i just go to the big box stores and read the labels. i'm not so much into hundreds of lumens as longevity. i'm always after the longest run time on not more than 3 aa batteries. my need is mostly for small area lighting with small led lanterns. for handheld lights, i only buy the small single aa battery ones. so far i'm happy with my selections.

 

The aa lanterns are much smaller and lighter than d cell ones. None I have used are what I would call bright though, whatever type battery. You can rig a lantern by strapping a headlamp to a wate bottle to diffuse light.

 

Just bought two of the stream light sieges aa models. Got two shipped for about $50.
Really well made. Put one in my truck and the other in wife's ride. I have several other d cell led lanterns that live in the house. The aa sieges are small enough to travel with us and if we are home when there is a power outage they will be moved inside. Not as bright as their big brother(really like the one I have as well) but would be perfect for a bathroom or hallway. Very rugged lights.

McLOVIN

 

LED headlamps are the way to go. You can always use a headlamp as a handheld or a lantern, but vice versa is difficult.

They are also cheap.

If you absolutely need a lantern for a scenario, you cannot beat a propane lantern. Get a stick model that you can mount up on a grill tank and you can light a football field for days.

 

The UST lanterns seem like great lights, but I lean towards the Streamlight because they are very tough and take less batteries. Yes, they run for half the time, but in a longer term power outage my solar charger wouldn't have to recharge 6 AA batteries at a time. I could be wrong, but that's the way I'm thinking. It's the same reasons why I'm not in love with D cells. I have the AA to D adapter, but it would take 9 AA to work most.

 

I found a headband flashlight holder. It holds a cheapo AAA Dollar store flashlight on the side of my head, very useful.

Incredibly unflattering, but hey, my husband is blind... so he's probably laughing at me during the power outage anyway.

 

I found a headband flashlight holder. It holds a cheapo AAA Dollar store flashlight on the side of my head, very useful.

Incredibly unflattering, but hey, my husband is blind... so he's probably laughing at me during the power outage anyway.

LOL!

Doesn't having a flashlight strapped to your head feel a bit unwieldy?

 

That's one of the funniest things I've read in a while.

 

I honestly don't think you need to spend that much. A few years ago, I bought 5 LED lanterns on eBay. I don't remember the exact price, but they were around $5 each. We take several camping/hiking trips a year, and they have all held up remarkably well. They are clearly cheaply made, but that hasn't made a difference in their functionality. We use them for perimeter lighting.

They run on 4 AA, and run for en exceedingly long time on one set of batteries. Last year, we found one running in one of our camping bins while we were packing for a trip. It was pretty dull by that point, but we had packed that bin nearly two months prior, so it had been on for about 2 months and was still running. Now, mind you, we use top tier batteries in all of our camping stuff to avoid having to pack a bunch extra, but that's still pretty remarkable.

I guess my is is to just buy some cheap ones. The internal components mostly come from the same few factories in China, so all you're paying for usually is a brand and some external aesthetics.

 

I agree. I seen a story where it's popular in Japan to buy the outside LED pathway lights for emergencies. They make wooden holders to hold them for charging and sitting around. Several hanging from a makeshift candelabra will light up a room.

 

Ditto on the Luci's, we have 4 and really like them for cub scout / family camping.

We also have and use 3 of the Streamlights Seige's , and 3 of the Energizer Weatheready's, and also really like them, and they have stood up to use by the Cub Scouts for many camping trips. Battery life is great on both, with the Streamlight having a little brighter lite when compared AA to AA. When the Energizer is powered with the "D" batteries, it is brighter for longer

But, the fuel type lanterns offer far brighter light, than any of the LED lanterns we have (including the full size Colemans / Rayovac, that use 8 "D" batteries.)

 

I love the Luci and will be buying more, but I've also read some reviews where the solar panel goes after a few months.

This morning I bought the Streamlight AA for $28 on Amazon. We'll see how it does, but I like that it's waterproof and shock resistant. I also liked that it ran on the 3 AA instead of 6 AA or 3 D cells. My main concern is durability and having one that sucks every bit of juice possible out of what will be a limited commodity in an emergency.

I'm wondering if I should buy the Fenix CL20 as well or one of the Fenix AA headlamps next.

 

The Luci lanterns are great. I have two. After a while one began to fail and they exchanged it for a new one, no questions asked. I did have to return the old one to them once they shipped me the replacement.

Recommended!

 

The only problem with that is most are going into storage with my emergency preps. By the time I find out there is a problem I may not be able to exchange it.

 

Is anyone familiar with some of the other solar lanterns?

LuminAID

d.light

 

I have this, I wanted a more concentrated light. It is sturdy, there is video o f it being run over with a car. But not that bright, I imagine the lantern is even less so. Battery is not common but lasts 5 years. Ok but not buying another.

Amazon.com : d.light LED Solar Rechargeable #S2 Task Light : Patio, Lawn & Garden

 

Nice! Does that have any of the solar panel problems the Luci does where it stops taking a full charge after a few months?

 

No problems with the panel after several years. Much better and brighter than garden stake lights though panel is only a little bigger. The stake light also need to be in full sunlight, a little roof overhang reduces their light output even though they look to be in full light. The d.lite only has a four hour run time and I suspect I'll need to find a new oddball battery in a few years(five year life). Not that bright for such a short run time.

 

I like the Everready lanterns because they're cheap, on the low light setting they last over 2 weeks running continuously, on the high light setting it's about a week, there's 3 light settings, they run on either AA or D batteries, they come with AA batteries installed, they float, they're not heavy, they work in the rain (even torrential frog stranglers), they can sit on a flat surface, and they have a handle for hanging, carrying, or tethering.

 

I have the UST 10 day and 30 day lanterns. I'm very impressed with their build quality and their well thought out features. I sell at gun shows and originally bought these just to get a feel for the brand before I tried selling it. So far, I've liked most everything of theirs that I've tried (other than their 30 day flashlight). And their headlamp meets my needs better than any other I've found.

 

Which of their headlamps do you own? They seem to have a few.

 

Why doesn't anyone like "hand cranked" lanterns for emergency use?

 

Most of them kinda suck. They are either not heavy duty and the crank breaks after some use, or they use non standard batteries, or you have to crank your head off to get very little in return, etc.

I have several hand crank devices, going back to the original Baygen lights and radios from the 1990s. The Baygen concept is good. It winds up and releases power slowly. It still takes a lot of effort, but it works.

My newest hand crank lantern is from Goal Zero and I just hate it. The crank is hard to turn and you have to work at it for a long time to get a meaningful charge. It uses an oddball battery that is like an 18650, but shorter and fatter. And it's not waterproof.

Personally, I prefer one that can use standard rechargeable batteries. I can charge them from a solar charger and not have to crank for an hour every day.

I have a Kaito Voyager hand crank radio also. The crank is small and the handle attachment is going to be the weak point. Luckily it also has a small solar panel built in and uses AAs, so I can remove the batteries and charge them with a solar charger.

 

Like the Goal Zero? I've seen it, but I'm not sure how it is. I like the Energizer emergency crank flashlight a lot, but don't know of any lanterns outside of the Goal Zero.

 

Things with cheap moving parts break easy.

REI has this coleman lantern, I don't know how good it is, for half price today Thursday only. D cells or battery pack not included.

http://www.rei.com/outlet/deal-of-t...?cm_mmc=aff_AL-_-125847-_-151091-_-NA&avad=151091_d8e4a96e&avad=151091_d8e4a96e