Lanterns for basic camping/power outages

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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I'm looking to get a good lantern, with high lumens/output and long run time. I've seen a few of the Walmart brands that looked good, high lumen output but I don't know what to get. I'd prefer one that runs on D batteries, but 18650s are fine too (do they even make any lanterns that take 18650?).

Camping pics welcomed, thanks.
 
If I am looking for fairly high light output, I use a Coleman CPX 6 (square lantern shape) which uses 4 D sized batteries. I have two of the folding Weather ready Energizer two led tube lanterns (smaller than Coleman) that work well too. I would stick to the name brands myself. These lanterns have adjustable settings from "night light" to a highest bright setting . The Coleman is the most expensive and I prefer it. I believe the Energizer uses D sized batteries. The larger batteries are more efficient and have a long run time especially using LED technology. (Corrected battery size to 'D' on the Eveready brand lantern.) Works just fine and runs $20-$25. Batteries will last a long time. The Coleman ran closer to $50.

I still have some candles that are now stored away from easy use. I had a fire with one and pretty much yanked all the candles from any kind of general use. They now reside in a box in my garage. There are quite a few... large to small.

The oil lamps work also.

My wife likes the fact that we have these battery operated lanterns available for home use. They were originally purchased for me to use for work where I might be spending time in a dark place in a house (often with no electricity) working on taking HVAC panels off or duct runs. Used to use flashlights but I grew tired of forgetting them or loosing them buried in insulation in some attic. I still use flashlights and will have the flashlight (handheld, head or hat mounted etc.) there for more detailed looking rather than as a general light. It depends on the situation as to what I choose to use like most things. I am not really hung up on the quest for these eye burning ultra bright flashlights like some. 200 seems to be a pretty comfortable light output for general use for me.

Added: All that said, I had my house wired correctly by an electrician to plug my generator into the house for emergency use. So, I guess you could say I have multiple layers of protection in terms of emergency lighting at home. These battery operated lanterns also work very well for car camping.
 
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Check out the Streamlight Siege. I have the D battery version and it a great lantern.
 
It's not super high output, but I just picked up a Luci light 2 by Mpowered, and I think i'ts pretty neat.
 
Fenix make one that is 650 lumens. I am going to get one when one of the online retailers has a sale. It should be a very well made and engineered lantern. Fenix makes some great lights.
 
Not a lantern per se but we have the Goal Zero set up for camping and the little LED light bar that plugs into the battery pack will light up the living room very well. The whole set up is about the size of an Altoids tin. I also have used the compact Black Diamond lanterns near the bed roll and they work well enough as a personal light but they don't really serve as a group size light IMHO. You may want to expand your lantern search into the hardware section with some of the battery and rechargeable work lights found there. I don't recall the brand but just yesteryear I saw a nice robust but compact work lamp at Costco that would work great around camp.
 
I would look at the selection of battery operated lanterns at Sams Club or Costco (if you have a membership), Walmart, and Bass Pro/Cabelas (knowing they tend to charge near retail) and then make some decisions about what to buy and use. I suspect you're looking more for something for general home use or car camping versus some tiny ultra bright beastie that burns AAA batteries. Because that's the kind of outdoor activities you do. If you have the funds, it would be nice to have a compact lantern that you can easily place in your car and carry around for emergencies; even changing a tire it's nice to have a good general light source rather than limited to a flashlight. The Ever Ready Energizer folding lanterns that I first bought for this purpose work just fine around the house, in your car, or car camping. Inexpensive too. Bought a second I liked it so much. Been using them for about 5 years now. I probably need to check the batteries as they are still probably have the original set of batteries for each. Power usage is very low with LEDs and they are rated for something like 75 hrs of continuous use. That is a long time.
 
Check out the Ray o Vac Sportsman. 240 lumens, runs on 3 D batteries. I have 3 for camping and power outages.
 
I haven't had a coleman lantern for years, and I used to collect the old ones. I came across a couple on KIJIJI a few weeks ago while looking for old marbles, as I collect them. One lantern was 20 bucks, and another smaller version was 10. Both are supposed to work and are easy to fix if not. I was amazed at how cheaply some folks are willing to dump old camping gear. I'll probably pick the bigger unit up if the time works out.
 
Magellan Outdoors Stainless Steel LED Lantern purchased at Academy Sports for $35 (?) I bought two of them a few years ago.
Features: high power Samsung cool white LED / frosted optics provide bright and soft tone illumination / four position switch - high, medium, low, off
Stainless steel housing with brushed antique copper trim / oversized handle for comfortable grip / requires 4 - D batteries / 195 lumens rated for 100 hours run time.
Made in China

I use them during power outages, and a few weeks ago when Hurricane Hermine came by for a visit.
 
If you're still looking, check out the Ray-O-Vac Indestructable series lanterns. I got one from the local HD big box store, then went back and got another. The headlamps are pretty good too, have two of those as well.
 
easiest answer is to look for an LED lantern. There are a number of brands, all preform well.
 
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