Product review of MPOWERD inflatable solar lantern

[Domeguy]

I thought I would try my hand at a product review. I'm a sucker for solar powered gadgets, and usually they turn out to be a cheaply made product sold to make a quick buck while solar power is still somewhat hot still here in the good ol US of A.
So while I was waiting to return a defective item at my local lowes store, I saw this item on a shelf.http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/b8ca3e40af24bfabbf2d10cbef2f4e77_zpsc141b5b5.jpg
It had a retail price of $14.97. Good or bad price, I'm not sure, but it worked for my. I've wasted more on crappy solar things before, so I thought I would give it a try. The next morning I got it out of the sack and looked over the package, as I didn't read it too carefully before. It has 2 sealed polycrystalline solar cells on the outside of the top of the plastic lantern, with a 3.7 VDC battery sandwiched below the panels, and 10 LED lights on the underside of the top. The lantern is 5 inches wide, and the panels, battery and LED's are only about 1/2 inch thick, with the lantern being 5 inches wide, and are enclosed an inflatable clear PVC vinyl clear pouch that makes up the internal structure and bottom of the lantern. Flat, the light is less than one inch thick, and inflated, it is 4 1/2 inches thick.http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/9fd945e85462f4471510754d22bcb8a8_zps479cd801.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/c8cf81d85bdb186a618dd147fa6e2c2d_zps1b1598a6.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/cf27d050e2b79e39af0fbb99c0691946_zpse7b0979b.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/3d6dca547628fe83f2b782d50f2c8b26_zps6f1ad165.jpg
The instructions are on the inside of the package, and are easy to understand. I charged it for a couple of hours, even though they say to give it a full 8 hrs charge first. The light has 3 settings, high, low, and flash. I had the lantern on high, and it lasted all night. I gave it a few more hours in the sun the next day, and again it lasted all night. It weighs almost nothing, and folds down to nothing. It puts out quite a bit of light. It seems to be well manufactured, and is also waterproof. For me it's a keeper, and it plan to buy a few more of these.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F5TI7C4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00F5TI7C4&linkCode=as2&tag=sr0b8-20&linkId=6JGXD2WIWXAX4IZK"

[bacpacker]

I'll have to pick up a couple of these.

[ElevenBravo]

I might have to try one...


http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=MPOWERD&clk_rvr_id=766163907292&mfe=search

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=MPOWERD&page=&utm_source=opensearch

Thanks for the heads up...
EB

[Domeguy]

Thanks for the help EB. I wasn't sure how to put up a link.

[Domeguy]

I liked it so much, I bought 4 more.

[jamesneuen]

mind trying it every night and day to see how long it will last?

[Domeguy]

I'll try to remember to cycle through one each day.

[realist]

Lowes? So if they have it for $14 I thought I would check online. Looks like the price is the same. They do have for $50, pricey. I like your price better. I think I will pick up one. How durable are they, would it be something that would survive in a backpack? Thanks

[Domeguy]

It seems to be well made, as much as a cheap item from China can be made. All the clear plastic/vinyl welds seem to be strong and watertight. I am leaving one outside for a month, oriented towards the sun from about 8am-3pm. I an leaving it on high light output,a and will see if it charges during the day with the light on. If so, I will let everyone know how it fares after 1 month of continuos use, charge, and for all around weather proof ness. We have some weather headed our way, so I will have ti tie it down.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/60e6612cc84b10f40a7e607036e1029e_zpsc60b38c4.jpght tp://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/c3060cbaa3fbb5b4d5784b675d3817a6_zps4eeb4abe.jpg

[Domeguy]

So far, it's night 15, and still going strong. There is no sign of any damage from long term exposure to the elements. Has held up to one heavy rain storm, and several small ones. It's been in full sun all day, and freezing temperatures for several of the nights, and will only get up to 30 tomorrow. So far...it's a keeper.http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/gantsum/dda2e25ecae2109aa8596338a3dca688_zps931aac6f.jpg

[slowz1k]

I missed the OP, and just saw this today... I gotta spend more time here.
Awesome review DG! Thanks for posting this.
I have to get a few of these ASAP!

[2die4]

Nice write up! I'll be on the look for these.

[Sniper-T]

I missed the OP, and just saw this today... I gotta spend more time here.
Awesome review DG! Thanks for posting this.
I have to get a few of these ASAP!

Yeah you do!!! Spend more time here, that is... I for one have missed your posts!

Welcome back!

... and yeah, you do need some lamps too! We all do. great looking pc of kit!

[ElevenBravo]

Got mine from the contest today... Im pretty damned impressed! Its small and light weight, taking it back packing would be a no brainer, the light it puts out is not 600lms, but.. in the dark woods, its way more light than you need! I figure if you had 2 or 3 of them, your whole campsite would be lit up.

Its bright enough to read by, etc..

Im gonna buy a few to have on hand.

EB

[Domeguy]

Your welcome!

[jamesneuen]

I wonder if you filled it with helium if it would float!!!

[ElevenBravo]

I wonder if you filled it with helium if it would float!!!

MMmmmmm.... No. Impossible. Way too heavy.

EB

[jamesneuen]

dang.

[Sniper-T]

tie some balloons to the top and let it go.

[Domeguy]

I forgot to post this, but after spending over a month outside, and turning it on most every night when I didn't forget, it has come through with flying colors. It is still recharging every day, and comes on fully bright each time, with about 8-9 hours of light with each charge. There is no evidence of any damage to the vinyl outsides, and there are no air leaks. I have bought 3 more of these, and plan on getting 7 more. I can see no down side to this lantern. I give it it 5 ants out of 5.

[jamesneuen]

Nice! though I found this at the dollar store.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g284/Dragonsworn_2006/10404156_10153163719582421_8905009175301429555_n_z ps0etaz07k.jpg (http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Dragonsworn_2006/media/10404156_10153163719582421_8905009175301429555_n_z ps0etaz07k.jpg.html)


The stem is removable as you can see on the one in the background and it's actually quite bright. I've been trying them out for the past 4 days and haven't had any issues yet! First time I charged one for a full day outside and it lasted for 2 full nights. The other I charged each day but glued the switch to the on position with epoxy and left it out in the rain. (light diode sensor so it only turns on in the dark) still working after 2 pretty harsh rain storms.

[Domeguy]

I will look for them at out dollar store.

[Sniper-T]

I have several dozen cheapie dollar store and discount store ones... they work for a limited time only... until... until you replace the cheap-shit battery they come with, with a decent one! I have them stuck all over my yard in the summer, and come winter, I pull the batteries, store them indoors, and pack the lights in a box outside. when the ground thaws.... out they go.

I am going to try to make some hangers for them to hang from trees, to light up some trails, and I don't have to move them when I go through with the lawnmower/quad/sled.

[ElevenBravo]

Ive been using mine for a few weeks since I won the contest.

I use it early in the morning to get dressed with and get clothes out the closet, etc.... so as to not disturb mama... I keep it in the window sill and let it charge during the day.

For this, it has been very nice!

I look forward to taking it camping, where it will then prove it's worth!

EB

[Willie51]

Nice! though I found this at the dollar store.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g284/Dragonsworn_2006/10404156_10153163719582421_8905009175301429555_n_z ps0etaz07k.jpg (http://s59.photobucket.com/user/Dragonsworn_2006/media/10404156_10153163719582421_8905009175301429555_n_z ps0etaz07k.jpg.html)


The stem is removable as you can see on the one in the background and it's actually quite bright. I've been trying them out for the past 4 days and haven't had any issues yet! First time I charged one for a full day outside and it lasted for 2 full nights. The other I charged each day but glued the switch to the on position with epoxy and left it out in the rain. (light diode sensor so it only turns on in the dark) still working after 2 pretty harsh rain storms.

Which dollar store?

[Sniper-T]

Everyday uses for survival gear... Shit don't get any better than that!!!

[jamesneuen]

It's quite literally called "The Dollar Store"