Just to add to the chorus, I have several Quarks and a Preon. My 4Sevens lights have been outstanding.

I recommend not over-thinking a flashlight purchase. All of the lights posted here will be obsolete soon anyway.

Flashlight technology has really taken a Great leap Forward. The second string, cheapo models of today are easily the equivalent of the very best available in the 90s. They are a shining example of good tehnology.

Man that is the truth. I remember what a big deal the early pocketable lights were that used a 5mm Nichia LED, then considered the apogee of advanced lighting. Right up there with my old 386 computer...!

I work in an office environment - no suit coats - and prefer to have the light with me in my pocket - like a keychain setup.

My preference is something built around a AAA battery. The thinness of the package makes it tolerable in my pants pocket. I carry an Arc AAA LED light which I like, but don't know what the best offering are these days in that kind of package. I prefer the anodized case over something painted because it rides with a pocket full of keys every day and hardly looks used. Amazing.

I really REALLY like Fenix's single 123 lithum battery LED lights - amazingly powerful for the size - stunning for its size, but find the package a tad too thick for my pocket.

I want to have the choice of at least two settings ... (1) a little light for a long time, or (2) a lot of light for a short time ... in the same package. Is that too much to ask?

A light is as much of a must as the knife.

For years I thought Surefire was the only way to go, until about 3 years back when I got a Fenix L1T and that became my every day carry light. It's still going strong even after the washing machine and daily pocket carry. Recently I gifted myself the small 1AAA EO5 for pocket carry and the 2-123 cell PD30r5 for a nice bright light with good runtime.

Take a look at the ReVO.

I got one of these in silver years ago:
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/reviews/nuwai_tm-311h_2aaa.htm

It was about $18 at Target.

After roughly four years of entirely reliable and satisfactory service it is still kicking.

Up side is it is $30 cheaper (you could buy three if you include S&H) and slight more compact. Otherwise they are functionally equivalent. Minus the label and bragging rights, of course.

For the price of the Fenix I can buy a perfectly good light, compass, and knife. It is a question of how much you value your money and how careful you are with it.

George Carlin was right - it is all about money. What you do with money; what you do for money.

Well, that's new. Fenix means bragging rights now. I've always thought of Fenix as being a poor man's Surefire. I guess I'm behind the times!

If you are happy with it then it works for you, but they aren't comparable, one is like a yugo the other is like a nissan 350z. They all have 4 wheels and an engine, but when you run them side by side you'll easily see why they aren't the same.