Coleman 4 x Cree Lantern

[adirondackdestroyer]

Thank you! Very nice lantern "shootout." Man, that thing is bright. How is the rotary switch? Are there firm detents between each stage, or, is it a smooth-turning dial? It was hard to tell in the video, but which is whiter, which is bluer?

Thanks, I'm glad you like it. The rotary switch is smooth ( no detents at all), and to be honest I wish there were.
The 4x Cree lantern is the whitest lantern I've ever seen, makes my 2x Cree lantern look blue in comparison.

 

[KingSmono]

I finally got around to doing a short video review. Here it is:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eN7jMKTZ4UE

Great review! Thanks for taking the time to do it. I have the 4xCree lantern, and I agree that I wish the "ultra-low" setting was a little lower... and the top 3 brightness settings are all so close that I don't think I'll ever use it on level 7 because IMHO the huge extra drain on the batteries just isn't worth the marginal increase in brightness.

 

[Lightcrazycanuck]

Great Review,thanks for doing it.

I really like the coleman.lots bright enough for camping.Going to pick one up.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Has anyone modded these with an SLA or Ni-Mh pack yet? I was thinking one of these four options would work, but was not sure which was the best idea:

1) Use AccuEvolutions LSD D cells rated at 10aH

Pros:

-highest capacity solution, with 20aH of capacity (four series, two parallel)
-the battery size the light was designed for

Cons:

-most expensive at $10 a cell from cheapest source ($80 total)
-eight cells to keep track of is a lot

2) Use this 6v 10ah Ni-Mh pack here

Pros:

-less expensive option than LSD D cells at $70
-one pack to charge = much easier to maintain/keep track of (1) battery

Cons:

-need to buy a charger for it
-half the capacity @10aH vs. 20aH of LSD D cells
-not LSD cells, so capacity will fall when the lantern is in storage


3) Use this 6v 8.2aH SLA battery here

Pros:

-dramatically less cost at $23
-one pack to charge = much easier to maintain/keep track of (1) battery

Cons:

-need to buy a charger for it
-only 8.2aH vs. 20aH of the LSD D cells (less than half capacity)
-some self-discharge
-box shape = not sure if pack will fit in lantern

4) Use this 6v 12aH battery here

Pros:

-dramatically less cost at $25
-one pack to charge = much easier to maintain/keep track of (1) battery

Cons:

-need to buy a charger for it
-only 12aH vs. 20Ah of the LSD D cells
-some self-discharge
-box shape = not sure if pack will fit in lantern

What do you guys think? Which of these is best in your opinion? What else is out there that I missed?

 

[DaMeatMan]

Can anyone comment on what aproximate runtime would be at each of the various different levels available on this Lantern? I'm debating between the versatility of the Coleman Quad lantern with 4 removable independent sections, or the above mentioned Coleman 4 x Cree.

Also, has anyone done a side by side comparison of these two specific lanterns? I would imagine that the 4 x Cree would offer similar light output at power level 2 or 3?

Thanks in advance guy's.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

adirondack's aweseome video review was all over this lantern (very helpful/accurate). I received mine yesterday, and a few quick "in person" comments are in order:

-the LEDs are white as snow. No hint of blue at all. That being said, I think they would be better if they were 5B...

-the dial really does need some clicks. It just glides along as you select the different resistor banks.

-adirondack is totally right: this light has the nicest, most artifact-free beam I've ever seen from a lantern. Truly flawless. I wonder what the OTF (Out the Side?) lumen penalty is, though.

-the build quality, I am sorry to say, stinks. With my Favourlight, I feel a sense of security that if I dropped it it might survive, and that it would do just fine in a pouring rain. I do *not* get the same sense of confidence from the Coleman. The plastic base is very, very cheaply made, and feels almost brittle. No o-rings in sight down there! I get the impression that if dropped with eight meaty LSD D cells inside, the thing would just crack right along the bottom. Bad Coleman!

-it is bright, and it is dim. I believe the variable brightness will prove very handy on max when I need a worklight outside or in the garage, and the lower settings will be terrific for anything and everything else. The third setting is great to eat by, and should give gobs of runtime at its measured current draw (see higher in the thread).

LEDAdd1ct

 

[LEDrechargeman]

-the build quality, I am sorry to say, stinks. With my Favourlight, I feel a sense of security that if I dropped it it might survive, and that it would do just fine in a pouring rain. I do *not* get the same sense of confidence from the Coleman. The plastic base is very, very cheaply made, and feels almost brittle. No o-rings in sight down there! I get the impression that if dropped with eight meaty LSD D cells inside, the thing would just crack right along the bottom. Bad Coleman!

LEDAdd1ct

I'm disappointed to hear that Coleman's quality is sub-optimal. Is there a lantern with similar lumen output that is built to stand the test of time? Thanks

 

[Lightcrazycanuck]

adirondack's aweseome video review was all over this lantern (very helpful/accurate). I received mine yesterday, and a few quick "in person" comments are in order:

-the LEDs are white as snow. No hint of blue at all. That being said, I think they would be better if they were 5B...

-the dial really does need some clicks. It just glides along as you select the different resistor banks.

-adirondack is totally right: this light has the nicest, most artifact-free beam I've ever seen from a lantern. Truly flawless. I wonder what the OTF (Out the Side?) lumen penalty is, though.

-the build quality, I am sorry to say, stinks. With my Favourlight, I feel a sense of security that if I dropped it it might survive, and that it would do just fine in a pouring rain. I do *not* get the same sense of confidence from the Coleman. The plastic base is very, very cheaply made, and feels almost brittle. No o-rings in sight down there! I get the impression that if dropped with eight meaty LSD D cells inside, the thing would just crack right along the bottom. Bad Coleman!

-it is bright, and it is dim. I believe the variable brightness will prove very handy on max when I need a worklight outside or in the garage, and the lower settings will be terrific for anything and everything else. The third setting is great to eat by, and should give gobs of runtime at its measured current draw (see higher in the thread).

LEDAdd1ct

+1 on being cheaply made.Took mine back because of it.Other than the build quality Coleman has done a good job with this lamp.Maybe in the future they will get it right.

 

[mpteach]

Is variable brightness the only advantage over the fluorescent lanterns? Are there any better brands of lantern than coleman?

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Many are fond of the Favourlight models...check out my thread for more information. Coleman has been around a long time; just don't confuse their current build quality with what "once was..."

 

[mpteach]

So what would be the advangtages of the 4x cree coleman lantern over say a rayovac 8d flourescent sportman lantern?

 

[Lightcrazycanuck]

Many are fond of the Favourlight models...check out my thread for more information. Coleman has been around a long time; just don't confuse their current build quality with what "once was..."

You mean build quality like this?

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

Yep, build quality like that!

;-)