Dynamo Hand Crank Solar Powered Lantern - Battery-Operated or Rechargeable LED Light with Adjustable Settings for Camping by Whetstone (Black)

I've got several battery-powered lanterns, but they all have the same problem: batteries that never seem to last as long as the power outage. Plus the cost of the large, heavy lantern batteries has increased greatly and they are getting more difficult to find.This lantern avoids that problem of expensive, short-lived batteries with a couple of options to keep the lights on until your power comes back on or your camping trip is over.The lantern itself is attractive with a carrying handle and fold-away hook for hanging in a tent or overhead. The solar cell at the top of the unit is firmly attached and the handle for cranking the dynamo folds away into the base's side. I would advise caution when cranking as a too-energetic person could get carried away and over-do it; only a few quick turns are needed to power up the unit. The crank handle is plastic and could accidentally be broken off if not tucked back into its "docking station" when not in use for charging. The storage battery in the base gives the lantern enough weight so it won't be tipped over easily.The LED lights are controlled with a push button on-off switch on the top of the base. The lights have three lighting levels, illuminating the center four LEDs on each face of the center post on low, eight on each face on medium, and all 12 on each face when on high. Unlike the older lanterns that used incandescent bulbs, the LED bulbs stay cool, which can be an important feature when used in hot weather or around children who might bump into the lantern. The light emitted by the LEDs is bright white.The unit I received also had a housing at the bottom of the base for three AAA batteries for another method to power the lantern, though why anyone would opt for this when the solar and crank options are there is a mystery. No mention of using it with AAA batteries is made on the skimpy instruction sheet.My only complaint about the lantern, in fact, is the lack of clear instructions. There is one page of product information included with the lantern, but it is not very informative. There is a large photograph of the lantern with the major features pointed out, but the smaller photos are unclear with no detail or captions with explanations. The sheet points out the "USB Charging Socket" but does not specify whether it is used to charge the unit, as through a computer or adapter, or if it can be used to charge devices with USB cables. Upon seeing it, a neighbor immediately jumped to the conclusion that it was for charging the lantern via a computer. Based on the product description on Amazon, it is for charging devices after you have powered the lantern with the solar or dynamo option. Another user making the same mistake and plugging it into a computer could do some harm to either the lantern or the USB connector.Another disconnect between the information on the sheet and on the Amazon product description is the estimated life of the LEDs themselves. The online description claims 100,000 hours yet the instruction sheet claims "more than 10,000 hours." While taking this literally, 100,000 is more than 10,000 it is still a major discrepancy for the estimate.Highly recommended in spite of the poor instructions. If the manufacturer could do one thing to improve its product, it would be to re-do the instruction sheet with clearer photographs and more precise instructions and product information.

It is important to note that all reviews are subjective, in that ratings are a direct reflection on the user's expectations. I purchased two of these lanterns for use during occasions when the electrical grid goes down. My experience with these lanterns is they provide enough light, equivalent to little less than a 25Watt incandescent bulb, so I can move about safely in a 12" x 12" room. If your expectations are to experience a light source similar to two 60Watt incandescent light bulbs, then these lanterns are not for you. I doubt if any solar lanterns give out that much light. Anyway, upon receiving the lanterns, I solar charged them 9 hours over a two-day period. If charging in full sun without clouds, a 6-hour solar charge might have resulted in the same level of charge. I then charged the lanterns 1/2 hour 120V AC and cranked the handle for 15 seconds to make sure the lantern was functional. I placed the lanterns in a bathroom 7' x 7' with no windows (no other lighting). These lanterns have 3 settings of light intensity; I set one lantern to lowest level 1 and other lantern to level two (did not use highest level). Both lanterns provided about the same level of light intensity for at least 12 hours as it did when I first turned them on. After 18 hours the light intensity was becoming noticeably less then at 12 hours. I would not use them in an emergency much past 18 hours. Personally, I didn't notice a lot of difference in light intensity between level 1 and level 2, probably because the highest level is 180 lumens. Lastly, I recharged both lanterns via 120V AC which took 2 3/4 hours, which I thought that was pretty good. Overall, these lanterns met my expectations. However, I would like to find a solar lantern that puts out a more intense light, maybe at least 600 lumens.

This Lantern has LIGHT.....that should not be so amazing and it lets you have it so easily and so freely. NO BATTERIES....THIS is a wonderful lantern. I can charge it in many different ways. I have USB or Hand Crank and SOLAR !! This is one of the BEST I have bought. I have tried SO many of them! IT has a hanger you can open if you are tent camping or if you wish to hang it from a tree limb!In this day and age we need to have LIGHT when there is NO light. People have tried using outside solar lights for inside tents but this PUTS LIGHT OUT that you can read by or see your path of find things in your tent. I am going to get MORE because of the POWER given out by this Whestone 36 LED SOLAR and DYNAMO hand crank and again with USB to change it. YOU WILL need a USB A to a USB A but they have great quality ones sold here on Amazon.Again I can NOT say enough about this Lantern ........back pack and bug out or just storms hitting that takes our power down you will be able to SEE in the darkness and when then sun comes out CHARGE IT back up or use the hand crank.... I charged it one night via my laptop USB port!!I have also used a table lamp to charge it up. BUT I have not yet run it down to nothing ?? I LOVE IT...Good quality at a GOOD price.... there are some that LOOK LIKE THIS ONE.... but keep this name close and order it! You will not go wrong!There is a great difference.....so buy the BEST. Whetstone....look for the name not IF it looks like this one !! Trust me with that tip please!