Luci EMRG Solar Powered Lantern
There are countless ways to bring light into the wilderness after the dark sets in. Off the top of my head I know I have relied on campfires, headlamps, flashlights, gas powered lanterns, and even my phone flash to get the job done. These all provide a legitimate solution to finding your way through the dark, and in some cases might be the preferred method. But after through-hiking 500 miles across Oregon on the PCT in my hammock, I was convinced that the Luci EMRG Lantern had become a permanent fixture in my camping kit. Like all things, whether it's for day or a month, there are pros and cons to every piece of equipment you choose to carry with you into the wilderness. So I'll try to break this down and talk about the things that make me love this little lantern.
Function
In my mind there are two primary functions of a light. Can it provide enough light to achieve your task, and can you get it to stay there without much effort. First things first, I wouldn't say that this lamp is a viable replacement for a headlamp. You should always have a good quality headlamp in your kit if you do plan on spending any time outside, especially after dark. That being said, these lights are pretty amazing! Let's start with the fact that they are solar powered, which eliminates the need to carry any heavy batteries with you. There are 4 light settings on my 2 year old model; medium, bright, flashing, and SOS (alternating red and white flashing). There is small button on the top of the lantern that lets you rotate through the different settings. The lantern gives off a substantial amount of light considering there are only three 25 Lumen LEDs. The place where I would say these lanterns really shine (pun intended) is with your hammock setup or in a tent. One of these lanterns isn't going to light up your entire camp area, but when you hang it from your ridgeline on your hammock, or from the top of your tent, it gives off more than enough light to read, prepare a meal, or even do a little first aid on your feet after a long hike. The frosted plastic distributes the light evenly and keeps the light from blinding you even when you do glance upwards. In the dark of night, I have rarely even bothered to use the brightest setting, because it would be an overkill. If you do need a more focused flashlight style of illumination, hold the light horizontally in your and and it will mimic a directional light well enough. According to the specs, it will gain a full charge after 8 hours in direct sun, and last for 7 hours of continuous use. I don't think I've ever paid attention to either of these numbers, but if you're hiking around all day in decent weather, you won't have to worry about having enough juice in the evenings.
Packability
This thing weighs 2.4oz. That alone would sell me on this product. In the world of through hiking, every single ounce you carry on your back becomes exponentially more of a burden with every mile you are walking day after day for weeks on end. Apart from the fact that the weight of the lantern is pretty much negligible, the lantern deflates into a disc which gives you countless options for storing the lantern when not in use. You can put it away in a side pocket or throw it anywhere in your pack, because these things a pretty durable considering they are made from plastic. However, the most obvious solution is one that I think is by far the way to go...Strap it onto the outside of your pack and charge it as you go. There's something super rewarding about knowing that something is working for you without even putting any effort into it. You also don't need to worry if you are caught in a rain storm, because these little wonders are waterproof. I attached a small S-Biner to mine to make it super convenient to clip it on and off of anything I need, and I leave it attached full time. I clip it onto the zipper pull on my backpack, and onto the adjustable ridge line in my hammock. Once you have a clip attached, you'll be able to hang it anywhere.
Why the EMRG?
One of the things about these Luci Lanterns is that they became super popular and now there are about zillion different models you can buy. They are all pretty much amazing because, let's be honest, who doesn't love an inflatable solar powered lantern?! I've seen some of the bigger ones, they give off more light, weigh about an once and half more, some have different colors, they last longer, the new ones can even be charged USB! So why did I choose the EMRG? It did everything I needed, and nothing I didn't. And when faced with the daunting task of choosing what to pack on a through hike, minimalism is the way to go. I've learned to really assess the things I need when I'm out in the woods, and the things that really aren't necessary. So for me, the less I can get by with, the happier I will be. I know that's not going to be for everyone, so for you, go nuts with some of the other lanterns and be sure to send pics of the amazing camplife disco lantern parties you are throwing out there!
Final Rundown
If you can't tell already, I'm a fan of this lantern. But I'll remind you what it's not. It's not a headlamp replacement, or a one light solution for all your camping needs. What it can do though, is be enough.
Every night, after a long hard day of hiking, the sun would be setting, and my tired feet would find their way up into my hammock. I'd inflate this tiny little contraption, that had gone unnoticed throughout the entire day, and I'd clip it onto the line above my head. Some nights I wouldn't even bother to turn it on, but I always knew it was there. But when I did need it, the soft glow radiating from above would illuminate my hanging nest, reminding me that somehow, with the most minimal amount of effort, I had brought a little piece of the day's sun into the dark of night with me. And in those moments, I felt grateful.
--José
Every night, after a long hard day of hiking, the sun would be setting, and my tired feet would find their way up into my hammock. I'd inflate this tiny little contraption, that had gone unnoticed throughout the entire day, and I'd clip it onto the line above my head. Some nights I wouldn't even bother to turn it on, but I always knew it was there. But when I did need it, the soft glow radiating from above would illuminate my hanging nest, reminding me that somehow, with the most minimal amount of effort, I had brought a little piece of the day's sun into the dark of night with me. And in those moments, I felt grateful.
--José
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