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Reviews > Lighting > Lanterns > Solight Design SolarPuff > Test Report by Michael Pearl
SOLIGHT-DESIGN SOLARPUFF
INITIAL REPORT - June 25, 2016
TESTER INFORMATION
I have a great appreciation for the outdoors and get out at every opportunity. I am a three-season, learning to be a four-season backpacker and year round hiker. Currently, my trips are two to three days long as well as an annual week-long trip. I utilize the abundant trail shelters in my locale and pack a backup tarp-tent. I like to cover big distances while still taking in the views. I have lightweight leanings but function and reliability are the priority. I mostly travel woodland mountain terrain but enjoy hiking beautiful trails anywhere. PRODUCT INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS
INITIAL IMPRESSIONS
The SolarPuff arrived folded flat in a reusable, resealable package. The package contains all product and use information needed to operate the SolarPuff. The light itself looks nothing like a light. It reminds me of a miniature version of a lunchbag. It does have a intriguing curious draw to it. It's the kind of object I want to pick up and see what it is all about. READING THE INSTRUCTIONS The instructions are basic and brief. Between two illustrations and a few lines of text on the back of the package all is explained. The SolarPuff is rather intuitive, the instructions are more or less needed to define duration of charge and light provided. TRYING IT OUT
After charging the SolarPuff for 8 hours I pulled the handle while holding the base then gently squeezed it into shape. A push of the on/off button located in the center of the solar panel turns the light on. The light was immediate and bright. A second push noticeably brightened the light. While a third push makes the light flash on and off. One more push turns the light off. Returning the SolarPuff to its flat storable shape is also easy. I place my hands to the left and right of the handle, handle up and down between my hands, fingertips on the panel and thumbs on handle side, squeeze the top and bottom while poking the sides in. The SolarPuff collapses back to original shape. SUMMARY
FIELD LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS
Overnight at Mt Moosilauke - Benton, New Hampshire - 7.5 mi (12 km) 2400 from to 4803 ft (730 to 1464 m). Temperature 60 F (16 C) cloudy with intermittent light rain. Pack weight 30 lbs (13.6 kg). PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
SUMMARY
The SolarPuff has served me well during field testing. I do not do much night hiking. My primary use of lighting while backpacking is in camp. So the SolarPuff fits my needs very well. I enjoy using it and not worrying about batteries. I did bring a headlamp as back up on my Long Trail hike. But I always bring a back up light of some kind. I think two small changes would improve the SolarPuffs level of use. I would like a red light for use in group night settings. And the relocation of the handle strap to the solar panel side so it could shine forward when fastened to something. Overall the SolarPuff is a clever, useful solution to nighttime lighting. LONG-TERM TEST LOCATIONS AND CONDITIONS Overnight at Mt Moosilauke - Benton, New Hampshire - 10 mi (16 km) from 1600 to 4800 ft (488 to 1463 m). Temperature 45 to 65 F (7 to 18 C) and cloudy with steady wind and mist at the summit. Pack weight 30 to 40 lb (14 to 18 kg). PERFORMANCE IN THE FIELD
I made it out one more time with the SolarPuff. The family and I hiked Mt. Moosilauke again. But this time we visited the opposite side of the mountain and camped trailside in a tent. My kids and wife all liked the SolarPuff. We passed it around the tent so we could each read the map and discuss the next days hike. I then hung the SolarPuff in the top of tent. We have a bedtime tent ritual we call making your nest. This is arranging anything you might need in the middle of the night, hat, sweater, tissue or stuffed animal. The SolarPuff cast enough light that we could all see very clearly our space and items in it. The kids really like the blinking feature of the light. We had a little disco groove party before calling for quiet time. The SolarPuff proved useful and fun on this last trip. SUMMARY
The SolarPuff has been fun to test. It is not a super bright lamp suitable for night hiking. It is plenty of light for lighting a shelter be it tent, trail shelter or small room. The SolarPuff was also adequate for finding my way to the privy in the woods after dark. It is durable, easy to use, easy to pack, rechargeable and best of all requires no batteries. At the time of writing this report the SolarPuff remains in good working order with no signs of wear. I will continue to use the SolarPuff to supply light while in camp on my future outings. Read more reviews of Solight Design gear Read more gear reviews by Michael Pearl Reviews > Lighting > Lanterns > Solight Design SolarPuff > Test Report by Michael Pearl |