Classic styling with modern upgrades
Big News: Classic retro products are coming back. Olight is introducing the next generation of the very popular Olantern Classic; the Olantern Classic 2 Lite and the Olantern Classic 2 Pro. Both versions maintain the classic vintage styling that made the Olantern Classic so popular, yet both editions offer significant upgrades in both performance and aesthetics. The compact and sophisticated retro body is easy to store and is the perfect choice for your next sophisticated camping trip.
Olantern Series: Perfect for camping or around the house
When you think of Olight you immediately think about great handheld flashlights and well-made weapon-mounted lights (WMLs). And while Olight has continued to bring innovation to the market with respect to both handheld flashlights and WMLs, there are times when you just need 360 degrees of stationary, hands-free illumination. This is where the Olight Olantern steps in to fill the void. First introduced a couple of years ago, the original Olantern is well suited for a variety of situations. Unlike the classic propane or gas-powered lanterns of the past, the Olantern provides bright light without the noise normally associated with the old style of lanterns thanks to its rechargeable battery power source. Not only is it absolutely quiet, but it is also very compact in comparison to the much larger fuel-powered lanterns. This makes the Olantern a great option for camping or any other outdoor activity as it is easily packable. It is also much safer for indoor use, making it ideal for home use during power outages and as part of emergency preparedness kits.
The original Olantern also has a removable cover. This feature is great because it allows you to swap out the bulb with the included flicker bulb, giving you a soft yellow flickering light that mimics a candle, adding ambiance to any occasion. Additionally, with the cover removed, you can use one of the many Olight holiday covers for more festive decorating. There are even individuals who have 3D printed numerous Olantern compatible topper designs for a variety of events and holidays. One minor quibble with the original Olantern is the harshness of the bright white light, especially on the highest setting. Since it is not diffused, keeping it at eye level could be an issue, but this is only a minor issue. There are aftermarket distributors available should one desire an original Olantern.
Following the successful introduction of the original Olantern, Olight has since released the Olantern Mini, a smaller and more compact edition of the original, as well as a larger, non-rechargeable, Olantern Classic. The Classic was released last year and was a huge hit as the vintage styling really resonated with fans. Powered by three standard AA batteries, the Olantern Classic featured two different LED modules. The first module provided a soft warm glow with a maximum of 60 lumens for up to 9 hours of runtime while the second LED module produced a brighter warm light with a maximum of 190 lumens for up to 4 hours of continuous runtime. The classic retro styling looked great whether it was used inside your home, outside on a patio or deck, or even on a picnic table at a campsite.
Unfortunately, it sold out very quickly and was recently discontinued by Olight since it was only ever intended to be a limited production run. While fans may be disappointed with the discontinuation of the Olantern Classic, that disappointment will be short-lived. Now, Olight is launching an upgraded new generation of Olantern Classic at this moment — Olantern Classic 2 Lite/Pro. Let's take a look at what makes it special.
Shared features between the Olantern Classic 2 Pro and Olantern Classic 2 Lite
The styling and overall size are the exact same regardless of which you decide to purchase. In fact, the only way to visually tell them apart, aside from turning them upside down, is to look at the Olight logo on the rubber strip just below the knob. The Pro edition will include two small pull tabs on either side because that is what is hiding the USB ports. Both the Pro and Lite editions are also being offered in the same two color choices;(beige and green) and the Pro will have the additional option of the vintage copper color.
As for the design, it is simply fantastic. The LED modules are contained within a PC plastic globe-shaped casing that is inverted and hanging from the top of the lantern. The plastic globe is protected by black-coated stainless-steel guards. The lantern also features a two-tiered top with a “peek-a-boo” style of opening at the very top for additional light transmission, adding the overall vintage appearance and feel. It almost gives it a lighthouse-like appearance. It includes a rubber-wrapped carrying handle with the Olight logo and name embossed into it. There is also a small D-ring style hook in the center of the top of the lantern for an easy hanging solution. Attach an OLink and you should be able to hang it from just about any metallic surface, or using some paracord tied directly to the D-link one would be able to hang it from overhead. The vintage copper color paired with the black hardware really gives this lantern a very old-world industrial look.
Finally, the Olight logo and name are again displayed on the base of the lantern on a rubber strip just below the rotary knob. Between the knob and the Olight logo is a battery indicator light. For both the Lite and Pro, a green light indicates between 15% and 100% of available battery power remaining. A solid red light indicates that the available power has dropped to between 5% and 15%. A blinking red light indicates less than 5% of the power is available. In both versions, the majority of the weight is within the base of the lantern, making them very stable. They are also both rated at IPX5 for water resistance.
They both offer step less dimming via a rotary knob on the base of the lantern, unlike the original Classic edition where the rotary knob was actually controlled from the top of the lantern. The knob has the Olight “O” logo etched on the front. Turning the knob from left to right ever so slightly will turn on the lantern at its lowest setting, the low mode of the orange LEDs. Continuing to turn the knob to just shy of halfway will increase the brightness of the orange LEDs to their maximum output. A slight turn of the knob past halfway will activate the warm white LEDs on their lowest lumen output, while turning the knob to full on will bring the lantern to its brightest overall output. The output levels, as well as the runtimes, do differ between the two versions and there is more information about each listed below.
While there is no difference between the appearance of the Lite and the Pro editions, the functions and performance of each is significantly different. Each has a particular purpose, and depending on your needs, one may be better suited for you. Or better yet, you should buy one of each!
The Olantern Classic 2 Pro Rechargeable Camping Lantern
Let's dive into the specific details of the Olantern Classic 2 Pro edition which set it apart from both the original Classic as well as the Classic 2 Lite editions. This is a major upgrade over the Classic and includes several new features and functions that are sure to delight Olight fans. First and foremost, this Pro version is rechargeable! It has a built-in 11200mAh battery pack and features USB-C and USB magnetic charging. Cleverly hidden behind the rubberized Olight logo on the front of the base of the lantern is a USB C port, and a USB C cable is included that can be used to quickly charge the lantern. But wait, there’s more! Olight decided to also enable us the option to charge the lantern using their magnetic charging cable (not included) by incorporating the MCC port into the bottom of the base. It is truly unique to have different charging options available and really great of Olight to include this in the Pro version. Once you have the front charging port open you will also notice a standard USB A port next to the USB C port.
The Olantern Classic 2 Pro Power bank function
The Pro version also has the ability to reverse charge devices using either the USB A or USB C ports hidden by the rubber dust cover on the front just below the rotary knob switch. This is a great feature that can come in handy for providing power to devices like phones or tablets in an urgent or emergency situation. This feature has always been available on the Marauder 2 flashlight and it is really nice to see this functionality added to the next generation of Olanterns. Imagine being on a camping trip when your phone dies. Simply grab your USB cable and plug it into the Classic Pro and watch as it restores power to the phone. Living on the gulf coast means we have to be ready for hurricanes, which frequently knock out power for days at a time in impacted areas. This lantern is great to have a part of a storm preparation kit as it can provide both light and emergency charging power. One can never have enough power bank options available in the event of an emergency. And the relatively compact size means it can easily be packed away in a pack or bin, but even keeping it on a shelf is a great option so it is always ready and available when needed. An added benefit is that it will look fantastic on any shelf in your home due to the classic styling.
The Olantern Classic 2 Pro performance by the numbers
The Pro version has better performance across the board when compared to both the Classic and Classic 2 Lite editions. With the three orange LED filaments, the Pro generates a very pleasant warm glow that ranges from a low output of just 10 lumens up to a high of 130 lumens. On the lowest setting, the Pro is rated to last for approximately 108 continuous hours of operation. Switching to the max output of the orange LEDs drops the maximum runtime down to 23 hours. That is almost a full day of continuous operation at 130 lumens which is quite pretty impressive! Once you turn the knob past the halfway point, the orange filament LEDs turn off, and the warm white LEDs come on. At their lowest setting, they can produce 130 lumens for approximately 35 hours of continuous operation. Turning the knob to fully on brings the Pro up to the maximum lumen output of 300 lumens. At the maximum setting, the Pro will actually step down to 200 lumens and then finally down to 150 lumens. The estimated runtimes for this are 20 minutes on high and then an additional 480 minutes at the 200-lumen setting, after which you get an additional 1,000 minutes of runtime at the final step down. That’s an astonishing 1,500 total minutes, or 25 hours of runtime!
The warm glow from the orange LEDs provides a perfect amount of light without disturbing others around you.
The Olantern Classic 2 Pro features summarized
Vintage Style: Inspired by classic barn-style lanterns, the Olantern Classic 2 Pro is designed to give you state of the art features with an old-school look.
Stepless Dimming Ambient Light: The Olantern Classic 2 Pro has both a warm orange and white light that ranges from 10-300 lumens with stepless dimming. Create a cozy atmosphere with two warm light options.
Long Runtimes & Two Charging Methods: Charge the lantern with a popular USB-C or Olight MCC charging cable. It takes only 4 hours to be fully charged via the USB-C if you use a high-powered adapter. Enjoy a runtime of up to 7.5 days!
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Emergency Power Bank: Having 2 discharging methods (USB-C & USB-A), the Olantern Classic 2 Pro supports 18W reverse charging and is the perfect solution for charging mobile phones, small fans, small speakers, etc.
Many Applications: The lantern can be used in the yard, in a tent, as ambient lighting, as power outage emergency lighting, as a night light, or as a party decoration. Improve your daily activities with the Olantern Classic 2 Pro!
Easy to Place: Sturdy base for placing on flat surfaces, while you can also use the portable handle for carrying or hanging. More stable when using the hanging ring.
Power and Charging Indicator: The indicator makes it easy to check real-time power at a glance.
Durable for the Outdoors: The all-metal housing withstands daily impacts and its IPX5 rating makes it resistant to water splashes and light rain. This lantern is ready for your outdoor adventures!
The Olight Classic 2 Lite LED Camping Lantern
As mentioned above, the Lite edition of the Classic 2 is almost identical in appearance to the Pro. There are some key differences to note however. One key difference is that the Lite version is powered by four AA batteries, which are included by Olight. The Classic 2 Lite also does not double as a power bank as the Classic 2 Pro does. There are also performance differences between the two that will be noted below. Additionally, the Lite will not be offered in the vintage copper color. Despite these differences, there are advantages to consider with respect to choosing the Lite over the Pro edition.
In certain situations and circumstances, having an available power source to charge your Olantern may not be feasible. The fact that the Lite runs on standard AA batteries is a plus since these are widely available anywhere in the world. Much like the Pro, keeping the Lite in your emergency preparedness kit is a smart idea. Throw in a few packs of AA batteries and never worry about having available power to keep your Olantern running. The overall dimensions are identical between the Pro and the Lite but the Lite is a little over three and a half ounces lighter even with the batteries installed.
The battery compartment is accessed from the base of the lantern and has a simple, yet sturdy locking mechanism. Simply rotate the latch down to the open position and the base can then be removed, revealing the battery compartment. Once the batteries are installed, replace the base and rotate the latch back to the closed position. It is surprisingly secure.
The Olantern Classic 2 Lite performance by the numbers
The Lite version outperforms the Classic in a few areas and matches the output performance of the Pro edition at the lowest settings, but falls short with respect to runtimes as well as output performance on the higher settings. With the three orange LED filaments, the Lite also generates a very pleasant warm glow that ranges from a low output of just 10 lumens up to a high of 130 lumens. On the lowest setting, the Lite is rated to last for approximately 105 continuous hours of operation, while moving to the max output of the orange LEDs drops the maximum runtime down to 3.5 hours. Once you turn the knob past the halfway point, the orange filament LEDs turn off, and then the warm white LEDs come on. At their lowest setting, they can produce 120 lumens for approximately 6 hours and 20 minutes of continuous operation. Turning the knob fully brings the Lite up to the maximum lumen output of 240 lumens. At the maximum setting, the Lite will actually step down to 150 lumens and then finally down to 100 lumens. The estimated runtimes for this are 20 minutes on high and then an additional 200 minutes at the medium setting, after which you get an additional hour of runtime upon the final step down. That’s a relatively impressive 280 total minutes or more than 4 and a half hours of runtime, but not as impressive as the performance of the Pro.
However, a quick exchange with some fresh batteries and you are up and running again in no time while the Pro would have to charge for at least 4 hours once completely depleted.
The Olantern Classic 2 Lite features summarized
Inspired by classic barn-style lanterns, the Olantern Classic 2 Lite is designed to give you state-of-the-art features with an old-school look.
It has both a warm orange and white light that ranges from 10-240 lumens with stepless dimming. Create a cozy atmosphere with two warm light options.
Runs up to 105 hours with replaceable AA batteries that are easy to buy and carry. Easy real-time power check with the battery indicator. Enjoy your camping time with the Olantern Classic 2 Lite!
The lantern can be used in the yard, in a tent, as ambient lighting, as power outage emergency lighting, as a night light, or as a party decoration. Improve your daily activities with the Olantern Classic 2 Lite!
Sturdy base for placing on flat surfaces, while you can also use the portable handle for carrying or hanging. More stable when using the hang ring.
The all-metal housing withstands daily impacts and its IPX5 rating makes it resistant to water splashes and light rain. This lantern is ready for your outdoor journeys!
What’s included?
The Olantern Classic 2 Pro includes the lantern, a USB C charging cable, and the user manual.
The Olantern Classic 2 Lite includes the lantern, four standard AA batteries, and the user manual.
Olantern Classic 2 Lite/Pro Camping Lantern Comparison Table
| Classic 2 Lite | Classic 2 Pro | ||
| Lumens | Runtime Min | Lumens | Runtime Min |
Warm White | 240 - 150 - 100 | 20+200+60 | 300 - 200 - 150 | 20+480+1,000 |
120 | 6h20min | 130 | 35h | |
Orange | 130 | 3h30min | 130 | 23h |
10 | 105h | 10 | 108h | |
Power Source | Four AA | USB C or MCC Rechargeable | ||
Weight w/batteries | 23.10 ounces | 26.69 ounces | ||
Height | 7.32 inches | 7.32 inches | ||
Diameter | 4.88 inches | 4.88 inches | ||
Conclusion
Lanterns have been an essential part of outdoor gear for a very long time. They provide 360 degrees of hands-free light, which is useful for performing tasks or just for gathering around a picnic table in the evening with family and friends. Olight’s original Olantern became popular due to being powered by rechargeable batteries, its whisper-quiet operation, and its compact size. It has become a staple in both outdoor gear as well as in-home emergency supply kits. Following on that success, Olight has now released the next editions of lanterns and they should appeal to a large fan base due to the vintage styling as well as the performance enhancements. You have two options to choose from: rechargeable or battery operated. The Pro edition is rechargeable and offers significant performance gains over the Lite edition as well as doubling as an emergency power bank for your electronic devices. However, in the event of a lengthy power outage, and without access to alternative power sources, you may be left with nothing to power your Olantern Classic 2 Pro. Conversely, the Olantern Classic 2 Lite edition is powered using four readily available AA batteries. Most have these on hand and if needed they can be found at just about any convenience or drug store, meaning you should always have access to power sources. But you do give up some performance for that convenience. For some, that may be an easy trade off. But you could always grab both and always be prepared!
The styling is a hit and builds off of the popularity of the Olantern Classic that was only offered as a very limited release. It has a vintage, retro look that would complement your home décor, but would also look just as good hanging from a tree limb at your campsite. The dual LEDs are a nice addition, with the orange filament style providing a very warm and inviting light: The stepless dimming functions well and switches to the warm white LED mode on high without issue. This higher setting boosts the overall light output without being overly harsh and maintaining the warm tones overall. These are sure to be a hit, so don’t wait to get yours! Thank you for reading.
