Rechargeable Camping Lantern: Tall Solar or Small Hanging Lamp

Fumbling for the Torch Every Time you Need Something in the Tent?

A head torch is great for walking, but it's no good for lighting the whole tent, the camp table or the inside of the van while everyone's eating. You want a light you can hang up and forget about, that charges itself during the day.

This listing has two lamps. The Tall Solar Lantern has a solar panel round its top, a wire hook, a battery gauge and side panels that fold out to throw light wider, and it can top up a phone from its USB port. The Small Lamp is a compact round lamp with an orange carabiner handle and its own USB port, for clipping inside a tent or onto a pack.

What it Does

• Lights the Whole Tent: hang it from the roof loop and everyone can see what they're doing.
• Camp Table & Camp Kitchen: sit it in the middle for tea, or hang it over the cooking.
• Power Cuts at Home: a hanging light for the kitchen while the power's out.
• Phone Top-Up: the tall lantern can charge a phone from its USB port, shown in the maker's photo.
• Topped Up by the Sun: leave the tall lantern on the camp table in the sun between uses.

Key Features

• Two Lamps to Choose from: the Tall Solar Lantern ($53.95) or the Small Lamp with an orange handle ($33.95).
• Solar & USB Charging (Tall Lantern): a solar panel round the top, plus Micro USB charging; cable included.
• Fold-Out Side Panels (Tall Lantern): the side panels swing out to spread the light wider.
• Battery Gauge (Tall Lantern): four indicator lights show 25, 50, 75 and 100 per cent.
• Six Light Modes (Tall Lantern): by the maker's description: side panels high and low, main light high and low, all on, and a flashing mode.

Limits

Solar is a Top-Up, Not the Main Charge. The maker says a full charge takes 2 to 3 days of sun; on USB it gives two figures, 2 to 3 hours in one place and 4 to 6 in another. Charge it on USB before a trip.

Run Time & Brightness: Not Printed. The maker's own figures disagree (500 lumens in one place, 1,000 in another; 5.5 to 10 hours in one place, 8 to 12 in another). We'd rather tell you that than print a number we can't stand behind.

Rain, Not a Swim. The maker gives three different water ratings, so we don't claim one. Keep it out of puddles and don't leave it standing in the rain.

The Small Lamp Has Almost No Specs. The maker gives no brightness, battery or run-time figures for it, so we can't either. What you see in its photo is what we know: a round lamp, an orange carabiner handle, a USB output port and a charging cable.

No Wall Plug in the Box. Charge from a phone charger, a power bank or a car USB port.

Q & A

Which One Should I Get?

The Tall Solar Lantern if you want a main light for the tent or camp table that can top itself up in the sun. The Small Lamp if you want something compact to clip inside a small tent or onto a pack.

Can it Charge my Phone?

The maker shows the tall lantern charging a phone from its USB port. It's a top-up for an emergency, not a power bank for the whole trip.

How Big is the Tall Lantern?

About 8 cm across and 13 cm long, and about 275 g, by the maker's figures.

How Long does Delivery Take?

Free Standard Delivery. Allow 5 to 10 working days from the day you order. Allow 1–2 days for fulfilment. Regional and remote addresses can take longer. Ordering from outside Australia? Import duty and tax on arrival are yours to pay.

Specs