So I was at Costco this weekend, and found a package of 2 each 500 lumen Duracell brand Cree flashlights, complete with 6 Duracell C size batteries. Same as this package:
Duracell 500 pair With the instant rebate, my pair came to $20. Unbelievable, two of these flashlights for $20, with batteries. I like the idea of using 3 C cells, because all my smaller 150-250 lumen flashlights tend to eat the 3 AAAs I have to load into them. Even at 500 lumens, the C cells will last a good long time. Adjustable beam/flood and low output mode make it that much more better.
500 focused beam lumens is plenty for just about anything I might need. I know there are next gen Crees out there doing over 1,000 lumens. IMHO, the extra brightness becomes increasingly superfluous.