Black Diamond Orbit Lantern

Priced: $19.95 - $29.99 Rated:   - 5 stars out of 5 by 143 reviews.
Black Diamond Orbit Lantern
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Black Diamond Orbit Lantern -
The Black Diamond Orbit LED lantern is truly small and light enough to make it on every excursion as it's the smallest Black Diamond LED lantern compacting down to 4 inches.
Adjustable brightness and dimming switch.
Dual reflectors and frosted globe maximize light output while minimizing glare.
DoublePower 1-watt LED emits up to 45 lumens.
Runs on 4 AAA alkaline batteries or Black Diamond's NRG2 Rechargeable Battery Kit.
Features a handy battery power indicator that displays either the amount of battery power left or the charging status of the NRG
Dual collapsible hooks on top of the Black Diamond Orbit allow it to be hung with ease in a tent or outside from a tree.
Tough construction withstands use in rain, snow and sleet - protected against splashing or sprayed water from any angle (IPX 4)
The Black Diamond Orbit is a must-have item for anyone who loves the outdoors - this Black Diamond LED lantern is so light you'll never prep an overnight pack without it.

Fabric:

  • Unique double-hook hanging system on top provides a simple and secure thread-through or clip-in attachment point for string, fabric loops or branches

Insulation:

  • Fine-tune your lighting needs with the dimming switch—simply hold down the on/off button to activate dimmer

Weather and Wind:

  • IPX4 water resistance withstands your lapses, i.e. splashes, intermittent (light) rain shower

Manufactured:

  • Made in China

Features:

  • Dual hooks on top allow the Orbit Lantern to be quickly and securely attached to a tent or tree branch
  • Closeout
  • LED Type; double power (1-watt)
  • Dimming switch provides the optimal amount of light and lets you conserve battery power
  • 3 oz. (w/o batteries)
  • The Orbit’s frosted globe gives off a non-glaring light so you can read a book in your tent while you wait out the storm
  • Collapsible design saves space in your pack and protects on/off button from accidental activation
  • Compactible to 102 mm (4 in); extended height is 140 mm (5.5 in)
  • US shipments only
  • Power meter displays charge status or battery level for rechargeable NRG2 Rechargeable Battery Kit (sold separately) or 4 AAA alkalines
  • Runs on 4 AAA batteries, not included; base of lantern unscrews to reveal battery compartment
  • DoublePower LED with 45 lumens (max setting) enclosed inside a frosted globe produces bright, non-glaring light
  • Dual reflectors and frosted globe maximize light output while minimizing the lantern's shadow
  • Also compatible with the Black Diamond NRG2 rechargeable battery kit, sold separately
  • Non-glaring 1-watt LED has adjustable brightness thanks to a dimming switch
  • DoublePower LED with frosted globe creates bright, non-glaring light; dual reflectors effectively capture and distribute light
  • LED puts out 45 lumens on high and 10 lumens on low; illuminates an area approximately 13 ft. in diameter on high
  • Rubber feet stabilize lantern when set on table or ground
  • Collapsible, double-hook hang loop attaches to tent ceilings and tree branches
  • Unique dimming features allows you to set the mood with adjustable brightness (dim to just 10 lumens) and helps conserve batteries
  • Max Burn Time; 24 hr
  • Brightness of 32 Lumens, with a 2-meter light radius
OutdoorPlay.com
Black Diamond Orbit Camping Lantern - Designed for ounce-conscious backpackers, climbers and travelers, the Black Diamond Orbit lantern packs 45 lumens of bright, non-glaring light in an ultra-portable package. A DoublePower LED works with a dual reflector system and frosted globe to illuminate everything from tent-bound reading to pre-dawn racking. The unique dimming switch provides the optimal amount of light and helps conserve batteries, while the power meter displays battery level. It's even compatible with the NRG2 rechargeable battery kit. A collapsible, double-hook hang loop attaches to tent ceilings and tree branches alike. Save space without giving up performance with the Black Diamond Orbit LED Lantern.
Oregon Mountain Community
Designed for pack-carrying backpackers, or skiers the Black Diamond Orbit lantern will illuminate your tent, yurt or backcountry cabin with 45 lumens of bright, non-glaring light, yet weighs just 4 ounces. Stop jury rigging your uni-directional headlamp into a makeshift light; the cozy glow of the Orbit is perfect for winter campers playing games in their tent, group activities like cooking or winding down after a long day on the trail. The Orbit lantern upgrades your backcountry experience.

SummitHut.com

The Black Diamond Orbit Lantern is the perfect gift for those who count every ounce in their pack and can't be bothered with ducking headlamp beams at basecamp. This collapsible mini lantern has a dimming switch and handy double hook that you can hang it from in your tent or from the nearest branch or you can put up both hooks to form for even more attachment options. Great for reading, cooking, or just sitting around and having a conversation. The Orbit is perfect for those situations where you need a little light but can't spare a hand to hold it. This is powered by four AAA batteries or the NGR2 rechargeable battery that can be used over and over again keeping your waste down. Perfect for use in areas where camp fires may not be available due to fire hazards, like many areas around Tucson in the summer or if you just want to keep your impact on the environment down.


USOutdoor.com
The Black Diamond Orbit lantern is your ultimate friend on the trail. Weighing in at only three ounces, it has a streamlined shape for easy packing and throws off 45 lumens of bright light. The Orbit lamp has a dimming switch for determining just the right amount of light in a given situation, be it reading in the tent or trying to finding your way to the bathroom late at night. The special Black Diamond hanger lets you clip on easily to the tent ceiling or the nearest tree limb.

Mountains Plus Outdoor Gear

A pocket-sized, collapsible backcountry mini lantern, the Orbit is perfect for trekking and backpacking excursions where gram shaving is crucial. The 84-gram (3 oz) Orbit compacts to 102 mm (4 in) and extends in height to 140 mm (5.5 in), yet still casts a broad, six-foot radius of light. The brightness of the Orbit's non-glaring 1-watt LED can be adjusted thanks to its dimming switch, while the dual reflectors and frosted globe maximize light output and minimize the lantern's shadow. Cleverly designed dual hooks on top of the Orbit allow it to be quickly and securely attached to a tent or tree branch. The lantern runs on 4 AAA alkalines, as well as Black Diamond's Orbit-specific NRG2 Rechargeable Battery Kit.
Weight: 3 oz.
Height: 4" collapsed, 5.5" extended


Backcountry.com
Big lantern light, low lantern weight.
As you pack for next big climbing expedition make sure to pack the Black Diamond Orbit Lantern into your duffel. Weighing in at a mere three ounces, the Orbit is light enough to take with you on your next trip. No worries if a storm keeps you in your shelter all day—the Orbit’s 24-hour burn time should get you through till Mother Nature breaks blue.

Cabelas
At a mere 3 oz., this compact, packable Black Diamond Orbit lantern is ideal for backpackers and travelers who make every ounce count. But don't be fooled by the small size. This powerhouse puts out a brilliant 45 lumens of bright, nonglaring light. A double-power LED works with the dual-reflector system and the frosted globe to illuminate your campsite. The unique dimming switch lets you use just the amount of light you need to conserve batteries. Collapsible double-hook hang loops attach to a tent ceiling and tree branches. Requires four AAA batteries (not included).
Maximum burn time: 24 hours.
IPX rating: 4.
Available: Dark Chocolate, Lava.

Backcountry Edge

The pocket-sized, ultra-lightweight Black Diamond Orbit lantern utilizes a full 1-Watt LED bulb to provide ounce-counting backpackers with bright, non-glaring illumination. Despite weighing just 3 oz (not including batteries) the Orbit serves as a powerful, reliable light source.


Mountain Gear

Shed grams from your pack with a low-weight light source that fits into your pocket with the Orbit Lantern from Black Diamond. Perfect for fast-and-light adventures, this single watt LED with a frosted globe casts a non-glaring, bright light with a dual reflector system that maximizes light output.


REI

Updated for 2010, the featherweight Black Diamond Orbit lantern brings bright light to your backcountry adventure without weighing you down.

Imported.


Sierra Trading Post
Black Diamond Equipment's Orbit LED lantern provides lots of illumination in a lightweight package, with a dimming switch and a collapsible, double-hook hang loop.

Massey's Outfitters
Masseys Outfitters Guide to Lanterns
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Average Price History: Price History
Review RatingNumber of Reviews
101
24
8
7
3
Activity:Family & car camping
Average run time:High: 15 / low: 24 hours
Batteries:4 AAA, Not Included, NRG2 Rechargeable Battery Compatible
Battery:Runs on NRG2 Rechargeable Battery Kit (sold separately) or 4 AAA alkalines
Battery Life:Up to 24 Hours
Battery Type:AAA
Beam Type:Area
Bulb:45 Lumens; DoublePower LED
Bulb detail:DoublePower LED
Bulb type:LED
Bulbs:DoublePower LED
Burn Time:24 hours
Burn Time (Hours):24
Case Pack Quantity:10
Closed length:2.25 x 4 inches
Collapsed Height:102 mm, or 4 in
Diameter:2.25 in
Dimensions:Compactible to 102 mm (4 in); extended height is 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dimensions - Collapsed:(height) 4 in
Dimensions - Extended:(height) 5.5 in
Extended Height:140 mm, or 5.5 in
Focus:Adjustable
Height:Compacted - 4 in
IPX Rating:4
IPX Water-Resistance Rating:4
LED Type:DoublePower (1-watt)
Lamp:LED
Lantern type:Electric
Light Coverage Radius:6 feet
Light Output:45 Lumens
Lumens:45
Material:plastic
Max Burn Time Lowest Setting:24 Hours
Max Burn Time on Lowest Setting:24 hours
Max Burntime(S) ON Lowest Setting:24H
Max Lumens:45
Max burn time:24 hours
Max light output (lumens):45 lumens
Maximum Burn Time:24 Hours
Modes:Unique dimming switch provides adjustable brightness
Open length:2.25 x 5.5 inches
Output:45 lumens
Packed Size:2.25" diameter x 4" long.
Power (Watts):1 Lumens : 45
Power Type:Battery
Rechargeable:No
Recommended Use:General Backpacking, Camping and Emergency Preparedness
Retail Package Dimension:4 x 2.5 x 2.5" / 10 x 6.4 x 6.4 cm
Size:4" 102 mm( 5" 140 mm extended)
Strobe:no
Type:Lantern
Warranty:3 Years
Waterproof:Water-resistant
Weight:(without batteries) 3 oz./ 84 g
Weight With Batteries:84 g, 3 oz
Weight Without Batteries:84 g, or 3 oz
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Subcategories of Lights & Headlamps:

Black Diamond Orbit Lantern Reviews:

Positive Reviews:

A Great Lantern Idea!

I bought this on a whim, as I've pruchased "cheapy" mini-lanterns before, and thought it would be good for a laugh. Especially for the price. I have never been proven wrong by a lantern before, until I met the Black Diamond Orbit.

Now, I bought this as a back-up to the Apollo version, and I have to admit that I'm impressed with the lantern (Dare I say I like this one more than the Apollo?). For such a compact lantern, the light output (Especially for 45 lumens) is really bright.

Where I work, lighting is everything, especially when your generators decide to go down, or your last shift neglected to refill them. Even when they're running, I depend on my lights throughout the night.

As a stationary light, it does a decent job. It's not super bright, but I call it my "Hurricane lantern on 'roids." At an 8-10 foot height, I can see the light radius being 10-15 feet around, which is awesome for such a small lantern. What I really use it for is my "Go-to bathroom light." There's nothing worse than using a port-a-potty in the middle of nowhere, or even worse so, the "Older than you are" outhouse that no one has serviced in a million years. It's not fun trying to explain to your C/O why you discharged your weapon in the outhouse, trying to defend yourself from the sneaky raccoon that decided to crawl down into the pit (Don't worry, it was dark, and I missed the little stinker. I did manage to hit the wall, however. :)).

Guess what? That's not a problem anymore with the Orbit! For a confined area, the lighting is perfect and the lantern works wonderfully as a handheld lantern, so seeing the trails at night is a breeze. Even if you use the dimmer function, just turning it off and on again switches it back to it's highest setting. A great feature, just like the Apollo.

The only reason the Orbit is getting 4 stars is because of the "anti-glare" feature. The globe could have been frosted, just a touch more. At certain angles, there is a glare from the reflector, and it's a little annoying at times. Aside from that, I simply adore this lantern!

As a matter of fact, I may have to pick up about a half dozen more (The raccoons could use them, so they don't mistake the outhouse as a new home again)! P.S. The "usable" light, on a table (Or ground) is about a 3-4 foot radius due to the light casting downward at 30 degrees from the top, in case you're wondering. ;)

A wonderful product!
The Gear Hoarder at REI on 06/06/2012

Ample light for camping, small & light.

I looked online before I bought, & based on light output, I thought I'd be getting the Black Diamond Apollo. in the store I was able to try both the Apollo & the Orbit (an employee recommended I crawl under a cloth-draped table) & the Orbit light seemed ample, as well as a slightly warmer tone. I liked that, as the white LEDs can be a bit cold. I LOVED the tiny size of this lantern. Also I'm highly pleased with how it collapses, which reduces the size by about half, & protects the globe. I took this on a couple of late summer camping trips & in a dark tent - mine is 7'x14', it was more than sufficient. I immediately got another so my son could have one as his camp reading light & I could leave another outside, on low, as a beacon to help us find the tent upon late returns. As for battery power, I used it for a week long trip & was not shy about leaving it on, as I'd packed extra batteries, but I never had to replace them. I had another brand of LED lantern that died after 3 years. One change in this one I very much like is the globe is frosted. LEDs can be very harsh when you look into them, the frosted plastic helps sooo much with this, diffusing the light so you don't get blinded as you move it around. I've also found it's great just around the house. We have 2 now, & we use them outside around the table for BBQs that go into the dark, & my son keeps one by his bed for reading under the covers. Almost works as a flashlight. The small size, light weight, & long battery life make this a highly useful choice for travel. I put rechargeable AAAs in it. I'll definitely take these on my next big trip overseas. I learned the hard way many countries don't have our habit of bedside lamps. A small & reliable LED lantern is so useful. Finally, all the pros listed, along with a reasonable price ([$] less than the Apollo) makes this quite good as an emergency light, to stash somewhere in the house just in case.
puntybunny at REI on 10/10/2010

Nice, but yes, quirky.

I use it for 2-3 day camp outs. Had it for 3+ years. Some car camp, some hike-in. The little hooks on top are great b/c it can attach to just about anything if you work on it. Great in my tent at night for reading under all circumstances. Nice quality of light. Good light for backcountry. If you are in an area with a little more ambient light, say with a campfire, it doesn't add too much. But enough to play cards or something at a picnic table or something. But it's not super bright. It's pretty compact which is nice, as is the fact that you can't accidentally turn it on. I've had no problem with 2-3 night battery life.Cons - I've had it do that blinking thing some other reviewers have noted and also it just plain turns off when it's out of batteries. That sucks, especially knowing the batteries have some more juice. But the blinking thing is weird because it happens only intermittently. Then it works fine. I think it does have to do with colder temperatures. But it happened infrequently enough that it didn't ever pose a major problem, especially because I always have a headlamp anyway. I would never rely on one light source. That said, it's worked pretty consistently. Finally - it bit the dust one day when I opened it to use it camping. It doesn't open that easily, so it's easy to accidentally pull too hard. A plastic piece simply broke irreparably. Unfortunate, but I will buy another, being a little more careful opening it. I'm going backcountry in 2 weeks with 3 others, and it will be the perfect lantern for all 4 of us to sit around at night. For[$], I think it did its job pretty well for 3 years. But always carry a backup light!
jimmybsd at REI on 09/09/2012

Only one quirk

Fantastic little lantern. Small and lightweight enough to justify bringing along on all but the most grueling backpacking trips, and I love the design of the hook/loop on the top -- this little guy can attach to anything.

Great light output that is very easy to adjust, and though I haven't had it long enough to attest to its run time its running like a champ for quite a while now on AA alkalines. Feels very durable and the little rubber feet on the bottom keep it in place on less-than-flat surfaces. Thoughtful design makes it impossible to turn on accidentally.

My only beef is the rechargeable system offered for it. Orbit is not rechargeable via USB; you need to buy Black Diamond's proprietary system, which only includes a wall charger. Car charger is separate and extra, and this still leaves no option for recharging the lantern while out and about. True, I'm happy to just rely on my rechargeable headlamp on long journeys, and on shorter ones I'll have other options if the lantern dies -- so, yeah, I'm being nit-picky. But still, I wish BD would join the times and make its batteries USB-rechargeable, so my little portable battery- and solar-chargers can feed the Orbit as well.

Admittedly, this one "beef" is quite negligible. Juice up the Orbit before you go and you should have no problems with this excellent little lantern.
samwise801 at REI on 05/05/2012

impressive

This little baby does exactly what you need it do. At 45 lumens it is plenty bright enough to light up an entire room or tent. It has great battery life for a led light and has a wonderful non glare casing so u don't get blinded when you're looking at it. The compact design is a huge plus and makes for easy storage and the clips allow you to put it on anything. This light is also dimmable which is a great feature to save some battery life and also great because you don't always need the brightest light possible in certain situations. This light is bright enough for the whole camp to sit and play cards or to read a book. If you are planning on using this product in temperatures below 20 degrees then this probably wouldn't be your best option. The only other downside is that it is somewhat heavy for the minimalist. All in all though this product performs very well for what it's intended to do. I would highly recommend this product for the average camper and the non hardcore backpacker.
trailhippy at REI on 10/10/2012

Make sure you get good batteries!

I goofed on this lantern at first and wrote it off as junk! Reason was, I put new batteries in because my old ones died and the light just started to be all goofy and turn off and wouldn't work right. I took it back and got a new one, which ended up being the new 2011 style one with the new features of dimming. Same problem! Ended up the batteries I had gotten were bad because when I tried other new batteries and it worked perfect!

Needless to say this lantern kicks butt! I use it in my jeep to see, in my tent to see and when I am setting up camp in the dark before the fire is started this lantern lights up my area great! The softness of the light doesn't kill your eyes but yet it is very luminescent. Great and compact, light, and durable little device.
More color options? I love my green color though!
Black Diamonds bigger lanterns if you want or need more light and are not doing backpacking like me.
veitski87 at REI on 03/03/2011

A Lot of Light for a Tiny Lantern

We bought this lantern after a powerful snowstorm in late October left us without power for a week in Sturbridge MA. We had gone in to REI looking for a Coleman lantern but like all stores in the area they were sold out. The salesman recommended this product with great enthusiasm, So I bought it. It was worth it's weight in gold giving off an amazing amount of light for such a small product.

I almost gave it a "perfect" score, but my one complaint is it ate through batteries quickly. If you leave it on for hours, which we did, it needed batteries the next day. The good news is it uses small and light AA batteries which we had plenty of on hand. Due to the extended power outage all over the Northeast D batteries could not be purchased. But AA were plentiful. Obviously this is a "feature" that keeps the lantern light and ultra portable. It is just worth noting that extra batteries are needed.
RichSad at REI on 12/12/2011
This is a great lantern! I have purchased other backpacking lanterns from other top companies that had many issues. The main issue that I had with other lanterns was that it would blind you if you even glanced close to it. I also dealt with faulting wiring and sucking the battery juice. With this lantern, you don't have that, you have the frosted lens with the indirect light, but it still packs a punch when it comes to lighting up your camping quarters. I love simplistic gear and this is one of the top easiest to use pieces of gear that I own. Another reason why I gave this lantern 5 stars was it's ability to compact within itself to make more room for extra gear. I've thought about just using a headlamp when adventuring, but it's nice to be able to use your peripheral vision at night instead of having to direct your head wherever you're looking, like when using a headlamp. I love it!
sirmattc at OutdoorPlay.com on 01/11/2011

Perfect Backpacking Lantern

This is a great lantern! I have purchased other backpacking lanterns from other top companies that had many issues. The main issue that I had with other lanterns was that it would blind you if you even glanced close to it. I also dealt with faulting wiring and sucking the battery juice. With this lantern, you don't have that, you have the frosted lens with the indirect light, but it still packs a punch when it comes to lighting up your camping quarters. I love simplistic gear and this is one of the top easiest to use pieces of gear that I own. Another reason why I gave this lantern 5 stars was it's ability to compact withn itself to make more room for extra gear. I've thought about just using a headlamp when adventuring, but it's nice to be able to use your periferal vision at night instead of having to direct your head wherever you're looking, like when using a headlamp. I love it!
sirmattc at REI on 01/01/2011

nice lantern

I got 4 hours steady on high with 4 fully charged sanyo eneloop rechargable AA batteries. 7 hours steady on dim. in the top is a conical metalic reflector that creates an annoyingly bright "spot". I removed the reflector and now it casts a more pleasing illumination. with that in mind and that the lantern is not watetproof, or at least the instruction read not to submerge I would say by the construction that it is most likely very water resistant but I havnt used it in the rain yet. I give 4 stars. dimming feature is very nice. could use a more stable base. very durable. I intentionaly dropped the lantern from 4 feet on to a hard surface wood floor and it did not affect the performance. with the top off it makes a great flashlight casting a very bright beam. removing the top and removing the reflector may void any warrany but IMO makes the lantern better functional.
othercat at Campmor on 01/01/2012

Negative Reviews:

Love the compact design, but unreliable!

I really liked this lantern because it's so light and compact, it has a great illumination that isn't blinding, and you can hang it inside your tent ceiling so you're hands-free. I really loved it... until it got quirky.

The floor sample at an REI store out of town was blinking off and on consistently. I thought it was just a low battery issue and thought nothing of it. When I took it to my backpacking trip it started doing the same thing just about 10 minutes after being lit! So I returned it to my local REI store. The floor sample there also did the exact thing, and someone said that had happened to him too.

The temperature during my trip was around 35 degrees or so which may allude to the battery issues that other reviewers said... but it did the same thing at the REI store. So what gives? I really wanted to love it and keep it but just didn't work for me! I bought a Gorilla torch instead and haven't had problems.
Nikki E. at REI on 05/05/2011

Rather use headlamp

I got one of the first one of these and have used it only occasionally because it is bulkier and has a shorter run time than my headlamps. You also have to put the light above and behind you to read, otherwise it just blinds you or creates shadows.

Still it is compact and has a nice split folding ring which makes it easy to hang.

The base slides into the lantern. Mine was very hard to slide out. The last time I used it I had to pull on it so hard, that when did start to slide it pulled in two before I knew it.

Black Diamond has a responsive consumer email line but they failed to respond on how I might fix mine.
dayhiker9 at REI on 11/11/2011

Good, but has issues

USE: I have used this 3 times, all above 35 degrees. The first time it worked fine. The second time was about 2 weeks later, I tried to turn it on- nothing. I checked the batteries, one was corroded. I put in some spares and it worked fine. (I stored it with the batteries removed after this trip!) The third time, I had trouble getting the light to turn on. I must have pressed the button about 15 times before it finally worked. Even then it would not stay on, it turned off quickly. Eventually it stayed on and worked well.

I especially like hanging it in the tent at night. Overall, it was great when it worked but I would have a back up plan.
wastenot at REI on 09/09/2011

Fragile

Your mileage may vary on this one. My climbing partner and I both bought this model of BD lantern at about the same time. His is still going strong, but mine appears to have been affected by the -10*f temperatures it went through this winter and after the second trip started to inexplicably shut off. The light will go on fine (fresh batteries, no problems), and then after about 3-5 minutes, wink out. Turning it back on works, but sure as taxes, off it goes again. Extremely frustrating so it's been relegated to the burn pit (I mean garage).
trad8 at REI on 05/05/2011

Short run time.

Short run time. Eats up battery, even expensive Energizer lithiums.
Optional rechargable battery is a extremely cheap nickle cadmium, not lithium ion and more then half the batch they make are defective, will not charge at all.
Out of three, one worked and just barely.
Over priced and completely lacking in quality control.
Do not depend on these lamps.
DownTheRiver at REI on 11/11/2012

Dissappointing battery life

Bought the product this summer, took it on two backpacking trips. First time it shut down it two hours - not exactly the night light my young son wanted! Next trip was nearly as bad but I brought along many batteries. Really I do not understand why this product has such lousy battery life but it is virtually useless
John777 at REI on 08/08/2012

sorry, but I had to return my lantern...

That's correct, I returned my black diamond orbit lantern, because of VERY SHORT BATTERY LIFE! I like the concept, but 2-3 Hour BATTERY LIFE ON LOW, IS A BIG EXPENSE, AND NOT REALLY PRACTICAL FOR BACKPACKING.
guod at REI on 06/06/2011

I would NOT buy this product

Product would not work in temps below 35 degrees F. Tried 2 of them and both exhibited the same problem. Do not take this camping during cold weather or at least take a back-up.
czboy at REI on 03/03/2011

Battery life is very short in this.

I original rated this bd orbit lantern,, a high rating, and tried real hard to want to keep it, but it just goes through batteries too fast.
guod at REI on 06/06/2011

Shortcomings

Much smaller than expected. Could have bought same thing at the Dollar store
The Grunt at Campmor on 12/12/2012

Neutral Reviews:

Good light output, bad battery life.

This is a nice little lamp that has great light output and area coverage for its size. Up until we got this lantern, we were using our headlamps to play cards by and for in-tent lighting. Something about having decent glowing ambient light makes things more comfortable, especially in the backcountry. I will say though, I feel the battery life stated has to be from testing done either in mid-80's temperatures or with lithium cells. I returned my first lamp thinking it had a faulty switch or some other malfunction because it maybe lasted 3 hours on a fresh set of Energizers, and this was using a mix of high and dimmed settings. Just recently on a trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (50-65°F), our second lamp did the same exact thing. I will do some testing of it at home before I decide what to do with it, but at this point, I am not impressed with the battery life.
Toiletbrush at REI on 12/12/2010

Great until...SNAP!

I purchased this lantern in 2009 for backpacking and up until Halloween weekend 2011, was very pleased. It served its purpose on a few trips per year without any major issues.

My most recent outing, unfortunately, left me upset when i pulled it open and the 2 plastic peices holding part "A" (top) to part "B" bottom snapped. I dis-assembled & re-assembled in hopes of getting it to work but...nothing. I dont think i was abusive to the product at any point so this is a design issue.

I will be purchasing another one but will upgrade to the next size because i believe a little more light would be nice & i dont mind the few extra ounces. Plus, i think a larger lantern might result in slightly thicker/sturdier parts (although i dont think i should have to worry about it).

I would recommend this brand but push anyone asking to the mid-size.
Needs to Relocate at REI on 11/11/2011

bright light has some issues

Great light output and the frosted dome spreads it nicely. Poor battery life though. Mine simply shut off when the batteries were low instead of slowly fading out. This was a little freaky when we woke in the backcountry at 3:00 a.m. to scare a bear away from the bear bag, put on our headlamps and planted this lantern at the tent for a return beacon. When we turned around to come back, the light was off and it was completely pitch black except for our headlamps! We had no idea which direction to go! After some frantic and confused running around we got our bearing and did manage to find our way back. This scared the he** out of my wife, and me too. I would definitely NOT rely on this light in an emergency situation for this reason. I'm not sure, but this might be going back; I don't think a light should just go out like that.
Jersey Bob at REI on 08/08/2011

Broke after 1 night in the Rain

I love the dimming feature of this lantern, and the compactability, but now the 'on' button won't stay compressed, so this lantern only stays lit for about 15 seconds. I'm blaming that entirely on the rain, but even after drying it out (by use of multiple silica packets) my lantern won't stay lit.I have hung it up inside my tent by the handle, and it compresses down to fit nicely in my 13 L daypack. It's a great lantern, over-all, but doesn't stand up to getting wet. If you're going to be somewhere that it absolutely won't rain, this lantern is bright, compact, and the perfect size.If you're going somewhere cold, wet, and suchlike, this lantern might not be the one for you.
Alanna at Moosejaw on 02/06/2013

Not bad but not great

I used this light for a week in the hills of NC. The light output was fine. It had a nice soft spread when hung higher up for a larger radius. I returned it because by my 4th day of hiking the battery contacts rusted. I had to keep scraping them off after a week, then I gave up. --If you are packing light and plan to use this for camp IT IS NOT RELIABLE. Temp was 20F night 70F day. I left it out 1 night in light rain. If it can't take that it's not durable.
MtDrew22 at REI on 07/07/2012

Bright, compact, but has short run time.

This product is very bright, compact, easy to use. However, it has short run time, probably because of its light output. It'g good for recreational camping and emergencies.

My only problem with it, is it turns-off automatically for about 60 seconds, though the light is still good, and the batteries still have enough power (as I checked the voltage using my fluke tester, the batteries still have an average of not over 1.30 vdc)
rekaks at REI on 09/09/2011

Average

I don't hate this product, but I don't find it very useful. I do like how small and portable it is, but the reflection angle of the light isn't very practical. I find it hard to get the light to shine on what I want to see.
sbeagley at Cabelas on 12/12/2012

MINI LANTERN

SMALLER THAN I THOUGHT.
PAM at Campmor on 12/12/2012