Brad,<br><br>Well said, and I agree with what you posted. I certainly have nothing against artificial illumination. I just don't like using it for walking with for reasons I posted and others. <br><br>My daily wear, everywhere, all the time, has included 2 Photon IIs for s few months now - red in left pocket and turquoise in right pocket (I use the Turquoise one daily at work and the Red one frequently for non-work things). In my work vehicle is a 2 cell Mag Light, in use frequently in various buildings (and it's a Mag Light for the "other" uses it can be pressed into). All my personal vehicles have a 2 or 3 cell Mag Light in reach of the driver.<br><br>Our family PSKs have white Photon IIs (Christmas presents). I evaluated a white one a couple of weekends ago when I was conducting a winter survival exercise for some Scouts, and it just impressed the bejabbers out of me - awesome. I loaned it around (on a neck lanyard) to a couple of other Scouters and several Scouts and it was universally admired by all as an extremely useful light in an extremely small package.<br><br>(Previously I evaluated the Turquoise one on a all-too-brief evening in the woods and I tend to agree with the LRI site - if one must use a light on the trail, this is a very good color.)<br><br>For "expendability" rea$on$, all of us carry Mini-mags, holsters, and Nite-Eyz headstraps in our "Be Prepared" packs. Those of us who have great night vision also have red lenses on them (the factory kit, with the hood taped on with electrical tape); the others don't bother.<br><br>Wife and I carry the LED Light branded Trek 4 (?) - 3 AA cell 4 LED orange body 1000' rated "at the ready" when packing (specific location depends on seasonal attire). We also have headlamps for our climbing helmets (just wife and I), but if I'm on a glacier or snowfield I travel better without it turned on. I choose to not spend all the $$$ on equipping the 4 kids with exactly the same gear we use - they still lose things too readily and interests are fickle at their ages (teens).<br><br>And various Coleman Lanterns, white gas or propane fueled, are a basecamp staple for us on most trips, mostly for after-dark supper preparation and some reading - but they are extinguished if not truly needed as a task light.<br><br>Like I said, I'm not against artificial illumination - I just do NOT like using it for night-time travel. If I'm in a close area where eye-poking is a possibility, I put my glasses on simply for eye protection (they do not improve my eyesight much in the "outdoors" otherwise). I think I can count on my fingers the number of times that I could not see well enough un-aided to move safely, or so my recollection goes. Most of those times it was heavy overhead cover and/or in a deep slot (canyon), though there was one memorable early spring <shudder> trip up a mountainside - since then I have not forgotten to check flashlights before heading out.<br><br>After years of working with others, I am quite convinced that while training and experience help, we're not all equally blessed with night vision. I am one of the fortunate ones, as are two of our kids. (in my family, brown and hazel eyes have great night vision and blue eyes range from bat-blind to average, but I do not know if that's universal or coincidence). We usually put the less fortunate folks (family or Scouts) in the center of the group and do very well blacked out, but that takes trust and cooperation. On thier own, some folks really do need some degree of artificial illumination, and I respect that need.<br><br>As for driving without lights - hehehe - now I can tell my wife that I'm not the only one who does that!<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Scouter Tom