I also have both the Photon II and Solitare. I consider the Photon to be a revolutionary design making the older technology Solitare obsolete. The principle benefits of the Solitare are exceeded by the Photon. The photon is smaller, lighter, burns far longer on a set of batteries, provides more even illumination, works at more extreme temperatures and has a more reliable bulb. Absolute brightness might just barely go the the Solitare with a fresh battery, but the light is not nearly as even and dims quickly.