This year we plan to take more camping trips, so besides making an awesome ultimate camping checklist (which I hope to post on my blog soon) I have been on the search for quality camping supplies.
A few weeks ago we received an AYL StarLight 330 LED Lantern to review. It has been too cold to go camping so we tested out the lantern at home. Not only is this lantern great for camping, but it also comes in handy around the home. It makes a perfect night light, can keep you safe during a black out, makes bedtime stories more fun, and can save your life during roadside emergencies.
The AYL StarLight 330 LED Lantern uses LED lighting technology making it one of the brightest, clearest LED lanterns on the market today (300 Lumens). Because it uses LEDs it generates little to no heat so there is no need to worry about starting a fire or having a child get burned. The use of LED lighting technology also means that the lantern uses less power and can be used continuously for up to 6 days. The LED lights are guaranteed for up to 100,000 hours of use before needing to be replaced. The lantern uses 3 D batteries for power (not included).
The lantern is made from sturdy rubber and high impact ABS plastic making it very reliable, durable and even water resistant. The base is very solid and weighted slightly so you won't need to worry about it tipping over easily. But it is still very lightweight making it easy to transport, it is so light that even a child can tote it around with ease. At the top of the lantern is a sturdy metal handle which folds down out of the way when it is not in use. At the bottom of the lantern is a fold-out plastic hook which makes hanging the lantern a breeze.
The lantern has three lighting modes which are easily accessible with the push of a button. There is Low, High and Flashing Strobe (perfect for emergencies). The High mode is equivalent to about a 30 watt incandescent bulb. On the front of the lantern is a little green light that flashes about every 5 seconds. This simple little feature is something that almost no other lantern has. So what does it do? Well it helps you locate the lantern in the dark...pretty ingenious right. One other really unique feature is the removable top which basically turns the lantern into a focused light/flashlight.
I was thoroughly impressed with this lantern and it is a great addition to our camping supplies and home emergency kit.
There are only a few things I think the company could improve on to make the lantern even better. The bottom hanging hook which is made of plastic doesn't look like it will hold up over an extended period of use (especially around children). Perhaps a metal hook similar to the carrying handle may be a better option for them to consider in the future. And the battery installation was a little difficult as there are no orientation indicators on the inside of the battery compartment (like most products)...I finally realized they were located in the instruction booklet...yeah I am one of those people who doesn't like to read instructions. I also had some difficulty with the battery cap the first time. The AYL Starlight 330 uses a special triple seal to help keep moisture and humidity from entering the battery compartment. Because of this the cap can be a little difficult at first to remove and replace...but it is definitely a feature that needs to remain in place. And since the batteries don't need to be replaced often it is totally something I can live with. The instruction manual also has clear instructions for removing and replacing the cap (plus there is a link to a video too).
The AYL StarLight 300 also comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty so you can rest assured you are making a wise investment.
Where to buy:
You can currently purchase the AYL StarLight 300 Lantern on Amazon for $35.00 (FREE shipping).
You can currently purchase the AYL StarLight 300 Lantern on Amazon for $35.00 (FREE shipping).
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