Posted: 6/18/2008 11:09:32 AM EDT
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Well there's nothing like a 5 day power outage to test your plans. Found that the regular battery light/lanterns I have eat batteries and barely make it through the night. Im looking for LED lanterns that I can put in the kids rooms. Not too fond of putting propane ones near the kids. Any ideas? I saw the Coleman XR-E 8D Family Lantern which specs as 175lumen for 35 hours high/50 hours low. Any one have one? Looking more for emergency power outage use than real SHITF scenarios. |
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Probably not a long enough run time for you but I have a couple of these and they work well. I have used them for numerous power outages. I use scotch tape on the globe to diffuse the light and then hang them up about head height and they do quite well for general purpose light. Not quite bright enough to read a book under but you can otherwise function no problems. About 4 of them in my apartment really light the place up all things considered and feeding them AA's isnt too expensive if you manage the situation. |
Wal-Mart sells a neat "Ozark Trail" 7-LED lantern in the sporting goods section for 5 bucks. Has 2 brightness settings, plus an essentially useless red "blinker" mode. It'll run for almost exactly 48 hours at nearly full brightness on 4 AA alkaline cells on the 3-LED setting (which seems to be almost as bright as the 6-LED setting, for some strange reason). The original cone-shaped chrome-plated plastic reflector (left) produces very uneven light dispersion - Can be improved considerably by unscrewing the top cap and replacing the reflector with a circular piece of slightly oversized foam plastic (right). This foam is commonly used as padding in shipping boxes. The oversize shape makes it curve when inserted inside the clear "chimney", spreading the light in a much smoother pattern. For the money, this is an excellent light, IMO. I've bought almost a dozen of them for various family members as SHTF lanterns, and all of them have been problem-free - Great for applications where long run-time and cheap purchase cost are more important than high brightness. |
Those look like the older Rock River lanterns from Target. A lot of people, myself included, have some and they work OK. These state they have Cree emitters which should be several orders brighter. They also have 2 brightness levels. So these look like quite an improvement. The newer Rock River lanterns (gen II) are brighter, smaller, have better light throw and have two brightness levels. These get my vote. |
I have a pair of the original River Rock lanterns (from Target) and the Crees are a step better....and worse. Deal Extreme cut some corners like not using O rings to help keep moisture out and the overall construction is slightly cheaper feel. Still - for indoors BIL/BOL use they are just fine and work as intended. The CREE emitters really need the scotch tape diffuser on the globe to be fully appreciated. I haven't tried the newest River Rock lanterns on the shelf at Target because they are $25 ea so far....when they go on 'close out' sale I will check one out. I believe this is the current model but not 100% sure....was thinking the latest/greatest was 3 AA battery. |
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A few ideas that are tested: Another alternative to batteries is a small solar kit with lights. Use the source during the day for radio, small tv, etc. if need be and lights at night. Or just have it for lighting. Under $200. I know a few folks that have an inexpensive solar kit fitted for two lights and water pump backup. Another has a small wind turbine for the winter . Works well. I am in the process of doing the same for my BOL. Weather pending...Coleman gas lantern. Cook, eat, play outside. Have kids do whatever outside until bedtime. they can read and what not on a picnic table with a lantern. Use a flashlight to go to bed. If you have a garage you can do the same. Gas lanterns until bed time. Then flashlights. Here is a lantern that lasts 17 days on 4 D batteries Link |
That link looks like the old River Rock (dyslexia in my original post) lantern. The newer model is smaller and all black. The button is on the side. I used a dremel tool and a wire brush on the clear plastic dome that covers the emitter on my Gen 1 River Rock lanterns. It spreads diffuses the light much better, you don't get the rings or banding. I mknow some even sandblasted the entire globe to frost it. |
+1 I used one for a tent light on a Cub Scout camping trip back in April. You wouldn't want to try to read by it, but it provided plenty of light to move around and find things in the tent after dark. |
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I use this one. battery, or hand crank, car cord, led. Battery power will last for up to 10 days with continuous use. ebay |
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Once a major fan of the large LEDs, I'm now a fan of the little ones. They put out plenty enough light, use AAS, and smaller is easier to transport. I have two of the RockRiver LEDs, use one every night. I also bought 3 of the $25 SG Crank 4 LED lights that look like the RockRiver. I couldn't be more pleased with these little lanterns for the money. Its been six months now and one I've used quite often with no problems. You just have to remember to crank them up once a month. Of the bigger ones, I probably like the Jeep one best. Its easier on batteries and still puts out a good light. Instead of plastic handles and base, its a steal rubberized handle and rubber coated base. It also has a remote which is great for not having to crawl out of your bag to turn the light off. Tj |
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How about a 3 D cell Maglite with the TerraLux LED conversion. If you unscrew the head on the Maglite you can use it in candle or lantern mode. Very bright and will light the entire room. Should get 20+ hours out of 3 D cells. www.batteryjunction.com/tle-6ex-green.html |
LOL, Thanks for the chuckle.  140 lumen, all you have to do is lay that sucker down to light your tent.Tj |
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I have had very good luck with a unit from Cabelas four D cells,  Link Turn it off when in storage, not just with the remote |
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I've found these to be very handy... www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=368768 |