Black Diamond Zip Lantern

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A lantern that also doubles as a very compact flashlight and 100% versatile backpacking light, the Zip Lantern lights up the picnic table for cooking or cards, and quickly turns into a precise flashlight for calls of nature or walks back to the tent.

Black Diamond says:

An innovative backpacking light that combines the precision beam of flashlight with the ambient illumination of a lantern, the Zip Lantern does double duty for any dark night in the backcountry. Enclosed in a frosted globe, 5 LED’s offer 150 lumens of proximity lighting for cooking, sorting gear or looking over the map. When nature calls or it’s time to fill up on water, the flashlight mode features 90 lumens of precision beam to light the way. A simple collapsible hook on top makes it easy to hang from a branch or piece of accessory cord.

Our Verdict

Black Diamond’s Zip Lantern is a handy little light for around camp. It gives off a surprising amount of light, with the lantern going up to 150 lumens on the highest setting. While the flashlight setting gives a maximum of 100 lumens on its maximum setting. It takes 4 AAA batteries which is a lot and not ideal for longer trips as that is a lot of spares, but it does have a really good burn time across the settings.

The two main settings of lantern and flashlight give you versatility. Add to this the flat bottom that allows you to balance it easily on a flat surface, the small hook which acts as a hang loop and the compact shape that fits comfortably in your hand, and you can use this light in all manner of ways. A single button on the front controls the power and settings, simplifying the light and making it easy to use.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• 5 LED’s with 150 lumens (max setting) is enclosed in frosted globe for bright, ambient light in lantern mode
• 1 LED with 90 lumens in the bottom to provide a bright, precise beam in flashlight mode
• Lantern, flashlight and dimming modes all operate from a single switch
• Collapsible top hang loop
• Powered by 4 AAA batteries (not included)

Specifications

• Batteries: 4 AAA (not included)
• Lumens: 150
• LED Type: 5 LED [Lantern] 1 LED [Flashlight]
• Weight without batteries: 56g
  
• IPX Rating: IPX4
• Max Distances: [Lantern] 6m [Flashlight] 20m
• Max Burn Time: [Lantern Low] 12 h [Flashlight Low] 100 h