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hollohas's review of an LED lantern got me thinking....(http://www.ar-15.co/threads/99197-LED-Lantern-Review)
While I'm intrigued enough about that one to probably buy one on my next trip to Costco, I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with any of the solar lanterns on the market these days? Something like this. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0087C6WO6?psc=1
Let me know what you've seen or tried.
Most of the ones I've seen cater to the low-information but emotional (aka Democrat) consumer. Look at the ridiculous lumen output on this junk (can't tell that particular item since Amazon doesn't show lumens but you can extrapolate from the fact that it has a max of 7 LEDs driven by 2 AA batteries).
If you're serious about wanting a solution in the case of emergency and are worried about being able to access liquid fuel for traditional Coleman lanterns then get yourself a solid 20-60 W solar panel that is able to recharge a Li-Ion battery pack and use that with an AC/DC battery charger and rechargeable NiMH or alkaline batteries. I bought a 19W solar panel four years that fits inside a small suitcase or medium duffel bag. I can use it to recharge my phone, tablet, and AA/AAA batteries without any problems. I can use those batteries to power my headlamp or several camping lanterns although those are much less capable than my dual-fuel Coleman lanterns.
I bought my panel as replacement equipment from Voltaic Systems but there are a lot of other options in roughly the same size these days.
If you want to be cheap get the $4 stake in the ground lights. Good for navigation in a dark house.
The self contained cheap ones are crappy.
Get the lantern in the link. Rechargeable batteries and solaaar charger.
Good insight in the replies so far, thanks guys. I know the lumens of most I've seen are low, but I'd actually rather they be dim in the first place, so not that big of a concern to me.
I do have two solar panels, totaling 30w, paired with their own batteries or chained together to charge one nearly twice as fast. Rechargeable batteries are a good idea that I've had for years, but the ones I have now don't last very long anymore.... they seem to lose their effectiveness over time. I've been meaning to buy new ones, so thanks for the reminder.