BougeRV Telescopic Camping Lantern Review: A Versatile 3000 Lumen Light

Introduction

A good camping lantern needs to be more than just bright. It needs to be durable, easy to pack, and versatile enough to handle different situations around the campsite. The BougeRV Telescopic Camping Lantern aims to deliver on all of these fronts with a telescoping design, multiple light panels, and a large built-in battery.

This lantern stands out from typical camping lights because of its adjustable height and directional lighting. It can collapse down to a compact size for storage, then extend to illuminate a wide area. It also includes a USB-C port for charging and can even top up your phone or other small devices in a pinch.

Design and Build Quality

The BougeRV Telescopic Camping Lantern is built from durable, impact-resistant PC ABS plastic and aluminum. The materials are also heat resistant and made with a non-halogen flame retardant, which adds a layer of safety, especially since the lantern houses a sizable NMC lithium battery.

The lantern measures 2.7 inches in diameter and 10.6 inches in length when collapsed, weighing in at a backpackable 2.2 pounds. It comes with an olive drab sheath that has a handle and a small pocket for accessories, making it easy to carry and store.

The telescopic design is the standout feature. It starts at about 10 inches and extends up to 65 inches, which is over five feet tall. This allows you to use it as a table lamp or extend it to light up a whole campsite. The three light panels fold a full 180 degrees and rotate 270 degrees, giving you complete control over where the light goes.

Controls and Light Modes

The lantern has three buttons on top: a power button, a light mode button, and a brightness button. There is also a separate on/off switch on the bottom, which acts as a master power cut-off to prevent accidental activation during storage or transport.

Pressing the power button cycles through one, two, or three active light panels. The mode button toggles between a bright white and a warm white color temperature. The brightness button offers low, medium, and high settings. This combination of controls provides a wide range of lighting options for different needs.

The lantern also includes a built-in flashlight on the back, activated by a separate button. The flashlight has three brightness levels, adding another layer of utility.

Battery and Charging

The lantern is powered by a 15,600 mAh NMC lithium battery, rated at about 65 watt-hours. This is a fairly large battery for a light, and it enables some impressive runtime figures.

Charging is handled via a USB-C port, which supports 18-watt power delivery. A full charge takes about four hours, which is faster than the claimed five hours. The battery can also be used to charge other devices, such as phones or tablets, making it a useful power bank in an emergency.

The battery is rated for 1,500 charge cycles. Given the slow charge and discharge rates involved, this seems like a reasonable expectation. For most users, this translates to years of reliable use.

Hanging and Mounting Options

The lantern has a loop at the bottom for hanging from a tree branch, a tent pole, or a shower enclosure. This makes it a great option for hands-free lighting in a variety of situations.

It also features fold-out legs that can be deployed to create a stable table lamp configuration. The legs have small holes at the base, and the included tent pegs can be used to stake the lantern to the ground for added stability in windy conditions.

The included pegs are quite small, so they may not be ideal for hard or rocky soil. In those conditions, you might want to use larger, standard tent stakes for a more secure hold.

Real-World Performance Tests

To get a sense of real-world performance, the lantern was put through a series of tests. On the highest brightness setting with all three panels on bright white, the lantern ran for about three hours before the battery was depleted. This is a high-drain scenario, and the runtime is reasonable given the light output.

On the lowest setting, with a single panel on soft white, the lantern lasted for about 58 hours. This is very close to the claimed 60-hour runtime and is an excellent result for low-level lighting needs.

A lumen test was also conducted using a lux meter at a distance of one meter. On the maximum bright white setting, the lantern measured about 1,500 lumens. This is about half of the claimed 3,000 lumens, but it is still a very bright output for a camping lantern. The lower settings produced 50 lumens on warm white, which is enough to read by in a dark room.

What We Like

The BougeRV Telescopic Camping Lantern has a lot going for it. The telescoping design is genuinely useful, allowing you to adjust the light height to suit the situation. The directional light panels are also a great feature, giving you control over the beam pattern.

The build quality feels solid, and the IP54 water resistance means it can handle outdoor weather without issue. The USB-C charging is convenient, and the ability to use the battery as a power bank is a thoughtful addition.

The included sheath, tent pegs, and charging cable add value, and the reflective stickers on the body are a nice touch for visibility and signaling.

Things to Consider

There are a few minor drawbacks to keep in mind. The on/off slider switch on the bottom could be a potential weak point, as sand or moisture could work its way into the mechanism over time. A waterproof push-button switch might have been a more durable choice.

The lantern is very durable when collapsed, but the extended aluminum tube is relatively thin and could be bent if subjected to significant force. It is best to carry it collapsed and avoid dropping it while extended.

The charge level indicator lights stay on whenever the lantern is powered on. While this is a useful reminder to turn the lantern off, it does draw a small amount of power and could slightly reduce battery life over an extended trip.

Buying Advice

The BougeRV Telescopic Camping Lantern is a versatile and well-built lighting solution that is well-suited for camping, emergency preparedness, and general outdoor use. Its adjustable height, directional panels, and long battery life make it a practical choice for a wide range of scenarios.

The lantern is priced at $109, but it is often available for around $74 with a discount. At that price, it offers excellent value for the features and performance it provides. If you are looking for a bright, flexible, and reliable camping lantern, this is a strong option worth considering.

Conclusion

The BougeRV Telescopic Camping Lantern is an impressive piece of gear that lives up to its promise of versatility. It is bright, durable, and packed with features that make it useful in many different situations. While it has a few minor quirks, the overall package is excellent and well worth the investment for anyone who spends time outdoors.