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Reviewer's
Impressions:
When the Bonfire is used expressly for what it is intended,
namely an indoor (or in-tent) area light, it will serve the
purpose very well. There's not much more to say about this
light. It just hangs there emitting its friendly warm yellow
glow allowing you to see the inside of your tent, exactly
as it is supposed to.
The lanyard is pre-looped and ready to go. Just open it up
and slip it over the end of the light body, catching it in
the grooves and presto!, you can hang the light anywhere.
The switch is a little bit tough to work through the rubber
bladder that covers it, but not overly so. The rubber cover,
and the rest of the features appear to be designed so that
if the light gets wet while hanging the water will run over
the outside of the body and onto the floor without affecting
the light.
There have been durability questions with this light regarding
the battery tension springs. Namely that a drop on the face
of the lantern will result in the springs being compressed
and the light refusing to turn on until the springs are adjusted
- a difficult task in the field. Two drops from 3 feet failed
to compress the battery tension springs. The light went out
on the 2nd drop, but it was the battery cover that moved,
causing the connection to miss. Pressing the battery cover
back into place caused the light to turn on again.
I am a little concerned about the plastic case. Although
it seems to take a beating fairly well, I would be afraid
it could be crushed or the internal parts could come loose
as a result of a hard shock. Again, if used as a hanging tent
light as it is intended it should serve very well.
The CMG Bonfire will serve as a fine replacement for those
potentially dangerous tent candle lanterns. Its warm glow
would also serve well on those backyard tenting adventures
with the kids while hunting lightning bugs.
+ + + Pluses: Nice even glow, High and Low setting.
Common AA batteries
- - - Minuses: Durability questionable although OK
for in-tent use, water resistance questionable - should repell
water if hanging and water lands on it from above.
* Rating Note: I am giving the light 2 Stars
in keeping with the standards for the rating - namely that
this light has questionable environmental protection. However,
if used for what it is intended, it should serve very well.
The Photon 2 received 2 Stars for the very same reason, but
I carry one with me every day on my keychain and use it frequently.
A low star rating does not necessarily mean that a device
will not serve the purpose it is intended for. Please see
the ratings descriptions on the main Reviews page for more
details.
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