Portable energy brand BioLite (perhaps best known for their CampStove and its continued developments) is no stranger to Kickstarter. Two years ago, they successfully funded and delivered upon a campaign that raised over a million dollars for their fire-to-electricity stove. They return to the crowdfunding platform today with another innovation that will help campers everywhere. The BaseLantern is more than a sandwich-sized flatpack lantern. It doubles as a miniature smartgrid that provides real-time analytics on off-grid energy consumption and the statuses of devices it’s charging.
There are three features warranting further attention. First, portability is key here. This is made possible by high-powered edge-lighting, which is substantially smaller than traditionally lanterns, but still offers 500-lumens of brightness. Second, the Bluetooth connectivity allows for the aforementioned real-time energy consumption analytics but also brightness and warmth adjustments on the light itself, as well as lantern effects, color changes and alarms. Finally, the 7800 mAh rechargeable Li-on battery offers 54 hours of lamp-time (when not charging any outside devices), and fuels the two USB out charging ports which can comfortably charge an iPhone 6 up to four times. Altogether, it’s an energy conscious smartgrid that offers truly bright luminescence and even has a few party tricks—like proximity activation.
A $79 early bird pledge guarantees a BaseLantern if the Kickstarter campaign receives full funding.
Images courtesy of BioLite