10 Cool things about the Freeplay Indigo LED Lantern
We’ve had our Indigo Windup Lantern from Freeplay inhouse for a while and we love it. Here’s why:
1. Toughness: We’ve had ours for about 6 months and unfortunately it’s had it’s spills. It’s been knocked of tables, fallen down a staircase, got splashed on, but so far no signs of wear. The Indigo is pretty solid, not rattling parts. Moving parts such as the winder and the handle are not too stiff and not too loose, just right!
2. People Power: Charging the Indigo is pretty intuitive. The winder can be turned in either directions, there is an indicator light letting you know if you are winding with enough force. What we didn’t realize was the unlimited amount of eager volunteers who willing to wind up lantern for us. Everyone from friends, interns, to perfect strangers seem turn to giddy children when it’s time to wind. Talk about people power!
3. Mini USB: At first we were had our eyebrows up when Freeplay redesigned the Indigo Lantern to include a Mini USB charging port and did away with the standard AC Adapter (a Mini-USB AC Adapter is now optional). But it turned out to be a good idea. We have numbers mini-usb cords that came with our cellphones or cameras, all laying around. So it’s no problem plugging the Indigo into the front USB port of a PC and charging up.
4. Task Light: The Indigo not only comes with light cluster on the top but also a 10mm LED task light in front. This was also a great idea, and it makes the Indigo a pretty handle tool to have around the office or house. We’ve used the Indigo task light whenever under the desk fixing our computer or trying to find that book that fell behind. At some events, if there is not enough light the task light comes in handy as a great illuminator for mailing lists.
5. Look Ma, No batteries: We’re tired of disposable batteries. Not only are they not environmentally friendly but who has time to walk around with spares. With the Indigo, we don’t really have to worry if it’s fully charged. Once we’re low on juice just wind it up (or get someone to do it as in point 2).
6. Brightness: the Indigo is bright, the cluster provide a wider area of illumination. The task light is also really bright and possibly may be blinding.
7. Bulbs: We also like the fact there is no worry about bulb replacement. The Indigo’s bulbs are rated to last 100 000 hours which is about 11 years of continuous use, 24 hours a day. That’s a lot of usage!
8. Ergonomics: The Freeplay Indigo feels really comfortable when held, the slab sided design makes it easy to grip. The Plastic doesn’t feel cheap either. The winder is so easy to use! it’s not to stiff yet not loose either. The winder’s handle is easy to hold, big hands or small. We really like how it easily folds back into the recessed area in the back.
9. Color: We’re very partial to the Green Indigo. However Yellow is the the most popular.
10. Packaging: Freeplay cut down on the packaging with the new version of the Indigo LED. The lightweight clamshell is pretty easy to open and there is very little material to throw out. We’re not sure of the plastic clamshell is really environmentally friendly but it’s definitely a move in the right direction.
