By Diane Spicer
A few disclosures as we begin this Fenix camping lantern review:
Disclosure of Material Connection:
Hiking For Her received this lantern from Fenix, coordinated by Outdoor PR in consideration for review publication.
As always, this gear review is being provided in the spirit of helpfulness and the desire to put the best quality gear into your hands.
Let's begin by outlining why you might want to take this camping lantern along on your next camping trip.
Two reasons leap to mind without even taking the lantern out of its packaging:
First, it uses between one and three rechargeable batteries.
Second, it acts as an independent charging station for other electronic devices.
Now for the actual reason for bringing along this Fenix lantern: its ability to illuminate your car, tent, al fresco dinner at a picnic table, and more.
In order to do my job in this Fenix camping lantern review, here are the things you need to know about this lantern's illumination capacity:
The Fenix CL30R comes with:
This lantern was not designed for backpacking usage, as it weighs nearly a pound (14.5 ounces or 412 grams) before you introduce the batteries.
Instead, a car camping trip was used to put this little lantern through its paces.
The first thing I noticed: how well built and sturdy the CL30R feels in your hands. This is not made of cheap plastic, so no worries if you (or rowdy children) knock it over!
There are 3 options for setting up the lantern:
You can hang it from a handy tree limb, using the metal hanging lanyard.
You can set it down on a flattish rock or nestle it among vegetation as you clean up at the creek after a long day of hiking.
The third option is really fun: Attach it to your tripod.
The bottom of the lantern holds a tripod socket, which receives the screw from the quick release plate most tripods have.
It only takes a few seconds to secure the Fenix lantern to the tripod, so you can enjoy its illumination at any level required.
Here's how I used the tripod feature:
Not bad for such a small lantern!
I was immediately drawn to the rechargeable feature, and came to appreciate the ability to use the stored power to recharge my portable electronics.
I found the lantern really easy to operate, and while the overnight temperatures didn't dip into the cold range, I can believe that the cold-resistant battery compartment would provide at least three season usage.
The light output can be adjusted, ranging from soft and easy on the eyes to eye-poppingly bright.
A few other descriptors that apply:
Just a few "operator error" warnings when you first begin to use the lantern:
And although this is a Fenix camping lantern review, let's think outside the box about uses for this small but powerful lantern.
One last observation to wrap up this Fenix camping lantern review:
This company has been around for over 10 years, making precision LED technology and lighting products for us outdoorsy folks. They stand behind their product, which is the final reason I'm happy to recommend this lantern.
If you need more information about Hiking For Her's experience with this piece of camping gear, don't be shy!
Use the CONTACT form at the top left of this page to get in touch.
Because that's the whole point of this Fenix camping lantern review: to give you the facts you need, and the opportunity to ask questions, before you head out on your next camping trip.
Dare I say "illuminating" facts?
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Fenix Camping Lantern Review
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