Do you have a link to an example? I view Fenix as a brand that gets you in the ballpark of Surefire, but for quite a bit less money. I think (but I'm not sure) Fenix has quality control, whereas the random no-name doesn't.

I work in a business casual office. I've always dropped the heavier stuff (mini-mag, pocket knife/MT, etc.) into my business bag. Either one of the outside compartments or the organizer section. I keep a mini-LED (Princeton Tec Pulsar II) on my keyring for the usual power outages.

I too used a carbide lamp for many years, both spelunking and SAR - a wonderful technology since you were carrying both light and fire starter in one package (except when you were on the scene of a plane wreck - carbide was then rather inappropriate). I always carried spare felts, jets, sparkers, and rubber washers and I was occasionally glad I did.

I would second Ireckon - can you give an example? I have bought lights at the local big boxes - fortunately for relatively noncritical uses. I will stick with my Fenix models for absolute reliability. I recently rendered first aid to a fellow worker with grand mal seizures. It was a fairly dark environment and my Fenix, available on my key ring, was absolutely critical, especially for checking pupillary response. It has lit every time with great reliability, and due to its variable lighting levels, I am confident I could hike all night with it if necessary. And since it is a keyring light, it goes fine in any work environment.

They aren't, all you need to do it look into the reflector and see what LED they are using. Fenix and other better Chinese brand uses the newest bleeding edge LEDs while hardware store variety uses mostly no name LED or many years old models from name brand.

Ditto the comments re: modern flashlights. LED's ARE pricier, but unlike the darned MiniMag, you won't be changing a bulb every 3 battery sets. Those costs add up fast.

Besides, it's roughly the price of hte bottom line Surefire.

Every Fenix have had has been pretty impressive and functionally very good.

Golook up the Gatlight ($300, or more) if you want to see overpriced.

Streamlight makes some very good quality stylus/penlight models for much less money but they might fall a bit short of being "dressy" enough to pass as a high zoot fountain pen.

As far as cost goes, the highest priced product on the shelf is often cheapest in the long run. Mag-Lites have given me fits with unreliability, and I've found high-pressure Xenon/halogen bulbs tend to burn out at the most inconvenient times...and of course, the bulb often costs half of the what a new light does.

My favorite light right now is my Surefire E1B Backup. It has a powerful LED and takes just one CR123A (a battery I have at least 30 of on hand). It's been bombproof for me, and even though the current price is $160 I'd probably have to buy one again if I lost mine. It's that good!

Corporate people can be funny, all "that'll never happen" untill that happens. I'm lucky to be in a small casual environment too but haven't been so fortunate in the past. Something that's cool, practical and discrete can be tremendously valuable. I'm a huge fan of a good light but I'm not sure I'd spring for that price tag though. Being known as a Scout leader buys me enough cred to get away with a little less corporate camo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoIvd3zzu4Y

I'll raise the stakes with a 4Sevens Preon II Titanium S2 Edition

http://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=297_332_367&products_id=1927

I would recommend the Quark Preon2 if you're already on 4Seven's site.
http://goo.gl/mtyuV

It's cheaper than the LD05, has lower lows, higher highs and 7 modes vs. 3 from the Fenix.

The Preon2 also comes with a 1xAAA body, a clicky button, and a key chain end so you can play with the configuration. Single or double AAA, clicky or twisty.

It is a far better value than the Fenix and I defy anyone to find this kind of performance or versatility in a big box store...unless it sells this.

Getting back to the original thread title, I would also point to the Streamlight pen light series.
Stylus - http://goo.gl/yKSCB MADE IN USA
Stylus Pro - http://goo.gl/aSTtV
Microstream - http://goo.gl/OixCB

While not as versatile as the Fenix and Quark, they are solid and a great value. All retail below $30 I believe.

I've not seen any flashlights in a big box store in the same performance class for $20 less. Examples?