Kathmandu Camp Lantern with remote LED 400
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	Camp Lantern with remote LED 400 Vital Statistics: Colours: Grey/Green Sizes: 122mm W x 122mm D x 259mm H Weight: 1.76 kgms (including batteries) SRP: £44.99

Camp Lantern with remote LED 400

Vital Statistics:

Colours:
Grey/Green

Sizes:
122mm W x 122mm D x 259mm H

Weight:
1.76 kgms (including batteries)

SRP:
£44.99

Features to Note:

Lantern has 2 modes - constant with a dimming feature plus SOS
4 x 1 watt Nichia LEDs providing up to 400 lumens light output
Smooth dimming control for 100% down to 10% brightness
Remote control with 5mm LED which can operate as a torch (also includes SOS flashing mode)
Rubberised finish
Batteries: Lantern 6 x 1.5V D size, Remote 2 x 1.5v AAA Alkaline batteries
Burn time (claimed):
Up to 120 hours on high 100% brightness,
Up to 192 hours on low 10% brightness
Up to 192 hours SOS frequency flashing
Made in China

In-use Test:

Kathmandu's camp lantern is a solid feeling lantern which stands about 23 cms high on an 11 cms x 11 cms base. It feels quite substantial and (at 525gms when batteries are installed) is quite heavy. It has a rubberised cover which provides a good 'grip'. It comes with a (10cms x 4cms) remote which can connected to the main Lantern for storage using the carabineers that are supplied in the pack.

Although not intuitive, once the instructions are read! the Lantern is easy to operate with and without the remote through its various options - full beam, reduced beam, SOS emergency signal mode. The manufacturer claims that the remote will operate over a distance of 5 metres; we found that it would operate over at least twice that distance and through a tent wall which in some scenarios might perhaps be useful in locating a tent?! The remote itself can also operate as a small hand torch also including an SOS emergency mode.

The Lantern's top can also be removed which enables it to be suspended (using carabineers and hook that come with it) and used to provide area lighting.

The 400 lumens output of the Lantern seemed about the same level of light you'd get from a 40 watt bulb; overall the illumination was bright and clear.

The main lantern takes 6 x 1.5V D size batteries; these aren't supplied with the lantern so we purchased them at a cost of £9 in a local, large nationwide retailer. Rechargeables in this size of battery don't appear to be readily available. The manufacturer claims up to 120 hours 'burn time' on 100% brightness; we've not yet tested this but given the cost of the batteries, the economy light features on this are going to be useful in keeping down the running costs. The remote also needs batteries (AAA) but these were supplied with the product - and rechargeables are readily available for this size of battery.

Buying Advice:

The size and weight of Kathmandu's LED 400 camp lantern means that it's really for camping with a car. And it's probably at its best being used in a reasonably large tent especially if you want to hang it and use it for area lighting. It has the main features you need in a camp lantern; importantly (given the battery cost) there are options for power saving and the 10% light level is also a handy option as a night light for kids. Robust and solid, it's also useful as an alternative lighting source in a motorhome or indeed in case of a power cut at home.

What do you think?

Have you got a Kathmandu Camp Lantern with remote LED 400 ?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with the verdict above - or feel an important feature has been negelected.

Kathmandu Camp Lantern with remote LED 400 Product Review & Walking Gear Test

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Kathmandu Camp Lantern with remote LED 400
Product Review & Walking Gear Test