We have two of these Luci lights and absolutely love them. They’re a very lightweight solar light that give off a lot of light. Ten LEDs put out more light than almost any other solar option I’ve seen — 80 lumens.
They have a switch — not a photocell — and so are great for applications where you want to control when the light is on and when it’s off. The switch toggles between on-bright-flashing-off.
A sunny day will charge them for 12Â hours of use.
Luci lights come flat and you have to blow them up (easy — and I’m not good at balloons). They’re 5″ in diameter and 4″ tall when inflated.
Little straps at the top and bottom make it easy to attach them anywhere. I wondered how strong those straps were — would they break and I’d lose our light? — but they’ve done well in the squalls we’ve had. They’re waterproof and will float.
Here in Boot Key Harbor, it seems like half the boats are using them for dinghy lights. We changed ours shortly after we saw other boats using them (the prior owner of our boat had been using a solar yard light which didn’t put out nearly as much light). They are much cheaper than the commercial dinghy lights, brighter, and don’t take any batteries.
A few dollars worth of PVC and we had a nice pole screwed to the back of the dinghy to hang the light from so that it was above our heads and could be seen all around.
I just used a couple of cable ties to hold the light to the PVC. And even though the solar cell is right below the PVC and thus gets some shade, it still fully charges.
We use the second one in the cockpit as a “bright light.” If we’re finishing up a project after dark, or as Dave is hoisting the dinghy on the davits, the “bright” setting is great. Dave also finds it helpful for grilling.
For eating dinner, the regular “on” is good for us (we like to see what we’re eating). If we’re sitting out later, we usually turn the Luci off and only have the Solar Kandle Rail Lights — they’re not bright enough for eating for us, but Luci is a little too bright to just be mood/safety lighting. I’ve also been known to tie a bandanna around the Luci to soften the light a bit.
Note: since we bought ours, they’ve come out with some that are a softer light (Luci Lux) — that would be great for just sitting out, but sometimes we need that bright light . . . hmm, decisions, decisions.
If your cockpit mounting place is under a bimini, you can put a carabiner on the Luci and hang it from a lifeline during the day to charge, then move it in the evening.
In addition to the white lights that we have, you can get Luci lights with colored LEDs. Some boats use these as an easy way to find their boat at night — turn it on before you leave, then just look for the boat with the blue (or green or red or whatever) light when coming home.
Others hang one from the bow and stern as extra anchor lights (not the legally required ones) to make it easier for fishing boats coming in and out of anchorages in the dark to see them. Another related use is as an emergency anchor light. While Luci probably isn’t visible quite the 2 miles that the regs specify, if your primary anchor light has a problem or you lose power, it’s a lot better than nothing and can easily be hoisted with a halyard.
The flashing setting on the switch is good as an emergency beacon. If you have a medical emergency, go aground, are taking on water or have another emergency, a flashing light lets those coming to help find your boat quickly and easily.
West Marine carries the basic white Luci lights for the same price as you can get them elsewhere. The colored ones are a bit cheaper on Amazon, and Amazon also offers a wider selection of models.
- See Luci lights on Amazon (select different models on this page)
NOTE: Luci also makes what they call a “Emergency” light with only 4 LEDs. It’s a little cheaper, but not as sturdily built and doesn’t put out nearly as much light.
P.S. These would also be fantastic lights for camping trips!
Here’s your “Quick Start” to everything you need to know when living on a boat:
And check out our other courses and products
Desserine Williams says
Bryan Cooley check these out!!!
ChrisW says
Their listing in Amazon only advertises 65 lumen vs 80. Have they upgraded the product but not the listing?
Carolyn Shearlock says
The original is 80 according to the company website, the Lux model (frosted globe) is 65.
ChrisW says
Thank You. Looks like a great idea.
McTug McGahee says
These are FANTASTIC!!!! We have two on our boat – they last for several hours and are very bright!
Nikki Marie says
We love our Luci!!!.
Kathy Brunjes says
Great as “signature” lights to help identify your boat in a crowded anchorage at night.
Maureen O'Rourke O'Keefe says
This is great Carolyn going to get some. Do you know what the difference is between the orginal and outdoor ones?
Carolyn Shearlock says
According to the manufacturer website: “Luci Outdoor is the same great light as Luci Original, but packaged for the outdoor enthusiast.” Not sure what that difference is — maybe a carry case? — as we use ours all the time and the packaging wasn’t a big deal.
The Boat Galley says
Their website says the only difference is in the packaging — I assume a carry case. No difference in the light itself.
Maureen O'Rourke O'Keefe says
Thanks much…
Michelle Rene says
Love it, thanks for the review
Nikki Dowden says
We have one in the heads ‘just in case’, and it gets taken on trips away as well. Fabulous and worth every penny.
Julie Anderson says
Just wish they didn’t have to be manually turned on after sundown. We have the multi colored light. Great light but it only last maybe 3-4 hours even with lots of sun. Our solar rope lights were still on at 6:30am today.
ChrisW says
HI, who made your rope lights?
Julie Anderson says
Home Depot. We have 3 sets, the rope lights on our bow are over 3 1/2 years old & the other 2 are about 2 1/2 years old. Still working great!
Rita Balaam says
How did you attach the solar reciever for these lights to the boat? It looks like they have a pin to stick into the ground attached to thm.
Rita Balaam says
I forgot to click the notify me of follow up button!!
Ellie Ibel Smith says
Where did you buy your solar rope lights!? Brand pls.thx!!
Kerry Gorman says
We use these in the cockpit attached by carabiners and have had a strap break, so we only hang them when we’re using them now. Love them.
Carl says
Our experience has been that they’re great lights, but the straps suck.
The plastic snap on the one strap comes undone, even in s light breeze, and the straps break quickly where they come from the taps that are glued or welded to the body.
I think they should use thicker material for the straps, and attach the tabs to the sides of the body, rather than to the top/bottom. That would minimize the stress/fatigue from the bend where the strap comes off of the tab.
The snaps could hold better, too.
Like I said, great lights, but the straps suck.
Debra Macbrair says
Found one floating on Norman Island. And it works brilliant. I will be ordering more for sure.
Steve Stucko says
We have three on our boat and LOVE them. great for cockpit lighting, dark dock walks, extra anchor lighting and for finding your boat in busy anchorages (flashing mode). Believe it or not, they are a quality product and at least in the middle latitudes they last all night long.
Gloria Rooney says
Have 3 now!
Salty Kisses says
We LOVE our Luci’s! We use them as night lights for the girls, cockpit light and we even have one in our ditch bag.
Gil Lhotka says
We love ours. In addition to the ideas above, we also hang one on our lifeline near where we board so if it is dark, we can just light up the boarding area. We keep one hanging from the mizzen near the companionway entrance too. It is always charged from the sun and available if needed. Love these things.
We even have 2 we keep deflated on a shelf near one of the ports, so they get charged in the event we needed another in an emergency.
Carolyn Shearlock says
Good ideas!
Vala says
Love ours and have used them for many of what you mentioned.. Only problem is one of mine has a slow leak.. When the inside cools it collapses back down.. It still works, and charges while collapsed, I just have to blow it up every time I want it on. Very useful product though
Bart Trish Masker says
Love Luci Lights. We have one in the cockpit that recharges during the day and lights up at night. Awesome! 🙂
Tom Samuelson says
Thanks Carolyn,
After your review I ordered the Luci Lux and a Luci Aura. Can’t wait to bring them to the boat and try them out. They seem to be just like your review! Thanks again….
Carolyn Shearlock says
You’re going to love them . . . I hope!
Susan Parker says
These are great! I bought the kind that have different colors.
John Jenks says
Hi Caroline.
We bought one of each of the Luci lights and have them under our bimini on the fly- bridge of our cruiser and use them in the salon as well. We have been using them for the last 5 weeks and love them.
Thanks for the recommendation.
John Jenks Sydney Australia
Ed Robinson says
Greatest invention ever!
The Boat Galley says
Hey Ed — we missed saying goodbye to you this morning! Hopefully our paths will cross in the Bahamas!
Grand Illusion 373 says
Agreed!
Laurie Hopkinson says
We bought some for gifts at Christmas and 1 for us!! Love them. The multicoloured works well in the cockpit on a light blue which makes a soft filtered light.
Albert J K III says
Bought one before I left for Panama. Should have bought a couple more. Friends have ordered them online.
Kathy Orr says
We love ours – hang it off our solar panel/dinghy davit arch at night when we are out – helps us find our boat at night. We just ordered a colored one to make it even more distinctive.
The Boat Galley says
The colored ones are a little softer light, too, which we really like in the cockpit.
Mary Beth says
Rachel Eveleth
Darcy Soeters says
We are luci lovers!!
Wheels To Keels says
Cool! Where’s the best place to buy them?
The Boat Galley says
Amazon has the best prices (and if you use this link I make a tiny bit at no extra cost to you) — they’re great camping, too: https://amzn.to/2Q4IM3m
Connie Smith says
Agree, we love ours too! Free safety.
Carolyn Brown Fuller says
They are great for other uses as well. Using one now on a backpacking trip.
The Boat Galley says
We’ve used them inside as work lights, too.
Keith Davie says
Hmm… We were given one, and I thought it was a gag gift! Guess I should look at it again?
The Boat Galley says
That is a really nice, thoughtful gift.
Kathy Belanger-Barber says
Best lights ever!
Lesley Feeney says
Michael Feeney
Michael McIntosh says
We have 2 and love them.
Mike mcIntosh says
We have 2 and love them. We use them in the cabin. We do not use it in the cockpit like you. In our cockpit Have blue LED’s wired into our anchor light which is on a photo cell. Our anchor light and cockpit light comes on when it gets dark and off when it gets light out.
Alison Edmands says
Love these things!!
Lois Wood says
I just can’t figure out how to do the rotating light thing 😫😫😫
Alison Edmands says
Lois, rotating light thing?
Lois Wood says
it goes from red to green to purple to yellow….?????
Vinny Koi says
These are awesome
Mary Anderson says
We have two on our boat also.
Erin Fischer says
I love our Luci lights
Ellie Ibel Smith says
They are great! The amount of light they give off is excellent.
Kathy Orr says
Love ours! We use the one with colored lights to hang in the cockpit when we go out at night. Then we just have to look for the color we set it on when we come back in the dark.
Jenn Baehre says
Have you seen the Luci that flickers like a candle? Great cozy mood lighting!!!
Carolyn Shearlock says
I just saw it yesterday — only a photo, not in real life. But it looks GREAT! Luci Candle on Amazon
Anonymous says
The company donates lights to people in third world countries. Available at Lee Valley in Canada, too.
Love Sail Social Network And Online Dating says
These are great lights, bought one as a gift for a boyfriend once. We are no longer together and I do miss the light!
Liz says
I have one plain light and 2 that change colour and love them.
Dale egan says
Hi there….. my husband brought our luci light off the boat the other day and I’ve was delighted to find the medium size of my cozies fits perfectly. I’m just working on a little adapter, and I was going to post on women who sail and see what people think. I love our luci lights but I think I’m going to like the added ambiance with my Cozie.
Should be interesting to find out what the group thinks.
Also….thanks for all the writing and tips, you’re a great resource
Bradley says
They are great lights – at first. But as with most Asian imports, poorly made and not reliable or long lasting. Clearly you folks are fans, but impartiality is always an issue on sites which include links that earn commissions for the review writers.
We bought two of these lamps, and less than a year and a half later, both of them have sprung leaks around the seams and USB connections that cannot be fixed. And this is only with irregular use for camping, they would definitely deteriorate more quickly when left outside with UV exposure like on a boat. The straps also broke on both early on.
$50 a pop for more plastic junk that will eventually just pollute the oceans seems like a pretty poor idea. Proper deck lights may cost more but they can be repaired and last much longer, saving money over the long run.
Carolyn Shearlock says
We find we have to replace them about every two years. There is no USB connection on the one we use — there is on the string light Luci and ours is now 4 years old with no problems. I’d love a similar light — solar powered — that lasted longer, but any alternative I’ve found was worse.