Hi Teacher,

Amazon.com are doing a MiniMag 3W LED 3AA with holster for $21.58

http://www.amazon.com/Instrument-Maglite...6175&sr=8-1

or the 2AA version is available at http://www.action-lights.com/flashlights/maglite/led/2aa-led-holster.asp?bhcp=1 for $17.13, the 3AA version for $18.48

A review for the MiniMag 3W LED 2AA is available at

http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/maglite_minimagled.htm

I would suggest concentrating on AA power. There are plenty of good choices already mentioned. One less type of battery to store means less storage space used and more interchangeability with your other BOB gear, like a small transistor radio and PLB.

After finding the Princeton Tec EOS LED headlamp the days of flashlights are pretty much behind me. Great light! It fits comfortably on my head, or with the strap wrapped around my hand, it pretends to be a great flashlight.

Runs on 2 AAA's. Lifetimes: High, 2 hours constant brightness, 4 hours declining light; Medium, 9 hrs constant brightness, 3 hrs declining light; Low, 44 hours constant brightness, 16 hours declining light. Lithiums are OK (not the case for all lights).

Right now on sale at http://www.brightguy.com/products/Princeton_Tec_EOS.php for $27.50

I wanted a small flashlight that could ride in a a coffee mug on my desk for light use. Working on the computer I don't keep the lights on very high and if I wish to look up something in a dictionary I need just a bit more light to read the fine print.

I was in Target looking at their LED flashlights. The Inova X-10 seemed similar. Both rugged designs. The difference was the River Rock was less than $10 and the Inova was closer to $20.

I got the River Rock and have been pleased by the performance.

I have to go with the Fenix.
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/index1.html

teacher,
It is very likely that answers to your question and many others that you will think of later may be found somewhere in the CandlePowerForums.Com They have many different forums that discuss almost every flashlight ever made, along with the pros and cons of each, including head to head reviews of many different brands / types. HTH Regards, Comanche7

$10.90 delivered to your door. It is bright and a high quality light. I have one and a better bargain you will not find. My wife has proclaimed it hers and it has since disappeared into her purse.

Gray version:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3609

Black version:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.3607

Several reviews of the light including beamshots, etc. This is a must read:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=175474&highlight=rc-g2

While I do have several high dollar LED lights, my most used one is a $20 3W Minimag from Wallyworld...

What, no mention of the Arc AAA?! (I even searched the page...)

(A very good single-AAA option but may be smaller than you want.)

eeph

+4 the gerber infinity.

eeph, i thought we were keeping it to $20? i like your choice, but you're talking about a $40 light ($30 for the light + at least $10 to ship).