Sometimes you come across gadgets that work so brilliantly, you cannot help but be lost in admiration: the Goal Zero Lighthouse Mini (www.goalzero.com) is one such item.

Standing approximately 4 inches high and 8 oz in weight, this mini lantern is superb for camping, or indeed any situation where a portable light is needed. It has a rechargable lithium battery and an option of using half of the round light or all of it, depending on which way you turn the large easy to move dial. There is then the further option of a low light up to a full bright light. This is 210 lumens and really quite bright.

At the half option, it will run for 500+ hours or for 7 at full strength. Using the total bulb, there is 400+ hours at low light or 4 on full. I find this its greatest advantage: good long lasting instant light that does not need recharging regularly and no need to carry spare batteries. For the average camping trip and tent use, the lower light option is more than sufficient.

Other nifty features include fold up adjustable legs with a non-slip base, a screw in tripod thread and a magnetic disc in the base. There is a fold-down metal hook on the top as well as an incorporated one so it could be tied up just as easily.

In the past, we have quite often just taken candles for light, but they are unstable, inadequate, messy and a fire hazard. Now this little thing comes on all our overnight camping trips. I keep one in the car and one in the kitchen.

I can’t recommend this little lantern highly enough. It is one of those things that you never knew you needed, but once experienced, you would never be without again! It retails for about £45 and other things on their website look quite interesting too – we might give their solar panels a go next!