LED lanterns

I want to get a couple of LED lanterns, I like the features that the streamlight siege has but I would like something that runs off of AA, CR123s, or 18650s. Anyone been down this road already and have any suggestions.

How much light do you want and how large a lantern? NOTHING I know of in the LED or fluorescent tube lantern categories compares with the light output of a gas or propane Coleman mantle lantern or competitor. I keep a propane one in the house for use during power outages. I also have a 3D cell Rayovac lantern rated at about 200 Lumens IIRC that is useful but do not know of a CR123 or 18650 lantern. Most seem to be AA for small lanterns or D cell for the larger and more powerful ones. CR123s are expensive at normal retail and 18650 lights are flashlight hobbyist and specialty items. A higher power tail standing 18650 flashlight utilizing ceiling bounce for indoor light spread might provide what you want.

I run my Seige on 3xAA using the Eneloop D-AA adapters. I'm not aware of any lanterns that run on 18650 or CR123, unless you were to put a diffuser over the bezel of a Solarforce L2 or Surefire 6P.

I have the Siege myself.

You can find a number of lanterns that run on AAs - camping lanterns mostly, but they're out there.

I've never seen a traditional lantern that runs off cr123s, but you can buy the "lantern accessory kit" Solarforce offers. I haven't used one personally, but it fits on the end of your Solarforce light and turns it into a lantern.

cland72 said:

I run my Seige on 3xAA using the Eneloop D-AA adapters. I'm not aware of any lanterns that run on 18650 or CR123, unless you were to put a diffuser over the bezel of a Solarforce L2 or Surefire 6P.

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How much does this knock the output down? Or is it just less run time?

Tyler A said:

How much does this knock the output down? Or is it just less run time?

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Just less run time. Output is identical.

cland72 said:

Just less run time. Output is identical.

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Thank you I think that's the solution to my problem, I found a 4 pack of adapters on battery junction for 9.95

http://www.batteryjunction.com/titanium-3aa1d-par-adapter.html
These are a little more money, but I wouldn't these boost the runtime back up while still running AAs?

Yes, it would.

cland72 said:

Yes, it would.

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I am going to go ahead and get two siege lanterns and the adapters because I like everything I see about the siege except the D cells and I was not aware that these adapters existed. Thanks for the heads up. How do you like your siege? I plan to use them for power outages and camping

Sure thing, glad to help. I LOVE mine - I've owned several lanterns over the years, and this is my favorite. I'm sure you'll be happy.

I thought someone - modding custom - was making a small 1xCR123 type latern ?

I am looking for something smaller that the siege.

Coleman had a packaway lantern that ran on 123 cells.

Amazon is giving a 15% discount on the Streamlight Siege and Rayovac Sportsman lanterns if you use a Discover card to pay. If you have a Discover card, now is the time to buy these.

The 3AA to D cell adapters carried by Battery Junction are also available on ebay for a lot less. I got 10 of them for $23 including shipping from China. Of course maximum run time is from true D cell NiMH batteries with capacities in the 8000 to 10000 mAh range.

I'm going to push our own product here. Single 18650 lantern with 3 x Cree XB-D LED's that have a CRI of 3000K. Waterproof, 15 brightness settings, and no lame cycling through modes using the power button or anything foolish like that.