12/14/2023 0 Comments Lumin aid lights![]() It lives on my vehicle dashboard for constant solar charging until I strap it onto my backpack to hang in my tent in the backcountry. This was a gift, and has ended up being a take everywhere lantern. Price Paid: USD60 for the 300 lumen model with new features (USB port, etc.). It’s basic but it’s awesome all the same. But I absolutely love and trust my LuminAid lantern in every situation. I’m currently using a Ledlenser ML6 connect as well and it’s a blast, super-high-tech german LED lantern with warm-light and red light LED, bluetooth connection and dedicated app to control pretty much everything. The plastic is not looking clear-new anymore, but it’s still flexible and functional. I’ve been using mine for years, with the same level of performance. ![]() I love my LuminAid and intend to keep using for a long time as it is. I’ll have to wait for mine to die on me before attempting this though. Maybe that can work to re-seal one in case the battery dies and needs replacement. It can be repaired in case of rips though: I’ve used vinyl and even tarp/sleeping pad repair kits on friend’s LuminAids, and once I repaired one that was blown by the owner’s dog in a camping tent next to me using a glueless bike tube repair patch. It’s completely shielded in the TPU (or TPU-like) plastic of the expandable part, and the solar panel/battery/LED cluster and control system is also fully enclosed and sealed in plastic. But that’s minor compared to the overall performance of the lantern really.Īnother drawback is the impossibility of replacing the battery or performing any maintenance. It’s just like those kid’s and pool floaters. Also hard to pull out to deflate, and it hasn‘t the blowback valve to prevent deflation while closing. It sticks out when deflated, and even though this hasn’t caused any issues, it’s clunky. Talking about the valve, it’s the only not-so-cool part of the LuminAid. It was a pain to remove them from inside the inflatable part of the lantern though. Maybe I forgot the valve open a couple of times without noticing it, I don‘t know. But small insects managed to enter mine, I have no idea how. It’s really waterproof, and even floats (great for night fishing or rain season). The photo below shows the USB ports and control buttons of both lanterns (both work as powerbanks, hence the USB ports). The LuminAid next to the Ledlenser ML6 WL Connect. This thing is simple and basic, but it seem to have good electronics in my humble opinion. It has a 4-LED charge indicator and it’s pretty precise. It doubles as a powerbank, and can charge a smartphone or other small appliance (flashlight or headlamp) and still have enough juice for one night illumination. I’d guess the lantern’s system is more efficient at recharging but that’s anecdotal I admit. My solar-powered powerbank has more capacity than the LuminAid battery for sure, but it takes 3 or 4 days to go from around 30% to full, just for comparison. I‘ve managed to charge it from around 20-25% to full in one day. After using it during the night and half a charge (or less, depending on the intensity/time of use), I put it in the sun after waking up and before lunch it’s usually topped up. It has two charging options, and even the small solar panel works, which is not really common with this kind/size of item. It can also be used at home during power outages, more than enough for performing any tasks like reading, cooking, showering, etc. The max output is rated at 300 lumen, and it’s a lot to provide enough light for a big tent, a hammock/tarp setup, or a relatively large campground. It works inflated or compressed, though it’s considerably more efficient when inflated, which is the intended form. ![]() Outside and inside the tarp tent 300 lumen (max capacity). The illumination is excellent, diffuse and soft and despite using white LEDs it’s very comfortable and suave. It’s admirable in form and function, and it’s well executed too. It’s simple, relatively cheap, extremely functional and efficient, robust, and lightweight. I find the design of the LuminAid genius. ![]() I’m not a collector of anything, but I do love lanterns and flashlights and confess that I have a few more than I need (and I believe we only need a good one and that’s it).
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