Whether you’re car camping or backpacking, having a reliable light source is definitely something you want to put on your list of gear to bring. I’ve been testing out the Energizer Solar Carabiner Crank LED Light for a number of camping trips where I was far away from civilization and buying a set of batteries was not really an option. Since this light does not require batteries, I didn’t have to worry about running out of batteries or whether my batteries had enough juice.
There are two ways in which you can provide energy for lighting; first, you can allow the solar panel to collect enough energy from the sun and second, you can use the crank handle to generate energy for the flashlight to run off. The solar panel is my first option as it is pretty convenient to lay the flashlight on a rock or picnic table that is in direct sunlight and head out for a hike or whatever your activity is. There have been times where I left it out while away and it was really cloudy, so it really depends on the weather. The crank is nice because it folds into the flashlight. This way it won’t get snagged on other objects which could break the handle. While turning the crank, I found the motion to be fairly easy. It is not something I would not want to do for more than a few minutes though. If you’re hanging around the campfire, you can crank it from time to time to give your hands a rest. If you have kids on the other hand, you can always keep them entertained and give them a task.
The carabiner is not climbing strength certified as you can imagine, but it comes in handy to hang on a pack if you are hiking or backpacking. I didn’t like the way it felt when hanging it on my belt as it felt a little cumbersome. A few of the features I liked about this light include the weight or lack thereof, the size as it fits in the palm of your hand, and the amount of light put off. Since there are no batteries, the light doesn’t weigh as much as your standard flashlight. Since the light is fairly compact, it can fit into most small compartments while not taking up too much room. The flashlight comes with 3 LED’s that provided plenty of light around the campsite. For more info on the Solar Carabiner Crank LED Light and other Energizer products, visit www.amazon.com.
Dual Energy Source:Rechargeable batteries powered by solar panel or crankingLED technology – Bulb never needs replacingCarabiner Clip to hang light where needed5 Hours of full sun powers light for ~2 Hours (solar charging)1 minute of cranking powers light for ~10 minutes
