Dawnchaser: Wireless Camping Lights

Camp lighting has seen limited innovation since LEDs were introduced over a decade ago. Most products still rely on physical cables and inline dimmer switches—creating trip hazards, complex setup, and inconvenient control. Battery-powered options are typically underpowered and use captive batteries, requiring full replacement if the battery fails. The challenge was to design a bright, rugged, cable-free camp light with a removable battery and Bluetooth smartphone control. It needed to support grouped operation across multiple lights and address known pain points in existing products, while remaining practical and reliable for varied outdoor applications.

The solution pairs a removable lithium battery, Bluetooth control, and wireless grouping in a compact, cable-free outdoor light. A custom aluminium extrusion provides rigidity, thermal management, and visual identity echoing dawn dunes; radiating channels span lens and housing to reinforce branding and improve grip. Internal architecture fits USB-C, PCB, LED array, and battery within IP67. A magnetic mount secures to steel panels, while detachable clips extend the function to aluminium poles. Mechanical clips replace fasteners for assembly, repair, and disassembly. An app controls multiple lights, zones, and colours. Development involved Far North Queensland trials, industrial-digital alignment, and design-for-manufacture optimisation.

Dawnchaser is the first camp light to implement Bluetooth smartphone control with dynamic grouping, enabling multiple wireless lights to operate in sync. The removable ~35Wh battery allows depleted units to be swapped instantly with spares, keeping lights running without interruption. This also avoids full product disposal when the battery reaches end of life. Eliminating cables reduces trip hazards & is quick + simple to setup in low-light conditions. Remote control from tents or swags improves safety during night-time disturbances. Unlike typical imported products, Dawnchaser was developed through rigorous testing in Far North Queensland, with real users validating performance in Australia’s harsh conditions.

Compact Form Factor: A 250 mm length balances brightness with portability for camp kitchens, canopies, swags, and awnings. Tri-Colour and RGB Variants: Tri-colour mode provides cool white, warm white, and bug-reducing amber; RGB variant offers eight presets and full-spectrum app control. App Control and Grouping: Lights can be renamed, grouped, and controlled simultaneously, retaining pairing between uses. Simplified Interface: A single button handles basic functions; advanced controls reside in the app—eliminating physical dimmers or switches. Removable Battery System: A ~35 Wh lithium battery runs 6 + hours at full brightness, swaps in seconds, and charges via USB-C from standard camp power. Ingress Protection: The sealed design meets IP67 for harsh outdoor conditions. Magnetic Mounting: Bespoke detachable clips enable tool-free magnetic attachment to aluminium poles—bringing fast magnetic mounting to tents, awnings, and steel vehicle panels, addressing a key usability gap not covered by competitors. Tactile and Visual Design: Radiating channels improve grip and aid orientation; lens-body alignment supports intuitive handling. Aluminium Extrusion Housing: Inspired by dawn and dune motifs, the custom profile integrates grip, thermal control, and brand identity. Field-Validated Prototypes: Multiple iterations were tested in remote 4WD conditions to refine mounting, lighting, battery, and app performance.