I can't tie the corrosion to any particular environment. I have had one go bad stored in a box in a pantry and one go bad while hanging in a wall fixutre. Friends have lost them as well.
I do check the batteries on a regular basis and replace any that are suspicious.
Perhaps it is that when a battery starts to leak inside an aluminum tube, the aluminum itself speeds the corrosion process up.

There is something about the heft of a Mag Lite that makes you feel safe.

In answer to your first question there are few excellent companies producing LED flashlights and like many things it depends upon your intended use and available funds. ARC, Streamlight, Surefire, INOVA and number of other companies are at the top of my list. I would have suggested ARC, but there are some productions issues right now on their popular AAA & AA sized lights. Here is a link to a forum on all types of lights that might help you.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com//ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat=

Both Target and Wal-Mart are carrying a number of lower priced LED flashlights that will meet the needs of many.

As to your second question, I would have to respectfully disagree. With the exception of perhaps law enforcement, the general move is towards LED lights as the light of choice. Pete

I used to carry maglites but I've found the bulbs to be incredibly unreliable. At the moment I am carrying an Arc AAA and an Inova X5. They're both great.

Yes and No!

I have 3 of them, well okay actually 2, because my girlfriend has one of them. I don't seem to have many problems with them, other than over time the O-rings have become stiff from age. I have actually replaced 2 O-rings on one flashlight alone. I keep these around simply because they are small, somewhat lightweight and easily packed. I also have a Mag Solitaire and it has become part of my EDC kit. The nice thing is, I found 2 of them and the third was a gift with the Solitaire. No, I do not carry the Mini-Mags everyday.

Well, If we are talking about Mag lights I have a bunch. Mag light used to be one of my fathers tenants out in Cali so ever since I was young I have been drawn to them. I must have had about 50 in 10 years. There is something about them that makes me throw a few in vehicles, closets, just wherever a flashlight could be usefull. <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the replys to my question, guys. Much appreciated... I'll look into it more carefully after AP testing.

Xing