Reddit mentions: The best camping lanterns
We found 308 Reddit comments discussing the best camping lanterns. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 145 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. sofirn BLF Lantarn, Led Rechargeable Super Bright Camping Lantern,8X Samsung LH351D LEDs Powered by 4X 18650 Batteries for Camping, Hiking, Fishing, Cellar/Basement (Batteries Excluded)
- USB-C charging port: LT1 comes with USB-C charging cable (adapter excluded). It accepts 5V 2A fast charging and can also be charged with a premium power bank or also be operated without batteries directly attached to the USB power adapter. While charging the button LED glows red. It turns green once it get full charged. Quote: This product requires a USB-A to USB-C cable for charging (included). It cannot be charged with a USB-C to USB-C cable.
- Powered by 4x 18650 Li-Ion button top batteries with a maximum output of up to 600 lumens. Variable tint between warmwhite (2.700K) and neutralwhite (5.000K).
- Two selectable and configurable user interfaces with STEPPED ramping (discrete brightness levels) as default and SMOOTH ramping (infinitely variable brightness) as alternative. Kindly read our manual for more details.
- Two additional blinky and strobe groups: Group 1 comes with Battery Check, Sunset/Goodnight and Beacon modes, group 2 comes with Candle mode, Bike flasher, Party/Tactical strobe and Lightning storm mode.
- Package includes: LT1 lantern, USB-C charging cable, manual and helpful customer service. Please feel free contact us, if you get any issue.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Lt1 Without Batteries |
2. Vont 4 Pack LED Camping Lantern, LED Lantern, Suitable for Survival Kits for Hurricane, Emergency Light, Storm, Outages, Outdoor Portable Lanterns, Black, Collapsible, (Batteries Included)
SUPER BRIGHT & LONG LASTING ––– Equipped with 30 crazy bright LEDs, this compact lantern cuts through 360 degrees of darkness on the stormiest, dimmest nights. Easily lights up the entire tent or room. Battery life lasts over 90 hours - that is TWICE longer than competitors.COMPACT & LIGHTWEIG...
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 4.8 Inches |
Length | 3.4 Inches |
Number of items | 4 |
Size | 4 Pack (Count of 1) |
Weight | 0.5 Pounds |
Width | 3.4 Inches |
3. Streamlight 44941 Siege 200 Lumen Ultra-Compact Work Lantern (Coyote Green, 3xAA Battery)
Comfortable to use in close quarters without impairing visionErgonomic handle designed to lock in upright or stowed positionHangs with spring-loaded, incorporated D-ring, which stows against the body when not in useBattery level indicator flashes red when low; batteries not included
Specs:
Color | Green |
Height | 5.44 Inches |
Length | 3 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 3xAA Battery |
Weight | 0.4 Pounds |
Width | 3 Inches |
4. SUAOKI Led Camping Lanterns for Lighting (Powered by Solar Panel and USB Charging) Collapsible Flashlight for Outdoor Hiking Tent Garden (Emergency Charger for Phone, Water-Resistant)
- Dual Recharging Methods: Re-charge via solar power or USB! The SUAOKI LED Lantern Lights offers dual re-charging methods to keep the LED Lantern Light powered up for longer.
- Transformer: portable, foldable and durable, this lantern can be adjusted to any particular space to fit your current needs. Shorter than iPhone 6 plus, it can be folded down completely to take the least space in your backpack(Size: 1.77inch when fully folded)
- Three Lighting Modes: The SUAOKI LED Lantern light comes with 3 lighting modes; High mode, Low mode, and SOS flashing - for any outdoor recreation or beacon call (emergencies); the lantern is able to work more than 10 hours in Low mode and 5 hours in high after one full charger.
- Dual Use: The SUAOKI LED Lantern Lights can be used as a regular Lantern flashlight, or as a power bank charger to charge your iPhone, Samsung phone or any other gadgets with the built-in USB output port.
- Versatility: Ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, or as a lighting source for a late-at-night porch readings. This nifty gadget can also charge your smartphones & tablets.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Orange |
Height | 1.77 Inches |
Length | 3.35 Inches |
Width | 3.35 Inches |
5. Rayovac Sportsman LED Camping Lantern Flashlight, 305 Lumens Battery Powered LED Lanterns for Hurricane Supplies, Survival Kit, Camping Accessories, Water Resistant
BRIGHT LED: Illuminate camping, hiking dog walking and more with up to 305 lumens of bright LED light on high modeVARIABLE MODES: Choose between 3 lantern flashlight modes with the press of a button – High, Energy Saver and Strobe. Get up to 140 hours of runtime on energy saver mode!BUILT TO LAST:...
Specs:
Color | Green |
Height | 7.2834645595 inches |
Length | 3.3464566895 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Small |
Weight | 0.93 Pounds |
Width | 3.3464566895 inches |
6. Nitecore LR30 205 Lumen Mini LED Camping Lantern - True Color Rendering Including 2X LumenTac CR123A Batteries (Yellow)
HIGH COLOR RENDERING - Nitecore LR30 offers a bright 205 lumens of rich sunlight-like light to reduce eyestrain and improve photographs, featuring 6 high-CRI LEDsLIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO USE - Weighing less than 3 oz. after battery installation, this lantern offers single-button operation which control...
7. Etekcity Lantern Camping Lantern Battery Powered Lights for Power Outages, Home Emergency, Camping, Hiking, Hurricane, A Must Have Camping Accessories, Portable & Lightweight, Batteries Included
- Bright & Dimmable: Equipped with 30 LED bulbs, the collapsible lantern can get as bright as 140 lumens with a 360° lighting effect to keep the darkness away during storms, power outages, or camping trips.
- Compact & Lightweight: With its collapsible design, the lantern is portable like a smartphone and it's lightweight. Easily pack it in your backpack or emergency kit while camping or hiking.
- Durable & Water Resistant: Even if it’s dropped or it gets wet, the lantern is a reliable tool for your adventures. Constructed with military-grade ABS material, this lantern is FCC certified and RoHS compliant.
- Long Lasting: With 3 AA batteries included, the lantern provides up to 30 hours of bright light.
- Easy to Use: Simply expand or collapse the lantern to turn it on/off. It's so easy, even children can use it.
- Extra Storage: Store keys, change, or spare batteries in the convenient storage compartment at the top of the lantern.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 7.9 Inches |
Length | 22 Inches |
Number of items | 4 |
Release date | May 2020 |
Size | CL10 |
Weight | 0.57 Pounds |
Width | 14.6 Inches |
8. UST 30-Day Lantern
Lasts an amazing 30 days on low setting which is a bright 29 lumens, runs 32 hours on high setting at 300 lumens4-Mode electronic switch, high, medium, low, and SOS flashingWater and impact resistantRemovable globe, rubberized housing, built in recessed hook on lantern baseThree 1.4W Nichia LED's, w...
Specs:
Weight | 1 Pounds |
9. SUAOKI Led Camping Lanterns for Lighting (Powered by Solar Panel and USB Charging) Collapsible Flashlight for Outdoor Hiking Tent Garden (Emergency Charger for Phone, Water-Resistant)
- Dual Recharging Methods: Re-charge via solar power or USB! The SUAOKI LED Lantern Lights offers dual re-charging methods to keep the LED Lantern Light powered up for longer.
- Transformer: portable, foldable and durable, this lantern can be adjusted to any particular space to fit your current needs. Shorter than iPhone 6 plus, it can be folded down completely to take the least space in your backpack(Size: 1.77inch when fully folded)
- Three Lighting Modes: The SUAOKI LED Lantern light comes with 3 lighting modes; High mode, Low mode, and SOS flashing - for any outdoor recreation or beacon call (emergencies); the lantern is able to work more than 10 hours in Low mode and 5 hours in high after one full charger.
- Dual Use: The SUAOKI LED Lantern Lights can be used as a regular Lantern flashlight, or as a power bank charger to charge your iPhone, Samsung phone or any other gadgets with the built-in USB output port.
- Versatility: Ideal for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, or as a lighting source for a late-at-night porch readings. This nifty gadget can also charge your smartphones & tablets.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Green |
Height | 1.77 Inches |
Length | 3.35 Inches |
Width | 3.35 Inches |
10. Nitecore LA10 CRI 85 Lumen Mini LED Camping Lantern - True Color Rendering Including AA Battery and LumenTac Battery Organizer (Blue)
- VERY BRIGHT - Provides up to 85 Lumens of brightness with 3 output levels
- TRUE COLOR RENDERING - larger than 90 CRI which enable you to see the beauty of the nature in its true color.from a Nichia NVSL219B LED designed for optimal color accuracy
- 360 DEGREE ILLUMINATION - Produces a soft even flood light the provides wide illumination up to 11 yards in diameter
- ULTRA COMPACT and VERSATILE - Weighs less than 2 oz. with single AA battery installed and measures only 3 inches long with diffuser retracted. Comes with both a lanyard for hanging as well as a magnetized tailcap so your light can be conveniently placed for hands-free use, great for walking, camping hiking etc.
- BATTERY INCLUDED - Comes with a AA battery and a LumenTac AA battery organizer that holds up to 4x batteries so you can grab and go!
Features:
Specs:
Color | Blue |
Height | 0.889762 Inches |
Length | 3.090545 Inches |
Width | 0.889762 Inches |
11. Luminoodle - The Original LED Light Rope for Camping - 5ft Waterproof USB Powered LED String Lights + Lantern for Hiking, Safety, Emergencies
- 【What Includes】The 5 ft outdoor rope lights come with universal noodle ties, built-in magnets, a utility loop, and a rip-stop bag to double as a lantern
- 【Battery Operated】Our white LED rope light with a patented design can produce up to 180 lumens of camp light (USB battery not included)
- 【High Visibility】Drape these bright LED light strips around you while taking an evening walk or keep it in the glove box as backup rope lighting
- 【3 Ways to Use】Hang, stick, or transform this LED light rope into a lantern using the provided universal ties, magnets, and pouch
- 【Versatile】From camping string lights to even room decor, our LED lights for car, home, and more will have all your strip lighting needs covering
Features:
Specs:
Color | Battery Pack Not Included |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 5 FT |
Weight | 0.2755778275 Pounds |
12. Nitecore LR30 205 Lumen Mini LED Camping Lantern - True Color Rendering Including 2X LumenTac CR123A Batteries (Blue)
- HIGH COLOR RENDERING - Nitecore LR30 offers a bright 205 lumens of rich sunlight-like light to reduce eyestrain and improve photographs, featuring 6 high-CRI LEDs
- LIGHTWEIGHT & EASY TO USE - Weighing less than 3 oz. after battery installation, this lantern offers single-button operation which controls brightness output and special modes
- WHITE & RED LIGHT - Produces a red output of 45 lumens with SOS flashing mode, great for using as an emergency signal or to avoid attracting insects outdoor
- VERSATILE - Includes sturdy lanyard for hanging as well as a magnetic base for easy hands-free use, incredibly helpful for road-side auto-repair under the hood, workshop in the garage or as an emergency lantern on the refrigerator during the power outage
- BONUS - Includes two LumenTac CR123A batteries to power your light so you'r ready to grab and go!
Features:
13. Coleman Deluxe PerfectFlow Propane Lantern with Hard Carry Case
LUMENS: Up to 1500 lumens on high casts light up to 26 metersRUNTIME: Up to 4 hours (high) or 9 hours (low) on one 16.4 oz. propane cylinder (sold separately)PRESSURE REGULATOR: Pressure-control technology provides consistent performance, even in extreme conditionsPUSH-BUTTON IGNITION: Matchless lig...
14. Coleman Quad LED Lantern Special Edition Ultra Bright 190 Lumens, Red
Four individual light panels snap onto a single lanternLights recharge on the base; Lantern powered by 8 D-cell batteries; Works well and long with Polaroid D Batteries; Lantern runtime: 75 hrs.; Panel runtime: 1.5 hrs.; Lantern: 190 extra-bright lumens; Panel: 47.5 bright lumens eachRange for both,...
Specs:
Color | Red |
Height | 12.88 inches |
Length | 7.69 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 1 |
Weight | 2.15 pounds |
Width | 7.75 inches |
15. SUBOOS Ultra Bright Portable Outdoor LED Tent Light - Great for Outdoor Camping and Power Outage (Black)
- SUPER BRIGHT WITH 60 LEDs - Small as it is, amazing bright light it delivers. Maximum 230 lumens, light radius of 50ft. You will find the SUBOOS LED tent light happy in camping, fishing, or auto emergency.
- 3 BRIGHTNESS LEVEL - Super bright, bright and dim. Brightness adjustable to your different light needs, and which also are easy options of saving energy for longer operation time.
- 2 BATTERY OPTIONS - You may use 1 pc of rechargeable battery(Not included), or 3pcs of AAA batteries(included), this feature enables you to light it up in different situations: auto emergencies, outage, or camping.
- EASY INSTALLING and LONG LIFESPAN CAMPING LIGHT - The LED tent light is safe, stable and environmental friendly.
- 100% SATISFACTION WARRANTY - Shop with confidence, your satisfaction is our guarantee - 60 days MONEY BACK with any reason under any condition, 12 months manufacturer warranty for material and workmanship.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Lantern With Aaa Batteries |
Height | 5.9 Inches |
Length | 4.52 Inches |
Size | Lantern with AAA Batteries |
Weight | 0.3 Pounds |
Width | 4.52 Inches |
16. MPOWERD Luci Outdoor 2.0: Solar Inflatable Light, Newer model, 5 x 4.25"
- BUILT-IN RECHARGEABLE 1000 mAh LITHIUM-ION BATTERY. With 75 lumens, and lasting up to 24 hours on a single charge, Luci Outdoor 2.0 is a must-have solar lantern for any adventure.
- BRIGHT AND LONG LASTING. Emitting 75 lumens of power via 10 cool white LEDs, and shining through a clear finish, this light provides up to 24 hours of light on a single charge, so you can keep your day going long into the night.
- COMPLETELY SOLAR & NEVER NEEDS BATTERIES. Luci's built-in high efficiency solar panel means that no batteries are needed - ever. Recharge fully via solar in 7 hours. Luci Outdoor 2.0 will always be ready for any adventure.
- POWERFUL, PORTABLE, AND ADVENTURE READY. With its compact size, this little light can travel with you on any adventure. Plus, with an adjustable base strap and fixed top strap, it can be easily attached to your backpack, or hung from above.
- LIGHTWEIGHT, WATERPROOF, AND DURABLE. Luci Outdoor 2.0 is built for adventure and can withstand up to 150 lbs of pressure! Plus, it has an IP67 waterproof rating (submersible up to 1m), collapses down to 1.5 inches, and weighs just 4.4 oz (125g).
- MULTIFUNCTIONAL. Designed for lighting up your space, Luci Outdoor 2.0 comes with 4 modes (low, medium, high, flashing), 2 second quick shut off, and a battery level indicator to make sure you never get left in the dark.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Newer Model |
Height | 4.25 Inches |
Length | 5 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Release date | August 2018 |
Size | 5 x 4.25" |
Weight | 0.34375 Pounds |
Width | 5 Inches |
17. Streamlight 44947 Super Siege 120V AC, Rechargeable and Portable USB Charger, Coyote - 1,100 Lumen
- Multiple Light Modes; White LED, Red LED
- Tough polycarbonate thermoplastic construction with elastomer over mold
- Portable USB charger; see reverse for more information
- Removable, polycarbonate, cover provides even, 360° light distribution
- Incorporated D ring on bottom of lantern to hang it; spring loaded to stow against the light, out of the way when not in use
Features:
Specs:
Color | Coyote |
Height | 7.2 Inches |
Length | 4 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | Rechargable |
Weight | 1.88 Pounds |
Width | 4 Inches |
18. SUBOOS Gen 2 Ultimate Rechargeable Camping Tent Lantern - The Most Professional LED Tent Light Available - 2 Rechargeable 18650 Batteries, 1 Hanging Clip Included
SUPER BRIGHT - The Gen 2 LED Tent Light applies SMD LEDs, which delivers maximum 280 lumens with light radius of 65FT. Thanks to her special frosted finishing on light cover, the light is more tender than previous generation.FACE TO YOU - The metal hooker can be fixed with 5 angles. So, no more head...
19. Coleman Company Conquer Pack Away 650 lm LED Lantern, Red/Black
Made of the highest quality materialsCamping lights lanternsAnother quality Coleman product
Specs:
Color | Red/Black |
Height | 3.7007873978 Inches |
Length | 2.0472440924 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | One Size |
Weight | 1.6 Pounds |
Width | 3.4251968469 Inches |
20. Coleman LED Lantern | 390 Lumens Twin LED Lantern
- Customizable brightness settings ranging from high to ultra-low
- 390 extra-bright lumens on high. 100 bright lumens on low
- 32-ft. (9.75 m) beam distance on high and 19-ft. (5.79 m) beam distance on low
- Up to 85 hours runtime on high setting and Up to 299 hours runtime on low setting
- Powered by eight D-cell batteries (sold separately). Water resistant against rain and splashing water. 5-year limited warranty
Features:
Specs:
Color | Multicolor |
Height | 12.99212597 Inches |
Length | 7.086614166 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | One Size |
Weight | 3.53 Pounds |
Width | 7.086614166 Inches |
🎓 Reddit experts on camping lanterns
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where camping lanterns are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
REI has a very good camping checklist. Of course it's a US site and REI sells high quality stuff that is usually out of the price range of most beginners, so use it as a general guide on what you need, not necessarily the exact items you want to buy. Last time I was down under I was a shocked at the markup on imported US brands, so make do with what you can get down there.
I'm assuming you're going car camping; driving up to a campsite and unloading the gear. And I'm going to assume family of five means three kids say 8-14 or so. With older teens or more adults you'll need to pack more food and might need a bigger cooler, need a bigger tent or different sleeping arrangements.
Here are some recommendations for the basics. I'm linking to Amazon so you can see the products, and hopefully find something similar locally.
Tent - Coleman Montana 8. It's a well regarded tent for the price. Big enough for a family, can fit a couple of queen size air mattresses in there (kids can share a full size mattress or bring smaller inflatables). Whatever tent you get, make sure you take it out of the bag and try setting it up a few times. When setting up the tent, make sure you take out the poles and stakes and set them in a specific location, so they don't get lost and they don't get stepped on (and broken). If anything is confusing, get it sorted out before you go!
Sleeping bags - depends on where you are going and when. You can buy Coleman synthetic bags pretty cheap at most outdoor stores. Synthetic bags are generally heavy and bulky, but will get the job done. The rating on the bag is generally the extreme rating... as in you probably won't die at that temp but it might be a cold miserable night. Mummy bags save some weight and some bulk and are warmer, but some don't like the constrictive nature of the bags. Bring pillows from home to make things more comfortable (but note that you may have to wash them when you get home). Throw pillows will work, probably better than "backpacking" pillows. Or you can bring pillow cases and stuff them with spare clothes and jackets... I generally use throw pillows car camping.
Mattress pad - if you're car camping, don't bother with backpacking pads. Bring full size Coleman air mattresses, or even a queen. Remember you'll need some way to inflate the pad; a battery operated pump will work but is slow. You can get a pump that plugs in, but you 1. need an inverter in the car, 2. need an extension from the car into the tent since the inflated mattress probably won't fit through the door of the tent. Make sure you get the dimensions of all the air mattresses and the dimensions of the tent and make sure everything fits with some room to spare. Remember that you also need room for gear; of course the car is right there and you can always leave gear in the car, but on a chilly morning it's nicer to just open your bag and get a hat rather than run out to the car.
Stove - Camp Chef Everest dual burner propane stove. The Coleman dual burner stove is a classic and works well.
Cookset - I use full size pots and pans for car camping. You can just bring what you have at home (not too big, the stove won't fit big pots and pans), or maybe find cheaper stuff in the clearance section of some stores (if the stuff at home is too nice to bring camping). Along with the pots and pans, bring your usual utensils. You can bring paper plates, plastic cups and forks/knives, or buy "camping" stuff. Don't forget the spices and condiments, trivets for hot plates, coffee, tea, bottle/wine opener...
Water - Is there potable water at the campsite? Are you bringing your water or do you need to filter? I generally bring a couple of Coleman 5 gallon water jug. They collapse until I need them... but you really can't fill them all the way up since they're really difficult to carry. Or you might be able to buy water at the grocery store and just bring what you need - 1 gallon per day per person should be fine, more if it's hot and you're being very active.
Washing - if there's no washing facilities, you want to bring a wash basin to clean up the dishes and utensils. Don't forget the dish soap and sponge for cleaning pots and pans.
Cooler - Coleman Xtreme 70quart. Or the Igloo Max. I prefer something smaller since I've got a smaller sedan and will run into town more frequently. If you're only going overnight, you may only need a small cooler, but if your kids drink lots of milk or only cool juice, you may want to invest in a good size, well rated cooler.
Headlamps - it's good for everyone to have their own headlamps. The Black Diamond Spot is a good headlamp from a great company. You can a cheap Energizer Headlamp for under $15 for young kids, they're not great but work well enough.
Camp lantern - Coleman propane lanterns are the ol' standard, work great and cast great light. Uses the same 1lb propane tanks as the stove. But many are going with LED lanterns... these Cheap camp lanterns on Amazon seem like a pretty good deal, I've got some like them and they work fine. Very bright and very white, but cheap and effective.
Packing/hauling - Rubbermaid tote. These tubs make a great way to haul and store gear. I also store food in my tubs; make sure you can secure them so critters can't get in.
Tarp - bring a couple. It's good to have one tarp to hang over the cooking / eating area. You'll need some rope or cord to tie these up.
Folding chairs and tables - bring 'em if you've got 'em. It's much easier to cook standing up at a table.
Firewood - call ahead or check online, some campsites have firewood restrictions; some places you can't forage for wood and you need to buy it locally.
Garbage bags - bring a couple of big ones, a bunch of smaller bags if you need to pack up smelly stuff.
Well, I hope that enough for a start. Good luck!
If you're looking for portable lanterns, I made the mistake of only having them on my wishlist two years ago. My friends and family all bought me lanterns. On the bright side (haha!) I was able to test out a wide variety of lanterns...
Black Diamond Moji - This one I actually bought myself after being allowed to demo it at REI. The light is a tiny bit warmer than most LED lamps, and the white orb allows even distribution of lighting with no harsh glare when looking at the light. You can dim the light by holding the power button. Hard to turn on by accident, comes with a collapsible hanging clip, is water resistant, the battery life is great (I used it as a night light while doing a 6 day car trip, at least 15 hours of use on low setting with no issues or battery replacements). Best of all it's only $20, coming in as one of the cheapest lamps I've used. It's lightweight, but the orb on top means it'll take up extra valuable space.
Black Diamond Orbit - Got it as a gift. Loved that it could become compact. Feels a little cheap, but looks great. Won't turn on when closed. It's supposed to be water resistant, but the battery compartment screws open super easily, so I wonder about the validity. Light is very white, and can screw with your eyes if you look at it too closely. Flashlight function on the base is nice. I would only use this to hang up inside a tent on low light settings. Light distribution is uneven. Long battery life.
Black Diamond Apollo - I actually bought mine from an REI garage sale for $5, the last owner's batteries were corroded and messed up the contacts. A bit of cleaning later and I had the thing going again. I like the ability to hang it up or elevate it. Battery life is good, but like the Orbit, light distribution is uneven. It's much lighter than the Rayovac I'll talk about later, but about the same size.
Coleman Puck Lantern - My only lantern that is rechargeable via USB. My two main gripes are that when closed, it's nearly impossible to reopen (think suction!), and that the USB port closure opens up very easily - the rubber cover is too small, which means the water resistance is compromised very easily. That said, the ability to recharge is fantastic, and the battery life is even better - I ran it for 20 hours on high (just left it on) during a power outage and the thing still had plenty of power left. Takes a while to charge, but is darn durable and can compact well. Light distribution is decent but limited due to the size/design. Can hang, and includes a bottom LED as well for that reason. Lots of light-up configurations as well. Glare is decent.
Snow Peak Hozuki - At first I thought this lantern was ridiculous, but it's actually one of my favorites. It has a VERY warm yellow light similar to candles, a compact size and is magnetic, so I can hang it almost anywhere I want. I actually use this around the house while working on repairs in small corners or on my computer, or as a night light. I honestly am hesitant to take it camping since the battery cover can come undone super easily and it's NOT waterproof. Also the rubber light dispenser falls off easily. So for camping this is a terrible choice unless you want to only hang it in your tent. If any other lamp had the LED's the Hozuki has, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Rayovac Sportsman - Heavy, bulky, long lasting, built like a tank. If you're going car camping, this is the lamp to have. It's ugly, large, uses heavy batteries, is bright and water resistant. The glare is pretty bad, but it's VERY bright and can last for days. I love mine, and eventually bought my parents one as well.
It's really not too hard to get started - just go where there's no buildings, and then stay there!
I like to find places that say "primitive" camping, which just means "less likely to be trashy people". I don't like to be at a campsite with 93 different tent sites, 92 of which are occupied by people playing music and drinking their bush beer at 3am and burning their styerfoam coolers. This may mean you get a campsite without restroom facilities, or with only a "vault toilet" (permanent porta-potty) - that's OK, you can go a day without a shower, it won't kill you. Be conscious that this is slightly more difficult for girls, if you have to pee in the woods, though.
Embrace the solitude; look up at the stars.
What kind of gear do you already have? You can get started super cheap if you're just doing some car camping and you don't want to get really involved in it.
There are a lot of posts and discussion all over the internet about how to shed weight so that you can go long-haul backpacking and do cool things way out in the wilderness, but cost scales like this with lightness. If you're just doing casual / first time / car camping, just go with some inexpensive gear until you decide, for you, what kind of camping you want to do.
For example, a three season sleeping bag will do you just fine for $23, for casual use. You may only get 20-30 uses out of it before you wear it out, but it's cheap. It's also good to have a sleeping pad; the old classic thermarest for $20 has worked just fine for people for 20 years, or an inexpensive inflatable pad at $25 makes a great choice. I usually don't bring a pillow, I usually wad up my clothes or jacket or both and use that as a pillow.
You typically want to have a tent that advertises (number of people actually sleeping +1) if you're doing simple / beginner camping, so for 2 people, get a 3-4 person tent. This is so you can fit all your gear in the tent. See if you can borrow one from a friend, or if you want your own, a 3 person tent or a 4 person tent will do just fine at $50.
It's a good idea to have some way to see in the dark, so bring a flashlight, or a mini lantern, or better yet, a head lamp is super useful.
You'll want to also remember to bring trash bags and toilet paper, in addition to the things you'd normally bring for an overnight trip (change of clothes, toothbrush, etc). Bring warmer clothes than you think you need, too - just in case. I can't count the number of times I've been camping, and thinking "Oh, it's only going to get down to 50 tonight", and because I'm far away from the city that the forecast was for, it actually gets down to 30 and I'm cold. Bring a jacket, bonus points for water-proof (in case it rains). Also, grab a small first aid kit (some bandaids, gauze, travel size hand sanitizer, neosporin, and a compression wrap should be able to handle most of what you'd need).
Bring water - especially if you don't know if there'll be potable water at the campsite. Just grab one of these things at the store is the easiest way. Bring a couple of disposable plates and some plastic cups.
Bring a folding chair! Don't bring anything that plays music! (annoys other campers).
For making food, I wouldn't bother with buying a stove or anything - just bring some charcoal and make a camp fire, and do "pocket dinners" or "hobo packs" - a great way to make a meal that is personalized to your tastes, and super easy. Grab some kielbasa or pre-cooked sausage, some onions, potatoes, brussel sprouts, bell peppers, mushrooms, whatever, make a big-ass sheet of aluminum foil by taking two big ass pieces of heavy duty foil and folding the edges together, dump the veggies in, wrap it up except for one end, put in about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water, then just put it on the coals for 20 min, flipping halfway through, and then when ready, grab it with some tongs, put it on a paper plate, open it up, and eat right out of the foil. Makes clean up easy - just throw the whole thing away. For breakfast, poptarts or energy bars or bagles (toasted on the fire on a marshmallow fork!). My favorite camping breakfast, though, is hard-boiled eggs with bacon salt sprinkled on them. We boil the eggs ahead of time, but it does mean you'll have to fit them in a cooler.
At night, make sure all the food stuff is back in the car, or in a secure (bear-proof, which really mostly means racoon proof) location. Same thing with the trash - put it in the dump location, or put it in your trunk to pack it out. Before you go to bed, also fold up your camping chairs, and put them in the car, or under the picnic table, or whatever, so that they don't get the dew on them.
And lastly, but very important, remember to read all of the state, local, and federal regulations about where you'll be camping. Some places won't let you have fires, some will let you have fires only in established fire rings, some make you sign a thing and print it out and bring it with you, etc. In California, we have to have a shovel and a bucket of water. Some places, you have to sign a wildlife / "crumb-clean" pledge, some places you have to pay in advance. Most places don't want you to bring firewood because of pest infestation risks, so plan to either gather firewood at the site or buy it from the rangers if they offer it. Some places will have restrictions on where you can park and how many cars are allowed, or how many people per site, etc. Some places allow dogs; most don't (?). A lot of places have specific regulations about alcohol, and some have regulations about smoking. Just be aware of all of this ahead of time.
Hope this helps! Dunno if it's what you're looking for, but ... well, there it is!
You'll need to list a budget if you want valuable advice. Like most camping gear - these items can go for a wide range of prices / quality. You generally get what you pay for - so the bigger budget the better quality.
Are you shopping in the USA or abroad? Online or local shops? Different areas have different brands available.
When / where will you do the majority of your camping? Don't need to list the specific parks - but a general idea of the temps and terrain you'll be using this equipment would be idea. Warm beaches or snowy mountains, Windy plains or thick forests, etc.
You said car / base style camping - that's a valuable distinction. Backpacking / wilderness style gear would be very different.
​
Tent - 4-person tent for 2 people is best for car camping, you could even go higher for more room/comfort.
Stove - a 2-burner propane stove would be ideal. Coleman brand is classic.
Lantern - a propane lantern is old-school, but bright / effective. I'd probably go with a battery powered option though, easier to deal with.
cookware - tons of options here. You could start by going to your local Thrift Store. Get the basics, they even have cast iron there often. Then get a plastic tub to store it all in - as your kitchen kit grows it will be valuable to store it all together for transport.
​
----
Without knowing the answers to my above questions, I'll throw out some basic gear options for you to check out:
​
Tent
There are other top brands, but the REI one is good quality for the cost. The Coleman one is cheap, but highly popular and good enough for most. Kind of 2 ends of the spectrum there.
​
Stove
This one really is the standard, I don't recommend any other option personally.
​
Lantern
Tons of options in the battery category. Might as well start cheap and see if it works well enough. I rarely even use my lantern anyway. I sit by the fire or use my headlamp. Better to invest in a good headlamp I'd say.
​
Cookware
Kits are a good way to get started. Then add single items like tongs, knives, wash buckets, etc. as needed. I really do suggest using items from the thrift store whenever possible. That way you don't care if it gets dinged up or burnt while camping.
You mention air-mattresses so I assume you're just car camping, not hiking? Probably a good choice for first-time camping.
REI has a good checklist here. You obviously won't need all of it (like navigation stuff), but it's a good starting place.
Tents are a bit tough without more detail. Are all six of you planning on going in on purchasing a six person tent? Do a select few people want to buy 2-3 person tents to just keep? Are you planning on hiking in the future, in which case you'll want lighter tents - at more upfront cost? How many sites have you reserved? If only one site, there will probably be a limit on number of tents you can have.
Either way, some good starting places:
A tarp for the tent might not be necessary, but is something worth considering if you're worried about wet conditions.
Air mattresses are an unnecessary expense if you're on a budget. Pretty much any sleeping bag that's not designed specifically to be lightweight will have enough fluff in it to provide some padding. Something like one of these big fat ones for $25. You're camping anyway, not staying at a hotel. A few nights on the ground won't kill you. Bring a few thick blankets if you're worried though. A good inflatable pad will probably be more than you want to spend money on.
You can forget backpacks for now if you're just using your cars at a state park or something. A good pack is expensive anyway. But a duffel bag or small backpack or something is a good idea to carry clothes, food, and supplies. Doesn't need to be anything special.
One important thing to keep in mind is firewood. Don't bring it. You should always buy locally (most parks will supply/sell it) since this prevents the spread of dangerous pests like Emerald Ash Borers and such.
A few more basics you'll want:
Food. Personally, I think planning and packing food for a camping trip is one of the best parts. There are more camping food "hacks" and ideas out there than you can imagine. Plan it right and you'll eat better when camping than your average day in the college dorm. A little bit of tin foil, pie pans, and prep the night before and you can eat stuff like this or this or this. Just browse and look around until you see something that makes your mouth water. Most of it is no more difficult than throwing ingredients in some tin foil, and then throwing them on the fire later (in some cases you'll want to pre-cook chicken or fish or beef though).
It sounds like you already have a good handle on what you want. You’ll get other recommendations, but there’s nothing wrong with the items your considering. Getting both a good lantern and a powerful light is the way I would personally go also. There are other companies, like NEBO, who make the Slyde and other various, um, interesting options as well. Personally, for the lantern, I’ve had great success with the Streamlight Siege AA as a compact lantern, but that’s just me. Good luck, and happy hunting!
Thank you! You are very welcome. :-)
I think it would be very doable to pack it all on your bike with room for a passenger. ;) People sometimes say you don't have to worry about weight so much with a bike doing the work, so cheaper gear is fine. They aren't exactly wrong, but weight, size, and price are all tied together. The main limiting factor is room, which makes the extra $$ for gear worth it. On top of it being good quality. Also while the weight isn't a huge thing, it does add up. My husband's sleeping pad is a decade+ old, and takes up half the room our tent does! My new one is more comfortable, lighter, and at least half the size of his rolled up.
Are the rangers iffy about burners? or just campfires? It just seems odd they wouldn't want even the tiny burner we had with us.
I LOVE our tent! I spent many hours researching tents before picking it, and it has been exactly what we want!
The lantern is an "Ultra Bright LED Lantern" It lives up to it's name and is truly Ultra bright, almost too much. BUT it's $12 bucks, and ridiculously light weight. I think a can of coke/beer is heavier.
Since I had the pics up anyways, I posted more details about our gear too.
Welcome! Storms are always far more "fun" to follow when you
are afraid you are going to diehave skin in the game.Let's see. Sales tax relief week starts May 31. Get some lanterns like these, which are awesome. And make sure you get flood insurance. If you are renting, make sure you get rental insurance.
Good luck! Hurricanes honestly bring out the best in Floridians, so when the big one is coming, we do pull together.
For the gun lover in him:
https://www.amazon.com/RYMMES-Magnet-Mount-Holster-Rated/dp/B07CNJSYVG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=gun+magnet&qid=1567827470&s=gateway&sr=8-1
Gag gift for BBQ's:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EDXTBS/?tag=097-20&ascsubtag=v7_3_3_93r_7fu_6_x01_-srt5-
Gag gift for basement game night:
https://www.amazon.com/Bud-Light-Bluetooth-Speaker-Universal/dp/B073214RL4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_107_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5J5P0EQ6JG5AGBEJW7M6
More and more people are switching to minimalist wallets:
https://www.amazon.com/Ridge-Authentic-Minimalist-Blocking-Wallet/dp/B01M5J3NB1/ref=sxin_4_ac_d_rm?ac_md=5-3-cmlkZ2Ugd2FsbGV0-ac_d_rm&keywords=slim+wallet&pd_rd_i=B01M5J3NB1&pd_rd_r=fb567723-84c2-4d4c-b21e-51d382f031ba&pd_rd_w=SkqaJ&pd_rd_wg=H1Hqw&pf_rd_p=404c4843-2c96-4d0d-a5fe-2b0598693e61&pf_rd_r=1XZE9GPYV9339EV4C0BR&qid=1568479111
Can never have enough light if you own land:
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Portable-Camping-Lantern-Batteries/dp/B01C5QSENQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=led+lantern&qid=1568262448&smid=A99MZGWBBIGK9&sr=8-4
Portable jump starter, could be good since they're secluded:
https://www.amazon.com/GOOLOO-18000mAh-SuperSafe-Starter-Portable/dp/B0748D8KT6/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1Q2A8F30TYJXS&keywords=portable+car+jump+starter&qid=1567875160&s=gateway&sprefix=portable+car+ju%2Caps%2C235&sr=8-5
Gettin up there in age, never lose keys again:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GLXY253/ref=twister_B07H3P7P1C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Awesome for the tea drinker:
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Stainless-Steel-Electric-Kettle/dp/B072DWYBL7/ref=sxin_3_ac_d_rm?ac_md=0-0-d2F0ZXIgYm9pbGVy-ac_d_rm&keywords=water+boiler&pd_rd_i=B072DWYBL7&pd_rd_r=82445bc3-1356-425b-9c9a-74b33aedcd4f&pd_rd_w=dKQFd&pd_rd_wg=x3oY0&pf_rd_p=404c4843-2c96-4d0d-a5fe-2b0598693e61&pf_rd_r=FECY2A01DTHMTKSKSVDX&qid=1567875726&s=gateway
Good smart house starter kit:
https://www.amazon.com/Gosund-Compatible-Required-appliances-Certified/dp/B079MFTYMV/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=wifi+plug&qid=1567958319&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNEI5TUwyNVJLVDZMJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTM4MjA3MVlHMzVNRTFYWlZZUiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTQ1Nzg1MjAyV1BNSjAyUlhMUCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I shifted our Scout Troop from propane to LED lanterns a few years ago. Tested a few. The overhead hang, diffused type was most useful. Definitely not UL but for a group the best value one that survived the boys was https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WW8CB8C
70k already, awesome! Very generous of you, thank you.
Sofirn BLF LT1 Lantern
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YS9L6R1/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_VGQUDbMEAYRVH
BTW this lantern isn’t yet listed on your website. If I win and it isn’t applicable for the giveaway I can select something else. :)
And keep a light source around.
Here are my recommendations for a cheap but good lantern:https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C5QSENQ
They light up a room, they don't kill the batteries quickly, they run off 3 AAs (which you probably have lying around), and then even come with batteries already. I lit up my house with these after Irma, and then gave them to my friends for Xmas when they all loved them.
Someone gave me one of these about 2 years ago and it's been part of my standard camping kit since.
It's been dropped a fair bit but it still works great.
Amazon reviews are great.
https://www.amazon.com/UST-20-PL20C3D-Parent-30-Day-Lantern/dp/B00E9P02L4
Some mention another (smaller) product that runs on AA's, with even more reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DII7CTI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
EDIT: Nevermind that, I saw that the Olight S Mini brass is on sale for 39 dollars! I'd love that, I've wanted an olight for a long time but they're so expensive.
I'd love the LA10 CRI as it seems pretty unique and I'm always looking for a unique light instead of a light that's kind of like a light I already own.Let’s see what the wife thinks about this guy coming in the mail!
Coleman Twin LED Lantern https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TSCINE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZFa9BbY4HNRV1
Thanks, on top of giving me a great resource for info on flashlights, there are giveaways?!? Doesn’t get any better!
A walking pole, a camping light...
When I hike with poles ([here is my pole] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B014ZHC89O?/&keywords=%20walking+pole)), it improves my performance because it reduces stress on knees, ankles, hips, and spine especially on downhill. This really gives me an “edge.” I think a walking pole is a good option for your friends.
And one camping light is a must for a multi-day trip. I have a [solar camping light] (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YH0ZFIQ?/&keywords=%20solar+camping+lantern) and always take it with me when hiking. This lantern is foldable and ultralight so not a burden for me tbh. You can take a look at this.
Just come up with the above-mentioned useful tools, hope it gives you some fresh idea to focus on ya.
Last week we lost power, which is an exceptionally bad time to find out the battery acid in your flashlight has leaked and corroded the interior. This is a long shot, but it would be amazing to win one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Conquer-Pack-Away-Lantern/dp/B01D3DV630/?tag=parametrek-20
Thanks!
Arm sleeves - These are great year round, the more you sweat the cooler they get.
Bluetooth Speaker/Charger - If he's in an LLV and the outlet doesn't work this doubles as a charger, I've been using this for over a year and the speaker is loud and last for over 3 days.
LED rechargable lantern - These are great during the fall/winter months when we're out late, I clip it to my satchel and it illuminates my entire body and a decent area around me so I don't fumble with a clip light on my cap. Plus if you do box deliveries you can clip it to the top of the door and see pretty damn well.
Very exciting, I hope you enjoy the hell out of it for many years. I've written about this before but you might be surprised when you get out there how little you need any kind of formal system. KISS, at least to start. :) To wit:
> Ideally we'd like enough power to power 1 or 2 led nights [sic] at night, maybe a small 32in TV etc. If there is enough power, a coffee maker maybe.
All that said I may not even get to my place next week and if I do I may die in the cold there, so there is the downside to just winging it. Do you have any pictures to post of what you got?
I use this luci solar candle/lantern. I have the clear version, I'll post it second, but I think the frosted/matte version would be superior for light diffusion.
https://www.amazon.com/MPOWERD-Luci-Candle-Inflatable-Solar/dp/B076JLGV9Q/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?keywords=mpowered%2Bluci%2Bsolar%2Bfrosted&qid=1554154649&s=sporting-goods&sr=1-1-fkmrnull&th=1
​
It's an *excellent* tent light though. It's bright enough to operate by but not so bright that you can read.
​
Here's the normal version:
https://www.amazon.com/MPOWERD-Luci-Outdoor-2-0-Inflatable/dp/B074NQLRTF/ref=pd_day0_hl__1/137-1895126-3510130?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07H4BBT9Z&pd_rd_r=6397c807-54c6-11e9-8d3d-9fea76e3c72a&pd_rd_w=xRso2&pd_rd_wg=O1wqr&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=2PR4HS202GW8TW5QWBC3&refRID=2PR4HS202GW8TW5QWBC3&th=1
I wanted the Sofrin BLF LT1 lantern but that seems to be out of stock right now otherwise i'd like the Lumintop GT mini. Thanks!
Practical:
Luxury:
I see my criteria, (under $30 that takes AA's), was asked a lot in /r/flashlight search and this seems like the best bang for buck.
I know there's better for more $, but think I may go with that. Thanks again for leading me there.
P.S. it has an "A" Fakespot grade.
Hey ,do you have a solar lantern,I think it will save your life in some cases .Still remembered that I went camping with 2 friends ,but my phone out of power ,thanks to my solar lantern saved my phone ,or I'll lost contact with my friends .Besides it has 3 moderns ,when in a dangerous case ,use SOS as a signal for help!
Thanks as always, Parametrek, for all you do!
I'd love a BLF LT1.
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Lantern-Rechargeable-Batteries-Excluded/dp/B07YS9L6R1/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=blf+lt1&qid=1572439934&sr=8-2
If you don't have one, I recommend the Luminoodle from Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0198VDWPQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The base model is 5 feet long, uses a USB power bank as a power source, and when stored in it's ripstop storage bag it becomes a lantern. Pretty awesome and does double duty because the power bank can also recharge your smart phone in an emergency.
I assume that because you're posing in /r/flashlight that you're looking for battery powered, but nothing beats a good old fashioned propane lantern for brightness, longevity, and warm tint.
http://www.coleman.com/Products/1010/propane-lanterns
If you really need a battery lantern I can recommend the following
60 day lantern
30 day lantern
Not rechargable but I would imagine you could easily charge rechargable double a batteries from a solar charger. Still, this is my favorite backpacking lantern ever, so I gotta share.
I bought [THIS](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z5WYESW/ref=s9_acsd_hps_bw_c_x_2_w) tent light, it's awesome for just 10 bucks. and they have a gen 2 that's even better and comes with 2x 18650 liIon batteries.
LT1 for me.
I'm starting to wonder when the growth will slow down. I guess we'll see. It's nice to see so many people share this
obsessioninterest.Winning this would be sexy as f
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Lantern-Rechargeable-Batteries-Excluded/dp/B07YS9L6R1/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=blf+lt1&qid=1572439934&sr=8-2
The Nitecore LR30 would be pretty handy. Thanks for the giveaway!
I ran my Super Siege for about 6hrs on high (1100 lumen) before it stepped down to medium (550 lumen). Low is 125 lumen and rated up to 35 hours. Has red LED modes as well. It's built really really well. Tough as nails. There's a youtube vid of a guy dropping it on a rock repeatedly with no problems. Waterproof and even floats. The carabiners on top and bottom as well as the flip up handle/hook gives it a myriad of mounting and hanging options. Even gives you a water tight compartment for extra paracord or whatever. I keep 20ft or 25ft of paracord in it for hanging options. Oh, and it has a USB out to charge your phone (8800 mAh) and a removable glare shield. Did I mention that it's built like a tank? $107
Their are some solar options if you have sun throughout the day. Otherwise I use a string light hooked up to a battery and run it from my tent to a tree or something. Usually over my cooking and eating area.
I'll find links.
Or something similar obviously.... easily hooked up to any external battery pack.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0198VDWPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_VJmwCbMZ1NTNZ
And if you hate money... anything "goal zero," would be a good option. I'm a cheap ass and only enjoy their stuff when others bring it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BMJPH8L/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_3MmwCbVKJCCV5
Note. Their are many cheap Chinese made options when it comes to 12v led... one of my favorite sites is ( www.banggood.com )
I promise the name is misleading, it is a reasonable link 🤣
Buy an LED lantern for next time.
Store it with the batteries reversed. Safer than candles, easy to move from room to room, bright enough to read by, lasts up to 90 hours on 3 D batteries, and you'll probably lose it before the LEDs burn out.
I bought my brother two of these solar powered collapsible lanterns and he says he absolutely loves them! Doesn't take up much room in his pack and nice and bright light with no batteries to worry about. https://www.amazon.com/MPOWERD-1023-002-001-002-Luci-Outdoor-2-0/dp/B074NQLRTF/ref=dp_ob_title_sports
Go to amazon and you could find the stuffs you need. Like the suaoki Led camping lantern - portable, foldable and durable, this lantern can be adjusted to any particular space to fit your current needs. Shorter than iPhone 6 plus, it can be folded down completely to take the least space in your backpack.
We have the Coleman Quad LED, and we love it. It's basically 4 detachable lanterns in one. Leave em all attached, and you have one super-bright lantern. Need to run to the car or the lavatr'y? Snap one off and you have a (still really bright) flashlight!
This is too late for your mom this time, but she really needs to check out an emergency preparedness kit - list from Ready.gov
I don't know your mom, but I'm guessing she's older and would like a less heavy option, so:
SOLD [WTS] Brand new Nitecore gear (won in contests)
Pictures of mine: https://i.imgur.com/KDnV0k1.jpg
Nitecore LA10, high CRI version. Retail is $30 shipped on Amazon for CRI version. Yours for $25 shipped.
Nitecore NU32: Retail is $47 shipped on Amazon. Yours for $40 shipped.
Buy both as a bundle deal for $60 shipped. Open to offers. SOLD
Open to trades for: Zebralight AA models, Wuben E05, BLF GT Mini, maybe others.
You probably don't need dedicated solar panels or even an inverter if all you want is lights. The first link below is for a lantern that's charged with either the built in solar panel or via USB. These are pretty popular among campers and van dwellers. I think 2 or 3 of these should be sufficient.
https://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Collapsible-Flashlight-Emergency-Water-Resistant/dp/B00YH0ZFIQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1517707187&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=solar+lantern&psc=1
If you are running other things that require AC power (like TV or laptop charger), then you could get a portable power pack. If this is a 1 or 2 day festival, then you could probably get by without even recharging it. But if you have access to an AC outlet, then you can recharge it that way or if you really want, then get a solar panel but I think it's unnecessary unless you plan on doing this at festivals in the middle of nowhere with no power.
Goal Zero Yeti (more expensive)
Harbor Freight Power Pack (cheaper)
For the most part, light is light. A cheap fixture of one type (tungsten, fluorescent, HMI) is usually pretty similar to an expensive fixture of the same type. The difference is usually build quality and durability.
Sometimes there are subtle differences visually. Usually this is the case with tungsten fresnels. Some will have bad hot spots, or not have as much light output as other fresnels with the same bulb.
But if you shine it through a softbox, or bounce it off a foam a high priced light doesn't look much different than a work light of the same brightness.
The only thing to watch out for with the impact lights is the fact that they are fluorescent. When dealing with florescents you have to be aware of both the color temperature and color reproduction index (CRI) of the bulbs. Look for bulbs with a CRI >90. It's on the package, but its usually in tiny print and hard to find.
One professional DP I've worked with a few times uses almost nothing but china balls to light his sets. This guy has been doing it for 20+ years, and has hundreds of credits, and I've watched him light sets with some pretty crazy things. Once he even lit and entire set with just these LED lanterns
This seems pretty cool.
https://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-LR30-Lumen-Camping-Lantern/dp/B01M3X8NYL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479174913&sr=8-2&keywords=Nitecore+LR30+205+Lumens+LED+Camping+Lantern
May as well try my luck for an LT1. And I didn't forget to enter this time.
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Lantern-Rechargeable-Batteries-Excluded/dp/B07YS9L6R1/
You can get them from Amazon for even cheaper, but led lanterns are even better. I have these and they work remarkably well.
The BLF LT1:
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Rechargeable-Batteries-Basement-Excluded/dp/B07YS9L6R1/
The absolute best lantern on the market.
Been using a budget coleman lantern for years and I'd love to upgrade to one of these.
These Etekcity lanterns work great and are very inexpensive.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Portable-Outdoor-Batteries-Collapsible/dp/B01C5QSENQ&ved=0ahUKEwjm2YXlqe3TAhVE-mMKHSGABxwQFghFMAI&usg=AFQjCNG2amGSp9SwufNlKTeaKGL9s_rGjw&sig2=ciNGZdiDJwuQU6m6EsYkIg
I'd like to give a Nitecore LA10 CRI a spin. (And I like the blue tube option.)
I used a hand crank radio and light during Hurricane Irene, and afterwards I immediately replaced them with regular battery powered ones.
The last thing you want after bailing water out of your basement for an hour is to have to crank the weather radio. Alkaline batteries are cheap and can be stored for years without issue.
For emergency light, buy the Rayovac Sportsman Extreme LED Lantern. Or its ruggedized brother.
These are relatively inexpensive, but cool to have items:
Long Handled grill basket
Collapsible solar light
personal water filter
Haul and hang kitchen organizer
Daypack There's nothing special about this particular one, but every car camper needs a daypack for hiking.
Battery pack for charging small electronics
Weatherproof matches
Hiker's Emergency whistle
Mosquito head net
Hydration bladder
Collapsible water jug
Condiment squeeze bottles (for more efficient cooler packing)
this doesn't collapse, but is small, bright, and cheap..3 D batteries:
http://www.amazon.com/Rayovac-SE3DLN-Sportsman-300-Lumen-Lantern/dp/B0018S4XIS
> For lights, something like this is good: https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Portable-Camping-Lantern-Batteries/dp/B01C5QSENQ They run off AA batteries. They will light up half a room, easily. And they are easy start: just lift the handle, and they turn on.
Do you have these and like them? Because I'd like to pick up a few lanterns like that, but Fakespot gives those an F on review reliability. 😟
The Nitecore LR30 is a good option for area lighting, or if you want something cheaper the Sanniu Tent Light works too. Both of those work with 18650s, but I'm guessing your mom doesn't have any of those lying around. The Nitecore can use CR123As, and the Sanniu can use AAAs.
In any case, I hope your mom is ok!!
Not your typical flashlight but been looking for a lantern that runs on 18650 for tent building with my kids.
Nitecore LR30 205 Lumen Mini LED Camping Lantern - True Color Rendering including 2x LumenTac CR123A Batteries (Yellow) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3X8NYL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cqpXzbD5SNF99
Seems to be going quicker and quicker! Thanks! Going for an LT1.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YS9L6R1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_CVXUDbQFPM4FQ
https://www.amazon.ca/Streamlight-44941-Siege-Lantern-Coyote/dp/B00OW5AK22/
Woo! Been meaning to get a lantern.
Parametrek, your search engine is so useful. Thanks for all your efforts.
I don't own one of these but I have been eyeing them. I like that you can put it on the table then take on section to go and do a chore but still light the rest of the room
I use this Streamlight Latern for camping and it's light and pretty durable. We've also used it for power outages since AA are plentiful in my home.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00OW5AK22/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_rBCDyb2J87HER
Nitecore LA10 CRI
Thanks for all you do!
Thanks for hosting another giveaway!
I'll go with the Nitecore LR30.
As always thanks!
Nitecore LR30
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Lantern-Rechargeable-Batteries-Excluded/dp/B07YS9L6R1
Thanks!
Nitecore LA10 and thanks!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01M4QGQAT/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1479167088&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=nitecore%2Blr30&dpPl=1&dpID=41wUTudqfnL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1
Thanks!
I have some of these for the tent and they work really well. Rechargeable via USB, bright, low light and red light settings.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00WW8CB8C/ref=yo_ii_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I guess I'll enter :)
https://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-LA10-Lumen-Camping-Lantern/dp/B072J5W2C1/ref=sr_1_3?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1511204418&sr=1-3&keywords=la10%2Bcri&dpID=416BnACVj-L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch&th=1
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Twin-390L-Lantern/dp/B001TSCINE
Thanks very much.
Luminoodles
Edit: Luminoodle LED Rope Lights for Camping, Hiking, Safety, Emergencies - USB Powered Portable LED String Light That Doubles as an LED Lantern https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0198VDWPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_.VEGzbEQJP3GR
Agreed on the flashlights
Get some LED lanterns. Three AA batteries run them for 12 hours at 60 lumens, and you can get a 4 pack of lanterns from Amazon for $26, batteries included.
https://www.amazon.com/Etekcity-Portable-Outdoor-Camping-Batteries/dp/B01C5QSENQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1505394842&sr=8-3&keywords=led+lantern
https://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-LR30-Lumen-Camping-Lantern/dp/B01M3X8NYL/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479174913&sr=8-2&keywords=Nitecore+LR30+205+Lumens+LED+Camping+Lantern
Thank you!
what about http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Bright-LED-Lantern-Emergencies/dp/B00NPLSZF8/ref=zg_bs_551238_37
I found 2 suppliers that make these lights and the seller just has his name on the side of the lights, now if someone just wanted to buy the lights and sell without a company name on amazon, could you sell on that businesses amazon link or would you need a new SKU and somehow get your listing higher than the businesses?
TIL that Reddit really does have a sub for all of my obsessions! First, I find a flashlight sub. Then, I see that there is a flashlight giveaway. My day has been made. Thank you so much for this!
I would love a new lantern for hurricane season.
I'm in the all-the-lights camp for sure. Blinking headlights are not legal in Washington so I have the cygolight set to medium, a rechargeable helmet headlight/taillight combo, standard red blinker taillight, monkey lights front and back, and now I have one of these along the frame luminoodle. I can see and I am seen without being a nuisance.
BLF Lantern. Totally fine with waiting if it's not available yet.
In the '89 earthquake we were without power and water for a few days or more. Telephones didn't work (no cell phones back then). "Liquifaction" caused buildings in the Marina to slid off their foundations. The Bay Bridge was out of service for months. Then came the Northridge quake. Having an earthquake kit is being prepared. Here's some of what's in mine.
Nothing fancy, but useful: Energizer nightlight thing and Rayovac lantern. I have my LD20, and getting a 1AAA of some sort for my birthday, so got the fancy category covered as well.
In brightest day, in darkest night
I use a headlamp and we have a big Coleman lamp that we use at our campsite. Any headlamp will work - I got this one from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F7UQQGE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . The Coleman lamp is the Quad LED lantern https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TS71NG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 . It's a little pricey but it has four LED panels that you can remove and use as individual handheld lamps.
[here](Luminoodle LED Rope Lights for Camping, Hiking, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0198VDWPQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_qytHyb7XK47KP) is a link to it on Amazon.
I have viewed many times on amazon,and I want to buy this one:http://www.amazon.com/Rechargeable-Collapsible-Flashlight-Emergency-Water-Resistant/dp/B00YH0ZFIQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464914611&sr=8-1&keywords=suaoki.It is very cheap,and powered by solar panel and USB charging.How about it?
[These] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01C5QSENQ/ref=mh_s9_acsd_simh_bEGqp_c_x_1_w?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-3&pf_rd_r=P13M9KY5R0M8M2V93JYJ&pf_rd_t=30901&pf_rd_p=31993a93-559f-54b2-a1c4-916f1e910454&pf_rd_i=3401371) are what I use. Really cheap but work fantastically. I hang them from the canopy's frame and one was more then enough light. I usually only pull it half open and batteries lasted me all weekend. Matter of fact the batteries I had in there last year are still keeping em running.
sofirn BLF LT1 Lantern, LED Rechargeable Camping Lantern,Batteries Excluded https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YS9L6R1/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_ICMUDbMYAAT3J
Thank you.
I started using a white gas Coleman lantern but I don't leave it outside. Have you thought of one of the camping lanterns? Coleman Twin LED Lantern https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TSCINE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_cRHAwbWR5QSW9
i got this thing
Luminoodle?
https://www.amazon.com/Nitecore-LA10-Lumen-Camping-Lantern/dp/B072J5W2C1/
https://www.amazon.com/Coleman-Twin-390L-Lantern/dp/B001TSCINE
A Coleman Northstar
Luminoodle.
It shows up for me. It's listed for 70 dollars without batteries.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07YS9L6R1/
Order one from Aliexpress or Amazon. Might be a discount in the next few days for Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Aliexpress had them for sale for a few dollars over the GB price on Nov 11.
Let there be light!
entry!
LT1 please!
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Lantern-Rechargeable-Batteries-Excluded/dp/B07YS9L6R1/
I also choose the BLF LT1.
BLF LT1 Lantern
https://www.amazon.com/sofirn-Lantern-Rechargeable-Batteries-Excluded/dp/B07YS9L6R1/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=blf+lt1&qid=1572439934&sr=8-2
Thank you!
I'm going to go outside of the box and try for a Streamlight Siege lantern. https://www.amazon.com/Streamlight-Siege-AA/dp/B00OW5AK22/?tag=0x5054-20
https://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Bright-LED-Lantern-Emergencies/dp/B00NPLSZF8/ref=sxts_k2p_hero3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2668835622&pd_rd_wg=LBEof&pf_rd_r=K52J0FPVEEAGRJBZZS5J&pf_rd_s=desktop-sx-top-slot&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B00NPLSZF8&pd_rd_w=HEMOM&pf_rd_i=electric+lantern&pd_rd_r=EWVH7TB4A36QHZ049XS0&ie=UTF8&qid=1479449886&sr=3
You're still the dude. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072J5W2C1
Etekcity 4 Pack Portable LED Camping Lantern Flashlight with 12 AA Batteries - Survival Kit for Emergency, Hurricane, Power Outage (Black, Collapsible) (CL10) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C5QSENQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_M-jyCbZACJ2MN
We bought three of these after a week blackout and I realized flashlights are a shitty way to illuminate a room.
Rayovac Sportsman
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018S4XIS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_GzZfzbQXMVWT3
Takes 3 D cells, hangs by handle or upside down by a bottom hook to become a ceiling light in a tent. Solidly built for $15