LED Lantern Review

[hollohas]

I have been holding off on buying an LED lantern for the last couple years just because I haven't been impressed with any of them. I have an engineering degree in "Illumination" so I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to lighting.

Anyway, I recently saw one that I finally thought might actually be pretty good at Costco for $19.99 so I thought I'd give it a test. It was the "GE Chromalit 3D". And I'm very impressed.
This lantern caught my eye for a couple reasons.

A) The actual diodes are concealed, unlike most cheap LED anything that you can see each LED. (When you can see each LED, generally the light quality is going to suck) This lantern uses a technology called remote phosphor which allows the light to be emitted in a nearly perfect 360deg symmetrical fashion. It makes the light appear more like a traditional incandescent source.

B) 260 lumens on high. Not too shabby for a backup light. (regular 60w bulb is around 850 lumens)

C) The listed run time was 200 hours on low with 8 D-cell batteries. However it will also run on 4 batteries if you'd rather, which is another nice feature.

The light output is not as warm (Orange) as a 60w lamp but it doesn't appear blue either like many cheap LED things. It's a just a nice white. As soon as I got it home I installed 8 super-cheap Harbor Freight brand D batteries and fired it up. It has 4-modes, low-Med-High and off, by pressing the button one or more times. And high seems to me to be much more than the listed 260 lumens. More than enough to play a board game with the family during a power outage or read a book while camping. It also has a nifty handle that can break-open on one side so you can hang it on anything.

I got it on 4/3 and have left it running non-stop, on low output, with 8 batteries since then...234 HOURS! And only today did I start to notice the output diminish. Even though it's starting to run out of juice, it's still enough light to light my entire 1750sf basement with enough light to easily see most anything. Could you read a book? Maybe but your eyes won't enjoy it much, but it is still running.

I think this lantern is GREAT and I will be getting at least one more. For $19.99, I would highly recommend it if you're in the market for a back-up light source.

[SideShow Bob]

Nice review, thanks.
But having to add the fee for a COSTCO card, I will have to see if it can be found elsewhere.

[hollohas]

I used a picture from Amazon but didn't check the price...

[henpecked]

I bought 2 last year and they do work well

[Irving]

Also thought it was a great review.

[Sawin]

Looks like they're up to twice the price elsewhere. Amazon has 1 left w/ free shipping http://www.amazon.com/Chromalit-Supe.../dp/B007IIYL5C

Other sellers have them for similar prices and up, plus shipping.

[Omicron]

Great review. I'll be watching for them.

[ray1970]

I have an LED lantern I've used for a few years. One of the cheaper ones the OP was referring to. Not the brightest thing but lights up the interior of my tent plenty well and is still on the original four batteries I put it in when I got it.

[Great-Kazoo]

How about one of you costco guys pick up a few and offer them here. I'm not a costco member or do i live in the metro area {HINT} For anyone north of frogmont who shops there. I will drive down to hwy 119 / exit 240 off 25 for pick up. I'll take 2 if possible, cash in hand.