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Freeplay Indigo Lantern
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Freeplay Indigo Lantern

Item # 765747

$42.00

Item qualifies for annual
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Great for car camping and emergency preparedness, this versatile Freeplay Indigo lantern never requires batteries!

  • Winner of a 2007 Consumer Electronics Show Innovations Award for superior design
  • Compact lantern features a cluster of 7 LEDs; dimmer switch lets you adjust from area lighting to nightlight use
  • Single, side-mounted LED provides flashlight-style directional lighting
  • Rechargeable NiMH battery powers light cluster up to 70 hrs. in nightlight mode and 2.5 hrs. at maximum brightness
  • It also charges the directional light up to 70 hrs.
  • But should the NiMH run down while power is out, no problem—simply wind the handle for quick, dependable lighting
  • 60 sec. of winding powers cluster up to 2 hrs. on nightlight and 2 min. at maximum brightness; powers directional light for 12 min.
  • USB-compatible wall adaptor (sold separately) recharges NiMH battery to 100% capacity in 20 hrs.
  • LEDs are nearly indestructible and provide as much as 100,000 hrs. use
  • Features a wire-bail handle curved to accommodate fingers; bail also provides a convenient means of hanging lantern

Imported.

Item 765747

Freeplay Indigo Lantern Specs

Specification

Description

Weight15 ounces
Dimensions2.25 x 7.5 inches
Light IntensityUnavailable
Battery life at 70 degrees(High setting) AC charge: 2 hrs. 30 min./crank: 2 min. / (low setting) AC charge: 70 hrs./crank: 2 hrs.
BatteriesHand crank / rechargeable
MaterialPlastic
RechargeableYes

Freeplay Indigo Lantern Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Freeplay Indigo Lantern
 
3.4

(based on 9 reviews)

78%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to setup (8)
  • Compact (7)
  • Durable design (5)
  • Easy to adjust (5)
  • Long run time (5)

Cons

  • Heavy (3)
  • Short run time (3)

Best Uses

  • Campgrounds (8)
  • Emergencies (7)
  • Survival (5)
  • Travel (5)
  • Backcountry camping (3)
  • Reviewer Profile:
  • Avid adventurer (5), Casual adventurer (4)
  • What Is Your Gear Style:
  • Comfort driven (5)

Reviewed by 9 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-9

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Aug

20

2008

(17 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

 
4.0

Very good multi-purpose rechargeable.

By jbhalper

from Chicagoland, Illinois

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Pros

  • Compact
  • Durable Design
  • Easy To Adjust
  • Easy To Setup
  • Environmentally minded
  • Hand-crank
  • Lightweight
  • Long Run Time

Cons

  • Poor Light Output
  • Short Run Time

Best Uses

  • Backcountry Camping
  • Campgrounds
  • Emergencies
  • Travel

Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

This is a very good, though not perfect lantern. The lantern part of the lighting, as opposed to the single LED, is not incredibly bright, but is certainly good enough for a wide range of uses. There is a dimmer wheel, so you can choose how much you really need, and extend your usage a bit.

The manual for this product (available online at manufacturer's website) indicates that on a full charge, you should expect approximately 2.5 hours of light from a full charge at the highest setting. This was about what i experienced.

Using the single LED, which is not a typical LED, rather about the size and brightness of 2-3, should run about 70 hours on a full charge, and i never ran it on this bulb alone to verify that.

However, the lantern is good for many relatively casual uses, reading is definitely possible, other imprecise uses would be fine as well. I used this on a two-month camping trip, and expect to keep it around as emergency lighting at home.

The lamp itself is about the size of a 16oz soda-bottle, and not very heavy. In addition to hand-cranking, it uses a common mini-usb cable, which is not included to reduce unnecessary cable production and waste.

I would recommend this lantern, though for high-power light output, this is not the best. It is not laughable, but not intended for ultimate comfort.

  • What Is Your Gear Style:
  • Comfort Driven

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(17 of 18 customers found this review helpful)

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Apr

22

2008

(16 of 16 customers found this review helpful)

 
3.0

Great product except a serious flaw

By Tong Wu

from Bloomington, MN

About Me Casual/ Recreational

Site Member

Pros

  • Compact
  • Easy To Setup
  • Lightweight
  • Long Run Time
  • Powerful Light Output

Cons

  • Flimsy Design

Best Uses

  • Campgrounds
  • Travel

Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

I love everything about this product except one thing, and it's a biggy: The thumbwheel that turn the lantern on and off and adjusts the brightness becomes non-functional very easity. The problem, which I discovered by disassembling the lantern (I've had to do this MANY times), is that the potentiometer that the thumbwheel is attached to has a TINY shaft, and it takes very little force to "strip" the relatively soft plastic thumbwheel that fit over the shaft. And when that happens, turning the thumbwheel also unscrews the tiny screw that fastens the thumbwheel to the shaft, further loosening the thumbwheel from the potentiometer.

I plan to fashion a brass or steel plate with a D-shaped hole to fit over the D-shaped shaft, and hot-press the plate into the plastic thumbwheel.

Otherwise the latter is great. I hope the manufacturer changes the flawed design, if they have not already.

Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

(16 of 16 customers found this review helpful)

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Aug

14

2008

(8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

 
1.0

Great idea, but....

By John F

from Maryland

About Me Avid Adventurer

Site Member

Pros

  • Compact

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Poor Light Output
  • Poor quality
  • Short Run Time

Best Uses

    Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

    This is a great idea, but the execution is iffy. Quality control seems to be an issue. The first one I got had only a very short run time (wouldn't hold a charge). I exchanged it and the second one seemed to work better, but the little thumbwheel to adjust the brightness almost immediately konked out.

    Once they work the bugs out and get a better handle on quality control, this will be a keeper. Until then...

    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist

    Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

    (8 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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    Apr

    11

    2008

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Does not get any better, lighter maybe..

    By SRowan

    from Bend Oregon

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Durable Design
    • Easy To Setup
    • Long Run Time
    • Powerful Light Output

    Cons

    • Heavy

    Best Uses

    • Backcountry Camping
    • Campgrounds
    • Emergencies
    • Survival
    • Travel

    Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

    I use this for backpacking, most people never would because it amlost weighs a pound. To me I sacrifice the weight someplace else just so I can take this with me.. I can read everynight in the backcountry as long as I want, cook in plenty of light, set up camp in the light, etc. The light lasts a really long time, in fact I have yet to run it out. I love that you can charge it in the wall without cranking. I take this in place of a flashlight, and I take a headlamp too (but it never gets used anymore because of this lantern)

    Two thumbs up for sure, now if only they could shave they weight in half!

    Service and delivery comments:

    Great REI Service as always!

    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Comfort Driven

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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    Feb

    14

    2008

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    All-Purpose Lighting Machine

    By RV guy

    from Mountain View, CA

    About Me Avid Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Durable Design
    • Easy To Adjust
    • Easy To Setup

    Cons

    • Short Run Time

    Best Uses

    • Campgrounds
    • Emergencies
    • Survival

    Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

    An ingenious device. I love it. For car camping, road kits, RVs, boats, you can't go wrong. Built like a rock but light and compact. Directional LED in base works for me as reading light (as advertised) and "navigating light" (lights up trails or, in my case, aisle of a small RV at night when house lights not used). This LED requires very little cranking for very long output. LEDs in cluster at top marginally effective for bright cabin light except at "full throttle" and don't burn long without frequent cranking. However, they meet minimalist needs nicely. And for longer life you can charge via USB AC wall adapter or computer. This is a versatile and flexible device but it's *no frills*. If you're not familiar with Freeplay, check their site. They appear to be stand-up company. I could not rate it 5 for general use, because of short run time for LED cluster. However, for my minimalist use, it is perfect, and I would give it 5+.

    • What Is Your Gear Style:
    • Minimalist

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (5 of 5 customers found this review helpful)

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    Aug

    21

    2009

     
    4.0

    Works well; our version is pretty tough

    By Tracy

    from Portland, OR

    About Me Casual Adventurer

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Compact
    • Durable Design
    • Easy To Adjust
    • Easy To Setup
    • Lightweight

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Campgrounds
      • Emergencies
      • Heavy for backcountry
      • Survival

      Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

      Our light has been just fine. Our two girls (5 and 3) play with it a lot - cranking and swinging it around and turning it off and on. We have had no problems. The only reason it doesn't get a 5 is because it isn't super bright. But its fine for lighting the picnic table and stove during car camping. The USB power plug to my Blackberry charged it without a problem.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Mar

      21

      2009

       
      2.0

      okay nothing special

      By jaimed

      from WI

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Pros

      • Compact
      • Easy To Adjust
      • Easy To Setup
      • Lightweight

      Cons

      • Flimsy Design

      Best Uses

      • Campgrounds
      • Emergencies

      Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

      Great idea! Has all the features I think are necessary for backcountry BUT flashlight LED malfunctioned on first use. Lite considering a recharge battery is enclosed but not h20 proof or impact resistant...Based on my experience and those listed I see a pattern that makes me reject this tool as not reliable. Go back and redesign it Freeplay! I can buy this quality from [...]

      • Gift:
      • No

      Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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      Dec

      27

      2008

       
      5.0

      Great lantern.

      By armyranger10a

      from Massachusetts

      About Me Avid Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Easy To Setup
      • Long Run Time
      • Powerful Light Output

      Cons

      • Heavy
      • Long Charging time

      Best Uses

      • Backcountry Camping
      • Campgrounds
      • Emergencies
      • Survival
      • Travel

      Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

      At first I was a bit worried about the bad reviews I saw but this lantern works perfect. I have not put it through serious use and abuse yet but its perfect for power outages. I was disappointed that it did not come with a wall outlet charger but if you have a Razor cell phone charger or a small usb cable for a camera or gps it will work. Also the lantern takes a long time to handcrank about 5 minutes for an hour on full bright, and if your out in the dark thats a long time for light.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Dec

      19

      2008

       
      4.0

      Great Compact Lantern

      By GKC

      from Walnut, CA

      About Me Casual Adventurer

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Compact
      • Durable Design
      • Easy To Adjust
      • Easy To Setup
      • Long Run Time
      • Powerful Light Output

      Cons

      • 1 Lb weight

      Best Uses

      • Campgrounds
      • Emergencies
      • Survival
      • Travel

      Comments about Freeplay Indigo Lantern:

      Great for inside tents. The fact that you don't have to carry extra batteries is a plus. If you want a full charge then use the USB cable! Winding charges are not as long term but great when your out and about.

      • Gift:
      • No
      • What Is Your Gear Style:
      • Comfort Driven

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      Was this review helpful? Yes / No

       - You may also flag this review

      Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

      Displaying reviews 1-9

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