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.[IMG][/IMG]
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.[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]
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/B00...XD2WIWXAX4IZK"

[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=...292&mfe=search

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...rce=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.
[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

[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.[IMG][/IMG]