LEDrechargeman
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2009
- Messages
- 25
Hello Lynx_Arc,no such thing. LED lanterns are not super bright.... yet. the brightest electric lantern is probably 15-18watt fluorescent and the gas/propane lanterns are as bright to over twice as bright as they are. I would estimate the output as follows:
gas/propane 600-2000 lumens
flourescent 400-1000 lumens
LED (non 5mm) 60-600 lumens
LED (5mm) 1-20 lumens.
I would say a lantern with about 6 hard driven cree emitters could be up there but nobody makes one and runtime and batteries could be an issue as when you drive crees hard the efficiency drops using up the batteries faster.
I've considered the following:
- Rayovac Sporstman 8D Area Lantern 18-watt fluorescent U-tube, Lumens & run time not listed
- GE SteelBEAM Fluorescent/LED Hybrid Lantern, 16 Hour Battery Life, Extended Battery Life When in LED Mode, fluorescent Bulb wattage - not listed
- Coleman 8D Classic Lantern, 13-watt, 395 lumens on high, Run time: 28 hours on low, 17 hours on high
- Coleman 8D Square Pack-Away® Full Size Lantern,15-watt fluorescent spiral U-tube, 390 lumens on high, Run time: 24 hours on high, 12 hours on low
- Coleman Retro Rechargeable Full-Size Lantern, 11-watt spiral fluorescent tube, 280 Lumens on high, Run time: 9 hours on low, 6 hours on high
Which fluorescent lantern provides the best overall balance among the following criteria?
- Provides even room illumination during a residential power failure
- Maximum brightness
- Maximum run time
- Pleasing, not harsh or unnatural, light quality
- Durable / reliable - Able to stand the test of time
- Availability of parts / replacement bulbs