View Full Version : Meet LUCI . . .
Moose-Knuckle
10-15-13, 21:04
Heard about this product the other day, figured I'd share it with the like-minded individuals who frequent this particular sub-forum. I plan on ordering a dozen of these soon. These lights were created mainly for third world countries, the compnay comes off as tree hugger/UNICEF types but I see the potential for these lights in illumination kits/preps.
MPOWERD™ develops and manufactures transformative clean energy products to replace and eliminate the dangerous, costly and harmful ways people living and playing off-the-grid are forced to find energy. As a benefit Corporation (B Corp), we do good by doing well. Our vision is “to eradicate energy poverty through solar justice.” We partner with like-minded individuals, resellers, NGOs, influencers and organizations to help achieve this vision
We are the inventor and manufacturer of Luci the solar-powered light. Luci is a low cost, long lasting, durable, lighting solution for those who live off the grid, cannot afford to live on the grid or are victims of emergency situations and disasters.
Unlike other solar power products, Luci incorporates the functions of a task light, flash light and diffused lantern. Luci has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery and weighs only 4.5 ounces making it compact, lightweight and collapsible for travel, is durable and reliable in extreme weather conditions and can easily be attached to a wall or ceiling. Luci was designed to be independent of a power grid. Luci is the solution where light is inaccessible or unaffordable. Luci is a clean, low-cost, sustainable energy provider. Luci provides a dependable solution where there are unreliable or absent electrical services. once Luci is acquired, there are no further costs associated with lighting.
https://www.mpowerd.com/
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/AKS-74/Lucilantern1_zps0b803ba9.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/AKS-74/media/Lucilantern1_zps0b803ba9.jpg.html)
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/AKS-74/lucilantern2_zpsaa6983b8.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/AKS-74/media/lucilantern2_zpsaa6983b8.jpg.html)
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a144/AKS-74/lucilantern3_zpsa2ce46a9.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/AKS-74/media/lucilantern3_zpsa2ce46a9.jpg.html)
Interesting. I have a bunch of solar powered LED lights in my yard. They look pretty. However they are also intended to be lighting sources should I lose power.
I'm going to take mine down if/when the apocalypse happens. If NO lights are on, but my yard still looks bright and cheery... well, I dont' trust crazy folks to really understand that they are solar powered.
I'd rather give NO indications.
PA PATRIOT
10-16-13, 00:52
Review please once you receive them.
Ordered 3. $14.95 EA. plus 10.85 shipping. 1 lantern is $6.95 shipping
Moose-Knuckle
10-16-13, 10:30
Review please once you receive them.
Will do.
Ordered 3. $14.95 EA. plus 10.85 shipping. 1 lantern is $6.95 shipping
Thanks for the heads up, yeah at that price point I'm going to get a more than one!
Moose-Knuckle
10-16-13, 10:51
I'm glad I found these, I've been wanting to add some solar lanterns to my preps but there are not that many options out there. The Goal Zero Light-A-Life (http://www.goalzero.com/shop/p/18/Light-a-Life/10:1/) is $40 and is bulky the Energizer Solar LED Lantern (http://www.energizer.com/flashlights-lighting/lantern-area/Pages/solar-led-lantern.aspx) is $30, it looks and feels cheap.
Not to go against the flow bu those things look like junk to me.
It's a string of LEDs inside a plastic bag with a solar cell and rechargeable battery.
You could make one yourself. Just go to Target, Walmart, Dollar store and get some $1 solar landscape lights. Get a plastic bag that blankets, sheets, etc, are sold in ( probably free from any department store ). LEDs are cheap.
I mean that is an easy DIY project. They may also be using CD media? as reflectors? Can't tell.
If you are truly going to save your own ass in an EOW scenario, this would be a good DIY project to introduce you to very basic electronics.... like after you learn to change batteries in your remote control, you tackle this.
Seriously if these things were $5 to your door and you accept they offer no durability then maybe.....
Anyway .. that's what I see when I read that site.... that and some very well done photography... I might be wrong but perhaps some of the pro photogs here could comment on the lighting, exposures, etc...I don't think those photos are lit with just those lights as they suggest.
They're only 15 bucks..not sure why you'd want to try and jury-rig your own at that price point.
Moose-Knuckle
10-16-13, 15:02
The next solar lanterns in price point I linked above are twice and three times as much as the Luci lights. Also they are not compact and packable like the Luci.
They're only 15 bucks..not sure why you'd want to try and jury-rig your own at that price point.
Because those are cheap-ass solar cellls stuck in a plastic bag..... Again if you're looking to plan for/survive in an EOW situation you really ought to have some basic electronics skills.
Those things look like they would survive a day of use... maybe.
Something like this for 88cents a piece is probably going to be more practical in context.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBih-5KWkzY#t=17
I haven't watched all this but it is probably a much more realistic and durable solution.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggX2DDSlUZk
Just because you DIY something doesn't mean it's jury-rigged. Ask the people that stipple their weapons or people like Surf that alter their charging handles to suit their specific needs.
Of all the things those heading down the road of self sufficiency could delve into it would be solar powered LED lighting. In an emergency LEDs are everywhere and to a great extent so are solar panels.
The next solar lanterns in price point I linked above are twice and three times as much as the Luci lights. Also they are not compact and packable like the Luci.
Yeah, I'm not knocking the idea and I hope they serve your needs but unlike building your flashlight, most people have the ability to make simple LED projects. It could come in quite handy to learn how to do so. Even if it meant being able to repair one of those should they stop working.
Moose-Knuckle
10-16-13, 16:33
Yeah, I'm not knocking the idea and I hope they serve your needs but unlike building your flashlight, most people have the ability to make simple LED projects. It could come in quite handy to learn how to do so. Even if it meant being able to repair one of those should they stop working.
I hear you, valid point about the know how part.
Good find. Interested to hear a review. Any idea how long the solar cells are supposed to last?
A couple sites w/ reviews. The candlepower forum review looks like it was possibly a prototype.
http://www.amazon.com/MPOWERD-Original-Luci-Solar-Lantern/product-reviews/B00DQ1RDWS
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?349536-Review-Mpowerd-Luci-Light-(-Luci-is-different!-)
Anyway .. that's what I see when I read that site.... that and some very well done photography... I might be wrong but perhaps some of the pro photogs here could comment on the lighting, exposures, etc...I don't think those photos are lit with just those lights as they suggest.
I am interested in the product but after 16 years of working as a professional artist/photographer you are right. The lighting in those photos is "studio" lighting and does not reflect the actual output of the lights.
That does not mean that there was a second light present at the photo shoot, but these photos have a really heavy handed post production look. They're "flashy", and way to clean to have been taken with only the product in question.
Doing a little more research.. here's a review comparing Luci vs. LuminAid with some pics by the reviewer.
http://bicyclehobo.com/luci-vs-luminaid-solar-light-showdown/
Do they come with a shield? Part of the problem with general 360 degree lights is you blind yourself at the same rate you're trying to illuminate an object.
wow I am going to order a bunch of these to take to Afrika, you never know when the electricity will go out so these could be a great thing to have. I have a solar stove, solar battery recharger now I will get a solar set of lights.
wow I am going to order a bunch of these to take to Afrika, you never know when the electricity will go out so these could be a great thing to have. I have a solar stove, solar battery recharger now I will get a solar set of lights.
Funny you mentioned this. My wife did Peace Corps in Africa; she's going to email a few old contacts and maybe see about sending some over. Be nice to see how it would really work in an austere environment.
Moose-Knuckle
10-23-13, 17:23
Doing a little more research.. here's a review comparing Luci vs. LuminAid with some pics by the reviewer.
http://bicyclehobo.com/luci-vs-luminaid-solar-light-showdown/
Thanks for posting the link! :cool:
Do they come with a shield? Part of the problem with general 360 degree lights is you blind yourself at the same rate you're trying to illuminate an object.
In the first pic I posted above the base of the light houses the solar panels/components and acts as a shield.
wow I am going to order a bunch of these to take to Afrika, you never know when the electricity will go out so these could be a great thing to have. I have a solar stove, solar battery recharger now I will get a solar set of lights.
Do tell about the solar stove.
I made it, I used a native made bar-b-q aka 50 gal drum cut in half. I sandblasted it clean and then bought a bunch of small mirrors which I glued in place on the inside of the drum. I then attached glass for a cover.
I can put my food in it when I leave for the office and just let it cook during the day. Depending on when I get back home depends on if I can eat right away, or have to reheat in the micro wave, or just throw it all in the trash( which means my workers eat it, afrkans can eat things that would kill most of us).
I signed up for this electronics review website..https://grandst.com they have a 2 pack of LUCI's for the price of one. Currently out of stock, but they have a waitlist
Moose-Knuckle
11-08-13, 15:25
I signed up for this electronics review website..https://grandst.com they have a 2 pack of LUCI's for the price of one. Currently out of stock, but they have a waitlist
Sweet, thanks for the link. I have not gotten around to ordering any yet but will take advantage of this deal when they come back in stock.
http://www.tacticaldistributors.com/ has Gen 2 Luci lights on sale for $10.99 today only
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