Black & Decker BDBEAM-B Lantern with Batteries

 (5 customer reviews)

I bought this light for a quite cheap price at a local retailer, in the camping section. I was looking for a well-built Krypton bulb lantern with a stand which could take D batteries, as the 6V batteries are so expensive to replace. I planned to upgrade the bulb to LED. Here are the pluses and minuses as I see them:

+ Very good brightness for a Krypton bulb flashlight, due most likely to the choice of bulb and the reflector
+ Very good/rugged build quality for the price, with the only lack being waterproofing. The plastic housing feels quite solid, and in general this is a big, nicely heavy light that feels like it could last for quite some time. The threading on the front cap feels like it can take quite a bit of unscrewing and rescrewing. The recessed on-off push button switch is covered in rubber.
+ Ergonomics are good. The rubber grip means that it could be carried in the hand for a fairly long time without discomfort, despite the fact that it weighs a...Read more

This is a great, powerful lantern. I too had trouble figuring out how to install the batteries. (thought it was like a flashlight, but nope) The instructions, however, ARE inside along the rim of the bulb when you screw the head off.

Purchased one of these in a store. Absolutely no instructions for removing and replacing the bulb. Procedure is not obvious as with most lanterns.