Is it worthwhile purchasing an LED flashlight or am I just as well off with a quality bulb light? Thanks in advance.

I think so, but i really can't answer for you. There are many advantages to LED's but there are also limitations. My EDC lights are LED's, Arc LS and AAA. If you would like to see reviews on LED lights go to this page,

http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/ledleft.htm

For just general flashlight knowledge go to,

www.candlepowerforums.com

HTH

The answer to your question lies in the use you have planned for the flashlight. If you are thinking of getting the brilliance of a Surefire you are in for a disappointment. If you think the half hour life of the lithium batteries in a Streamlight Scorpion is sufficent then you will think you died and went to heaven with the 120-150 hour full duration performance of some of the LEDs. Bulb life is relatively short with the conventional batteries when compared to the 100,000 hour life of the LED. I have three LED flashlights and two are used for hiking and one is a Photon II. Lumination is just great out to about 20 feet. One of the LED flashlights, a NOVA X-5 has about six LEDs and cranks out a blue-white beam that is more than adequate for non-tactical uses. This technology is now flooding the market and there are many to choose from. Just define your need and you will do just great.

It is definately worth considering an LED torch of some kind, you will have to spend some money though, good ones cost anything between £15 to £150, I'm not sure what that is in dollars. The three main advantages I know of with LED's are that they don't break as easily as bulbs, they use considerably less power, and good ones have a whiter more even beam. I have the Petzl Tikka, and a Photon 3, they both cost £25, the Tikka is a headtorch and is better value for money, it uses much less power and takes the common AAA cell, the Photon though is minutely small, and fits easily on your keyring. If you are looking for a powerful incandescent torch then I reccomend either the Princeton Tec Rage or Tec 40, they are both 6volts but the rage takes AAA cells wheras the Tec 40 takes AA. They eat up battery power but they take rechargeables. For more reliable advice and info. visit www.ledmuseum.org

P.S. I currently have my eye on the Arc LS, a single LED torch.

Hello, I'm a bit of a flashoholic as my bank book testifies.
The question of LED vs incandescent may not be so easy to state. It depends on your needs. If the light from a mini maglite (2xaa battery powered) is enough for you. I would get the mini mag and put a led drop in kit from Inretech ~ 20 bucks This will give you the ability to have more light than the stock minimag and when you drop 2 lithium AA batteries in you have a reliable light that will be ready when you are. Lithium batteries have a shelf life of 10 years and are not adversely affected by frigid temperatures. I live in cold climate and my minimag (with the above) doesn't fail me when left in the car overnight at zero degrees.
Led's do not have the powerful light throwing capabilities of say, the tec 40 (princeton tec). I put a different bulb (kpr103) from radio shack and power it with lithiums. Light weight, small, good light throwing, inexpensive ~ $20. The bulb will burn out after several hours of use. So have spare bulbs with you. LED's last for ~ 100,000 hours incandescent much, much, much less. Whenever you really need it expect the bulb to go.
Surefire lights (designed for specialized tactical use such as blinding a badguy)only last 5 hours before you can expect the bulb to go. Batteries last an hour. I put a led on a surefire and it's my edc. lasts ~ 7 hours between battery changes. That's a looong time if you use it "normally" on/off for relatively short periods of time.
A trade off of light output for battery duration.
To some up this windy post. If you need to see the dark <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> AKA a very bright spot type light than led is not the way to go. If you need a more diffuse flood than Definitely LED is heaven.
Get more info on this or post your question there where you will be overwhelmed by all the great advice and wrangling on which is the best for your needs at candlepower forums
Tom

Thanks much for all this info. More complicated than I thought.

To really answer your question about the best led.
Small size fine tent light arc aaa ! $20, cmg infinity ultra aa ~$15.Put a aa lithium in this and it's brighter and longer lasting. I use don't use photons but they're nice. Cheaper knockoffs on ebay. I prefer the constant on switch ~$15
bigger size brighter light inova x ~ $35. I use the blue led for tracking blood at night. It makes the blood stand out more. White is ok. Streamlight has a nice 7 or 10 led (i forget) ~$20 4 aa batteries brighter than inova.
The last two would be ok for dark trails.

Basically yes - you will have greatly extended battery life and you won't have to worry about replacing bulbs. On the other hand, they don't have the throw of some of the more powerful conventional lights available.

My vote for the handiest is the Petzl Tikka, or something similar - there are several small light, headlamps featuring two to four LEDs. Cost is right around $20-30. I am awaiting a mod kit for my belowed Petzl Duo - if it works it should give me the best of everything.

Petz stuff is great. I have their Tikka and my girl has their Zipka headlapns and we use the non stop. I also invested in Inova X5 and Arc LS and now I can't live without LEDs.