I find myself in need of an LED lantern primarily for ATV carry. Since it will be jostling around in the Quad it has to be pretty stout. I strongly prefer something that runs on AA batteries for redundancy as well as compactness. Runtime is not that critical--anything over about 4 hours would do just fine--but it has to be reasonably bright.

From a previous post here awhile back I found this: Guide Gear Light This looks like it could be just the thing but there is no mention of runtime or output. Does anybody have one of these and if so, is it pretty sturdy? If not, do you know of any others that might fit the bill?

Regards, Vince

I just recently bought a River Rock 0.5W LED lantern at my local Target after reading a review on Flashlight Reviews . It uses 4AA and gives about 8 hours of regulated (i.e. steady, not gradually dimming) output. I haven't used it long enough in one sitting to verify that 8 hour runtime, but I'm sure it's in that neighborhood. The light is bright although with some distracting artifacts, but some people over at CPF seem to like using Glad Press 'n Seal to even out the light. The globe does not heat up much.

I bought it primarily for blackout use as an area light, but it feels quite solid and seems reasonably well constructed and should stand up well for outdoor use. No variable output, but there's also a flashing mode, which is very bright, and could be useful in an emergency situation. I recommend it--and only about $20!

I have recently purchased 5 of the River Rock lanterns available only at Target. This thing rocks. Waterproof, indestructible - I have thrown one of them against the floor 3 or 4 times as a test - no damage. Bright - and should get at least 8 hours of light off of 4 AA batteries. It's only $19.99. Not all target stores carry them, but this one is absoutely the best for the money.
River Rock Review on Flashlightreviews.com

I can't speak to that light, but I THINK that is that vendor's private label. I purchase from them all the time and am always pleased. I buy hunting stuff in addition to some of the things we discuss on here. Their service is good and they are reputable. If you didn't like it you could send it back; of course that's a hassle. Others can probably give you a better product recommendation.

I have a 'lantern' similar to the Guide Gear Light. It does not provide room-wide illumination. LED brightness is measured right in front of the LED, not around it, so I don't think you can compare illumination ratings of LEDs and incandenscents. While an LED may have a rating of, say 5W, it provides that 5W only directly in front of the source. Having a frosted globe around an LED is of little to no help in spreading the illumination.

I totally agree with randyo, I just got back from Target and picked up one of these -- one word --wow! For $20, this is an incredible buy!, very bright, will add to the bob immediately, and am going to buy some more for the house during power failures. You can't beat this one for twenty bucks. Can't believe they sell them for that. Yet another great item from the great people on this board! Bravo!

OH - You won't find them in the Camping section or in Sporting Goods. They keep them in the Automotive / Hardware area where most of the various flahslights are.
I avoid that area - everything is sooooo tempting.

Thanks guys. The one from Target looks like it will do the trick. The Guide Gear light is sold out anyway. I'll pick one up this weekend.

Regards, Vince

Hi Guys

I've heard about this light over at CPF, does Target have an online store where I can purchase these and get them shipped here to France.

Hello.

Do you know the Glo-Toob?

You can find info at http://www.glo-toob.com
I've one of them (the white LED model) and is amazing the luminous capacity of such a small device. And it is practically indestructible.

Hi Guys

Being trying to find an online supplier for the Rock River lantern. I came across this, looks about the same anyone know anything more?

Brunton

Still looking for the Rock River on line.

I did a search on their web site using "River Rock" and "lantern" with no finds.

This Brunton lantern is basically a twin to an Osram Golden Dragon Camping Lantern, but uses four 5mm LED instead of a single, high output LED. The Brunton lantern is definitely much dimmer than the Osram or River Rock, but perhaps that's sufficient for your lighting needs, plus it has a very long runtime. I believe Brookstone carries (or carried) a version of the Brunton, so you might be able to try-before-you-buy if you have a Brookstone nearby. But if you want bright, stick with finding a River Rock. The Osram is great, but is apparently very, very rare and costs maybe about $10 more than the River Rock.

My wife and I ordered from Sportsman's Guide a set of 3 LED lanterns. They cost about $50 and come in a black case. I had wondered how well they would work.....they seemed a little pricey. They use 4 AA batteries and have an 'adjustable' output. Let me wholeheartedly reccomend them. We bought the set of 3 as we have 2 boys and live in Soutwest Florida (hurricane central). We figured that they would be good for any of those nights when the power may be out and they would be much safer than some alternatives. The adjustable output would also be good as we could use them as 'night lights'.

Teses things are wonderful. They deliver A LOT of light. With a new set of AA batteries even the lowest setting is so bright that they tend to be too bright for nightlights. I have a box of batteries that are 'run down' that I use for the night light 'mode'. These 'run down' batteries have run for several days (24 hours x 3 days) and have still been plenty bright enough to still work by. I've left them on in the house when we've gone on a 3 day vacation (with the 'run down' AA's) and again they are still running strong when we got back.

I've been thinking of getting another set to give as a gift to my inlaws. Who live on the East coast of FL. Though they have power now, they were without it for awhile.

If you are searching for the LED lights, just go to www.sportsmansguide.com and search for LED lanterns.

We love them. (And no I don't work for them)

I don't recall if I read about this here on ETS first, but there is the Pak-Lite area light:

Reviewed here:
http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/000416.php

There are links from there to two retailers. About $29.95 inc. battery.

Actually, a quick Google brought up their home page, with more options:
http://www.9voltlight.com/

A

Not exactly an LED, but take a look at this: http://www.energizer.com/products/flashlights/flashlight.asp?cat=1&id=3

I wouldn't normally look at Eveready / Energizer flashlights, but I used one recently for over two weeks (sometimes two of the same model) as "table lamps" inside a 53' semi trailer dry box that I was using as my office. It has a conventional 5mm white LED in the head and a double-bright 4w CCF mini flourescent tube alnog the body and I was really really impressed with the flourescent. Runs on 4AA, stands on its end, and makes a great little area light. Tube starts off bright but appears to get significantly brighter after several seconds (maybe 30% - 100%? Hard to tell with eyeballs). A Google link: http://tinyurl.com/8rtn2

The 5mm is OK; about what one would expect - I used my E2D with 3W Luxeon head instead of bulb for spotlighting, although the flashlight-challenged liked the LED fine. But the CCF tube was impressive to me. Seems to average around $20, but available lower.

I saw them in Red and OD body colors; there may be a silver body one as well. Not waterproof and I suspect the battery box cover could get lost (duct tape comes to mind). It begs to be ripped apart, canabilized for electronics and tube, and re-built as a 2 x CR123A or 4 x AA robust little package... meanwhile, the one I brought back will get stowed in a tent bag with top batteries reversed, cover taped, and a paracord loop to dangle it from the gear attic - a new non-winter tent lantern.

Tom

Interesting, so they make an LED version of this flashlight now. I have an Eveready flashlight I bought four or five years ago in a hardware store in NYC that is the same thing (sliver or metallic grey-colored, actually) except it has a regular incandescent bulb instead of an LED. I also think the cold cathode flourescent tube capability of this little light is quite impressive for such a compact package. It really lights up the interior of a room nicely.

I agree that the battery cover is just waiting to fly off and disappear somewhere if it gets knocked, so definitely needs some additional securing if it's going to be rattling around on an ATV. And the switch on mine doesn't seem the most rugged, although maybe it's better on this new model. But this flashlight is sitting on my kitchen counter right now, ready for the next blackout.

UPDATE: Have picked up two additional River Rock lanterns for the house for power outages. Great, great little lights, but boy it sure is a bear getting that bottom off the first time to put the batteries in -- they must have tightened that thing with a machine on that poor O-ring, gotta down a can o'spinach like Popeye to get the thing open....................

Should have tried a bit of Olive Oyl First <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I know that this is not exactly what you specified but about this time of year Rite Aid has an LED lantern as a loss leader for the holidays. It is not water proof. It has 12 LEDs, is variable output, runs off of four D cells or an optional six volt AC transformer. They are 4.5 inches in diameter and 9.5 inches tall. I bought a few last year for the RV and four this year for emergency lanterns for elderly neighbors. The go for $9.95. They are made by Innovage Outdoors. They were advertized in this last Sunday's paper.

Vince, unless you are dead set on an LED light, consider the light below. It is a 12V fluorescent, 8 watts, watertight tube, hanging hook and 15' cord for less than $10. They claim it has the brilliance of a 100W incandescent bulb. Plugs into the lighter receptacle of your ATV and should be easy on battery. At worst, if you run the battery down, I suppose you have a kick start. You could hang two of them with the addition of a double lighter plug adapter wire.

http://www.wttool.com/p/6619-0070

Boone

Thanks, but I've pretty much decided on the LED for durability reasons. I need something that I can stash under the seat with some lithiums that will fire up in 5 years. It's primarily for nighttime breakdowns.

The 12V option sure would be nice for my application though.

Regards, Vince