Area lighting lantern or mule for camping

Are there any production lights, or reasonable mod projects, that would meet my needs for a good area lighting camp light torch? Basically, a mule type handheld torch with decent efficiency and run time that could be hung from a tree branch would fit the bill. Three or four brightness levels, a recharging port and good CRI would all be pluses. But my non-negotiable requirement is an emitter with a very warm color temperature. I'm talking no higher than 3000K.

Nothing is worse to me around the campsite than seeing a garish white 5000K LED or fluorescent light blazing brightly. If there as an actual LED camp lantern that had a warm emitter, I'd be perfectly happy with that. But nothing I've seen commercially comes close.

In my tent I use a little Black Diamond Mobi ramping lantern, with Eneloops. I like it a lot for having just a little bit of light suspended from the tent ceiling to get in and rummage around before bed. It's probably a little bit cooler than you want but has a nice diffuser on it so it's not harsh at all.

For the outdoor campsite, even with all my fancy flashlights, honestly I still use an old Coleman propane lantern. It's cheap to run, infinitely variable, warm incan light, 360* light. You just can't beat a gas lantern on a picnic table to illuminate a campsite.

Get a light with the emitter you want and a diffuser for it. You can typically find 18650 lights that you can order with LED of your choice to a certain extent. You may not be able to get quite 3000k but closer to 3400 from what I have seen Lights like Convoy S2+ is a start maybe perhaps a nichia 219C LED would fit your bill. There are places that sell diffusers to fit on lights also.

nbp said:

For the outdoor campsite, even with all my fancy flashlights, honestly I still use an old Coleman propane lantern. It's cheap to run, infinitely variable, warm incan light, 360* light. You just can't beat a gas lantern on a picnic table to illuminate a campsite.

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Couldn't agree with you more about this, nbp. I knew going in that finding a torch that was able to compete with the good old fashioned Coleman lantern would be a tall order. But where better to issue such a challenge than right here at CPF?

The special edition lantern from Budget Light Forums - the BLF LT1 - is nice. Tint ramping and other neat features. Good for power outages, too, with its always on and slow-drain button.

Thinking outside the box, a diffuser on a handheld works pretty decent. Saves purchasing yet another light, saves space and multi-functional. Often you can find a a diffuser inexpensively or you can even DIY one.

I use Coleman lantern on the table and then diffused hand-held in various strategic location. Near tent, in tent, near storage etc.

Lemurian said:

The special edition lantern from Budget Light Forums - the BLF LT1 - is nice. Tint ramping and other neat features. Good for power outages, too, with its always on and slow-drain button.

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Thank you, sir. You win the prize. That is exactly what I was looking for.

This might not be bright enough for you, but I tested this one inside my living room in pitch-dark and they light up the whole room. It's more for a bug-out-bag because of the light weight, but it works for me.

LuminAid Titan solar inflatable lantern. Super light-weight, folds down real thin, and pretty bright.

Milwaukee 445 lumen Rover Rechargeable Pocket Floodlight. Milwaukee lights tend to be warm white and high cri. This light uses a proprietary 18650 cell. There's a cheaper $20 version that uses alkalines if you prefer that.

PaulPool89 said:

This might not be bright enough for you, but I tested this one inside my living room in pitch-dark and they light up the whole room. It's more for a bug-out-bag because of the light weight, but it works for me.

LuminAid Titan solar inflatable lantern. Super light-weight, folds down real thin, and pretty bright.

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Had two of the bigger USB rechargeable luminade lanterns die on me within 10 charges each. I don't trust them anymore. My Luci Lux Pro lantern hasn't failed me yet. I'd suggest getting the Luci Base lantern over the Luminade Titan.

Awesome USB lantern- https://www.goalzero.com/shop/lights/lighthouse-mini-lantern-core/