Anyone ever handle the Energizer Quick Switch flashlight? A picture can be found here .

For emergency use, the same cheap ($13) flashlight can run on 2 AA, C, or D batteries by simply sliding some switch. Replace the bulb with one of the many LED replacements, and you have a flexible, long-lasting source of light. I, like may ETSers, try to standardize my gear on a single battery type, but that can be a liability if, for whatever reason, you're not able to get your hands on more of that type of battery. Then you're up the creek.

I doubt that this flashlight is sturdy and reliable enough to make it my primary light, but I think the Quick Switcher could make a good backup light. And if kept around for indoor use, it should be OK as a primary light in your typical blackout-type situation at home. I'm sure there are plenty of kitchen drawers out there with a hodge-podge of different batteries in them. Anyway, it gives you some options in a compact, inexpensive package. Any thoughts?

I guess I should say it's "inexpensive" without purchasing an additional replacement LED bulb.

I've seen them and never been tempted. They haven't caught on much on CPF either (CPF = flashlight buff heaven, www.candlepowerforums.com). I advise an AA powered LED light and some spare cells for it. They are the easiest type of cell to scrounge. You can find them in everything.

I rarely peruse Candlepower Forums, but today, I see that some CPFers had the same idea as me--Energizer Quick Switch with an LED replacement bulb. In this case, they're using the highly regarded SMJLED replacement bulb. There are some great beamshots of the Quick Switch versus a couple other flashlights in this thread, although only flashaholics would have any idea what the other flashlights were--"...Fenix L1P, and Milky-fied Pimped Q3". Compared to your typical incandescent 2D flashlight from some big box store, the Quick Switch/SMJLED would probably look a lot better in comparison.

The purle tint is a bit surprising, but it's probably not that noticeable in real use. Even so, that's a characteristic of this particular SMJLED and not the flashlight itself. The beam is "ringy" but bright, and again, it might not be so noticeable in real use. These CPF guys seem to also love the battery flexibility and long runtime that this combo provides, so I'm not the only one.

Anyway, for those people who have enough disclipline to keep a decent stock of fresh batteries on hand, there are many better flashlights out there than the Quick Switch. But I still think the battery flexibility aspect makes this flashlight something you might want to have at least one of in your emergency kit. You never know. You may lose, give away, or somehow run out of your extra batteries. If you did need to go out and try and scrounge more batteries, you have seriously increased your possibilities with the Quick Switch. And with the LED, even batteries that others consider "dead" because they barely make their incandescent flashlights glow a dim orange can provide usable light with an LED. Anyway, just another lighting option.