Finding a LED Camp area Light

[Mitchell Keil]

OK here is a request for all you gear hounds out there. I have been trying to find a LED based camp light that throws as much area light as the Excursion lantern which weighs in at 9 oz fully loaded with fuel. I want to find something that is lighter and will burn for at least the same 8 hours of run time I get from my Excursion. Boy, has this one been hard to find. I like to have area light when I can’t build a fire. My Tika is nice for reading but ultimately a sad little light that only illuminates the area right around me, and when you are solo, its nice to have some area light.
Any suggestions?

[paul johnson]

No experience with the Excursion lantern, so I can’t compare. Any numbers on its light output in terms of intensity?

I’m only familiar with a little LED lantern from Brunton, you might want to take a look at it.

Here’s a link to it

It’s tiny and prob. won’t match the o.p. of you Excursion lantern. It does have a very long run time however.

I’ve affixed easily removable Al foil to 180″ of the lamp circumference to shield my eyes from the direct light. Depending upon where/how it’s being used, I may choose to leave the foil on, or take it off.

Here’s another one that I’ve just come across searching the web. It looks like it uses a Tektite/C.Crane 2LED flashlight. It might be adaptable for your purposes.

Tektite LED Lamp

Here’s another from Campmor – might be brighter than the first one since it uses more LEDs??? However, it’s priced lower, so may not be.

4LED lantern

[Mitchell Keil]

Thanks, Paul. The second recommendation of yours seems to be about what I am looking for. And of course the price is right! Can’t tell you how many false starts I have had buying what look like great, lightweight area lights only to find that they are really anaenemic in light output. The excursion is a great little lantern throwing about 10 candlepower but requires iso butane fuel, is cold susceptible and has a mantle. All things that can go wrong in the wilds. That is why I have been looking for something lighter and less prone to trouble. This 4 LED lamp may be the ticket. Thanks again.

Just a note to add: Did you notice that the Brunton and the 4LED look identical except for the Brunton Logo? What’s up with that?

[paul johnson]

Mitchell,

I looked at them more after “posting”. They certainly appear very similar – perhaps identical. I’ll have to check mine again & see how many LEDs it has. It’s used here at home for power outages (we don’t get very many & so I haven’t used it in quite a while). It has two settings – lo & hi. It’s quite bright, but doesn’t “throw” light very far – it’s good for 10′ to 15′ or so. My recollection of its single use is not real clear in my mind. That may be all you need to light up a shelter or the area around a campchair.

You meant the third link right? That’s the cheapest one.

Good luck,
pj

[Paul Weiss]

Try the River Rock LED Lantern. Nichia Jupiter high output LEDs (a competitor for Luxeon), under $20, regulated,8 hrs to 50%.

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