The LuminAID PackLite Titan 2-in-1 Power Lantern is a significant upgrade on the older versions of these lights, writes Mike Gormley.
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I first had one of these lights a few years ago and at first didn’t take it seriously. Since then, however, I have grown to realise it actually is a really handy and robust item.
This new variant of the ‘inflatable’ solar powered light, originally designed by architecture students Anna Stork and Andrea Sreshta in response to the devastating Haiti Earthquake, is a much more serious device. Measuring about six inches square and folding more or less flat for cost-effective bulk distribution, when pulled out and inflated it becomes a cube.
Deploying the lantern from flat (about one inch or 25mm thick) is simple. Just pull out the plug on the base and rotate one side against the other with a twist then replace the plug. Fully inflated, it will now float if you need it to. The top is a solar panel so can recharge itself at any time during daylight hours, folded or not; a full charge takes around ten hours. It can be put anyway to do this, including on the outside of your pack for recharging when on the move.
The PackLite Titan is claimed to give about 100 hours of light on a full charge and it can also be used to re-power phones or other smaller electrical devices, such as say a headtorch. The principal function, however, is as an area light source and the internal battery capacity is 4000 mAh. It has four small LEDs inside with many options. Light can be either red or white, offering a number of handy uses as each colour has four power settings including one very dim one to give just a marker light and it can also be made to flash SOS, so works as an emergency signal light. There is a hanging strap built in and this has a hook and loop closure so can be adjusted to suit, plus there are holes in this for other fixings.
This is one of those items that is a ‘must have’ really. One should be in your vehicle kit, as a good marker light if involved in an incident or to give useful and sufficient light to change a wheel or tinker under the bonnet. For camping it’s ideal for may uses and at home makes a great party light. It will even float on the pond… if you have one. Or just have it hanging up to look nice.
Certainly a handy item in case of power failure at home.
[images © Mike Gormley]
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