Outdoors

Jackery's inflatable LightTent-AIR features its own solar power system

Jackery's inflatable LightTent-AIR features its own solar power system
The LightTent-AIR could be commercially available within about two years
The LightTent-AIR could be commercially available within about two years
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The LightTent-AIR could be commercially available within about two years
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The LightTent-AIR could be commercially available within about two years

There are currently quite a few stand-alone solar power systems designed for use by campers. US portable energy company Jackery has taken a more consolidated approach, however, as its LightTent-AIR tent comes with such a system already built in.

The tent debuted as a concept earlier this month at CES, where it was the recipient of an Innovation Award. Although we're still waiting to hear back from Jackery with more details, here's what we know so far …

The basic tent itself sleeps four to five people, features a self-supporting inflatable frame, and is made of waterproof and flame-retardant PVC-coated fabric. That material is claimed to have excellent heat-insulating properties, plus it's reportedly easy to keep clean.

Extending out from the side walls of the tent are two flexible gallium arsenide solar panels, which produce up to 1,200 watts of power. Energy generated by those panels during the day gets stored in built-in "electricity storage modules" (batteries), allowing users to power lights or charge devices once the sun goes down. Users can also connect the panels to a separate external battery, if desired.

Jackery hasn't released any information regarding pricing or an exact release date, although the company has stated that the LightTent-AIR may hit the market in a couple of years.

Source: Jackery

5 comments
5 comments
UltimaRex
If the price is right, I'm definitely interested...
Longtermthinker
I think this “concept” may be a lot of hot air. If the scale in the render is to be believed this thing has a huge footprint for a much smaller useable space ( looks like tent is suspended from blow-up structure) If it were to be made of the material mentioned it would be “bulletproof” allright but also bulky and heavy, especially with two big panels and a battery pack. Anyone out there ever packed up a large tent in rain and/or wind?
ljaques
So far, Jackery has been the low price leader in the so-called "solar generator" scene. Kudos for that, since they're priced $2k less than most similar offerings.
BUT, a prediction: The price will be exhorbitant, the lifetime of the tent measured in days, and most of the features will be absolutely useless marketing mumbles.
I recommend building your own for a third the price of what is offered on the market today.
TpPa
Not going on my backpack, need a pack mule.
MQ
All in ones for power are very useful, but also veryv expensive, for the utility provided.

Buying a tent because, or even with a built in power system, is like buying a car because it had the best entertainment system... One could get a good deal, or a better useful solution may need a more personalised approach. (Adding a power solution to a tent is easier than for a power accessory company to suddenly corner the recreational tent market).

Of course pricing to follow...
Thankfully there are camp accessory companies providing very good prices on Lithium (LFP) camping batteries these days, no longer necessary to spend over $1000 for a 500W sub kWh solution.