Nichia 300 Lumens Extreme: a sturdy lantern for relaxed camp lighting

This lantern is very rugged and produces enough light for most sedentary outdoor activities. The lantern has four modes: high (300 lumens), medium (150 lumens), low (29 lumens), and SOS flashing (where the lantern flashes "SOS" in Morse code: three short, three long, and three short). By contrast, the Rayovac Sportsman LED Lantern (SE3DLN) has only high (240 lumens), low (100 lumens), and strobe modes. For those who are used to lighting up a room with three 60-watt incandescent bulbs that emit 800 lumens each, the lantern isn't going to be insanely bright. However, the lantern compares favorably with similar lanterns and provides sufficient light for conversation, card playing, and searches for dropped objects. You can even read a book without being particularly close to the lantern. Low mode is enough light to find your way to the restroom without disturbing sleeping companions. The light is produced by three main LEDs in the globe. There are also eleven smaller LEDs on the front around the switch: one green LED flashes every three seconds when the lantern is off, and ten amber LEDs indicate the relative brightness when the lantern is on. All ten amber LEDs are on when the lantern is on high (300 lumens), five amber LEDs are on when the lantern is on medium (150 lumens), and one amber LED is on when the lantern is on low (29 lumens). The amber LEDs are off when the lantern is on SOS flashing mode. The green LED itself can't be seen except from a narrow range of angles, but if you set the lantern close to a vertical surface (for example, a tent wall) and aim the green LED at the vertical surface, the reflected light is much more broadly visible. The lantern seems to be made out of rugged, heavy ABS plastic, and the top and base are encased in rubber. The lantern weighs 1 lb 14 oz with batteries (15.2 oz without), so it's not very heavy but feels solid in the hand. The weight puts the lantern on the outer range of what you would want to take with you on a backpacking trip, but if conditions are too dry for campfires, this lantern would complement an LED headlight very nicely. Thin O-rings protect the globe and the battery compartment from water. The lantern would do fine in a rainstorm but I would avoid dunking it. The lantern comes with an accessory hanging hook, which you can use to hang the lantern from the top. There is also a hook that is built into the base, which you can snap out when needed and snap back in when not needed. Neither hook seems to be very sturdy, but are probably sturdy enough to support the lantern. The instructions are printed on the box, but the operation of the lantern is intuitive enough that you don't really need the instructions.