400 lumen 4 1 watt Nichia LED lantern

[NickBose]

I want to get the Coleman Twin LED performance lantern (580 lumen) but no way I can get it anywhere in Australia or on the web that ship to Australia.

The closest thing here is this Kathmandu 400 lumen led lantern which retails at the (usual) throat cutting price of A$115 (US$100). It uses SLA battery though

- Has anyone used that lantern? Is it noticeable brighter than this so-called Rayovac and does it worth the triple price?

- Where can I get the Coleman Twin LED performance lantern shipped to Australia?


This is the 400 lumen Nichia lantern that I think has never been posted on CPF before. It has smooth dimming control for 100% - 10% brightness and SOS strobe mode too. From the look, it must be made by the same Chinese manufacturer of the so-called Rayovac

[csshih]

a 400 lumen lantern for 100? doesn't seem too expensive to me.

I wonder what Nichia LEDs that thing uses.. Nichia doesn't have too many 1 Watt LEDs.

perhaps a 083? (I can hope, can't I?)

[LEDAdd1ct]

*puts on information-digging gloves and information-digging hat*

...will report on this one later with whatever I can find...

[LEDAdd1ct]

I want to get the Coleman Twin LED performance lantern (580 lumen) but no way I can get it anywhere in Australia or on the web that ship to Australia.

Although I am happy to do research for the benefit of CPF on a particular lantern model, before I go any further:

If you are indeed committed to purchasing the Coleman Twin LED High Performance lantern, why not do just that?

A little checking shows Bass Pro Shops is happy to serve those Down Under:

1) Link to item found here

2) Add to cart

3) Choose shipping to your country/home

4) Problems? Contact them here

Enjoy!

[NickBose]

Although I am happy to do research for the benefit of CPF on a particular lantern model, before I go any further:

If you are indeed committed to purchasing the Coleman Twin LED High Performance lantern, why not do just that?

Indeed I did chat to one of them in Basspro. Their shipping is quite reasonable I reckon. The only thing kept me from buying is the lack of Paypal. I don't deal with any merchants who do not offer Paypal or Google payment

Some further comments:

- I think the Coleman 580 lumen must be significantly brighter than the Favourlight 400 lumen
- But I'm not sure if that's the case between the 400 lumen and the 300 lumen Favourlight models which I have 2 of the latter
- Also I prefer D cells to SLA battery as I don't use the lanterns regularly. On Favourlight site, the 400 lumen model actually uses 6 D cell, not SLA as in the 400 lumen Kathmandu version

[LEDAdd1ct]

Sorry to hear that. The Coleman is very bright, but it doesn't get my highest recommendations due to build quality.

What do you think you will do?

[NickBose]

I have submitted a product request to DealExtreme. Hopefully DX can get that Favourlight at a good price.

I also asked Favourlight directly but received no response yet.

Unless the price difference is considerable, I want to get the Coleman 580. So the search goes on ...

[SemiMan]

Indeed I did chat to one of them in Basspro. Their shipping is quite reasonable I reckon. The only thing kept me from buying is the lack of Paypal. I don't deal with any merchants who do not offer Paypal or Google payment

Some further comments:

- I think the Coleman 580 lumen must be significantly brighter than the Favourlight 400 lumen
- But I'm not sure if that's the case between the 400 lumen and the 300 lumen Favourlight models which I have 2 of the latter
- Also I prefer D cells to SLA battery as I don't use the lanterns regularly. On Favourlight site, the 400 lumen model actually uses 6 D cell, not SLA as in the 400 lumen Kathmandu version

Why would a very large company waste money on a middle man like Paypal or Google Payment?

[LEDAdd1ct]

NickBose, PM sent.

[adirondackdestroyer]

I've never seen that lantern before, but I do have the 300 lumen 3D Rayovac model which looks to be very similar to it, and I also have the 580 lumen 8D Coleman model you are looking at as well.

The Coleman is much brighter than the Rayovac, but it is also much heavier and larger as well. I also don't think it is as sturdy as the Rayovac either, as the build quality feels a little cheaper.

[NickBose]

Why would a very large company waste money on a middle man like Paypal or Google Payment?

Isn't it obvious: Because people don't want their credit card details littering all over the web, in hundreds of "very large company" databases. We all would rather trust that information to a few colossal / humongous companies instead.

[Zook2001]

I was looking at the 300 lumen Spinifex Polaris at Anaconda,s ame lamp? the price seems reason able by ozi standards it quite well constructed I would imagine close to waterproof.

http://www.spinifexcamping.com.au/in...emart&Itemid=1

[NickBose]

I was looking at the 300 lumen Spinifex Polaris at Anaconda,s ame lamp? the price seems reason able by ozi standards it quite well constructed I would imagine close to waterproof.

http://www.spinifexcamping.com.au/in...emart&Itemid=1

I reckon this is exactly the same 3xD Favourlight (aka Rayovac). Last Christmas sale season I got half a dozen of them at about A$24 each in Kathmandu in Melbourne Highpoint.

[NickBose]

Due to the Easter sales, I could grab 2 of the 400 lumen Favourlights from Kathmandu Highpoint (Melbourne, Australia) at A$60 each. The lights are rebadged as Basecamp light.

Here are my thoughts followed by photos

- Same solid build quality as the famous 300 lumen version
- Adjustable brightness from full 400 lumen to 10%, very useful when you don't need much light and want to prolong battery life (the 2 levels on the 300 lumen version are not this useful)
- Same excellent battery life, rated at 120 hrs at full brightness
- Came with remote control which has a built-in LED light too
- Both main lantern and the remote-LED have SOS mode
- Remote function is only activated when you need it. The switch will glow (soft blue) to indicate the lantern is in infrared receptive mode. This prevent parasitic drain on the batteries.
- The tradeoff is a larger size, heavier weight and the number of cells that you need to put in - 6 Ds cells
- The only bad thing in my opinion is the included hook. I could not find a way to hook it to the base of the lantern for up-side-down mode. It's totally useless.

Overall I like this lantern. I just wish that it is brighter even if that means a shorter battery life (say 48hrs is more than enough for me). It is noticeably brighter than the 300 lumen lamp but not very, very much brighter.

(The photos of the 2 lamps at brightest mode are not what they're like in real life. My camera is not good enough to show the difference)

Photos

This is the useless hook in the package


Info on package




Nice handle


The remote with built-in LED light, using 2 AAA (supplied)


The useless hook again.


4 Nichia LEDs


With its little brother


The other side. No printing on the diffuser base like the 300 lumen version


Remote-receptive mode


Lowest mode (10%)


Lowest mode on the 300 lumen version


Brightest 400 lumen (manufacturer rated) mode


Brightest mode on 300 lumen version


Battery compartment, similar design to 300 lumen version

[LEDAdd1ct]

Fantastic, absolutely fantastic beamshots and writeup on the 400 lumen Favourlight model. Thank you for the info! We need the warm white version of this made widely available for purchase!

[xiejol]

I own two of the 300-lumen Rayovak models (bought from Lowes, $25) and love them. I just found the 400-lumen at sportsmansguide.com. I won't post a direct link, but search for item #WX2-190435 and it should bring up a page with both models.

I've been looking for a US supplier of the 400-lumen model, but I can get two 300-lumen lanterns for the price of one 400. Maybe I will find it cheaper someday...

[NickBose]

We need the warm white version of this made widely available for purchase!

I apologize if there is a confusion about the tint. The two versions 300 and 400 lumen actually has the same tint. I don't know why my camera made the 400 lumen looked warmer

but I can get two 300-lumen lanterns for the price of one 400. ...

I totally agree about the price, but on the plus side: you get variable brightness down to 10%, remote control, and no parasitic drain with the 400 lumen one.

About total light output: I will test it out to see if the 400 lumen light give the impression of the same "brightness" to 2 of the 300 lumen lights

[Rod911]

Battery compartment, similar design to 300 lumen version

I'm slightly confused with the above picture. I'm guessing the one on the right is the 300 lumen model?

I bought my 300 lumen model from Kathmandu as well and it is powered by 3 "D" sized cells. The picture you posted above looks like it's powered by 6 "C" sized cells.

Also, is it possible to dismantle your lantern and get to the LED? I'm thinking that because the 300 lumen model's LED looks like this:



...your 400 lumen model would look something similar, but with 4 LEDs instead of 3 to get up to the 400 lumen rating.

You're in Melbourne as well, right? It'd be interesting if we can do a CBD meet up and do a lantern face-off with my modded lantern up against the 400 lumen model. But I think we'd get odd looks from everyone else.

[LEDAdd1ct]

We need the warm white version of this made widely available for purchase!

I apologize if there is a confusion about the tint. The two versions 300 and 400 lumen actually has the same tint. I don't know why my camera made the 400 lumen looked warmer

Nope, your pictures are just fine. :-) I was referring to being able to purchase this fellow here in the U.S., the warm white companion to the 400 lumen remote controlled model which this thread concerns.

Link One

Link Two

Strictly Informational Link Three

[Turbo DV8]

I'm slightly confused with the above picture.

The picture on the right is the compartment, and the left picture is the compartment cover.

[NickBose]

The picture on the right is the compartment, and the left picture is the compartment cover.

That's right, on the R is the battery holder (6 x Ds) and on the L is the lid

[NickBose]

...your 400 lumen model would look something similar, but with 4 LEDs instead of 3 to get up to the 400 lumen rating.

You're in Melbourne as well, right? It'd be interesting if we can do a CBD meet up and do a lantern face-off with my modded lantern up against the 400 lumen model. But I think we'd get odd looks from everyone else.

Your mod looks great, making me wonder about putting an XML in, maybe the larger mass of the 400 lumen would help heat dissipation. What's your opinion?

A "face-off" is probably not a good idea, I once trade something with another guy in a CBD train station and in no time 2 men in uniform with gun approached to check "if everything is OK" (but of course they let us finished the business).

[CyberCT]

Your mod looks great, making me wonder about putting an XML in, maybe the larger mass of the 400 lumen would help heat dissipation. What's your opinion?

A "face-off" is probably not a good idea, I once trade something with another guy in a CBD train station and in no time 2 men in uniform with gun approached to check "if everything is OK" (but of course they let us finished the business).

My thought exactly! Or maybe a tripple XP-G2 warm white setup. Are all 6 D batteries run in a series? So that would be about 1.2v x 6 = 7.2v input. I wonder what driver to use with that high voltage input.