Many are non-servicable. Lights like Fenix are quite nice; for the price I would probably have a couple around the house.