To be honest, this flashlight is nothing special. Our camping gear checklist has you covered.
We researched dozens of the best camping flashlights and then bought nine top models for a head-to-head test.
And the small size means you can quickly grab it to use as a flashlight when needed. In that instance, this Maglite felt like more of a burden. The company, based in Minnesota, calls the product a tough, reliable, solar-powered flashlight, lantern, and back-up cell phone charger for off-grid and just-in-case emergency use. Thats a bit of a mouthful, but it sums up the hybrid products feature set. The flood light and flashlight are bright and the red light mode is good for nighttime use. You can jump to my thoughts on the matter. These two features the dim firefly mode and bright strobe mode were the defining ones, but I liked most things about this flashlight. All in all, this is a feature-rich lantern in a small package thats great for car camping, van dwelling, or backyard hanging. 
It runs on three AAA batteries, and the dimming switch allows you to make quick adjustments. Needless to say its a poor choice for tent use, likely the worst we tested. Whats more, it has no red light mode. They dont work too well for that purpose. With humanitarian roots and a utilitarian design, the XTorch ($56) is a unique illumination option for use at home or a campsite. The light is lightweight and super bright. I couldnt forget the light I got from Fenix store and that made our camping trip convenient. Weve repeatedly dropped it and have seen no damage or loss in performance. In almost all of those situations listed above, I would personally prefer a headlamp to a flashlight. Its 2-button user interface was my favorite. Id rather not be on my phone while camping and much prefer the simple button on the side of the light. It has reliably worked every single night for many months and pumps out a comfortably bright 350 lumens. This has quickly become one of our favorite camping lights ($50). Look at the how many lumens the low mode emits. This handy little lantern ($70) runs on isobutane (just like your favorite backpacking stove) and doesnt take up much room. We found the top car camping and family camping tents for every budget and use. You can also switch between a strobe setting and a colored-light option.
Second, its expensive.
Weve splashed water on it without any issues, but we dont recommend letting it sit out in the rain or become submerged completely. What it is, though, is a compact, reliable, and durable flashlight. We've tested the best hiking gear, packs, and footwear to outfit you for any adventure you choose. If you plan to use it infrequently or use rechargeable D batteries, its a great option. The last important consideration for campers is run time. Our Top Pick, the ThruNite Archer 2A V3, has a purported run time of 28 days in its 0.2-lumen firefly mode according to ThruNite. Whats more, The Sweethome, an excellent review site, tested a number of budget flashlights including the J5 Tactical V1 Pro and concluded that due to the inconsistencies mentioned above, we cant recommend any of [the inexpensive generic lights we tested].. A little bit of background on Fenix flashlights before I get into this review: Flashaholics appear to be big fans of Fenix flashlights. It charges fully in about 8 hours via USB or 16 hours via solar. We found the light output particularly pleasant, yet plenty bright to complete all our camp chores. But, unlike the V1 Pro, you cannot adjust the brightness. Of course, my testing would be incomplete without using the flashlights to take a nighttime trip to the loo. Electric lamps under 60 lumens work well for use inside a tent. It began raining while we were using this lantern, but it never went out or had any issues. If you need a flashlight with a strobe mode, the comparison table at the top of this article indicates which flashlights we tested have this feature. The user interface is a little clunky.
I cannot comment on how theyd perform in a larger tent, so I hope to test them in a 6-person tent soon enough. I will update this article when I do. We also kept an eye on durability, packability, and overall value.
Red light, according to REI, does not cause our pupils to shrink the way white light can. Thus, it is good for nighttime use. Per the manufacturer, it lasts up to 70 hours on low. After I had tucked myself in, I waited until my eyes adjusted to the dark and then brought out my flashlights and one at a time used them as a tent light source. Ten individual light pods are spread across 18 feet of braided nylon cord, allowing you to light up a large area. Its extremely easy to use just slide the glass down and light the candle for instant light. As a result, he rarely recommends or reviews budget lights anymore. Electric lanterns under 50 lumens are good for in-tent use. Beyond these flaws, the J5 Tactical was simply okay relative to the other lights we tested. At 7.8 inches tall, it easily fits in the palm of your hand. They irritated my eyes at night while doing camp chores or using them in a tent. Whenever you turn on this light it defaults to the low mode, regardless of the brightness setting it was on when you turned it off. Hold the button on the side to brighten or dim the light. This little lantern is our top pick for hanging in the tent. Check out the XTorch for a neat hybrid option. Your camp light source should also do a good job of illuminating your tent once youve gone inside for the night. Like a red light mode, it isnt necessary your camping flashlight have a strobe mode. The drawbacks to this flashlight are important to highlight, though. This second budget flashlight we tested didnt perform any better than the first. The main factor that influences run time is brightness level. Collecting firewood or seeing what that rustle in the bushes was might call for a medium beam. And it can pump out a powerful 750 lumens. If youve never used a gas lantern, its important to make note of a few things. We used it for a week straight while renting camping gear and appreciated the easy light piezo ignition, warm light output, and easy packing design. Finally, this flashlight lacks a strobe mode for emergency signaling. I dont understand the nuances of when its best to choose a 1-AA flashlight over a 1-AAA flashlight and vice versa.
That said, its a solid lantern that will last for years. We also really like the varied options for hanging this lantern. It will seal the deal for others. The fatal flaw of too many of the flashlights we tested was a low mode that wasnt dim enough. The E05s size will be a deal-breaker for some. Lanterns need to be bright enough to light up an area, but not so striking that theyll temporarily blind you if you accidentally look at them. If youre looking for a flashlight for backpacking or night hiking, check out our guide to the best ultralight flashlights. We recommend charging it up prior to camping and then using solar to keep it topped off throughout. When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Your source for comprehensive hunting reviews and buying guides. To determine the best of the best, these lanterns underwent months of testing and thousands of light hours logged. For backpackers, a lightweight lantern that doesnt take up too much pack space is ideal. For most campers, 100 lumens or above is enough to light up many camp spaces. Its worth noting that you will need a match to light this lantern. Make sure to look at the run time for each mode and confirm that its adequate for your purposes. This was the most expensive flashlight we tested as of this writing. Personally, I hardly found myself using them during my testing. However, before you spend any of your hard-earned cash, I strongly urge you to ask yourself: Probably not. I tested these flashlights exclusively in a 2-person tent. They were too bright for basic camping. The dual-mantle design pumps out 1,000 lumens on high. Strobe mode (aka flash mode) acts as an emergency blinker. That level of light is great for precise tasks, but generally, we use it at a much lower light level. Pro tip: Be sure to avoid too many overlapping bulbs or it will become too bulky to close. Many lanterns offer additional features, such as the ability to charge your electric devices and doubling as a flashlight. Whenever you turn the flashlight on after its been off for more than a few seconds, it activates at that mode. Copyright 2022 99Boulders LLC. Because of that, Im going to classify it as a budget flashlight for the purposes of this review. You dont have to worry about rain or dirt, as it has an IP65 waterproof rating, and it has proven very durable while testing. Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Amazon. A single candle burns for nearly 9 hours, and the spring-loaded system keeps the flame at a consistent height. First, it lacks a red light mode. This classic flashlight isnt great for camping. Car camping removes the burden of carrying your gear around on your back, but smaller, lighter gear makes almost everything easier. I then shuffled around camp doing usual camp chores such as cooking dinner, washing dishes, and checking for ticks while alternating between the flashlights to get a sense for how well they performed. Manufacturers list run time on their product pages (but be aware theyre likely incorrect and take them with a large grain of salt). After all my testing, I found myself reaching for this flashlight every time and using the firefly mode almost exclusively. Im a guy, so the results of my Bathroom Test are from a males perspective. At 100 bucks, its not the cheapest option around. Beyond the instances where I actually needed to go the bathroom, I also mimicked this act by literally getting out of my tent and walking a little ways into the woods. More than once I temporarily blinded myself with the strobe while cycling through brightness settings when using this flashlight in my tent. But the included hard carrying case will keep it safe when packed. The ML6 charges quickly via USB. The bungee cord makes it easy to hang in any location. It has no strobe or red light mode, no ability to change the focus. Its a staggeringly excessive amount of light when your eyes are adjusted to the dark. I used my own scale to double check the weight of each flashlight. This means your battery will last much longer. It packs down to 4.25 inches long and weighs just 7.2 ounces. If youre going with an electric lantern, battery life is a consideration, especially if youre going to be in the woods for a few days or more. It has a robust yet intuitive user interface and plenty of brightness settings, including an extra dim firefly mode which doesnt hurt your eyes once theyve adjusted to the dark. Sharing in-depth conversations between the world's adventurers, athletes, and outdoorspeople, The GearJunkie Podcast is your inside look into the outdoors industry. If searching for a flashlight with a strobe mode, I recommend choosing one that strobes white light as opposed to red light. I used them to locate items Id left lying around the tent and as a reading light for reading from a paperback Id brought with me. As an Amazon Associate 99Boulders LLC earns from qualifying purchases.
Time to circle back to a claim I made in the intro. It will run for nearly 7 hours on high before needing a new fuel canister. It does get hot, so use caution when extinguishing or moving. For $40, Coleman has made a solid lantern that will give you years of use. I have a long list of gripes about this light: Bottom line: I dont recommend this light to anyone. If you have a rechargeable battery, bring along a portable battery or solar charger to top off your lanterns between uses. It pays to carry extra batteries on your trip if your lantern uses disposable batteries. Looking for a packable solar light that wont break the bank? Whether backpacking, car camping, or looking for an ultrapackable emergency light, the Moji is a durable and useful bargain. Its a quality product thats also involved in a good cause. This is more than enough to light up most camping spaces.
It didnt fit comfortably in any of my short pockets. A red light mode isnt necessary, though. Weve used one exclusively at camp when desiring a classic, soft firelight. If all you need are a lightweight battery pack and camping flashlight, you could buy two of the best options out there at full price the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 and Anker PowerCore 10000 and still spend less than if you bought this light.
We researched dozens of the best camping flashlights and then bought nine top models for a head-to-head test.
And the small size means you can quickly grab it to use as a flashlight when needed. In that instance, this Maglite felt like more of a burden. The company, based in Minnesota, calls the product a tough, reliable, solar-powered flashlight, lantern, and back-up cell phone charger for off-grid and just-in-case emergency use. Thats a bit of a mouthful, but it sums up the hybrid products feature set. The flood light and flashlight are bright and the red light mode is good for nighttime use. You can jump to my thoughts on the matter. These two features the dim firefly mode and bright strobe mode were the defining ones, but I liked most things about this flashlight. All in all, this is a feature-rich lantern in a small package thats great for car camping, van dwelling, or backyard hanging. It runs on three AAA batteries, and the dimming switch allows you to make quick adjustments. Needless to say its a poor choice for tent use, likely the worst we tested. Whats more, it has no red light mode. They dont work too well for that purpose. With humanitarian roots and a utilitarian design, the XTorch ($56) is a unique illumination option for use at home or a campsite. The light is lightweight and super bright. I couldnt forget the light I got from Fenix store and that made our camping trip convenient. Weve repeatedly dropped it and have seen no damage or loss in performance. In almost all of those situations listed above, I would personally prefer a headlamp to a flashlight. Its 2-button user interface was my favorite. Id rather not be on my phone while camping and much prefer the simple button on the side of the light. It has reliably worked every single night for many months and pumps out a comfortably bright 350 lumens. This has quickly become one of our favorite camping lights ($50). Look at the how many lumens the low mode emits. This handy little lantern ($70) runs on isobutane (just like your favorite backpacking stove) and doesnt take up much room. We found the top car camping and family camping tents for every budget and use. You can also switch between a strobe setting and a colored-light option. Second, its expensive. Weve splashed water on it without any issues, but we dont recommend letting it sit out in the rain or become submerged completely. What it is, though, is a compact, reliable, and durable flashlight. We've tested the best hiking gear, packs, and footwear to outfit you for any adventure you choose. If you plan to use it infrequently or use rechargeable D batteries, its a great option. The last important consideration for campers is run time. Our Top Pick, the ThruNite Archer 2A V3, has a purported run time of 28 days in its 0.2-lumen firefly mode according to ThruNite. Whats more, The Sweethome, an excellent review site, tested a number of budget flashlights including the J5 Tactical V1 Pro and concluded that due to the inconsistencies mentioned above, we cant recommend any of [the inexpensive generic lights we tested].. A little bit of background on Fenix flashlights before I get into this review: Flashaholics appear to be big fans of Fenix flashlights. It charges fully in about 8 hours via USB or 16 hours via solar. We found the light output particularly pleasant, yet plenty bright to complete all our camp chores. But, unlike the V1 Pro, you cannot adjust the brightness. Of course, my testing would be incomplete without using the flashlights to take a nighttime trip to the loo. Electric lamps under 60 lumens work well for use inside a tent. It began raining while we were using this lantern, but it never went out or had any issues. If you need a flashlight with a strobe mode, the comparison table at the top of this article indicates which flashlights we tested have this feature. The user interface is a little clunky.
I cannot comment on how theyd perform in a larger tent, so I hope to test them in a 6-person tent soon enough. I will update this article when I do. We also kept an eye on durability, packability, and overall value. Red light, according to REI, does not cause our pupils to shrink the way white light can. Thus, it is good for nighttime use. Per the manufacturer, it lasts up to 70 hours on low. After I had tucked myself in, I waited until my eyes adjusted to the dark and then brought out my flashlights and one at a time used them as a tent light source. Ten individual light pods are spread across 18 feet of braided nylon cord, allowing you to light up a large area. Its extremely easy to use just slide the glass down and light the candle for instant light. As a result, he rarely recommends or reviews budget lights anymore. Electric lanterns under 50 lumens are good for in-tent use. Beyond these flaws, the J5 Tactical was simply okay relative to the other lights we tested. At 7.8 inches tall, it easily fits in the palm of your hand. They irritated my eyes at night while doing camp chores or using them in a tent. Whenever you turn on this light it defaults to the low mode, regardless of the brightness setting it was on when you turned it off. Hold the button on the side to brighten or dim the light. This little lantern is our top pick for hanging in the tent. Check out the XTorch for a neat hybrid option. Your camp light source should also do a good job of illuminating your tent once youve gone inside for the night. Like a red light mode, it isnt necessary your camping flashlight have a strobe mode. The drawbacks to this flashlight are important to highlight, though. This second budget flashlight we tested didnt perform any better than the first. The main factor that influences run time is brightness level. Collecting firewood or seeing what that rustle in the bushes was might call for a medium beam. And it can pump out a powerful 750 lumens. If youve never used a gas lantern, its important to make note of a few things. We used it for a week straight while renting camping gear and appreciated the easy light piezo ignition, warm light output, and easy packing design. Finally, this flashlight lacks a strobe mode for emergency signaling. I dont understand the nuances of when its best to choose a 1-AA flashlight over a 1-AAA flashlight and vice versa.
That said, its a solid lantern that will last for years. We also really like the varied options for hanging this lantern. It will seal the deal for others. The fatal flaw of too many of the flashlights we tested was a low mode that wasnt dim enough. The E05s size will be a deal-breaker for some. Lanterns need to be bright enough to light up an area, but not so striking that theyll temporarily blind you if you accidentally look at them. If youre looking for a flashlight for backpacking or night hiking, check out our guide to the best ultralight flashlights. We recommend charging it up prior to camping and then using solar to keep it topped off throughout. When you buy something through one of the links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Your source for comprehensive hunting reviews and buying guides. To determine the best of the best, these lanterns underwent months of testing and thousands of light hours logged. For backpackers, a lightweight lantern that doesnt take up too much pack space is ideal. For most campers, 100 lumens or above is enough to light up many camp spaces. Its worth noting that you will need a match to light this lantern. Make sure to look at the run time for each mode and confirm that its adequate for your purposes. This was the most expensive flashlight we tested as of this writing. Personally, I hardly found myself using them during my testing. However, before you spend any of your hard-earned cash, I strongly urge you to ask yourself: Probably not. I tested these flashlights exclusively in a 2-person tent. They were too bright for basic camping. The dual-mantle design pumps out 1,000 lumens on high. Strobe mode (aka flash mode) acts as an emergency blinker. That level of light is great for precise tasks, but generally, we use it at a much lower light level. Pro tip: Be sure to avoid too many overlapping bulbs or it will become too bulky to close. Many lanterns offer additional features, such as the ability to charge your electric devices and doubling as a flashlight. Whenever you turn the flashlight on after its been off for more than a few seconds, it activates at that mode. Copyright 2022 99Boulders LLC. Because of that, Im going to classify it as a budget flashlight for the purposes of this review. You dont have to worry about rain or dirt, as it has an IP65 waterproof rating, and it has proven very durable while testing. Check Price at BackcountryCheck Price at Amazon. A single candle burns for nearly 9 hours, and the spring-loaded system keeps the flame at a consistent height. First, it lacks a red light mode. This classic flashlight isnt great for camping. Car camping removes the burden of carrying your gear around on your back, but smaller, lighter gear makes almost everything easier. I then shuffled around camp doing usual camp chores such as cooking dinner, washing dishes, and checking for ticks while alternating between the flashlights to get a sense for how well they performed. Manufacturers list run time on their product pages (but be aware theyre likely incorrect and take them with a large grain of salt). After all my testing, I found myself reaching for this flashlight every time and using the firefly mode almost exclusively. Im a guy, so the results of my Bathroom Test are from a males perspective. At 100 bucks, its not the cheapest option around. Beyond the instances where I actually needed to go the bathroom, I also mimicked this act by literally getting out of my tent and walking a little ways into the woods. More than once I temporarily blinded myself with the strobe while cycling through brightness settings when using this flashlight in my tent. But the included hard carrying case will keep it safe when packed. The ML6 charges quickly via USB. The bungee cord makes it easy to hang in any location. It has no strobe or red light mode, no ability to change the focus. Its a staggeringly excessive amount of light when your eyes are adjusted to the dark. I used my own scale to double check the weight of each flashlight. This means your battery will last much longer. It packs down to 4.25 inches long and weighs just 7.2 ounces. If youre going with an electric lantern, battery life is a consideration, especially if youre going to be in the woods for a few days or more. It has a robust yet intuitive user interface and plenty of brightness settings, including an extra dim firefly mode which doesnt hurt your eyes once theyve adjusted to the dark. Sharing in-depth conversations between the world's adventurers, athletes, and outdoorspeople, The GearJunkie Podcast is your inside look into the outdoors industry. If searching for a flashlight with a strobe mode, I recommend choosing one that strobes white light as opposed to red light. I used them to locate items Id left lying around the tent and as a reading light for reading from a paperback Id brought with me. As an Amazon Associate 99Boulders LLC earns from qualifying purchases.
Time to circle back to a claim I made in the intro. It will run for nearly 7 hours on high before needing a new fuel canister. It does get hot, so use caution when extinguishing or moving. For $40, Coleman has made a solid lantern that will give you years of use. I have a long list of gripes about this light: Bottom line: I dont recommend this light to anyone. If you have a rechargeable battery, bring along a portable battery or solar charger to top off your lanterns between uses. It pays to carry extra batteries on your trip if your lantern uses disposable batteries. Looking for a packable solar light that wont break the bank? Whether backpacking, car camping, or looking for an ultrapackable emergency light, the Moji is a durable and useful bargain. Its a quality product thats also involved in a good cause. This is more than enough to light up most camping spaces.
It didnt fit comfortably in any of my short pockets. A red light mode isnt necessary, though. Weve used one exclusively at camp when desiring a classic, soft firelight. If all you need are a lightweight battery pack and camping flashlight, you could buy two of the best options out there at full price the ThruNite Archer 2A V3 and Anker PowerCore 10000 and still spend less than if you bought this light.