Camping

Why Buy a Solar Camping Lantern?

When you go camping most of us use a camping lantern at night to light the area away from the campfire. We usually place one on the picnic table to light the area where we’re
playing games or have snacking food or s’more ingredients laid out.  The lantern’s light allows for community activity.  Just think how your activities would change if you had to rely exclusively on flashlights.  Camping lanterns definitely serve a purpose and solar lanterns have some distinct advantages over propane and battery operated lanterns.

Most of us are aware of solar powered devices like hand held calculators and yard lights.  This source of power has been around awhile, but products like solar camping lanterns have
really improved over the years.  Solar lanterns are commonly used as the primary source of light in isolated areas where there is a lack of conventional electricity.  Any type of camping – from RV  to Tent Camping requires some sort of light source.  It may as well be a solar
lantern than being dependent on batteries and electricity.  These solar powered lights do require a light source or electrical outlet to charge them. You can use either the sun or manmade light to do this.  The only batteries that are required are for the solar light and these last a very long time.  Standard bulbs are replaced with LEDs (Light emitting Diodes) that give off a bright light and last for years.  They are also weather resistant, making them
usable in inclement weather.  A 2-6 hours charge in the sun will provide up to 15-20 hours of light.  Most of the solar camping lanterns on the market today have a lifespan of approximately ten years.  Think of the money you’ll be saving on batteries and bulbs.

Safety is a key attribute to look for when you’re selecting the right solar camping lantern.  Make sure they’re CE certified, corrosion resistant, and water resistant or waterproof.  You want them to be able to hold up in the type of weather you’ll be in when you’re camping.  They are also safe for the environment, since they do not emit any emissions.  They are
safe for children to use, since there is no electrical shock to worry about and the lights are cool to the touch.

Some solar camping lanterns come with a removable solar panel that you can charge with a car charger or electrical outlet.  There are many brands and different sizes and shapes of solar camping lanterns.  Some of the solar lanterns available have an automatic feature that has them turn on when it gets dark or you can use the manual on – off switch. There are even solar reading lights that you can clip to a book.  Think of the convenience of being able to read at night when you’re camping without having to worry about batteries.  You just need to remember to charge it in the sun when it starts to run down.

Once you try a solar powered camping lantern, you’ll be hooked.  There’s a good chance your old camping lantern that is fueled by propane will be a thing of the past.

About the Author

I’ve been tent camping for over 35 years and as a retired Airborne Ranger, have experience in wilderness survival. For more information on Camping Tents and camping hiking gear, please visit us at http://mycampingtentsandmore.com. We carry a nice selection of Camping Gear from tents to flashlights at reasonable prices. Check us out!

Coleman 4D LED Camp Lantern- www.simplyhike.co.uk

Coleman Rugged Battery Powered Lantern (Family Size) $23.25 Light up your campsite with instant, long-lasting illumination with the Coleman rugged battery-powered lantern. The family-size lantern boasts a 13-watt fluorescent twin U-tube bulb that delivers a bright white light, along with a heavy-duty thermoplastic and rubber housing that holds up to heavy use. More significantly, the lantern will keep your tent well lit for hours, with a runtime of up to 2…

Coleman SportCat PerfecTemp Catalytic Heater $34.26 Whether you’re staying in a cabin, tent, or under the stars, the Coleman 5035-700 SportCat Perfectemp Catalytic Propane Heater will enhance any camping adventure. The 1,500 BTU output operates up to 14 hours from one 16.4 ounce propane cylinder (not included). The Coleman heater features a portable integrated handle making it easy to carry, and the stable, detachable base provides a strong stand …

Coleman 4D Rugged Personal Size Rugged Lantern $17.99 The Coleman 5326A700 Rugged 4D Battery-powered U-tube Lantern lets you bring light with you wherever you go without the smell and danger of spilled fuel. The Rugged lantern runs on four D-cell batteries (not included) and provides light for up to 23 hours on low, or 14 hours on high. The seven-watt fluorescent U-tube creates a brighter and whiter light with less power. The rugged exterior is desi…

Rayovac SE3DLN Sportsman Xtreme 300-Lumen LED Lantern $21.99 With optimized beams, rubber grips, and tactical switches, Rayovac’s Sportsman Xtreme lights are what you need for the outdoors when you head for the hills, woods, or even the backyard. Nicely compact and ultra-portable at just 7 inches tall and under 3.5 inches wide, this Rayovac SE3DLN lantern also provides an incredibly bright 300-lumen light. See larger image. Rayovac…

Dorcy 41-4750 180 Lumen High Flux LED Cyber Light Flashlight with Batteries $17.84 …

Streamlight 61052 Septor LED Headlamp with Strap $25.25 With seven, ultra-bright, white LEDs, the Streamlight Septor LED Headlamp features three levels of lighting for a wide range of applications including up-close detail work and long-range viewing. Adjustable straps help secure the light to any head size, and a 90-degree tilt mechanism allows you to point the light exactly where you need it. Durable and water-resistant construction ensure extended u…

Rayovac ALD-12 UltraPRO Alkaline D Batteries, 12-Pack $9.67 Reclosable Package – 12/PK Rayovac Alkaline D Batteries provide long-lasting performance in commercial applications, plus the best value for the money, with Rayovac Maximum Industrial Alkaline Batteries. Reclosable Storage Paks keep batteries fresh, organized, undamaged, and easy to find, even in the roughest industrial environments….

Rayovac ALC-12 UltraPRO Alkaline C Batteries, 12-Pack $8.11 C Alkaline Batteries – Reclosable Package – 12/PK – Rayovac Alkaline C Batteries provide long-lasting performance in commercial applications, plus the best value for the money, with Rayovac Maximum Industrial Alkaline Batteries. Reclosable Storage Paks keep batteries fresh, organized, undamaged, and easy to find, even in the roughest industrial environments. – Product #: RAYALC12 – Manufactured By…

Rayovac ALAA-24 UltraPRO Alkaline AA Batteries, 24-Pack $6.72 Same Performance Better Price&##153; and Performance Guaranteed! Rayovac alkaline batteries are the smart choice for your battery-powered devices. Battery industry performance tests show that Rayovac batteries perform as well as other leading alkaline brands, but give you that same performance at a better price. Plus, they are so confident in the performance of their alkaline batteries, Rayovac wi…

Panasonic LCR064R2P Replacement Rhino Battery [Electronics] $4.54 Panasonic LCR064R2P Replacement Rhino Battery…

17 LED Camping Super Bright Battery Compass Lantern $18.59 This is a super bright decorative camping light which is very bright and can save powder. You also can use this camping lantern for the picnic in the open air; it also used for hunting, camping, fishing, sailing, writing and reading.

AC Delco 16 LED Camping Lantern $16.99 16 Long Lasting LEDs300 Hour Runtime (on 4D Alkaline Battery)Household and Outdoor useGreat for CampingSleek Black DesignEnergy EfficientLED Bulbs last 100,000+ hours

AC Delco Industrial Krypton Floating Lantern with 6V Battery $9.99 Ideal for Camping, Boating, Off-Roading, Automotive, Emergency PreparednessBright Krypton BulbIncludes 6V BatteryFloating Lantern w/ protective rubber end

Battery Operated Emergency Lantern (Set of 3) $14.95 TMK2964: Sierra Tools Set of 3 Emergency Lanterns. Do you hear something bumping in the night? Do you hear foot steps behind you? Noises in the basement? Keep your family safe at home, in blackouts and camping. Always be prepared! Take these emergency lanterns no matter where you go. Features: -Set of 3 lanterns. -Useful for blackouts, basement, camping, patio, office, car and more. -Battery operated. -Requires 4 AA batteries (not included). -Comes with yellow, red, blue with black handle. -Instant 360 illumination. -Manufacturer provides 60 days warranty.

Capri Tools Stretch-X Luxeon LED Flashlight and Lantern, 2-in-1 Palm Size $30.99 The Capri Tools Stretch-X is a multi-functional unit that can be used as a flashlight or a lantern: use as a traditional flashlight for focused light or stretch to extend the top for bright area light. Super bright Luxeon LED flashlight with focus control – flood to spot (1x to 4x), gives 85 lumens of bright white light (meeting ANSI F1 standard). Unit made with aircraft-grade aluminum, superior durability and lightweight. Tactical switch for the flashlight with momentary or constant on. The flashlight features a stretch function, it can be used as a lantern as well. Great for hiking, camping or other outdoor activities. Uses only one AA battery (Duracell Alkaline battery included). Superior durability and lightweight, weights just above 4 ounces with battery. One battery supports one hour of continuous ON mode. Compact size – the flashlight is 4-inches long in flashlight mode, and 5-inches long when it’s in lantern mode (stretched). The easy pull out function will transform this flashlight into a lantern in a heart beat. There are three openings at the tail that can be used with a lanyard (included) or a hook.

Coleman Exponent 1-CR123A Lithium Flashlight $48 The Coleman Exponent 1-CR123A Lithium Flashlight is a convenient, dependable flashlight for trekking, camping, auto use, or wherever you need a reliable, handy light source. A bright white Cree XLamp XR-E LED sheds 115 lumens of illumination on high, while five 3mm red LEDs provide enhanced night vision. The white LED can run for up to 1.5 hours on high and up to 6 hours on low; the red LEDs run up to 15 hours on high and 50 hours on low. The flashlight also features an Emergency Strobe mode and a Momentary On position. Constructed of durable, weather-resistant milled aluminum, the Lithium Flashlight includes a convenient tail-cap lanyard for attaching to a keyring or hanging from a hook. Runs on one CR123A lithium battery (included). With the Coleman Collapsible Lantern (sold separately), this flashlight can be turned into a standing lantern to provide area lighting.Cree XLamp XR-E LED – 115 lumens on highFive-position switch Off/Momentary On/Low/High/Emergency StrobeDurable, weather-resistant milled aluminum body for rugged useConvenient tail cap easily attaches lanyard for key ringOperates on 1 lithium battery (included)

Cree XLamp Warm White Camping LED Lantern – 110 Lumens $21.51 Superior quality LED lantern powered by the XR-E Cree warm white LED. Tender warm white light protects your eyes in dark environment. Features with 3 different mode: High, Low and Flashing mode. Comes with a carabiner clip, you can hang it on a tree or tent. Durable aluminum housing and it is water resistant, perfect for hiking, backpacking, fishing, camping, or emergency home use. Small in Size – Dimension: 5-inch x 2-inch x 2.5-inch Long battery life, uses 3 AA batteries (Alkaline Duracell batteries included) – 24 hours on High, 48 hours on Low, 55 hours on Flashlight.

Datexx LED-98 Sentina Outback(tm) Cell Phone/iPod Charger and Smart Safety Lamp with Powerbank and Crank Generator $35.1 Smart LED Light is Emergency Ready. It adjusts by its built-in Motion Sensor, Photo Sensor to give you light to safety. Perfect for Camping and outdoor / indoor activities. Precharged Outback can last over 10 hours motion sensored LED light. Emergency Cell Phone Power Supply. The pre-Charged Sentina Outback can support your cell phone for up to 10 hours of talk time. AC Charging & Crank back-up for Unlimited Power. Sentina Outback comes with a built-in powerful 5V NiMH rechargeable battery and charger. The built-in industrial crank generator allows you to extend the internal charge. Be Prepared for the Unexpected at Home and Away. Sentina Outback is a Must-have smart motion-sensor lantern that adjusts itself automatically for different needs. Patented Powerpack for Cell Phone,iPod,Blackberry etc. No more down time! Includes 600mA NiMH battery, AC adaptor, USB cord, 4 cell phone tips for Motorola (TIP-DA10), Samsung (TIP-DA03), LG (TIP-DA06),Nokia (TIP-DA01) cell phones. Compact and Lightweight – Sentina Outback fits in your travel totes so you can take it when you go. It weighs a mere 8 oz and measures only 3 W x2.5 Dx6 H. It makes a perfect travel accessory.

Garden Creations Vintage Solar Powered Lantern $12.99 Attractive Outdoor Lighting Anywhere…Harness the sun’s power for light without electricity. A versatile and environmentally friendly way to light up your evenings. Automatically turns ON at dusk…turns OFF at dawn. Reliable night time lighting. Handsome Kerosene lantern design. No wiring needed. Provides 6-8 hours of LIGHT from one charge. Can be used for camping, any outdoor function or emergencies. 6.7 tall. Takes1 600mAh Ni-MH battery (included).

Glide 51 Lantern – Glide 51 Lantern $31.04 Versatile and mult-function camping-specific LED lanterns and flashlights which provide bright controllable lighting. Compact and made of durable materieals, these functional, easy to use, lighting products will enhance the enjoyment of the nighttime outdoor experience. – - Features: – - Telescopic expanding housing enables transformation from flashlight to area lantern – Collimator efficiently creates a focused penetrating square flashlight beam – Lever style on/off switch in base – Polymer C-hook in base for hanging – Aluminum housing with anodized finish for durablility – Carry strap and carabiner-style clip included – 3 AAA Duracell batteries included – - Specifications: – - Lumen Output: 51 – LED Type: 1-Watt Luxeon – Run Time: 12 hours – Battery Type: 3 AAA – Dimensions Flashlight Mode: 1.3 x 4 – Dimesnions Lantern Mode: 1.3 x 5 – Weight with batteries: 3.9 oz. – Regulated Circuit: Yes – IPX Rating: 4