varuscelli
Flashlight Enthusiast
Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme LED Lantern (3xD Batteries). Price paid: Approx. $20.
Sylvania Mini LED Lantern (4xAA Batteries). Price paid: Approx. $13.
Energizer Weather Ready LED Room Light (4xD Batteries). Price paid: Approx. $20.
Sylvania Mini LED Lantern (4xAA Batteries). Price paid: Approx. $13.
Energizer Weather Ready LED Room Light (4xD Batteries). Price paid: Approx. $20.
While waiting to see if Hurricane Gustav was going to head our way, I had some time to familiarize myself with these three LED lanterns that I had recently acquired (primarily for emergency use). I bought two of each of these lanterns, one set for my home and one set for my parents' home.
I haven't really done a technical review, but I did take quite a few photos and wrote comments based on my brief familiarization time. I also did room shots with each lantern at night and wrote down my initial thoughts on the pros and cons of each.
For the time being, I have placed my "review" (if I can really call it that) on my website on the following page:
LED Lanterns for Emergency Use
Here are a few photos, and I'll let those provide most of their own "visual description" for the moment. Larger photo versions can be seen via the link, above, as well as many more views of each lantern, along with my commentary. I'm debating on whether I should copy the entire review over to CPF, but I could possibly do that after I've rounded it out a little better.
The lanterns as packaged.
Batteries/battery compartments.
Side by side view.
A larger view of each.
Indoor night shots -- all shots done with a Canon 1D Mark II and 14mm f/2.8L lens (lens set at f/2.8 with 1/4 second camera shutter speed at ISO 400). Room has white ceiling, but dark walls that aren't going to bounce light as well as many room walls might (so the room has a slightly darker look largely due to the wall color).
Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme LED Lantern
Energizer Weather Ready LED Lantern (with lantern head in "up" position)
Sylvania Mini LED Lantern
Pros, Cons, and Remarks Based on My Brief Comparison
Rayovac Sportsman Xtreme LED Lantern (3xD Batteries)
Pros: Seems to be the brightest of the bunch. Good light thrown 360 degrees. Second longest runtime of the three, stated by manufacturer in the 150 hour range (not tested by me). Is water resistant. Has hook built in to bottom of light for hanging so it can be easily hung upside down in a tent or otherwise above eye level (base detaches from top of lantern to produce a lightbulb effect when hung by hook). Has a tiny, blinking "find me" light (EZ-Find Light) that blinks every five seconds when lantern is off so that it can be easily found in the dark.
Cons: Base of lantern is awkward to attach after inserting batteries. There's probably some easy trick to it (or maybe a fix), but the free spinning disk in the base that has the battery contact points and alignment slots spins a little too freely, making base alignment and attachment somewhat of a challenge. It is way too easy for the alignment slots to spin out of position while attempting to attach the base.
Remarks: This would be a solid choice for a small camping lantern, tent lantern, household lantern, emergency lantern, etc. Light seems perhaps a bit harsh compared to the Energizer when you glance toward the lantern (perhaps the diffuser size and material make the light source seem a bit more intense, or maybe it's just plain brighter by enough margin to notice the difference).
Energizer Weather Ready LED Room Light (4xD Batteries)
Pros: Has longest stated runtime of the three as stated by manufacturer in the 245 hour range (not tested by me). Very versatile in positioning options and can cover either 180 or 360 degrees depending on head position. Has a built-in nightlight. Is relatively easy on the eyes. Batteries are easy to install.
Cons: Light not as bright or evenly dispersed as the Rayovac. It is a little to the bulky side and somewhat awkward in its fully swung-up position.
Remarks: Even if not as bright as the Rayovac, the Energizer would be a very good choice for an emergency lantern, especially with its long runtime. Uses eight LEDs for main light and one amber LED for nightlight. Perceived difference in light intensity between high and low settings is minimal, almost to the extent that I wonder why there are two settings. The low should have been made much lower.
Sylvania Mini LED Lantern (4xAA Batteries)
Pros: Is small, convenient, and solidly built. Has retractable feet for storage and stability. There is a good deal of difference between the high and low settings, which I count as a real plus (stated as 100 percent and 25 percent settings).
Cons: Probably not really bright enough for consideration as a high-level emergency light, but would be a heck of a lot better than having no light. It will get you by, but won't do much more than that because of limited light range and brightness. Would not be much of a task light unless the lantern was very close to the user. Shortest overall runtime of the three (not verified, but somewhere between 8 and 30 hours, perhaps? I had trouble finding solid answers to this.). Screw-in bottom battery cover will cut into the bottom edges of plastic coating on the batteries unless modified (threads must be cut or filed down a bit). If using disposable batteries, this is not a problem. For multi-use rechargeable batteries, it will scar the plastic coating upon each insertion and tightening of the base. Instructions for a fix can be found on the CandlePower Forums in this thread: Sylvania/Osram Mini 4AA Lantern Upgrade
Remarks: This would make a nice convenience lantern for certain types of home use (for instance, as a bedside light) and a decent (if not overly bright) tent light. Despite some of the cons, this is a neat little lantern with a good deal of "cool/fun" factor (just ask my 6-year-old daughter, who has claimed it as hers). I like it, too, despite its forgivable weaknesses. And how much can you ask of a $13 lantern?
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