The one that is all the rage on candlepowerforums is the Fenix L1P, 1 watt led AA light. I just got mine [$45] and it is a very impressive light and I think much brighter than the ARC AAA for about the same dollars. Sizewize, it is larger than the ARC, but still incredible for it's size. I wondered about the hype on this light, but it is true! A Fantastic flashlight and much cheaper than my 3 surefire's and it only takes one AA battery, which is what I always wanted to stay with, battery compatibility in my kits. Hate carrying many different spare batteries. Check out the posts on this light at cpf.

I'll bite! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

If I had all my flashlights spread before me and I could only take one; it would be my Petzl Zipka Plus with its pouch. The Zipka is a headlamp with an extractable cord instead of a headband. It works well as a headlamp, handheld light, tent light, trail light and emergency strobe light. I would carry it, in the pouch, on my belt. It is currently attached to the shoulder strap of my CamelBack. It is not super bright but it shines for a long time on 3 AAA batteries. I first saw one on the Survival and Outdoor Safety web site by Gene Ward. The more I looked at it and thought about it the more it looked like a good PSK survival light.

But, I carry red and ultra-violet Photon I Coverts on my keychain. A CMG Infinity Ultra AA LED in my pocket and a SureFire C2 on my belt. I also have a SureFire G2 sitting in a car door pocket in my car. Plus I have one of the cheap 6 volt lantern battery flashlights in the back of my SUV. Also a white Photon III Covert in my first-aid kit in my PSK.

What is the UV Photon for? Wait, lemme guess, to ward off vampires, right? Or am I only one here who has watched the movie Blade too many times? <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I use the four D cell Maglight as a reasonable compromise between convenience and use as a weapon for in the vehicle. My father, (a retired police officer) once hit a guy in the side of the head with one & the "perpetrator" went straight down to the ground. They even have a book of tactics for the use of the flashlight for personal defense.
I use a Surefire 9Z when I want a bright light. Just be advised that the batteries die suddenly without warning. When the voltage drops below that required to light the xenon lamp, it goes from very bright to very dark instantly. Be sure to carry extra batteries. The CR123 batteries are reasonably priced at Surefire's website but about $8 each at the drugstore. I edc a minimag with a piece of Tygon tubing on it so I can hold it in my mouth to use both hands. I may want to use the conversion kit to LEDs as it seems like the bulbs burn out too often.

Can't speak for Craig, but I suspect we share at least one use for the Photon UV (both being AZ residents)...scorpion detection, since they fluoresce under UV light.

I can't say one brand over another, but I do have a criteria for wilderness lighting, it goes like this...
I want a light that I can see well enough to walk on the darkest night. I want it to have at least 16 hours of runtime, so at least 2 nights of continuos light. It has to be less than 8 ounces and take cheap batteries, like AA. It must be reasonably waterproof, hold up in a heavy rainstorm.
I always carry spare batteries and bulbs, if not an LED.
Oh, one other thing, it will always be a headlight, that way I can use it hands free or in hand.
I carry a spare LED mini light as well, always!

xbanker,

You are correct! My family went on the scorpion hike at North Mountain Park a few weeks ago. It was night and the park ranger passed out 2 fluorescent tube black lights. They were at the front of the group of about 20 hikers. There was one on each side. We were to look and try to find scorpions as we walked. I was also using my ultra-violet Photon I Covert. I located a bark scorpion a few feet off the trail. In all we saw 3 scorpions in about an hour and a half. The others were a hairy scorpion and another bark scorpion.

Also when we go camping it is good for removing any fear that the boys have that a scorpion is in their tent after they go to bed.

It is also a fun toy. You can see bacteria in kitchens and rest rooms. It is also interesting to look at dollar bills. Another use is to cause glow in the dark paint to glow without using a bright light. It is wonderful to use to power up the glow paint on the dial of my compass.

I agree with the others that we really need to know more about your intended use and budget before we can make reasonable suggestions.

FWIW, I'm quite partial to multi-level lights because they can be used at lower light levels for prolonged or close up use.

My current EDC light is an HDS EDC Ultra 85. This small light has four light levels (programmable) and can run over 300 hrs on the lowest setting, or output 85 lumens (as much as most Surefire 2 cell lights).

This light replaces my previous EDC which was a SF E2e *and* a SF L1. It simply does the job of both.

You can find a review of the HDS EDC Ultra 60 which has the same modes but slightly less output here.

I carry mine with a (slip on) SF F04 beamshaper which diffuses the beam into a flood. This allows easy use of the light as a flood light, or one with a reasonable amount of throw. The SF F05 red filter also fits fine.

-john

I have a Solitaire with the Tektite LT-3. It's not too bad, I guess. Still, I think that something like the Arc AAA or the Peak Matterhorn would be a far better bet for not much more money than the combination of the Solitaire and the LT-3.

The LT-3 keeps the Solitaire head from screwing all the way down, and mine wouldn't turn off reliably until I put a different, thicker spacer on the bottom. The LED color isn't great, the brightness is a bit better than the Solitaire (that's weak praise!), you aren't supposed to use the 1.7V LiFe batteries, and the anodizing on the Solitaire isn't very durable.

I got the LT-3 because I already had the Solitaire, but if I had it all to do over again, I might just get that Peak.

I find favor AND fault with all my various flashlights. However, the little solitaire is ALWAYS at my side. You're right in that it isn't perfect, but it works for me.