Looking for an 18650 lantern w/warm and high CRI LED

Nismo · 2019-11-10T10:50:43.000Z

I’ve been searching around on the internet for a lantern that uses flat top 18650s (either one or more).

A plus would be SST-20 2700-3000K 95CRI LEDs or equivalent, where warm white and high CRI is priority.

Size wise, the BLF LT1 seems to be a bit too big, and it doesn’t like flat tops that well. Otherwise it’s a pretty good lantern.

I’ve got diffusers for my D4SV2 and D4V2 flashlights, but they’re a bit inefficient and can’t handle a high brightness for long.

A dream would be a retractable diffuser on the lantern, so it can’t get cracked in my backpack. I have some 3xAA lanterns with cold white and amber LEDs that I use for now. They’re the typical eBay camper lanterns that have a flame mode and a cold white mode. Battery life and emitter options are obviously limited, and modding them isn’t easy due to the LEDs being SMD on a flexible board, and there’s 39 of them.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks!

djozz · 2019-11-10T12:05:52.000Z

The 18650 variant of the LT1 does not exist (yet), so you will have to deal with what imperfect lanterns are currently available, the Zanflare T1 is pretty ok from what I hear.

Diffusers on top of a flashlight work well too, and I doubt they are ineficient compared to a dedicated lantern, actually I think they are more efficient.

I have the feeling that if you wait a year, all kinds of LT1 variants will hit the market, including a smaller 18650 version.

Nismo · 2019-11-10T15:06:49.000Z

djozz:

The 18650 variant of the LT1 does not exist (yet), so you will have to deal with what imperfect lanterns are currently available, the Zanflare T1 is pretty ok from what I hear.

Diffusers on top of a flashlight work well too, and I doubt they are ineficient compared to a dedicated lantern, actually I think they are more efficient.

I have the feeling that if you wait a year, all kinds of LT1 variants will hit the market, including a smaller 18650 version.

The Zanflare T1 looks pretty neat, it’s unfortunately discontinued but still sold on eBay, although some might be copies. Best thing is probably to wait, I’ll use a diffuser on my D4SV2 meanwhile.

RobertB · 2019-11-10T16:56:44.000Z

Nismo:

where warm white and high CRI is priority

The Zanflare T1 looks pretty neat, it’s unfortunately discontinued but still sold on eBay,

Size wise, the BLF LT1 seems to be a bit too big, and it doesn’t like flat tops that well

High cri is imperative? The Zanflare T1 is far from it, although I still really like it and own one. Solder some blobs on top of your flat tops for the LT1. Works great and takes literally a few minutes to do.

Nismo · 2019-11-10T21:26:48.000Z

RobertB:

High cri is imperative? The Zanflare T1 is far from it, although I still really like it and own one. Solder some blobs on top of your flat tops for the LT1. Works great and takes literally a few minutes to do.

That’s a pretty great idea, don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I’ll definitely do that if I get any light that need button top batteries.

beggindog · 2019-11-10T22:19:28.000Z

Streamlight Siege

Saul_M · 2020-08-20T19:16:36.000Z

I guess many people dont do real camping? Because why haven’t we got such a camping lantern yet grrr come on Fenix put a 3200K tint 95CRI in your CL30R 650. That would be the end game lantern. Instead we have what looks like office lighting, the warm tint leds are horrid being too bulky, using non 18650 etc. I still use halogen bulbs for that warmth and atmosphere that LED can’t give yet.

If more complain hopfully someone will make such a lantern.

Nismo · 2020-08-20T20:53:00.000Z

Saul M:

I guess many people dont do real camping? Because why haven’t we got such a camping lantern yet grrr come on Fenix put a 3200K tint 95CRI in your CL30R 650. That would be the end game lantern. Instead we have what looks like office lighting, the warm tint leds are horrid being too bulky, using non 18650 etc. I still use halogen bulbs for that warmth and atmosphere that LED can’t give yet.

If more complain hopfully someone will make such a lantern.

I had to make one myself from a Sofirn IF25A, I call it the LT1 mini because it’s similar but smaller. It takes 21700 or 18640,has 2700K 95CRI and 6500K >70CRI with tint ramping, shines bright and can also be used as a flashlight since the diffuser is press fit (hard)

Here is the thread

iamlucky13 · 2020-08-20T22:21:12.000Z

Saul M:

I guess many people dont do real camping? Because why haven’t we got such a camping lantern yet grrr come on Fenix put a 3200K tint 95CRI in your CL30R 650. That would be the end game lantern. Instead we have what looks like office lighting, the warm tint leds are horrid being too bulky, using non 18650 etc. I still use halogen bulbs for that warmth and atmosphere that LED can’t give yet.

If more complain hopfully someone will make such a lantern.

Personally, I have so far just stuck with headlamp and flashlight for backpacking. In the future I might add a conical diffuser for the flashlight, but I don’t think I will bother with a dedicated lantern when I’m travelling light.

However, the BLF LT1mini might be what you’re hoping for (still under development).