Whetstone Solar LED Camping Lantern Review

There are many different options for the outdoorsman who would like to see in the night. The most common option is the flashlight, regardless of whether it is mounted on your head or held in your hand. There are also some less common options that have their own set of advantages, however.

One of the more radical approaches to seeing in the dark is the employment of night vision goggles. These are not usually worn by campers. Instead, they are used by hunters who choose to go out in the night and sometimes hikers as well. There are a few distinct advantages to using night vision goggles instead of other light sources.

Depending on the quality of your night vision goggles, it may become far easier to see what you are looking at. If you are hiking, this will allow you to better perceiver dips in the ground and roots which may end up tripping you. They will also allow you to see through the trees without alerting any wild animals that are potentially present.

While night vision goggles may seem like a bulky choice, you will find that newer models are becoming far more compact. This makes them easier to pack and easier to wear in the wilderness. You also have the option of bringing a pair of night vision binoculars, which will allow you to see in the dark as well as at long ranges.

Another option you have is the choice of a camping lantern. These highly versatile products are more durable than many of the other choices of lighting for outdoorsmen, and they are also the subject of our review. We are going to be looking at one of the best solar-powered camping lanterns on the market.

Before we get to our review, we are going to look at an aspect which is integral to camping lanterns. Feel free to skip ahead if you are only interested in the review.

Power Source

The power source of your camping lantern is one of the most crucial decisions you have to make before you decide on the right model for your needs. Each power source has its pros and cons, and there is no right answer as to what is the best choice for everyone, it is more of a personal decision.

The first option is an electric, LED camping lantern, and this is also the more modern choice. You will find that these camping lanterns are both safer and longer-lasting than their gas-fueled cousins. They also require far less work in terms of maintenance and upkeep as long as they remain fully charged.

Camping lanterns which are instead powered by gas have their own set of advantages. You can use these lanterns when you do not have a nearby source of electricity, and this makes them suited for extended camping trips in which you will not have access to a power supply to charge LED models.

Gas-powered lanterns also tend to be more durable than their LED counterparts, as there are no LEDs which can end up broken as the result of a fall. The gas nozzle on a lantern which is powered by gas will be far more difficult to damage in the event of an impact.

The Product

Specifications:

• Can be charged using a solar panel or a hand crank
• LEDs feature a lifespan of up to 100,000 hours worth of lighting
• Features a switch which can select between three different lighting modes
• Features a USB port for faster charging or use as a power bank
• Can also function using three AAA batteries in case of emergency
• The charging time of this lantern using the solar panel is about 6 hours

Overview

If you need a camping lantern which is highly versatile in terms of power sources, this LED model from Whetstone is one of the better options at your disposal. The variety of choices when it comes to running this lantern makes it an excellent choice for emergency situations and power outages.

Results

It seems that this product has no shortage of options when it comes to staying charged. The first option you have is a solar panel positioned on top of the lantern. We found that this is the less reliable charging method, but you can still get a reasonable charge after leaving this model in the sun for several hours.

Up next is the hand crank dynamo, which is highly reliable if not a little tiring. While it may seem like a bit more of a dated option when it comes to maintaining your charge, the dynamo allows you to use this product in almost any situation.

You can also opt for three AAA batteries, which can be placed in a compartment on the bottom of this camping lantern if you do not have time to use the solar panel or hand crank for charging. The last choice is charging through a USB port, connected to a power bank or a wall outlet.

What Others Say

Aside from the wealth of charging options, there were a few other aspects that impressed other customers, such as the build quality and the three separate levels of brightness. Regarding complaints, customers had issues with the quality of the instructions included with this product. We agree with this point, as the manual was quite scarce.[

Buying Advice

When you consider the quality of this product and the usefulness of the multiple charging methods, you will find that this camping lantern provides some of the best value for money you will find. It can be bought for about 30 dollars from many outdoors retailers and even Amazon.

Conclusion

If you would like one of the most versatile camping lanterns available on the market, you should opt for this model from Whetstone. The choice of four different charging methods means that you will always be able to use this lantern, regardless of the situation in which you find yourself.