I'll echo what 7k7k99 said. I just recieved each of the fenix lights from fenix-store, they're pretty nice.

I personally like the P1 the best, it's one of the smallest CR123 lights I've ever seen. I used to carry the arc-LS, but the P1 just blows it away. Too bad it doesn't use a common battery.

But if you want to go with standard batteries, which i assume means AAA or AA, the other fenix lights are great.
The LOP is slightly larger than the ARC-AAA, but puts out a lot more light. I used to have an arc-AAA, but it just wasn't bright enough most of the time. Even though it has a long runtime, I really don't use a keychain light for really long periods, so it was replaced with a photon clone which gave the same amount of light in a much smaller package. I also never really liked AAA lights, they're not small enough to be considered tiny (like a photon), and for just a little more size you can step up to AA and get a lot more power and runtime. Plus AAA's are usually more expensive than AA's, which is one of the reasons for going with a common battery in the first place.

The L1T would be my replacement EDC light, but it's a little too big to carry on my keys. But the fact that it has 2 light levels makes it really useful, because you can choose between a bright light or a long runtime. If you don't mind the size of AA, it's a great light

Underwater Kinetics make a good mini light. It uses 2 AAA batteries and is very bright.

I have plenty of LED's and they're fine for most uses.... but for real work, I still use a Surefire. Brinkmann maxfire delivers an almost identical beam (focus free, no rings, same brightness and beam diameter) for $19.99 with batteries, and while it's not as well constructed (plastic instead of aluminum) I haven't broken one yet!

CR123 can be expensive depending on where you look, but if you order from Surefire or have a local distributer near you, you can get 12 for $15 which isn't too shabby at all <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have 2 Fenix L1P. I carry one of them everyday on my belt everywhere, as a matter of fact i'm having one on my belt right now.

i wrote a review of the P model (now discontinued):
http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=253

If you want a nice pocket sized light that uses standard batteries, I'd have to agree with a few of these others and vote for the AAA powered Fenix LØP. I love mine.

Here is another vote for the Fenix L1P. I carry it in it's case in my back pocket next to my wallet and space pen. Don't even notice it there. I also have a Photon Freedom on my key chain. Unlike others, I do like this light for it's batteries. I can carry two in a little paper pouch in my wallet, so I always have a backups if needed. Since you do not need a screw driver to change the batteries they are easily replaceable.

I can't say enough about the Fenix lights and they are so reasonably priced too.

Ready

For a true pocket light with commonly available batteries, I would stick with a single AAA or AA battery. I run lithium batteries in all my crucial AA or AAA flashlights for long runtime, long shelf-life, and no worries of leaking and corrosion.

recommendations:

Arc AAA-P, bright, very small, rugged, decent runtime.

Fenix L0P (AAA) small, very bright, short runtime.

Gerber Infinity Ultra (AA), rugged modest output, long runtime.

Fenix L1P (AA) Very bright, short runtime.

Fenix L1T (AA). I don't have any personal experience with this light, but the option of 2 levels may make it a superb choice.

Inova X1 New style (AA), good brightness, good runtime. good all-around light. I put a light film of conductive grease (penetrox or Ox-Gard) on the battery contacts and the end of the body (with the end cap removed). I don't have any problems with the momentary switch.

I use conductive grease on all electrical contacts I can access on all my flashlights (battery contacts, bulb contacts, tube ends, etc). I have had increases in output in some cases and never hassle with intermittant output (having to shake or pound the light to get the output to full).

Not my first choice for a pocket, but some don't mind carrying a 2AA light.

MiniMag with Nite-Ize conversion. Inexpensive, decent output, flood light, long runtime.

The L2T may be another good solution (no first hand experience) with the 2 levels of output. The head is smaller than a minimag making it more pocketable.

For more info than you know what to do with:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com
http://www.flashlightreviews.com/index1.html

Good luck, TR

For $12.97, a Princeton Tec Attitude is a great deal. Stoke it with 4 AAA lithiums, and it weighs very little over two ounces. They are 4.8 inches long, including the little lanyard holder on the tail end; the body is an inch wide and about 0.5 inches thick. The yellow case is the easiest to find when you need it.

I've purchased eight (yes, 8!) over the past few years (for myself, family, and friends), so you can tell I've been happy with them.

The ones at Campmor are on closeout because they are the older model. I have both the older model and the newer one, and the only difference I can see is a slight change in the plastic housing. The new model has a pocket clip molded in. Frankly, I like the older model better as it seems less bulky.

Last, but not least, Attitudes fit very nicely in the crassly-named Jakstrap flashlight holder, so you have an instant headlamp. Get the smaller Jakstrap, not the larger Jakstrap II. Happily, Campmor sells the smaller Jakstrap.

call me a nut - but...
Keychain - original Arc AA
Altoids Tin - Original Arc AAA Premium

Left fron pocket - EDC Ultimate 60 (almost never use the other 2)
EDC Packpack - Original Arc LS - with both the CR123 and 2xAA tails
second altoids tin in backpack has another Arc AAA

Yeah - I EDC 5 flashlights, plus cylume sticks

Yeah, but you're in New York, so it's probably a good idea. :-)

I carry two (HDS U60, Arc AAA premium) but I never think about the Arc. It's on the keychain and serves as a "too small to notice" back up. I decided a while back that a flashlight was the most important urban tool for me, so it's the only thing I carry two of.

Wish Arc would make the AA again, using the same LED as in the current premium model...