When going on a camping trip, one that you can’t go without is a lantern. During the night you could not just let the flashlight do the lighting, your just wasting your batteries in the process. Lanterns should fall into the top ten list of “must haves” during outdoor trips or even something to keep at home for emergency purposes. Most lanterns use gas or some type of energy that creates combustion, but with the growing need of taking care of the environment there are now better alternatives like the K-Light Solar LED Lantern.
The Efficient and Eco Friendly K-Light Solar LED Lantern
At first look, this lantern is just like a typical lantern, but unlike those lanterns the K-Light uses Solar energy, which is without a doubt cost effective and eco friendly. It also uses 16 bright white LEDs, which is the perfect partner for a solar powered battery pack. LEDs are known to give bright lights that do not even emit heat and could last up to 100,000 hours of usage. All you have to do is charge the battery pack during the day and enjoy hours of bright lighting during the night.
The K-Light is an innovative, eco-friendly solar-powered lantern, designed to stand up to the harshest environments. Approximately the size and weight of a can of soda, the unique combination of its solar-charging battery and bright, energy-efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) makes the K-Light unlike any other product available today.
Lowest New Price: USD 59.95
- Lantern or flashlight
- 2 power settings: low and high
- Safe, durable carrying handles that rotate 360°, locking every 30° for 12 different positions
- 16-Bright White LEDs (100,000 hours of light)
- Rechargeable 7.2 volt, 1.6_Ahr NiMH Battery (last more than 3,000 charges)
Color: Green
Model: KL-71G-1.5SP-US
Problems with solar charging panel
This review is a rewrite from an earlier version.
When I first bought this lantern it worked great. This was in July of 09. When I got it it worked great when we tried it out for the first few weeks. We used it 3 or 4 times for about an hour each time.
Then I put it in the closet in its original packaging. I treated it carefully. Flash forward to November when I take it out of the closet to use it again. The charge it had was gone - which was ok as it sat for a few months. I put it in a nice sunny southern window that gets direct sun for about 8+ hours of the day. It actually sat there for 2 days. I turned it on low - and it came on right away. As soon as I flipped it to high the light died instantly. And it no longer came on in low. Over the next few weeks I tried again and again. All the same results. If I leave it on low it only stays on for about 15 seconds before it dies so it is not a high power issue.
I posted a review here that basically said the unit did not work. The credit of the company, PiSAT Solar, they contacted me quickly about my review and wanted to help. This really shows some great service and I am impressed with that.
Through working with them, it was determined that the issue was with the solar panel that charges the unit, not the lantern. PiSAT Solar claimed that the issue was the the solar panel was not being properly placed in the sun to properly and fully recharge. To help with this, they sent me an AC charger that works with the lantern and sure enough this proved the lantern worked but the issue is with the solar panel.
However, I contest their opinion that the panel is not placed properly to fully charge. I use several solar devices in my house and all of them I charge in the same bright and very sunny southern window. All of my solar devices charge fully in less than a day and work for the amount of time expected. All except this device. I suspect they are correct that if I brought this solar panel outside on a sunny day and kept it pointed strictly at the sun, it might work. And it probably will work better in the summer when day light is much longer and stronger.
However - this does not excuse the fact that this solar panel obviously collects light much more poorly than all my other solar devices. If everyone else can manufacture solar panel that work perfectly well in a very sunny southern window - why not this one?
I suggest they find a new manufacturer for their solar panel.
They get 5 stars from me for their service. Very professional. The person I talked to was very polite. they very quickly sent me an AC charger. This is clearly a company that take their customers seriously and wants to do the right thing. The product however, gets less than 5 stars. Hopefully it will work in the summer when I am camping. Unfortunately, it does not look like this will be of much help if I lose power in the winter.
High quality, well designed!
The K-Light solar lantern is very well-designed and useful! The LEDs create a very bright light -- great for reading or illuminating your way. I like that the solar panel is separate, so that the lantern itself doesn't have to cook in the sun when you charge it. And the charge lasts for hours, with no dimming of the lights. Even the shipping box is useful to carry it around in. Worth the price. No complaints!!!!!!!!!
The K-Light Solar LED Lantern can also be used as a flashlight, making it an innovative tool to bring anywhere. In addition, the lantern has a sturdy build and can even resist water. This lantern is a perfect example of a safer, cost effective and much better alternative.