Shadow_oo00,

We had a power failure at home a couple of weeks ago, and while we have plenty of flashlights we didn't have much in the way of 'area' lights. So I've been looking for a good lantern as well.

I found what I think was a good buy at Walmart for $13.95. It appears to be a brand new product, because I can't find it on the manufacturers web site and a Google search of the model number (WRTWL41E) on the package comes back empty. The batteries included it the package had 'best by' date of 2014, which also suggests it's very new.

The front of the packaging reads:

"3 IN 1 LED FLASHLIGHT
100 hour run time with 2 LED flashlight (on one set of batteries)
360 degree area light with 3 LEDs
Nightlight with amber LED"

It is the Energizer 'Weather Ready' "3 in 1 LED Flashlight". The light is the shape of a traditional flashlight, but the 'rear' section where you would normally insert batteries is a translucent chamber used as a lantern 'globe'. The translucent section is 2 inches out of the lights overall 6 1/2 inch length. The light uses 4 AA batteries (included) in a battery holder inserted through the front of the light.

The first time you press the switch two bright LED's turn on facing 'forward' as you would expect with a normal flashlight. When you press the switch again those two LEDs turn off and three smaller LEDs turn on in the translucent handle section. You can place the light face down and it stands up like a tiny lighthouse. It's not blindingly bright, but I think it provides a useful amount of 'area' lighting. The third time you press the switch the three LEDs turn off and a single tiny amber LED turns on to serve as a night light.

The light has an elastic band that goes from the top to the bottom of the light. In that orientation it serves to help hold onto the light. It can be unclipped from the front of the light and clipped to the opposite side of the back, making it into a hanger for the lantern mode.

I took one home to try it out, and I was impressed. Enough so that I went back the next day and bought the remaining four they had on the shelf. Now there is one in each Jeep and three in the house. I think I'm a little better prepared for the next power outage.

Dennis