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Backpacker Magazine – April 2009

Editors' Choice 2009: Black Diamond Orbit Lantern

Bright, light, and rechargeable–the perfect camp lantern is here.

by: The Backpacker Editors

Black Diamond Orbit (Steve Howe)
Black Diamond Orbit (Steve Howe)
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VIDEO REVIEW:
See the Orbit in action with our on the scene review in Wales.

MORE EDITORS' CHOICE WINNERS
See more gear that made the cut in our 2009 awards.

No, you don't need a lantern. But you'll want this one. It's a kitchen light, campfire, and reading lamp wrapped into 4.4 ounces. And it's so packable that even our staff minimalists deigned to carry it. We love the adjustable LED, which dims for candlelight dinners or brightens for poker games. It collapses to four inches for packing (it's five and a half fully extended).

And during six months of testing, we never had a failure despite dropping it, leaving it out in storms, and carelessly cramming it into packs. Battery life is also superior: 11 hours on the brightest setting. Green bonus: A plug-in rechargeable battery pack (six-hour life) is now available as well ($30, sold separately). $30; 4.4 oz. with 4 AAA batteries; bdel.com

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READERS COMMENTS

shorted out
Posted: Sep 26, 2009 ultralight msr

I purchased four of the orbits to test. I was really impressed with the size, weight and the amount of light they put out. The downfall was all but one built condensation in it and two of the three that that had condensation shouted out. Another victim to the pacific north west!!!!!!!
Posted: Sep 26, 2009 ultralightmsr

Great little lantern... is as advertised. Go ahead and splurge on the rechargeable battery pack it is definitely worth it. You will not be disappointed.
Posted: Sep 24, 2009 LazyAcrobat

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