Black Diamond Apollo Lantern

The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern is a bright light that splendidly lights up your tent or camp area. If you want to read in your tent, you can do that. If you want to cook a late dinner, you can do that. And if you want to take that early-morning bathroom break without tripping on rocks, roots or a wandering skunk, you can do that too. On a recent backpacking trip I pumped water from a small stream using a Katadyn water filter late at night. It was a pleasure to be able to see everything in detail. The lantern's legs ensure a stable source of light that isn't going to tip over in a strong wind. This lantern really is a bright, well-designed piece of gear made with quality parts. It is a bit on the heavy side (it's 8 ounces without the 4 AA batteries). Sure, you can opt for the Brunton Lamplight, which is considerably lighter and more compact, but you don't get the bright light for reading or doing more detailed work (but it is an excellent light for the minimalist). It's a bit pricey at $50, but it does the job better than anything else I have seen out there. I recommend that Black Diamond provide a cover for the lantern to avoid scratches and a small hook to hang in your tent or from a branch. I carry the lantern in a sock and I added a small plastic snap ring to hang from my tent. Let the sun shine!

A couple weeks ago I underestimated travel time and ended up having to search for a campsite in the dark. The only one available by then was a walk in site that was well out of the range of car headlights. Luckily I had my Apollo along and tent set up was a breeze. I found it a little on the heavier side for backpacking, but the extra ounces are well worth it for the light quality and power.

This really is an exceptional lantern. I love how it stands on tripod legs to illuminate, and then folds up to a small size. The light it produces is warm (not bright or painful to look at, like some LEDs), and extends for several feet. I haven't found a better lantern.

Finally someone has made a useful lantern small and light enough to take backpacking. After years of candle lanterns, fragile globes and mantles, and feeble light something that is easy to use, durable and which provides ample light for reading or any camp activity. Light quality is excellent: both strong and diffused equally. I am so thrilled with this thing I dare not offer any criticism (okay, maybe someday they can make it a touch smaller with improvements in battery technology).

Ok, I know I have been hard on a lot of companies in my reviews. Not always giving them 5 stars. But this one certainly gets 5 stars. I got the NRG pack also because I figure it's worth not having to buy lithium ion batteries anymore for the extra ounce. It would be nice to see Black Diamond get the weight down on the battery pack though for the headlamp where an ounce really matters but I will give the actually NRG kit the 4 stars on that instead. Haha.

I am a scout leader and needed a lantern that I could hang in the tent after calling for lights out, and still have enough light immediately accessible should I need it that wasn't just a flashlight (broader coverage). Pros: - incredibly bright for any form factor - great collapse / expansion design - seems like it will last (feels solid) - single button operation works well (easy for big fingers) - live in Houston and like the NASA theme Cons: - a little hard to pack due to being scared I'll crack the lens - though advertised w/ rechargable capability, can't find it anywhere - would be great to have an optional A/C source when electricity is avail. - my son wants one of his own and is a bit expensive for outfitting a 12 year old.

I am a scout master and needed a battery lantern that I could use after calling for lights out yet have something immediately accessible w/ a broader field of view than a flashlight. Pros: - Very bright light for any form factor - Great design (expands / collapses easy) - Feels durable (has some substance to it) - One button operation (works well w/ big fingers too) - Since we're from Houston, love the NASA theme Cons: - Afraid I will crack the lens when packing in my backpack. - No A/C adapter avail - I can't find the rechargable option anywhere - My son wants one and it is a little expensive to outfit a 12 year old.

Although I had long wanted an old-timey gas lantern, I decided to go with this one after reading all the reviews. And I was not disappointed. I used 4 AA batteries and kept this on for about 12 hours over 2 nights of camping. There was no unwanted fading or dimming. It illuminated a leanto well and a 2-person tent REALLY well. The legs are also very stable. I attached a carabiner to the small loop at the top and could hang it from trees, the leanto, the tent, etc. My one complaint is that, when held upright, it's not great for seeing in front of you (i.e. for walking into the woods to use a latrine at night). However, this was easily fixed by tilting it kind of like a flashlight and suddenly i could see half the woods. For it's size, weight, and power, as I said to my camping partner, this is the best $ I have spent in a long time.

I was looking for a lantern for kayak camping. Most small lanterns are cheap and just don't have the lumens. The larger ones take up too much space in the boat and/or use heavy batteries. This one is just right. It folds to the size of a beer can, uses two AA batteries, and puts out enough lumens for a small camp site or large tent. Plus, the legs and switch are cool. Buy an extra to give for Christmas.

This is a great lantern. It illuminates everything without blinding you. if you're going to get it go ahead and purchase the NRG rechargeable battery kit with it.

Works as well as the previous review suggests. With regards to the rechargeable battery, that is the NRG made by black diamond. It fits the icon headlamp and the apollo. It is great not to have to buy batteries!

2 words: BAD ASS! Light, bright, kicks ass in the night! This little guy is wonderful! It is supposed to be able to be re-charged with the appropriate battery pack, but I have yet to see it available on this site or @ black diamond. This is the size of a can of soup and extends into a world or brightness and ease! I full heartedly recommend this for any type of camping/hiking/exploration! This is a wonderful unique device that is so light-weight and bright that I believe it outshines/performs most of the competition. The tripod folding design is brilliant and the "hook" for hanging is also ideal for hanging in the trees or tent. I can't recommend this enough. The compactability, size, brightness and battery life are all huge reasons to buy this. Although the listing says 60 hours, I feel 50 is more appropriate if it is on the "brightest" setting the entire time. I now own 2 of these and and never camp w/o 1 of 'em

2 words: BAD ASS!!!! This product is the epitome of minimalist. I can't recommend this lantern enough. It compacts down to a size of Campbell's soup, but yet when it unfolds, it will literally brighten your tent and all other surroundings. The battery is more towards the 50 hours side on the "brightest" setting, but that is still remarkable. The box and black diamond say they have a rechargeable battery kit for this, but I can't find it on this size (as of the date I entered this) or on black diamond's site. Overall, this little lunar shaped lantern is my perfect night light source. I have since replaced my "big" lantern for this and I couldn't be happier.