Fenix CL26R 400 Lumen Rechargeable Camping Lantern (Colour: Black)

I have used the lantern for about a month and find it great value. The pros are:1. It is well-built and tough...suitable for outdoor activities as well as indoor.2. It is compact and not that heavy3. The lantern runs off an easily replaced 18650 battery and also serves as a charger4. The main light is bright enough for most activities camping, bedside reading, or emergency use around the house.5. The price is quite attractive.The main con I have is that the auxiliary flashlight/reading light mode is a bit too dim for reading.

A Very Multi Use Light

I received my first CL26R as a promotional gift accessory after buying a much more expensive Fenix Tactical Flashlight. After I got my hands on it, this little lantern turned out to be a very useful Gem of a light. It is very multi purpose and for its size puts out a surprising amount of light. I live on a large ranch and I now use it all the time for various jobs especially at night or in darkened out buildings. I was so impressed with it I bought a second one for my wife and she loves it as well. The bottom line is this is a great little light and it even has a red flashing emergency light. We Love it !! Thanks Fenix for a very cool product.

CL26R - Great lantern but could use some improvements

In todays world of lighting products it seems that one button for everything is the best choice. I understand the issues the designers and engineers face when a new product is being made. But, being able to select a feature such as brightness and another feature such as on/off would really be better choice IMHO. The CL26R is a really nice lantern and one that I would recommend. But the flashlight on the end could be brighter the battery a little larger. I don't use the device as a camper might, I use it when working inside of electronic hardware. It provides light from many directions at once and is often better suited than just a normal flashlight might be. It is a great product as it is, but as always, there is room for improvement.

Good but obsolete

Great lantern. having a replaceable battery 18650. Though it's terrible it's micro-USB so I'll have to replace it to something with USB-C. Also the handle isn't open, a hook to something similar as Black Diamond- latnern has would be an improvment. Being able to hook in you your tents roof line without any additional lanyards or carabiners should really be an must. Closed handle isn't such a great design.+ replacable 18650 battery+ rechargeable+ nice light+ small- micro-USB- no hookIf they would change the design to USB-C and redesign the tophandle to something similar to black diamond it would be the best backpacking lantern. Micro-USB is a big nono.

Handy Little Lantern

Idk what it is, but I'm addicted to lanterns and bags and this one is one of my favorites.I have it mounted on a cheap amazon flexible tripod that uses a METAL screw in the mount. I used a tripod with a plastic screw and broke off in the light, luckily I was able to get it out with a flathead, so just be warned.I use keep this lantern in my glovebox for any type of situation that may arise when traveling, e.g. filling up my tires, changing a tail light bulb, etc. I also use it camping and it's very useful due to it's compact size. Probably too big for backpacking where you'd use a single compact headlamp for all your lighting needs, but great for car camping.Having owned this for 5+ years and camping multiple times with it, I haven't had a single hiccup, ... MoreIdk what it is, but I'm addicted to lanterns and bags and this one is one of my favorites.I have it mounted on a cheap amazon flexible tripod that uses a METAL screw in the mount. I used a tripod with a plastic screw and broke off in the light, luckily I was able to get it out with a flathead, so just be warned.I use keep this lantern in my glovebox for any type of situation that may arise when traveling, e.g. filling up my tires, changing a tail light bulb, etc. I also use it camping and it's very useful due to it's compact size. Probably too big for backpacking where you'd use a single compact headlamp for all your lighting needs, but great for car camping.Having owned this for 5+ years and camping multiple times with it, I haven't had a single hiccup, highly recommended!

Just right!

I did a lot of research and I think these lights are perfect for my needs. The trick is having 2. With 2, I can run them at the low setting forever. I spread them 5’ apart in my van and don’t get those black shadows that a single light source creates. Love their compact shape and size. They store easily just about anywhere. I keep them permanently in my van and charge them every quarter (3 months.)

Literally perfect.

I have been looking for the perfect backpacking / car camping lantern for like 10 years. Bought some cool headlamps from blackdiamond or petzl, found the new black diamond lanterns and they are almost perfect. Finally found this one! It’s actually way smaller than it looks in the photos. Its closer to the size of the palm of your hand. The lighting is perfect, it’s not super bright where you burn your battery out too fast but its also bright enough to be able to see and do camping activities within 25 feet or so. I appreciate its not super bright, because when your camping the goal isn’t to have a flood light where you can see 1/4 mile in every direction, your trying to have minimal light to move around and do stuff and still be able to see the stars. I love how ... MoreI have been looking for the perfect backpacking / car camping lantern for like 10 years. Bought some cool headlamps from blackdiamond or petzl, found the new black diamond lanterns and they are almost perfect. Finally found this one! It’s actually way smaller than it looks in the photos. Its closer to the size of the palm of your hand. The lighting is perfect, it’s not super bright where you burn your battery out too fast but its also bright enough to be able to see and do camping activities within 25 feet or so. I appreciate its not super bright, because when your camping the goal isn’t to have a flood light where you can see 1/4 mile in every direction, your trying to have minimal light to move around and do stuff and still be able to see the stars. I love how durable it is, as it takes a beating in a backpacking backpack. If your ultra light packing this will probably be too heavy for you, a minimalist headlamp will probably be all you want.

Sweet!

Where I live the power goes out all the time from straight line winds. For years I've been using 2 old energizer led lanterns. When i got them They were great.II bought my first Fenix product maybe 10 years ago and have been hooked on their products ever since. Finally I bought the cl26r because of the 18650 battery.I should have done that a long time ago. I'm thinking 2 more should do it.

The Fenix CL26R— An excellent personal lantern.

The Fenix CL26R is an excellent personal lantern.Its fit and finish are excellent. The CL26R feels solid and well made. It is rated to take a fall from 1 meter.The dimensions areHeight: Height: 3.8"Diameter: Width: 1.93"Weight: 4.1 oz./116 grams (excluding battery and accessories(Estimated weight of a 18650 battery is approximately 1.6 oz / 45 grams)So with the battery installed, it is just under 6 ounces.The lantern is about the size and weight of a medium spice jar or an individual can of pineapple juice.It takes standard non-proprietary 18650 batteries. I've tried it with brand batteries other than Fenix, and it works fine.Light output is high 400, medium 150, low 40.I'm not getting into run times because they vary account to battery mAh 2600mAh, ... MoreThe Fenix CL26R is an excellent personal lantern.Its fit and finish are excellent. The CL26R feels solid and well made. It is rated to take a fall from 1 meter.The dimensions areHeight: Height: 3.8"Diameter: Width: 1.93"Weight: 4.1 oz./116 grams (excluding battery and accessories(Estimated weight of a 18650 battery is approximately 1.6 oz / 45 grams)So with the battery installed, it is just under 6 ounces.The lantern is about the size and weight of a medium spice jar or an individual can of pineapple juice.It takes standard non-proprietary 18650 batteries. I've tried it with brand batteries other than Fenix, and it works fine.Light output is high 400, medium 150, low 40.I'm not getting into run times because they vary account to battery mAh 2600mAh, 3400mAh, or 3500mAh and, to a lesser extent, weather conditions.It has a Red and Blinking Red Light. It is rated as 1 lumen, but I believe it is higher.You can charge the battery in the lantern using a micro USB cable. I usually bring one or more backup batteries on trips but rarely use the lantern long enough to need to swap one out."Special Features"1. You can have only one side of the cylinder light up so you can perform tasks without glare in your eyes. This "front light" is 25 lumens.2. The bottom light doubles as a non-glaring overhead light hung from above or as a backup flashlight. The bottom light has two levels – 3 lumen and 25 lumens. (Note: The lantern is rated to last ten days if you just use the 3-lumen mode.)3. In addition to a shaped metal loop to hang it, it has a strong magnet to mount it on ferromagnetic metals.I have used it not only on overnight trips but as emergency lighting, as a nightlight, and a work light.It can provide light for a tent, a small picnic table, or a small room. It's not a campsite light. If you're light for something bright and floody look for lanterns with much higher lumens or use manual flood lights / search lights.From experience, I recommend one per person. Somehow its better than using a flashlight in the latrine.For the next generation I'd like to see higher lumens especially in the front (task) light, and the flashlight (down kight).I'm also would like to see a Big Brother to the CL26R based on a 21700 battery.

Well built and battery lasts a long time

I was please with the first CL26 (in black) that I have decided to purchase (2) additional lanterns for when the power goes out. These lanterns provide good light and are well built. It was smaller than I expected but that didn't have an affect on the light dispersion. Works well enough to light large rooms in my house at the 40 lumen setting. I might even consider ordering a couple more for my vehicles in case of an emergency.