I have a Maglite flashlight, that uses regular bulbs (not LED) that has served me well despite abuse and misuse. When I want hands free lighting, I use my Energizer head lamp that has 3 lighting options (main, flood, both), plus 1 dark (red) option. It tilts down for better illumination, and has LED instead of regular bulbs. AAA batteries last a long time.

When my uncle was driving into the middle of the desert to see the Trona Pinnacles in Ridgecrest, the lights in his Chevy Nova went out so he used his emergency Maglite (AA size battery equipped) aimed at the white line to guide him.

So I got myself a similar Maglite in the same size I carry with me when walking in the dark, camping out, etc.

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

I bought one of the Streamlight led flashlight with the two rechargeable batteries. It works great, best I have had. I also have a 3 d Mag light that I had "upgraded" to led and it is very weak, it is kind of bright but not very focused. It spent $140 for the Streamlight off the Snap-on truck so it is pretty pricey. You can find it online for probably $30 cheaper though.

They gave us surefires over in the sandbox, I wouldnt call them pieces of crizzle but both mine and a fellow airman's broke within 4 weeks are arrival and light use (we are both Radio technicians....), check the price on this.....blah.
Maybe the LED versions are better, I hope they are cheaper.

I just bought a 4xAAA powered LED light, some generic brand with a semi rubber coating - has lasted me through many (harder use) camping trips and the balance of sandbox time. pretty happy, 2nd set of batteries in a year...I'm happy with it. $10 at the exchange IIRC.



-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

The day my VW quit on me a little down the road at 0 dark 30 and I had to walk back to get the 240D, Meritline sent me an email sale message on these:

http://www.meritline.com/solar-flashlight-with-car-char---p-25424.aspx

I am normally immune to this sort of stuff, but , in a weak moment, I bought two of them (they were about $8 shipped). I have had them for about a month.

I am amazed at how bright and long-lasting the light is on these. I haven't had to use one in an emergency, but I think you could probably handle many minor roadside repairs with one of these. The light is pretty concentrated and useful for close to an hour. Of course, time will tell how long they will operate until the built-in battery gets lazy, but, so far seems like a nifty item to leave in the car. I keep it in the tray between the seats on the 240D and it seems to charge just fine there.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Streamlite or Surefire, Cabela's brand is pretty good as well. Make sure you get a unit with easy to replace batteries if it is going to be used as an emerency light. There is nothing like searching for 6V lithium batteries in Grass Range MT, my Surefire became a paperweight.