The issue over the flashlight is giving me more headaches than any other gear. I mentioned in the beginning why I picked a disposable flashlight. I have since then taken cost out of the equation.
The flashlight cannot be black. I need to be able to find it in a situation where seeing it may be difficult, like dropped for example.
Yellow electricians tape... two yellow rings around the body and it is much easier to find.
It must comfortably fit in a pocket.
The city of Carlton has reverted to a pioneer society so my player-character will be wearing that type of dress once she gets settled. A holster probably would not work and because I may be carrying other items, I cannot count on having a purse.
Any AA or 2*AA that also has a belt clip (clip it to whatever you want - a belt, your dress, your purse...) and a long lanyard (so you can hang it around your neck, arm, wrist, ... whatever) will do.
I really like this one that comes with the regular/tactical quark's
http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_304&products_id=1880 . The two sliding cord locks let you carry it or attatch it in 10.000 different ways (around your wrist, neck, strapped to a branch pointed where you need the light etc. etc).
A closeup photo showing the two sliding cord locks:
Note that this lanyard doesn't have a breakaway link. You have to add one if you want one.
Did I mention that quark has a belt clip, too?
It has to be, at the least, water-resistant in case I drop it in the water.
Lots and lots of high quality flashlight with that specification ....
I want something simple. I don't want to go through a menu of options to turn in on. I want to be able to push a button or twist it to turn it on and do the same to turn it off. I don't want it to turn on accidentally. I need it to work so I need a quality flashlight.
The quark tactical is a very good choice if you can spend 5 minutes on reading the manual and program it. After programming you can completely forget about it. It becomes a two-mode flashlight where your most used ligth setting is with the head screwed all the way thight, and your second most used setting with the head loosened just a bit. Once programmed, there is no more fiddling - just click on and there is light.
My favourite setting is a reasonably dim light (3 lumens) as the most used setting, and a fairly bright (70 lumens) on the second setting. 3 lumens is plenty for most close range tasks (0.7 lumens is too little unless your eyes are really well dark adapted - it MIGHT be the better choice for your scenario). If you need more light where you are - or want to light up something far away, just loosen the head a bit; tight it when done.
DISCLAIMER: No affiliation - just a happy customer. I own several quarks of various configurations (mini/regular/tactical AA and AA^2) and have given even more away as gifts. I cannot vouch for the myriad of other good flashlights that may be optimal for your needs.