Innovation

Just three years ago, I came across the Devos LightRanger (since renamed to LightRanger 1200 – See our Review) that wowed me with its innovative design. It was one of the best — if not THE best — large-area camping light despite some of its flaws. I had since reviewed the heavy-duty Goal Zero Skylight and tested (but did not have time to publish reviews on YuenX) other products like the Conpex TW-TRP-01, ouTask Telescoping Lantern, and many of their copycats. Yet, the LightRanger (LR) remained my go-to gear for overlanding and camping because of its compact footprint, built-in battery, and ability to brighten an entire site for a long time. The company later released a lower-cost model with the LightRanger 800. (At the time of this writing, the newest LightRanger 2000 and LightRanger 800 Mini were not yet available on Amazon.)

There were some quality concerns and improvements I had hoped for Devos to introduce in future models, and after sending their customer service some feedback to route to their product design team, I was delighted to find the newest model, the LightRanger 2000, introduced with many of the suggestions I had wished for. My favorite camping light became even better, and I was excited to take it for a test drive! Let’s carry on to the review!

Proper Lighting

Having proper lighting can make a crucial difference between enjoyment and frustration while barbequing in the backyard, camping in the forest, repairing a vehicle, or photographing a scene. If one cannot see well, safety, quality, emotions, and creativity could be negatively affected. As such, I had been collecting and testing a large variety of lights over the past three decades for a range of purposes, including professional wedding photography, outdoor activities, and general home improvement projects.

The factors to look for in a light source are:

• Technology such as LED, laser, fluorescent, and halogen
• Intensity, brightness, and diffusion
• Reliability and longevity
• Energy efficiency
• Color temperature
• Power source like USB battery, solar, gas, or heat

Different use cases have specific requirements. For instance, my family had been enjoying overlanding/boondocking over the last five years where one drives their vehicle into the wilderness and camps without any amenities like toilets, running water, shelter, and lights. The overlander must bring everything they need. We had been using a combination of headlamps, solar lanterns, and USB LED light bulbs to illuminate our camping spots, but to sufficiently brighten a large area, several of them were required. More friends and families had been joining us and the need for an efficient light source that could cover greater distances had become an increasing need.

Devos LightRanger 2000: 1 vs 4 Lights (90 vs 360 Degrees)

From my past photography work, I knew that the higher a light was positioned, the more space it could illuminate underneath. A tree branch- or stand-mounted USB light bulb to cover a large area came to mind: one hung off a carabiner and powered by a battery bank for all-night use. Alas, no weatherproof, elegant solution was available until I came across the Devos LightRanger 1200 nearly 3 years ago from a then-new, Utah-based company. Its feature set looked very promising and interesting, and I brought one for my Thanksgiving 2022 winter camping trip to the beautiful Yosemite National Park with friends and family. The light surprised me.

This article is a review of the newest Devos LightRanger 2000 with comparisons against its prior flagship, the LightRanger 1200. It will also touch base against the Goal Zero Skylight, ouTask Telescoping Lantern, and how they all compare to my other camping lights:

• Headlamp / Battery Lantern / USB Lightbulb with Power Bank / Propane Lantern

Our most recent trip with a LightRanger was to Crowley Lake by Bishop, CA, and it was amazing and cold with night-time temperatures of 27F. Unlike when we went to Yosemite National Park with kids during Thanksgiving 2022 where two inches of ice greeted us, we did not bring our beloved Mr. Heater Buddy to keep us warm. Alternatively, we could have brought the Outland Living Firebowl placed inside a canopy tent with all its sides covered to retain heat. Our favorite canopies are Clam Quick-Set Pavilion and Axa AxplorOutdoor as both come with built-in side covers.

Quick-Set Pavilion Pop-Up Camping Gazebo Tent /Clam

Devos LightRanger 2000

In A Nutshell

The LightRanger 2000 by Devos continued improving upon its flagship predecessor, the LightRanger 1200 (See our Review), in many ways. It was clear that the company listened to customer feedback because many of the gripes I had with the older model were addressed or even surpassed. Before we dive into the main pros and cons, allow me to summarize what the LightRanger (LR) is for those not familiar with the product. The LR series is a weatherproof lamp with a built-in battery (Li-ion NMC) that was designed to cover a large area when mounted high on its telescoping tripod (or pole). That made one HECK of an excellent coverage from a small, portable package! Devos accomplished that through one simple premise: move the light source up high and project it down and outward for a larger, illuminated circle — like stepping back further while shining a flashlight at a wall to see more of it.

LightRanger 2000

After nearly two years of using the older LightRanger 1200 for camping, overlanding/boondocking, barbecuing, and stargazing; for sports (like tennis or volleyball at night), DIY house projects, and yes, even photography: the Devos LR had been the BEST portable light with the broadest coverage and versatility we had ever used — all in an elegant, weatherproof package. Period. One cannot appreciate how vital good, reliable lighting is for activities, especially when cooking in the dark, not just for visibility but also safety! The newest LightRanger 2000 made it even easier for us to recommend for portable lighting.

The Devos LightRanger series is the BEST portable light with the broadest coverage and versatility we had ever used — all in an elegant, weatherproof package. Period.

Part of the LightRanger’s attraction included its ease of use (by not having to haul around multiple lamps and batteries) while managing to stay out of the way and providing control over how it projects the light. There were some shortcomings and areas we would like to see improved, pricing included, but we will go over them during our full analysis below.

LightRanger 2000

Why choose the LightRanger 2000 over its older sibling, the LightRanger 1200?

• Increased maximum brightness by 67%
• Added a remote (smartphone app control over Bluetooth)
• Increased battery capacity by 73% to accommodate higher brightness and new Bluetooth functionality (45 hours on Low, 4 hours on High)
  • LR 1200’s newest production version runs up to 80 hours on Low
• Added built-in, colored LEDs to accommodate different use cases or environments without the need for bringing bulky filters (as is the case with the LR 1200)
• Provided a taller and vastly sturdier tripod (yet folds away smaller)
  • Its legs now also have holes to secure stakes into the ground with

The taller tripod and brighter light contribute to a larger coverage area than before (80 ft diameter, up from 60 ft previously). This makes the LR series continue to outshine (pun intended) their competitors, including the Conpex TW-TRP-01 and ouTask Telescoping Lantern. The only one that I had tested that is a lot brighter is the much pricier, heavy-duty Goal Zero Skylight — which also requires a power station to operate with. The LR, however, with its built-in battery is a lot more compact and portable for quick setup without taking up more of the already-limited space of an overlanding rig.

Despite all the improvements, there are some areas that Devos could still work on, some of which I had shared with their customer support team nearly two years ago. We will touch on those in the following Analysis section, but note that the company did address nearly all of the major pain points of the LightRanger 1200 with the updated model and newly-released accessories. As such, the LightRanger 2000 with its many improvements has become our new, top pick for large-area, portable lighting.

Yosemite: LightRanger 1200, USB Light Bulb

Analysis

The LightRanger 1200 had become one of our favorite camping lights for many reasons, and the new LightRanger 2000 (LR 2000) does it even better. Because both products are similar, much of my analysis of the older model also applies to the newest release.

One of the features we love that fellow campers had told us they also appreciated is its ability to shine from 1, 2, or 4 sides with a respective projection of 90, 180, or 360 degrees. Furthermore, the light angles DOWN and can have its brightness dimmed to 20% to minimize spill towards the neighboring areas. Built-in color LEDs (like the Amber one) can help maintain a campfire ambiance (the older model required the purchase of a separate filter attachment kit).

LightRanger 2000 vs 1200

What that means is that the LightRanger (LR) can illuminate an entire area in all directions (360 deg), half the space (180 deg), or just a small section (90 deg) without disturbing the neighbors. That also proved useful for stealth camping or stargazing where we wanted to minimize light pollution and not draw too much attention towards us. The LR 2000 can also light up 3 panels/sides (270 deg) via the new Devos app.

Additionally, having the light source up high sent the annoying bugs away from where we were sitting while at the same time not blind us the way a table-side, eye-level lantern does. Changing the light to Amber (1,800 Kelvin temperature) further reduced the number of bugs flying towards it while maintaining visibility for us. In contrast, LR’s White light is 5,000K, making it close to the 5,780K rating of pure light or the sun. It did nothing to protect us from mosquitoes, however, as they are neither deterred by nor attracted to light. The Red light mode (less than 1,000K) is best for stargazing or night hunting.

Hardware Components

The LightRanger 2000 included a lamp, telescoping tripod (with ground stakes), carry bag, USB-C charging cable, and AC wall adapter for a total of about 5 lbs — similar to the older LightRanger 1200.

LR 2000 vs 1200 Tripods

We used the tripod indoors and outdoors on hard and sandy surfaces, and the ground stakes (through the designated holes at each foot, a new feature) on dirt, grass, and even snow or ice. We recommend grabbing longer, more heavy-duty stakes for better stability and longevity. The vertical pole component can be removed from the tripod with a press of the quick-release button at its base. From there, quick-release clamps allow the pole to adjust its height from between 31″ (2.6′) to 120″ (10′), making it both taller (when extended) and more compact (when stowed) than the LR 1200 (which ranged between 39″ to 104″ / 8.7′). The lamp is connected at the top with the same button method.

LightRanger 2000: Bag + Tripod

• Regarding the button locking technique… The implementation keeps the lamp securely attached to the pole. That is important when considering that a hefty object is raised 9’+ off the ground and could become a potential source of injury if it were to fall on someone’s head. However, button locks are bound to fail when its spring weakens over time or gets dislodged. That actually happened to my LR 1200 and Devos sent a replacement free of charge along with a video on how to easily re-install yourself. The button on the LR 2000 is stronger, though.

LightRanger 2000 Tripod

I sometimes wished, just like before, that Devos replaced the button design (to which the lamp head is attached) with a 1/4″ screw mount instead that is commonly found on camera tripods. That would provide greater flexibility for use with third-party mounting hardware. For instance, a ball head mount would allow the lantern to be oriented at an angle for diagonal projection up a tree. Blame my photography days and Manfrotto tripod ball heads for that little yearning ;-) A screw mount would also allow for attachment to a paddleboard or helmet like a GoPro for nighttime visibility and safety. The downsides to such a setup would be increased material cost, and the extra time it would take to fasten or unscrew the lantern.

LR 2000 vs 1200 Tripod Legs

The new tripod is a lot more robust and should last longer than the 1200 model’s. It now also only locks into just two clicking (fixed) positions, limiting the diameter the legs can be extended to. I am not sure yet if I am a fan of that nor know how long the clicking method will last before it becomes too weak to remain stable. In contrast, the older version was more flexible and dynamic with how wide (or narrow) it could be opened. I continue to maintain that the leg mechanism used by Manfrotto tripods provides great flexibility and stability.

Tip: Keep the lamp attached to the pole and inside the carry bag for better protection.

LightRanger Bags (Default vs Heavy-Duty)

The ground stakes were strong enough in compacted dirt to withstand high winds, but I suggest weighing the legs down with heavy things like sandbags or backpacks for greater stability. Alternatively, and this is the photographer in me talking again, if Devos included a hook attachment at the bottom of the vertical pole (found in many higher-end tripods), it would allow one to hang a heavy object (like a backpack) for sturdiness.

Lamp (Lantern Head)

The detachable lamp at 5.75″ x 4.5″ x 4.5″ (29 oz) is slightly taller, wider, and heavier than the LR 1200 model’s 5.25″ x 4.3″ x 4.3″ (21 oz). Keep in mind, however, that the newer model is 67% brighter (from 1,200 to 2,000 lumens), packs a 73% larger battery (from 38.5 to 66.9 Wh), and now has colored LEDs built-in to accommodate different use cases or environments without the need of bringing bulky filters like the 1200 model did. However, because of the higher brightness and inclusion of Bluetooth, it lasts slightly less than the LR 1200 at the lowest setting (fully dimmed with only 1 panel turned on).

LightRanger Grommets

All three models (2000, 1200, and 800) have a built-in grommet at the top for looping a rope or carabiner through. This allowed us to hang LR off our backpack; a tree, tent, or awning for when we were too lazy (or restricted) to take out the pole; and even used it as a guiding light during a night kayaking session inside a California harbor.

LR 1200 after a 9′ drop (Lamp OK)

Some noticeable differences with the LightRanger 2000 include:

• Less use of ABS plastic that the 1200 model’s body was wrapped in
  • Higher use of clear polycarbonate lens makes the new lamp look more professional, allows more light to dissipate, is more impact resistant, and resists higher temperatures better than ABS. However, the top area where the lens and heat sink-looking top (or fins) meet is slightly exposed (see photos below) making it marginally more prone to damage when dropped at certain angles. I would have liked seeing that edge depressed for additional protection or, like the LR 1200 model, have a metal edge protrude out a bit
  • Polycarbonate is a key ingredient of bulletproof glass, but do not drop it onto concrete from a tall building, okay? It also lends to the lantern’s IP56 rating: has limited dust ingress (what the first number, “5”, means) and can resist high-pressure, heavy sprays of water (“6” number). The 1200 model was rated IPX6, where “X” signifies that testing against dust was not performed
    • Technically, many IPX6/IP56 products could briefly be dunked in water, but it is best to have a fully waterproof and dustproof rating before submerging — like at least an IP67 or IPX7. Yes, I have taken the lamp paddleboarding, but it was probably a stupid thing to do

LR 1200 vs 2000: Fall Protection

• Top looks like a heat sink or fins
  • I was not exactly certain why Devos changed the design away from the LR 1200’s smooth top. The new one looks like an aluminum heat sink (or fins) likely meant to better dissipate heat generated by the brighter lamp. However, that also meant that rain and moisture could collect inside the grooves/cavities (see photos below)
    • The collection of liquid may later cause some issues or attract bugs, although aluminum does not rust. One unpleasant scenario I could imagine happening would be tilting the lamp to turn on or off and having cold water subsequently drop all over you
    • Indeed, customer service confirmed that the design was to address heat to ensure better LED durability, longevity, reliability, and more consistent brightness (whether running for 15 mins or 15 hours). Perhaps the company could figure out a way to wisp liquid away from the cavities with later releases

LR 1200 vs 2000: Water Pooling

• Colored LEDs
  • As previously stated, the new model now has colored LEDs built in: White (5,000 Kelvin temperature), Amber (1,800K), and Red (less than 1,000K). Previously, a separate filter kit needed to be purchased and attached to the LR 1200, making it both cumbersome and bulky to carry around
    • White is closer to sunlight, Amber is used to create a warm ambiance and attract less bugs, and Red is for star gazing or night hunting

LightRanger 2000: Color Modes

Like before, I would like to see a future accessory to magnetically attach the Devos to the side of a car to expand where the lamp could be mounted and used without a pole or carabiner.

Need extra lamp? A standalone lamp head unfortunately cannot be purchased without the included accessories.

Battery

Housed within the new LightRanger is a larger Li-ion NMC battery (9,000 mAh @ 7.4V = 66.9 Wh). This presents a 73% capacity increase over the LR 1200’s 38.5 Wh (10,400 mAh @ 3.7V). However, due to LR 2000’s 67% brighter light output, added Bluetooth functionality, and LR 1200’s improved efficiency over its initial release, the new model actually does not last as long as its predecessor at the Lowest brightness. Devos claims the LR 2000 to last 4 hours on High (2,000 lumens) and 45 hours on Low (30 lumens) — in contrast, today’s LR 1200 version runs 3.5 hours on High (1,200 lumens) and 80 hours on Low (30 lumens). Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the runtime on High is nearly the same between both models, but the new one runs so at a 67% brighter level.

I did not get a chance to test Devos’ estimated numbers, but one can induce the following with the below formula:

• Calc: Hours available for device = Battery capacity (Wh) x 0.85 / Watts used by device
  • 10-15% of power is lost during power conversion
• Low Setting: 1.26W = 66.9 Wh x 0.85 / 45 hours
• High Setting: 14.21W = 66.9 Wh x 0.85 / 4 hours

So, the LR 2000 light reportedly sips a mere 1.26W+ on Low and 14.21W+ on High (LR 1200: 0.41W+ on Low, 9.4W+ on High).

Devos LightRanger 1200, Goal Zero Sherpa 100PD

Behind the clear lens by the power button is the battery level indicator: Red 0-33% / Yellow 34-66% / Green Blink 67-95% / Solid Green 100%. Devos claims a full charge from empty in 5 hours via its USB-C port (20V @ 1.5A, 30W max). The LightRanger is described to reach 60%+ within 1.5 hours, then to full within 5 hours. Although I did not test, that sounds a bit conservative. Today’s batteries do not fast-charge throughout the entire time. Instead, they only go fast until around 60-80%, then increasingly slow down until full. A 66.9 Wh battery could generally be recharged between 3-4 hours at 30W.

The same USB-C port can also recharge other devices at up to 30W (5V @ 3A, 9V @ 3A, 12V @ 2.5A, or 20V @ 1.5A).

• Input: LightRanger accepts a charge from the included 30W wall adapter, but can also receive its input from the 12V car port, or a solar panel for as long as the maximum voltage (20V) and amperage (3A) are not exceeded. Some panels have built-in circuitry to prevent overloading, but Devos sells its own 10W, 20W, and 30W Solar Panels with LightRanger Receiver
  • Lamp can be used while charging, though the battery level indicator does not turn on until unplugged
  • Although the company sells its own solar panels, if you already have one that can output USB, you will not need to buy one from Devos
    • At $80 – $200 (depending on panel capacity), I would rather use that money to buy power banks or a power station although you will have to weatherproof them. But at least they will work better in the rain than solar panels
  • I kept the battery charged with an Anker or Goal Zero Sherpa power bank that was secured at the top of the pole with Velcro, or with a power station from Goal Zero, EcoFlow, Jackery, or other brand
• Output: Other devices, like a smartphone, could be fast-charged at up to 30W in a pinch
  • I advise against it. The LightRanger is too expensive to be used as a power bank. Just buy one of the Ankers or Goal Zeros instead

LR 1200 vs 2000 LEDs

As I had mentioned, the battery is made up of Li-ion NMC. That chemistry loses about 20-25% of total capacity after every 500 charge cycle. What that means is that after the first 500 cycles, the battery drops 20% from 66.9Wh (when it was new) to 53.5h, then to 42.8Wh after the next 500 cycles, and 34.3Wh after that one. It would take roughly 1,500 charging cycles to have the battery last only half as long as when it was brand-new. In theory, it should be usable for 2,000+ cycles or about 6-10 years. The battery is not user replaceable without breaking the warranty.

CAUTION: Lithium-ion (LiFePO4 and NMC) batteries do NOT like to remain discharged at 0% for prolonged periods of time. If you let your battery stay at 0% for too long, you may not be able to charge it again without specialized equipment.

Keep the battery charged at between 20-80% (Yellow power level indicator) while in storage to maximize its lifetime. Li-ion NMC can be used in temperatures between -4F and 140F.

Air Travel

LightRanger at Camp

Both the TSA and FAA allow for batteries up to 100Wh to be carried or checked (certain rules apply) onto an airplane. Batteries between 101-160Wh were also accepted as of January 2023 subject to additional restrictions. The lamp’s 66.9Wh capacity falls well within those requirements. However, each airline may have its own rules although both United and Southwest Airlines started matching the TSA/FAA. Lithium-ion batteries are known to be volatile, and the higher their capacity the riskier they are.

Light Intensity, Direction, Color

The power button is used to control both the light intensity and direction. New with the LR 2000 is the option to use the Devos smartphone app to remotely control the light via Bluetooth.

• Direction: Lamp turns on with all four lights, then two, one, and off with each subsequent, short push. Wait 2 seconds and push again to turn off from any state
  • Each light illuminates a 90-degree field: 90 with one light (1 direction), 180 with two (2 directions), 360 with all four (4 directions)
    • Allows one to direct the light to a specific area that needs it
    • The LR 2000 has one additional illumination setting via the Devos app: 270 degrees with 3 lights
  • As with the LR 1200, it turns on with all 4 lights — every time. However, when the Devos mobile app was used to power it off, the LR 2000 remembers and turns back on with the last setting
• Intensity: Lamp turns on at the highest brightness, and holding the button smoothly cycles to the lowest brightness level (20%) and back
  • Because of the smooth cycling, it makes it difficult to know when exactly the lowest level has been reached. By the time I do, it has already crept back up towards high
    • The precise intensity level can be controlled via the Devos app
  • Lower intensity level increases the battery runtime

LR 2000: 1 vs 4 Lights (90 vs 360 Degrees)

Take note that the LightRanger always turns on with all 4 lights and at their highest brightness level. It does not remember the last setting used, unfortunately, unless the Devos app was used to power it off, then on.

Tip: Long-press the power button to check the battery level.

The lamp can be flipped upside down to illuminate upwards for use cases that include working underneath the car, lighting up the ceiling of a cave, or creating a scary ambiance for telling horror stories by the campfire. It unfortunately cannot be used as a strobe or Emergency (SOS) distress signal. Devos, as requested with the LightRanger 1200 review, could you add that feature to the short-press cycle?

Remote Control: Devos Smartphone App

New with the LR 2000 is the addition of an often-requested, remote control feature using the Devos smartphone app (Android and iOS) over the Bluetooth protocol. Pairing was simple and straight-forward, and once connected, the following options were available:

• Power on/off
• Precisely which of the 4 lights (or sides) to turn on/off
  • Select 4, 3, 2, or 1 light and on whichever side(s) desired
  • The lamp’s physical button allows cycling only through 4, 2, or 1 light and does not allow choosing which side(s) to turn on/off
• Set Color Temperature: White, Amber, or Red
• Precisely set Brightness level
• See Battery level remaining
• Set Sleep timeout (Default: 1 hour)
  • After timeout, the Bluetooth function turns off to conserve battery capacity. Push the physical power button to allow control with the app again
• Which lamp to control when multiple are paired
• Update lamp’s firmware

Devos App: Controls

The app notes that lights “go into low-power mode between 1-8 hours of not being used” and that “you may need to turn [the] light on again to re-connect.” By default, that configurable Sleep timeout is 1 hour.

• In my experience, the app re-connected with the LightRanger quite well, but often struggled when the lamp had been powered off for an extended period of time in order to stop power drain by the Bluetooth radio. When that happens, one has to physically turn the lamp on to allow Bluetooth to reconnect with the app. You may adjust this 1-hour Bluetooth sleep timeout period from within the app.

Motion Sensor

Those desiring additional automation may look into the LightRanger Motion Sensor which enables the light to automatically turn on at dusk for 1-5 minutes. This helps conserve battery power, and its 360-degree infrared sensing adds a little sense of safety when motion is detected around camp. Although I do not have a motion sensor to test with, I can imagine it potentially setting off many false alarms when wind rustles the leaves or causes tents to flap. On the flip side, if a bear is approaching camp, having the light automatically turn on can buy you time to react accordingly.

Colored Lights

Devos listened to feedback and added built-in, colored LEDs to the LR 2000. They are used to adjust the light and mood for different situations. Gone are the days when an optional, bulky Colored Filter Kit was required (for both the LR 1200 and LR 800), making the LR 2000 more convenient and compact to carry around over its lower-end predecessors.

LightRanger 2000 Color Modes

The light temperatures include Red, Amber, and Pure White (which is close to the sun’s 5,780K Kelvin rating). Below are the approximate Kelvin values for each color and what they are commonly used for in photography/videography and the outdoors:

• Pure-White (5,000K)
  • Outdoors: Best visibility and brightness around camp because it most closely resembles natural daylight
  • Photography: Most accurately captures the colors in a scene, making it ideal for true-to-life color rendition. This is particularly used in product or portrait photography
• Amber (1,800K) (Note: Colored Filter Kit uses 2,200K)
  • Outdoors: Lowest point in the White light range before turning Yellow. Outputs much warmer ambiance than Soft-White and is similar to sunset orange. Minimizes (but does not eliminate) the number of bugs flying towards the light while maintaining decent visibility
  • Photography: Adds cheerfulness and greater warmth reminiscent to after sundown
• Red (1,000K)
  • Outdoors: Minimal light pollution. For astronomy and stealth (such as hunting and fishing)
  • Photography: Brings feelings of passion to photos. Allows for cleaner astrophotography
• Soft-White (3,000K) (Note: NOT available with LR 2000, but only as part of the LR 1200/800 Colored Filter Kit)
  • Outdoors: Provides a soft, warm ambiance and maintains good visibility around camp
  • Photography: Adds cheerfulness and warmth akin to a sunset. Skin appears smoother. In my past photography career, I had used it to simulate sunsets during the daytime. More on that shortly

LightRanger 2000: Color Modes

Consideration should be made that raising the LightRanger 2000 up 10′ into the air (9′ with LR 1200) would keep most bugs away from your face as they would be swarming above you. Change the LED to Amber (or use the Soft-White filter with LR 1200) to provide both a warm atmosphere and further minimize the number of bugs attracted to the lamp. The color change does little to keep mosquitoes away from you, but your camp neighbors would appreciate the lower light intensity from blinding them or ruining their ambiance. Courtesy is always welcome :-)

Colored Filter Kit for LR 1200: Red, Soft-White, Amber

Sunset Simulation

Just for fun, I wanted to see whether the LR 1200 was bright enough to simulate a sunset with the Soft-White filter attached. I did not repeat this experiment with the LR 2000, but I expect the results to be similar. Soft-White would be close to Full CTO at 2,900K (similar to incandescent light bulbs) — the temperature used for photographing portraits at sunset. Color Temperature Orange (CTO) is the term used for gelled lighting that reduces daylight light sources (5,500K) down to the warm 2,900 – 4,500K temperature range. For privacy reasons, however, I am not sharing any samples of my past sunset-simulated photography assignments (shot with a combination of Canon EOS DSLR camera, Speedlite flashes, and MagMod gels), but here is one of a Lego minifigure (snapped with a Samsung smartphone) on the counter of a darkened kitchen:

You may also refer to this YouTube video by one of my favorite photography educators, Pye Jirsa (Lin & Jirsa, SLR Lounge), on how CTO can be used to simulate the “Golden Hour”. Although there is potential for the LightRanger to be used for portrait photography, it would not be at the same level as professional equipment designed for photography and videography. But hey, if you already have the Devos around while camping, it is a viable option to a certain degree.

Pricing

The Devos LR 1200 was relatively expensive compared to its competitors, and the current, economic situation  (inflation) added a slight price increase. The LR 2000 commands an even higher premium. However, there just is no better alternative for portable, compact, weatherproof lighting with as broad a coverage and versatility as the LightRanger series. There is nothing like it at the time of this writing, but if you know of another product that is as sleek, let me know!

The company offers a discount for Military, First Responders, Government employees, and Teachers: as much as 12% (up from 10% a few years ago), depending on sales promotions. Whether that stacks with any existing promotions, I do not know.

Additional Areas for Improvement

Our family and friends loved the LR 1200 and were just as enthusiastic about the new LR 2000. However, although the newest model is much improved over its predecessor — and comes as our top recommendation for large-area, compact lighting — it is by no means perfect. Some features we would like the company to incorporate or improve upon:

• Progressive Sleep Timer option in the Devos mobile app to automatically and progressively dim the light after a specified time, then eventually power off
  • This can help conserve battery power when you either have fallen asleep or have forgotten to turn off the LR
• SOS Function to allow the LR to be used for signaling for help or cautioning motorists of a broken-down vehicle ahead
• “Heatsink” top currently collects liquid or moisture in its grooves. I’d like to see the top smoothed out again like the LR 1200 so any liquid (dew or rain) falls off
• Drop Protection: Unlike the LR 1200, the new LR 2000 model’s polycarbonate lens (where it meets the “heatsink” top) has no metal edge protruding to better protect the lamp from impact at certain angles
  • This could potentially make the LR 2000 slightly more susceptible to damage even though polycarbonate is quite impact resistant
• Tripod Leg mechanism currently has 2 fixed (clicking) positions
  • Would like to see a design similar to Manfrotto’s or other high-end tripods so the legs can extend to different diameter ranges

LR 2000 vs 1200 Tripod Legs

• Hook Attachment at the bottom of the tripod pole (like those found in many higher-end tripods) to allow a heavy object (like a backpack) to be hung for increased stability in windy environments and where stakes cannot be used (ie. concrete ground)
• Magnetic Base to allow the LightRanger to be attached to metal or a car’s body for emergency signaling or lighting. This would allow the lamp to be quickly affixed to the top of an RV without having to take out the tripod and pole
• GoPro Mount Compatibility so the lamp could be attached to the same places as the popular GoPro action cameras. For example, on top of a helmet for 360-degree lighting or a standup paddleboard/canoe for nighttime safety or fishing
• Clear Diffuser Filter to soften the harsh, white light for more flattering photography or videography
• Loop Attachment near the top of the pole from which a battery bank could be hung for longer runtimes
  • A workaround is to use Velcro to secure the external power bank to above the height adjustment lever. I used to do that with the Canon Speedlite Battery Packs while photographing weddings throughout the day and night. Be mindful that it could rain overnight and so be sure to weatherproof the battery
  • Devos offers a USB-C Work-Light Kit that includes a 10′ cable and 20W USB-C PD AC adapter so the pole could remain fully extended at 9′ or 10′ while allowing the lamp to be charged from a ground level power source
    • I feel the kit should have been included with the core product, but you can buy yourself better options for the same price or less: Anker USB-C PD wall charger with 10′ USB-C cable
• Standalone LR 2000 Lamp for purchase for those who want to either increase coverage or replace a dead lamp without having to also purchase the included accessories (tripod, carry bag, etc.)
• User-Replaceable Battery to allow the owner to replace a dead battery without having to buy a new lamp unit
• Physical Remote
  • For a variety of reasons, one may not want to use the Bluetooth function, such as to conserve battery power of both the lamp and smartphone
  • Including an infrared-based, physical remote may be a nice option to have

Who is Devos?

According to the company’s website, Devos stands for “Developing outdoor solutions for the backyard [and] the backlands” with a mission to “helping customers create hassle-free outdoor experiences”. It is headquartered in Springville, Utah, and just 30 miles south of one of my favorite power station brands: Goal Zero. The company appears to have been founded in 2020 based on WHOIS records for the devosoutdoor.com domain and LinkedIn employee profiles.

Competitors

I had previously mentioned that there is nothing like the LightRanger, and that it is the “BEST portable light with the broadest coverage and versatility we have ever used — all in an elegant, weatherproof package. Period.” What are the alternatives besides the traditional LED or propane camp lights? Are there any that can be raised up high to illuminate a large area? Before I made my decision to get the original Devos LightRanger 1200 (and subsequently upgraded to the LR 2000), I had considered the following:

Light Stands

• Goal Zero Skylight (Goal Zero | Amazon) – See our Review.
  • Pros: Expands 12′ up, heavy-duty, VERY bright (can nearly light up an entire soccer field), built-in 33Wh Li-ion NMC battery. Commercial grade quality
  • Cons: Pricey, heavy (14 lbs), bulky. Requires a separate power source (ie. power station) for longer runtime
• Conpex TW-TRP-01
  • Pros: Similar to Goal Zero Skylight. Expands 9′ up, heavy-duty, VERY bright, relatively inexpensive
  • Cons: No built-in battery, heavy (10 lbs), bulky
• ouTask Telescoping Lantern
  • Pros: Portable, compact, fits in the same space as a standard, 24oz Hydro Flask bottle. Built-in Li-ion NMC battery, versatile lighting options, highest waterproof rating at IPX7 (for the head unit only)
  • Cons: Not for large-area lighting (expands to just 3′ tall), relatively pricey (about the same as the LightRanger 800)
• OVS UFO Solar Light and Speaker by Overland Vehicle Systems
  • Pros: Expands 7.5′ up, main light has built-in 38.5Wh Li-ion NMC battery (10,400 mAh @ 3.7V) and can be augmented with 3x D batteries, solar panel built-in (Watts rating not specified by OVS), 3 removable pod lights (flashlights) with 6.7Wh battery each, detachable 5W Bluetooth speaker with 4.1Wh battery
  • Cons: Not waterproof, pricey, bulky head unit, heavy (12.7 lbs), no remote control
  • Thank you for suggesting this light, “Muhl DE EL” (fellow member of the SoCal Outdoorsmen Facebook community)
• SeeDevil Work Light with Remote
  • Pros: Extends 6.9′ up, is super bright, provides 360-degree illumination, can be remotely controlled, lamp is inflatable, and is weatherproof
  • Cons: Very expensive, has no built-in battery (requires an external power source that can output 65W), cannot control its light direction, inflatable lamp may not last, and is heavy (13.1 lbs). The higher models require even more power and get significantly heavier
• Conpex Altra Five-Panel Camping Light with Remote
  • Pros: Extends 11.5′ up, is super bright, and can be remotely controlled
  • Cons: Not waterproof, has no built-in battery (requires an external power source that can output a whopping 110W), cannot choose which panels to keep on or off to control direction of light, and has questionable build quality/longevity
• CMrtew Rod Light with Remote
  • Pros: Extends 12′ up, is weatherproof and bright, can be remotely controlled, and is inexpensive
  • Cons: Has no built-in battery (requires an external power source that can output 48W), is of questionable build quality/longevity, and cannot provide 360-degree coverage

None of the products (except the Goal Zero Skylight, OVS UFO Solar, and ouTask) had a built-in battery and most lacked the build quality, compactness, and feature set of the LightRanger or Skylight.

USB Lightbulb with Power Bank

Before the Devos LightRanger, this was my favorite combination to light up the camp:

• USB Lightbulb: Onite / Powkey
• Lantern Pole: TooCust / Other poles
• Power Bank: Anker / Goal Zero Sherpa

USB Light Bulb, Power Bank, Lantern Pole

The setup was not weatherproof, but certainly provided plenty of lighting around camp for about half the cost of the Devos LightRanger or Goal Zero Skylight. But, I had to set up more of them to light up a large area.

Headlamps and Lanterns

I have plenty of these in my camping arsenal. They are either worn on the head (headlamps) or sit somewhere on a table (lanterns) and do not provide the campsite with full-coverage lighting. Bugs love flying towards the light (and into our faces) while we are trying to have a conversation or eat dinner. Propane lanterns do kill bugs instantly and have the added benefit of outputting some heat. None provide the feature set of the LightRanger or Goal Zero Skylight, including Goal Zero’s older lights & lanterns, surprisingly.

Final Thoughts

Just three years ago, I came across the Devos LightRanger (since renamed to LightRanger 1200) that wowed me with its innovative design. It was one of the best — if not THE best — large-area camping light despite some of its flaws. I had since reviewed the heavy-duty Goal Zero Skylight and tested other products like the Conpex TW-TRP-01, ouTask Telescoping Lantern, and many of their copycats. Yet, the LightRanger remained my go-to gear for overlanding and camping because of its compact footprint, built-in battery, and ability to brighten an entire site for a long time. The company later released a lower-cost model with the LightRanger 800. The newest LightRanger 2000 did NOT disappoint. It improved with built-in color LEDs (no longer need to carry around bulky filter kits), a brighter light, Bluetooth remote control via smartphone app, taller height (yet folds away even smaller than the LR 1200), slightly larger battery, and sturdier tripod. There were some minor issues I came across, but they were not deal breakers. I still recommend the LightRanger as the best, most compact and portable, battery-operated, large-area light available. We have used it for overlanding, backyard BBQ, and evening tennis matches, and also as a marker for latecomers to find our campsite since not many have such a product in their gear list.

Where To Buy

• Devos LightRanger 2000 / 1200 – See our Review / 800 / 800 Mini
  • Solar Panels with LightRanger Receiver
  • Motion Sensor
  • USB-C Work-Light Kit
    • Better option: Anker USB-C PD wall charger with 10′ USB-C cable
  • Colored Filter Kit (for LR 1200 or 800)
• Heavy-Duty Ground Stakes (for keeping Tripod stable)
• Battery Banks
  • Anker / Goal Zero Sherpa (Amazon | Goal Zero)
• Velcro for attaching battery to LightRanger pole
• Other Lights
  • Goal Zero Skylight with Battery (Goal Zero | Amazon) – See our Review
  • ouTask Telescoping Lantern with Battery
  • OVS UFO Solar Light and Speaker with Battery
  • USB Lightbulbs: Onite / Powkey
  • Headlamps / Lanterns
  • Light Stands with Remote
    • SeeDevil Work Light / Conpex Five-Panel Camping Light / CMrtew Rod Light
  • Lantern Poles: TooCust / Other lantern poles
• Heaters
  • Mr. Heater Buddy – See our Review / Outland Living Firebowl – See our Review
• Canopy Tent with Side Panels
  • Built-in Panels: Clam Quick-Set Pavilion / Axa AxplorOutdoor
  • Separate Panels: MasterCanopy + five panels (not available for door)
• Other Items
  • Canon EOS DSLR cameras | Speedlite Flashes | Speedlite Battery Packs
  • MagMod gels / Manfrotto tripods / GoPro action cameras / Lego minifigures

Related Posts

• Devos LightRanger 1200: Bright, portable, compact, full-coverage area light with battery and stand
• Goal Zero Skylight: Heavy-duty, bright, portable, full-coverage area light with battery and stand
• Temperature Control
  •  Mr. Heater Buddy Indoor-Safe Portable Propane Radiant Heater
  • Outland Living Firebowl Propane Fire Pit (893 Deluxe) with Refillable Tank
  • EcoFlow Wave Portable Air Conditioner
• Cooking
  • ICECO 15.7″ Foldable Charcoal Grill – Compact for Tabletop
  • Tomshoo vs Solo Stove Camping Stove
  • Osba 1L Travel Rice Cooker 12V (2-4 Cups) For Cars (CFXBOB-MR C2)
• Backcountry Meals: RightOnTrek / Mountain House
• Power Stations / Solar Panels / Car Freezers