When I first saw the new Fenix CL28R lantern I was blown away by the solid feel of the lantern and very impressed with the insane brightness it offers.
I am primarily using this lantern for overlanding / car camping and as an emergency light. Being in California we've been getting a lot of power outages and I'm sure with the upcoming summer and fire season, we will see even more. The Fenix CL28R is an incredibly powerful and versatile camping lantern that provides up to 2000 lumens of brightness. It's perfect for lighting up large areas such as campsites, outdoor workspaces, or in a tent (although a little overkill for inside the tent). There's also a button on top which when held down will activate a solid red light. You can then click the button again and it will begin a slow flashing red light. The red light should run for about 170 hours or 340 hours on the red flashing mode. The CL28R is built like a tank in comparison to it's competitors. It is built with an aluminum body all around, unlike most of its competitors using polymer. In the short time I've owned this lantern I've (well not all me, but friends too) have dropped this lantern several times and even slammed it between the liftgate and vehicle body about 6 or 8 times (don't forget where you leave it). But it shows little signs of use or abuse and keeps working flawlessly. The CL28R also acts as a power bank, so you can charge your other devices while you're using it via a standard USB port for output. This does have USB-C input for charging. One of the standout features of the CL28R is its long runtime. On its lowest brightness setting, the lantern can provide up to 360 hours of continuous light, making it a reliable choice for extended use camping or in an emergency. The lantern is also rechargeable, so you don't have to worry about constantly replacing batteries. The CL28R has a durable and rugged design, with an IP66 waterproof rating and a toughened ultra-clear glass lens. This makes it a reliable choice for use in any weather conditions. The CL28R is also incredibly easy to use. The lantern has multiple brightness settings, ranging from 9 to 2000 lumens, and can be easily adjusted using the intuitive control knob to choose the ideal brightness for the environment. It also has a 2nd knob for adjusting the color hue of the light from a warm yellow on one end, bright white in the middle, and near blue on the other. The lantern has a battery level indicator similar to those found on many of Fenix's headlamps, so you always know how much power you have left. Overall, the Fenix CL28R is an excellent choice for anyone in need of a high-quality, powerful, and reliable camping lantern. With its continuous brightness settings, long runtime, and built-in power bank, this lantern is perfect for camping, hiking, or any other outdoor activity. The CL28R is also easy to use and has a durable and rugged design, making it a reliable choice for use in almost all weather conditions. Downsides: While the Fenix CL28R is an excellent camping lantern, there are a few downsides to consider. One of the main drawbacks is the price. The CL28R is a premium camping lantern, and its price reflects that. It may be too expensive for some people, especially if they only need a lantern for occasional use. However, I believe this is very minor compared to all the benefits this light offers. Another potential downside of the CL28R is its weight. While the lantern is compact and durable compared to some other camping lanterns, it still weighs right about 1lb. This may be too heavy for some people, especially those who are weight conscience. Overall I can't say anything else negative about it. Personally, I love the lantern and have made sure friends and family members have purchased one for themselves.
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Fenix TK65R Headlamp
I've been using the Fenix HL60R headlamp for several years now. I've been wanting something slightly brighter, mostly because I wanted something brighter rather than actually needing it. When Fenix announced the new TK65 model, I knew I wanted to try one. Not only was this model 1400 lumens (vs my HL60 at 950 lumens), but it also has a flood beam and a separate spot beam that can be used independently or together simultaneously. The new TK65R is even smaller than my HL60R headlamp. It comes with the Fenix 18650 3000mAh battery. The headlamp itself features a USB Type C charging port which is covered by a rubber cap. One big of the big improvements made in the newer headlamps is the headband, Fenix added thin silicone lining on the inside of the band offering a much better grip for active use. I must mention this headlamp has been very durable. Usually, I'm pretty careful with my gear but somehow this headlamp got smacked, dropped and wet quite a few times since I got it. It took a good 15+ foot drop while being swung from my backpack hitting, bouncing and sliding on cement. It left a good little nick on where it landed, but the light never skipped a beat. I've been using the TK65 headlamp as my primary headlamp for about 4 months now. I've used it for working on my vehicles, camping, hiking, work and I couldn't be happier with it. If you're looking for a new robust, all-in-one, do everything headlamp which will impress you and your friends, look no further than the HM65R headlamp. Pros: Great battery life. Includes 18650 battery. Easy to use. Flood and Focused beams. Dual buttons for beams. Great headband. Durable Super bright. Lightweight for the overall package. Cons: When closed, the on/off buttons aren't completely covered but I haven't had any issues yet. No red light. Awhile back I came across a 4 pack of Cyalume brand (debatably the best brand of light sticks on the market). I've used Cyalume brand 8 and 12 hour normal light sticks in the past and they've always lasted well beyond their rated time. I've also used some of their 30 minute hi-intensity light sticks as well as their IR (Infa Red) light stick for use with night vision. Seeing the price of $9.95 for the 4 pack I had to buy some, even if I just let my kids use them for fun, I figured they would be cool. All in all these lightsticks are great! Great for kids, emergency kits, camping, etc. |
Tactical-BushcrafterI'm an avid outdoorsman who enjoys a good mix of primitive bushcrafting skills and modern tactical gear and survival equipment. Archives
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