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GE Steelbeam Lantern

Have you ever suffered a power outage at night? This GE Steelbeam Lantern (Costco Item #265614) is one thing to keep in your closet for just those occasions.

I was looking for a good battery powered light, when I spotted this at the local warehouse for $14.99. For comparison, if you buy it online, it will cost you about $30, once you pay the shipping charges.

This, and most camping gear, is seasonal. It is available in May. If you miss it then you'll have to wait for next year. You might as well pick one up, you can always return it if you change your mind.

It is simple to use. You just install 4 D-sized batteries through the bottom, snap a door shut, and screw the base back on. Then with the press of a button, you have light.

The light bulb appears to be similar to the compact fluorescent bulbs sold at Costco warehouses and elsewhere. It is a 6 Watt fluorescent tube. I estimate it has the equivalent brightness of a 40 W incandescent bulb. They claim it is rated for 8,000 hours. A good set of alkaline D batteries is supposed to last you for 16 hours with this lamp, probably at room temperature.

Battery life is highly dependent upon the operating temperature. According to the Duracell specification sheet for D-cell alkaline batteries, a battery operating at freezing (32 F) temperatures will last you five hours, but operating at room temperature (72 F) it will last almost three times as long. So if you are going camping in the mountain, take extra batteries.

The bulb in this lantern is not easily replaceable. However, if it lasts 8,000 hours this shouldn't be an issue. If one set of batteries lasts 16 hours, then you will go through 500 battery changes before the bulb burns out. At about $1 per battery, that is going to cost you $2000. After spending that, you should be able to afford $15 for a new lantern.

General Electric no longer makes lanterns. These lanterns, and several other GE branded products, are made by Jasco, an independent company that licenses the GE name. Nevertheless, the lantern appears to be built solidly and works reliably.