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Portable camping solar lights have become a very popular, safe, and effective way to light up your campsite, cooking station, or inside your tent. The three lights I’m going to share in this article are small, lightweight, and can be used while participating in many outdoor activities. Now, before we talk about the lights, let’s talk about some of the benefits of solar vs. other lighting options.
Why Solar?
Just like many, I have been camping my entire life and always relied on flashlights, and camping lanterns for outdoor lighting. When camping solar lights were introduced to the outdoor community, I questioned if these small lights could really outperform or replace the good old fashion camping lantern.
Being that I enjoy trying, and using new outdoor gear, I decided to purchase a Luci Outdoor Inflatable Solar Light and put it to the test. Over a two-year period, this light has been on several camping trips, hikes, and used in many outdoor settings. The portable solar light has become my go to source for quick lighting in the mountains and even at home.
The list below are my reasons why I prefer using solar lights over other lighting options:
1. They are clean and safe to use.
2. You never have to worry about an open flame.
3. They don’t get hot and are safe to use in closed spaces.
4. You never have to pack gasoline.
5. You never have to replace batteries
6. They are lightweight, convenient to use, easy to store, and maintain.
7. They charge in the sun or via a USB port.
8. They are an environmentally friendly source of light.
Now, let’s talk about the three lights that I personally own and have used on many outdoor adventures.
Luci Outdoor Solar Light by MPowerd:
As mentioned above I have been using this light for over two years. The version that I own was the first introduced and the new Luci Outdoor 2.0 offers a few more features. This solar light is inflatable and 100% waterproof. The light features a handle on the top and bottom, making it easy to carry, attach to a backpack, or hang.
The light features 10 LED lights and emits 75 lumens. The charging time can take up to 7 hours, and will provide up to 24 hours of run time. The version that I own has 3 modes: low, high, and flashing. The new version offers 4 modes: low, medium, high, and flashing. Charging the light is simple. When you wake up in the morning simply place the Luci Light, solar side up, in a sunny location, and go out and enjoy your day.
From my experience this outdoor light does a great job lighting up a tent, and it is a quick and easy light source to take with you in the woods when nature calls in the middle of the night.
luminAid PackLite Nova USB:
The luminAid PackLite is also an inflatable solar lantern. This light can not only be charged by the sun, but also through a USB port built into the light itself. This light is also waterproof and can be used in a lake or swimming pool. The Packlite offers 5 settings with the brightest producing 75 Lumens. Settings include turbo, high, medium, low, and flashing. Charging time in the sunlight is 10 hours, or 1-2 hours using the USB charging port. The usage time on the Turbo setting with a full charge is 3-5 hours, and the high setting 6-8 hours.
Additional features on the luminAid is a battery indicator and an adjustable handle strap. When deflated it folds to less than an inch thick, which is perfect for packing backing, and those interested in packing lite. USB cord is included with the light.
Goal Zero Crush Light:
When I received this little solar light, I was very surprised by the design, the size, and the possibilities. The name Crush Light fits perfectly as it collapses down to just over a half of inch thick. The light will charge via the solar panel, or the USB port built in. Four LED lights produce 60 lumens on the highest setting. On a full charge it will last for 3 hours on the highest setting. According to the Goal Zero website the Crush Light has four settings, high, medium, low, and candle light. The ones I purchased seem to only have three. This maybe user error, however, the high, medium, and low settings are all I need.
Now, one of the disadvantages of this light is the charge time of 20 hours via the solar panel. This could be due to the size of the panel itself. The charge time via USB is 2.5 hours for a full charge. Other than that, this light became my go to light source on my last camping trip. This was mostly due to the hard-plastic handle which made it easy to grab and hold onto while venturing into the woods at night. When purchased this light comes with a USB cable, and it ships in demo mode. In order to take it out of this mode you must hold the on/off button for 10 to 15 seconds. This should clear the mode and you will have a fully functioning portable light.
Other Uses:
There are many other practical uses for the solar lights mentioned above. Of course, they are great for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities, but what about emergency preparedness? These lights would make a great addition to your emergency supplies in your home, trunk of your car, or at the office. They are a quick source of light when the power goes out, or if you need a light source while on the road for unexpected car troubles. I have used these solar lights for everything mentioned above and I was grateful I had them around.
Solar Light Disadvantages:
Just like all portable lighting you must be sure to keep them charged. Whether by the sun or using a USB port. This is no different from the flash light in your cupboard. It’s very frustrating when you reach for your flashlight only to find out the batteries are dead and you end up fumbling around in the dark to find replacement batteries.
The other disadvantage is these Solar Lights will not last forever. For example, if you fully charged the Luci Light and use up the entire battery every day, the product may only last you 1 to 2 years. Even though my Luci Lights have lasted two years and seem to be working just fine, this is something to keep in mind. Each product does have a life expectancy.
If you’re searching for a light to luminate your entire campsite these lights are probably not the best choice. From my experience these solar lights are better used for concentrated light. For example, hanging them directly over a camping table, cooking stove, or to luminate a smaller space such as a tent. Other samples would be changing a tire, or working under the hood of your car.
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