When you are in a pitch black 1,000 seat auditorium with a classroom full of teenagers, more then 10 of which are atleast 10 feet off the ground, some as high as 25 feet you need a Surefire, a maglight would not have been anywhere near bright enough to get everyone together quickly and safely. The light was bright enough that I was shining it on the ceiling and it lit up the whole stage and front of the set, absolutely perfect. Take that whoever said it was horrible for emergency use. I paid $140 for this light and at that moment it paid for itself. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />