Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern vs Black Diamond Apollo Lantern

Brightness is crucial for camping lanterns as it determines how well the lantern can illuminate your campsite or tent. A brighter lantern can make tasks easier and enhance safety in the dark. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern offers impressive brightness with multiple illumination levels, including high, medium, and low settings, making it ideal for various lighting needs. The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern, while slightly less bright, still delivers strong brightness with up to 250 lumens, sufficient for lighting up tents or small campsites. However, it may not cover very large areas as effectively as the Goal Zero lantern. For those who need versatile brightness settings, the Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern is the better choice.

Battery life is a key consideration for camping lanterns, as longer runtime means less frequent recharging and more reliable lighting during extended trips. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern offers up to 35 hours of runtime on its lowest setting and flexible charging options, including solar and USB, which is convenient for long camping trips. The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern also provides solid runtime with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and the option to use AA batteries, offering flexibility in power sources. Both lanterns perform well in this category, making it a tie as the choice depends on whether you prefer solar charging or the option to use standard batteries.

Durability is essential for camping lanterns to withstand the rigors of outdoor use, including exposure to water, drops, and rough handling. The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern has a slight edge in durability with its IPX4 rating and reports of holding up well to drops and light rain. While it has some issues with water entering the ports or battery compartment, it generally performs better in rugged conditions. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern, although reliable with an IPX4 waterproof rating, has more reports of durability issues and occasional failures. For campers who need a more robust lantern, the Black Diamond Apollo Lantern is the better choice.

Portability is important for campers who need to carry their gear over long distances or have limited space. Both lanterns excel in this category, being lightweight and compact. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern is ultra-lightweight and collapsible, making it perfect for backpackers and minimalist campers. The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern is also compact and lightweight, fitting easily in the palm of your hand. Given their similar portability features, this category is a tie, as both lanterns are easy to pack and carry.

Ease of use is crucial for camping lanterns, as you want a lantern that is simple to operate, especially in the dark. Both lanterns score highly in this category. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern features simple one-click controls and intuitive modes, making it effortless to operate. The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern also has a single-button design and intuitive controls, with features like adjustable legs and a hang hook adding to its convenience. With both lanterns being user-friendly, this category is a tie.

Versatility is important for campers who need a lantern that can adapt to various lighting needs and situations. The Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern excels in this category with its multiple light modes, including candle flicker and multi-color party modes, making it adaptable to any outdoor setting. The Black Diamond Apollo Lantern, while versatile with adjustable brightness and a strobe mode, does not offer as many light modes or colors. For campers seeking a highly adaptable lantern, the Goal Zero Crush Light Chroma Lantern is the clear winner.