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bwcasolo
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09/25/2018 05:29AM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
What puts out good light? Efficient, not too spendy, not too cheap.
 
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TipsyPaddler
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09/25/2018 06:09AM  
I have been very happy with my Luci Light 2.0 and Luci Light Pro.
Hits the sweet spot between price, quality, weight, and low bulk.
I have read some reviews of poor LED light quality (i.e. arriving burned out)but the three I have work great.
 
09/25/2018 06:12AM  
I gave up lanterns for Luci Lights. Inexpensive, no batteries needed, throw a decent amount of light and take up virtually no room in the pack. We take 3 or 4 every trip.
 
09/25/2018 08:47AM  
Luci light fan here too. Still do an old Coleman when car camping. Something about the hiss of the lantern is just comforting.
 
SevenofNine
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09/25/2018 09:16AM  
Luminaid lantern would be my latest choice over the Luci lantern It is far brighter than the Luci lantern. Weight is only 5.6 ounces greater than the Luci.

LuminAID
 
Chlorin8ed
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09/25/2018 12:08PM  
Black Diamond Moji Lantern
 
09/25/2018 12:34PM  
Another Black Diamond Moji user. Small and good in the tent.
 
09/25/2018 01:23PM  
hooky: "Luci light fan here too. Still do an old Coleman when car camping. Something about the hiss of the lantern is just comforting."


+1 Love that hiss - takes me back to my first years at summer camp. Still use mine while car camping at the Beargrease. For canoeing, Luci works for me. There may be better out there now, but for $16, you can buy a bunch.
 
mjmkjun
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09/25/2018 05:48PM  
Gee, I must be the cheapie for a change. I used an Ozark Trail tent light for about 2 hrs of reading each night and was happy. For $10 had enough light to have Limelight 3 tent (old style) glowing in the dark.
 
THEGrandRapids
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09/25/2018 09:17PM  
I’ve used the Crushable Montbell Lantern And it works pretty well. Was a very light weight solution since I already bring a headlamp.

Love sitting at the deer shack listening to the old Coleman lanterns.
 
muddyfeet
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09/25/2018 11:39PM  
Good ol' UGO candle lantern. Small, light, and puts out enough light to see where you're going or to play cards by. I find the warm, inviting light of a real flame to be especially comforting on cold, wet, nights or on solo trips. I have no problems about bringing it in the tent with me if I'm sleeping on the ground.
 
ozarkpaddler
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09/26/2018 07:26AM  
johndku: "I gave up lanterns for Luci Lights. Inexpensive, no batteries needed, throw a decent amount of light and take up virtually no room in the pack. We take 3 or 4 every trip. "


Ditto! We have 3 now oldest 4 years old I guess? Nary an issue, no batteries, no worries about keeping it dry.
 
BobDobbs
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09/26/2018 08:34AM  
haven't even considered one since led headlamps became a thing.
 
OCDave
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09/26/2018 09:12AM  
BobDobbs: "haven't even considered one since led headlamps became a thing."


+1
My headlamp puts the light exactly where I need it. My preferred headlamp is the BlackDiamond Spot. It provides the perfect amount of adjustable light. One set of batteries will last more than My longest trip and the weight is reasonable.
 
THEGrandRapids
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09/26/2018 10:20AM  
OCDave: "
BobDobbs: "haven't even considered one since led headlamps became a thing."



+1
My headlamp puts the light exactly where I need it. My preferred headlamp is the BlackDiamond Spot. It provides the perfect amount of adjustable light. One set of batteries will last more than My longest trip and the weight is reasonable. "


I agree- except for 2 times: When you are talking with others (could be cooking, playing cards, etc.) and you end up shining them right in the face every time you turn to look at them and when the bugs (especially moths) are out in full force, would rather have the bugs flying to a light source that isn't on my forehead.

With all that said, I still don't carry an extra lantern, just the crush light diffuser I mentioned earlier, from Montbell. works well enough.
 
wandrinsteve
member (24)member
  
09/26/2018 02:28PM  
+1 for the Luci Outdoor 2.0. Lightweight and compact. With the clear globe and multiple settings it did a great job in the tent and plenty of light under the tarp. But the best part...no batteries!
 
09/26/2018 02:44PM  
Another who's had excellent use and longevity from Luci Lights. Still have and just used the first one I purchased 2013. I'm not sure but did you compare similar versions SevenofNine?
I've used both in store and find little differance 10 LEDs for Luci 2.0 Outdoor and 12 for Luminaid Nova both list 75 lumens, I much preferred the clear globe over frosted. Either can be had in more powerful versions at an increased cost.

butthead
 
SevenofNine
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09/26/2018 06:54PM  
Ken, I have not had a chance to compare similar (cost) lanterns from each company. The lantern I posted does cost more than a Luci but at 300 lumens stated I felt it was worth the poster as well as myself investigating. I agree that a diffused lantern can be less practical than a clear lense.
 
09/27/2018 07:52AM  
I thought so Greg. The Hero Luminaid is a whole other level, 300 lumens, 3 times the price, almost twice the weight. Closest Luci version, Outdoor Pro Inflatable Solar Lantern at 150 lumens.

The diffused globes are more fragile than the clear vinyl globes, getting brittle in cold weather (at least the frosted Luci versions). Both of them blew off a picnic table at 15 degrees. Both still work. I cut the broken frosted globe off the led/light panel and use in the overhead loft of my tents now.

butthead
 
09/27/2018 11:59AM  
I never understood the solar lights. I like the concept of it being collapsible and have one similar, but I want to store mine in my pack and bring it into the tent at night. If you aren't base camping, when do you charge it? I don't want anything hanging outside my pack except my water bottle. Charging it at home seems like a bad idea too because it would be so easy to forget and have it dead when I pull it out on the first night and the battery won't last the whole trip on a solar charge. I'll stick to my AAA batteries in a little LED area light.
 
em8260
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09/27/2018 12:55PM  
I too have gone from luci light to luminaid. I also bring any cheap black diamond headlamp. Ive used snow peak mini hozuki lamps in the past, Still do sometimes.
 
em8260
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09/27/2018 12:58PM  
They weight nothing and are small enough, if you dont want it hanging on your bag or on top of the canoe to charge, it sounds like its not the right product for you.
 
09/27/2018 01:26PM  
A1t2o: "I never understood the solar lights. I like the concept of it being collapsible and have one similar, but I want to store mine in my pack and bring it into the tent at night. If you aren't base camping, when do you charge it?."

I always charge mine at home on a sunny day a few days before a trip. I usually run it down to zero first. On a trip I very rarely attach to anything during the day to charge. If I use for an hour or two in the tent, the charge will last several days at least. At most once or twice on a trip I'll set it out if sunny whenever I get to camp - typically 3-4pm. A couple hours of charging even In the afternoon and it's good to go for several more days.
 
09/27/2018 01:46PM  
Jaywalker: "
A1t2o: "I never understood the solar lights. I like the concept of it being collapsible and have one similar, but I want to store mine in my pack and bring it into the tent at night. If you aren't base camping, when do you charge it?."

I always charge mine at home on a sunny day a few days before a trip. I usually run it down to zero first. On a trip I very rarely attach to anything during the day to charge. If I use for an hour or two in the tent, the charge will last several days at least. At most once or twice on a trip I'll set it out if sunny whenever I get to camp - typically 3-4pm. A couple hours of charging even In the afternoon and it's good to go for several more days. "


Same thing here. Sometimes I'll put a pack strap through the handle to keep it from blowing out or falling off and charge it that way too.
 
09/28/2018 08:04AM  
A1t2o: "I never understood the solar lights. I like the concept of it being collapsible and have one similar, but I want to store mine in my pack and bring it into the tent at night. If you aren't base camping, when do you charge it? I don't want anything hanging outside my pack except my water bottle. Charging it at home seems like a bad idea too because it would be so easy to forget and have it dead when I pull it out on the first night and the battery won't last the whole trip on a solar charge. I'll stick to my AAA batteries in a little LED area light."


I get 8 hours of continuous use with Luci Lamps. Hardly on for 1/2 hour a nite in my tent for a given nite. Mine hold charge very well. I just get it out at camp and charge till nite time. Cloudy and rainy days, even multiple, have been no trouble.

butthead
 
09/28/2018 11:33AM  
+1 LuminAid fan here.
 
LilyPond
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09/29/2018 11:57AM  
I love Luci Lanterns when they work. The first two I got were defective. The third seems pretty good. I always take 3 lights: headlamp (I would never be without this as it's also helpful if you get caught on the water after dark), Luci light, and a AAA lantern like the Rayovac Sportsman (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001H9NR6C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

My favorite lantern is this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014H4036A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Puts out good light, rechargeable, can be used as a flashlight. But in my opinion the only really reliable light is battery operated, assuming you carry extra batteries. If you need light for safety, which I think is necessary, I wouldn't rely on a solar lantern. The Luci is great but can be unpredictable. If you only want to carry one light, I think it should be a headlamp. Maybe put it inside a plastic bag to turn it into a lantern.
 
OCDave
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09/29/2018 10:12PM  
bwcasolo: "What puts out good light? Efficient, not too spendy, not too cheap."


I don't have one but, I have been somewhat attracted to the Primus Lanterns.

Primus Lanterns

Doesn't really meet the "not too spendy" criteria though.
 
Guest Paddler
  
10/03/2018 07:28PM  
Black Diamond Moji
 
bwcasolo
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10/04/2018 07:12AM  
i just used my luci, and my spot headlamp, lantern was not purchased and i had plenty of light for those long dark nights. good suggestions though.
 
HowardSprague
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10/05/2018 09:19AM  
I always bring a headlamp or two, and have a subtle amber-colored "tent light" which I can hang from the ceiling of the tent. It's not bright, just enough to find most stuff if I need it middle of the night.
As I was packing a week or so ago, I saw my daughter's multicolored Luci Light in the truck (I bought it for her first time they were available at Canoecopia, she's kind of afraid of the dark at bedtime). Instead of bringing it inside, I took it with me on last week's BW trip. The multicolored ones don't seem to last as long as the solid white ones, but I only used it for brief periods and so it lasted me the four nights. I really liked it, and when you get out of the tent to pee at night and turn the light on in the tent, it looks really groovy the way the tent lights up in whatever color it's set on.
 
10/05/2018 09:59AM  
OCDave: "
bwcasolo: "What puts out good light? Efficient, not too spendy, not too cheap."



I don't have one but, I have been somewhat attracted to the Primus Lanterns.


Primus Lanterns

Doesn't really meet the "not too spendy" criteria though."


OCDave if your looking I have a used Micro with the steel mesh globe, I no longer use. Might save ya a few $$.

butthead
 
OCDave
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10/05/2018 11:33AM  
butthead: "
OCDave: "
bwcasolo: "What puts out good light? Efficient, not too spendy, not too cheap."

I don't have one but, I have been somewhat attracted to the Primus Lanterns.

Primus Lanterns

Doesn't really meet the "not too spendy" criteria though."

OCDave if your looking I have a used Micro with the steel mesh globe, I no longer use. Might save ya a few $$.

butthead"

I recently pulled the trigger on a new canoe purchase. Because the 2nd canoe is somewhat frivolous, I reasoned that if I made no other outdoors equipment purchases for a year and snagged a few overtime shifts maybe I could justify the 2nd canoe.

Tempting as your offer is, I am obligated to decline.

Thanks
 
10/05/2018 01:14PM  
Just something hidden in the back of the shelves. Your mention reminded me I have it and it's been unused for years.

butthead
 
Blackdogyak
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10/16/2021 03:14PM  
OCDave: "
bwcasolo: "What puts out good light? Efficient, not too spendy, not too cheap."



I don't have one but, I have been somewhat attracted to the Primus Lanterns.


Primus Lanterns

Doesn't really meet the "not too spendy" criteria though."


Old post. Good discussion.
I like the Primus Isobutane lanterns. (The Micron)
I REALLY like the glow and hiss of a real analog lantern.
The LED light sources are fine as a headlamp bit as an area light near the table, they seem cold and ugly. I take a Primus with me and a headlamp or two.

The Primus Micron is getting harder to find. The frosted glass cylinder globe model is almost unobtainable. The metal mesh screen model is, but becoming less so. They put out a LOT of heat.... Not super efficient. But OTOH, I have used in in a ventilated tent for drying things out a bit after days of rain sogginess. Obviously I monitor it carefully and don't sleep with it, but the thing kicks some serious heat.

There's another Primus with a round globe. Can't remember what that's called... but it's more available. It's bigger.

EDIT:. It's called the Easy Start
 
LilyPond
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10/18/2021 07:39PM  
I got two small lanterns recently that I like a lot, both by Ozark Trail at Walmart:

Rechargeable USB + solar, $10: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-Solar-Camping-Lantern-100-Lumens-LED-with-3-Lighting-Modes/602844554

3AAA for $3.46: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ozark-Trail-100-Lumen-LED-Mini-Camping-Lantern/954677571 High, low, and blinking and when collapsed you can aim it like a flashlight.

I know, I know: what do you expect for $3.46? This is a great little light. Simple, rugged, soft light. High, low, red, and red blinking.

My best quality light is the Stormlight Siege with 4Ds. I hardly ever use it anymore because it's heavy. I find that 3 or 4 smaller lights light up the campsite better. I like Luci Lights but don't find them reliable. They just don't last long before they stop charging.
 
BrianDay
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10/19/2021 08:03AM  
bwcasolo: "What puts out good light? Efficient, not too spendy, not too cheap."


I like the Primus isobutane lantern:

https://primus.us/products/easy-light-4?variant=29444431249491

I wanted something like this for years. Finally bought one a couple years back. Affordable option as far as these things go. Great for car camping, sea kayak and canoe trips. Good in the tipi winter camping if you keep it away from the stove pipe. Uses the same canisters as my JetBoil and Snowpeak stoves.

Have had bad luck with the Luci lanterns. All mine sprung a leak eventually. Cool idea.

Brian
 
ockycamper
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10/27/2021 05:53PM  
I have had 3 Luci lights since the first year they came out. They work every trip. I charge them up during the day, then hang them from the group tarp at night to provide light. (We go last week of September).

At home I have 6 of the Luci Light 300 lumen lights with 3 light power settings. They are brighter then the lights we have in the house. Power goes out we just pull them out and we're good.
 
10/27/2021 07:03PM  
I've had great use of my Luci Lights but have since switched to Goal Zero Crush Lanterns Longer lasting charge USB recharge as well as solar fold better and are more durable.
Between Luci and Crush lights I probably have a dozzen now. Keep one in each vehicle and the rest charged up for use in case of power failures when they come in particularly handy!

butthead
 
ockycamper
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10/27/2021 07:15PM  
they will come in handy when the EMP hits!
 
ockycamper
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01/09/2022 05:40PM  
We went to Luci lights years ago. I can bring 3, flattened out, in my pack and charge them up day one. I have plenty of light for cooking and to light the main gathering area each night. Next morning, charge them up again. No fuel needed and weight practically nothing.
 
01/09/2022 06:26PM  
Got this a few years ago and it is what I now bring on bwca trips. Probably a little bulky/heavy for some of you but I have generally don't shy away from bringing something if its usability/comfort justifies the weight.

This thing has 3 different light temperatures(plus red emergency/warning light) that vary infinitely from night light dim to blindingly bright. Can be used for a camp light with amazing results or a tent light. It also has a very long battery life, is a clock and thermometer, as well as a 15000 mah powerbank which means you can charge other devices such as phones, flashlights or headlamps should the need arise. It is USB chargeable and holds a charge very well, plenty of lighting capacity for a reasonably long trip. It is rugged and multi functional and I have been very pleased with it.


Ultimate camp lantern
 
canoepaddle
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01/10/2022 08:27PM  
Old school here, Peak 1 lantern. OK, I have 2 and haven't taken either for a number of years, now just LED headlights, but used to like one for fall trips when it gets dark so early.
 
01/11/2022 11:15AM  
I'm going to chime in as someone who didn't like the Luci Lights at first. I have a few of them now and enjoy bringing them on trips. It isn't the solar feature that I like about them though. I like how flat they get and easy to store. I could have one lantern of a different brand or 3 of the Luci lights and have them still be lighter and easier to pack.

Don't get me wrong, solar powered is nice so I can let them sit out in the morning or on layover days, but to me that isn't the main selling point. They are just plain good lights.
 
01/12/2022 07:34PM  
Primus lantern around the campsite, luci lite in the tent,
 
mschi772
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01/13/2022 08:54AM  
Luminoodle + headlamps is my only lighting.
 
01/13/2022 10:41AM  
Very cheap, modest light...but four of them weigh one ounce.

We spread them around, nice to have multiple spots lightly lit.

 
RoyAlex17
member (6)member
  
01/25/2022 11:47PM  
mjmkjun: "Gee, I must be the cheapie for a change. I used an Ozark Trail tent light for about 2 hrs of reading each night and was happy. For $10 had enough light to have Limelight 3 tent (old style) glowing in the dark."



Ozark Trail tent light user as well. Cheap, small, bright enough to find what we’re looking for in the tent (which, ironically, is usually our head lamps). Not sure how long the batteries last but it’s long enough that we don’t bother to bring any extras. Seems durable as well. We’re not real carful about how we pack it, just goes in the pack.
 
WonderMonkey
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01/26/2022 07:43AM  
Since the post has been revived, I'm another Luci Light user. When it decides to die I'll look at the alternatives.
 
Crashdavis
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01/28/2023 04:54PM  
I have a Luci, but the lantern I really use is the Luminar from Harbor Freight that I picked up for $2.50 on sale five years ago.
 
JohnGalt
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03/08/2023 02:44AM  
Being a fan of keeping as much of my gear on the 18650 battery as I can, I got this lantern from Fenix & really like it. It has the capability to charge other devices as well. Fenix cl30r
 
Blackdogyak
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05/30/2023 02:33PM  
BrianDay: "
bwcasolo: "What puts out good light? Efficient, not too spendy, not too cheap."



I like the Primus isobutane lantern:


https://primus.us/products/easy-light-4?variant=29444431249491



I wanted something like this for years. Finally bought one a couple years back. Affordable option as far as these things go. Great for car camping, sea kayak and canoe trips. Good in the tipi winter camping if you keep it away from the stove pipe. Uses the same canisters as my JetBoil and Snowpeak stoves.


Have had bad luck with the Luci lanterns. All mine sprung a leak eventually. Cool idea.

Brian
"


Only downside to the butane lantern (and stoves) is that as you approach freezing temp, they work less and less...below freezing, they won't work unless you keep the canister inside your clothing, You CAN invert the can and "liquid feed" some stoves, but that doesn't work for a lantern. I LOVE the old Coleman 200A red lanterns. Single mantle and smaller than the typical green ones. A lot heavier and bulkier than the Micron lantern but I consider them friends and they make me happy out there.
 
Breezybass
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05/30/2023 07:01PM  
I received a goal zero recently that i have used in a blackout and was very bright
 
05/30/2023 07:38PM  
You can't beat a Luci. Lightweight, packs small, and different brightness settings. Fully charged I use one in my tent and never run out of juice. The other goes under a tarp or on a small tree branch. With the clip on the top of them you can hook to anything around camp during the day to get some more power. I have never run out. Throw in a good head lamp and you are good to go.
 
05/31/2023 07:04AM  
tigag: "You can't beat a Luci. Lightweight, packs small, and different brightness settings. Fully charged I use one in my tent and never run out of juice. The other goes under a tarp or on a small tree branch. With the clip on the top of them you can hook to anything around camp during the day to get some more power. I have never run out. Throw in a good head lamp and you are good to go."


I just got two Luminaid solar lanterns. Very similar to Luci but I like the design slightly better with diffused light and two piece strap. Luci has both but not in the same lantern. Too early for a full review but far they work great. I have found I don't really like bright lights as they wreck my night vision, so these little solar lights work well for me.
 
ockycamper
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05/31/2023 09:06AM  
SevenofNine: "Luminaid lantern would be my latest choice over the Luci lantern It is far brighter than the Luci lantern. Weight is only 5.6 ounces greater than the Luci.


LuminAID "


Not true. Luci base lights are 360 lumens. They sell for $59.95 and were just at 40% off.

We have used Luci lights for years in our camps. Far easier then bringing batteries. We use them over night, then set them out in the sun during the day while we are out. Fully charged when we get back. If we were "tripping", we would just tie them to the top of the packs.

As others have said, I have 4 of the original luci lights and they are still going strong.
 
08/11/2023 01:01PM  
I just saw this Coleman Solar Lantern and don't think I've seen it mentioned here yet. If the specs are to be believed it would seem to be significantly better than Luci or LuminAID. 10 hours to solar charge, 200 lumens, 4-100 hours run time, no fiddling around with inflation. I'm not sure I believe it though since the battery is smaller than both Luci and LuminAID 150 lumen lanterns that don't have as much runtime, and it charges as fast as their 70-75 lumen lanterns. The warranty is also three years vs one for the others.

My 75 lumen LuminAID Solars have worked well, but they do seem fragile and in fact the inflation valve on one of them was torn when I received it (they sent another promptly). This Coleman looks to be a better design.

In any case, if I were buying another lantern today, I think I'd try this one.
 
ockycamper
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08/11/2023 01:18PM  
This year we are bringing the Luci 45 foot string lights. Will hang them around the group tarp we set up for cooking and eating. Puts out enough light to allow us to cook and eat dinner after dark. . . when the Walleye fishing is at its best!
 
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