I've got an ultra-bright blue-light beam on my key chain (very similar to these ones). I used to carry a small AAA maglight, but this one is effective & bright enough for my purposes.
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Oh sweet mama, your daddy's got them Deep Ellum blues...
I have two eternaLights (EliteMarine, EliteMax). I carry one on trips for use as a nightlight and all around bright. I carry an Arc LLC AAA regulated LED on my keychain. Alas, Arc went out of business last month. I'm glad I bought two when I had a chance. They were the best in the world.
I use a Petzl LED headlamp for reading at night. I also have a collection of Photon microlights (including UV), and misc multi-LED flashlights for general around-the house use.
My incandescent Mag-Lites are almost retired these days.
I'm also fond of tritium Traser keychain lights as markers for things I want to be able to find in the dark. It is comforting to know that I can misplace something for 25 years and still find it by the glow of disintegrating atoms...
I have two eternaLights (EliteMarine, EliteMax). I carry one on trips for use as a nightlight and all around bright. I carry an Arc LLC AAA regulated LED on my keychain. Alas, Arc went out of business last month. I'm glad I bought two when I had a chance. They were the best in the world.
Streamlight makes a LED keychain light that looks cool...I've ordered one.
I keep a two cell AA Maglite in the car, and pack it into my carryon when traveling. It's never let us down, as I get long life out of the batteries and bulb, with a replacement bulb in the base, just in case.
It really came in handy a few years ago, when my wife and I were staying at Caesars in LAS, as they had a massive power failure on the block, on the last night of our trip. After making our way back to a darkened room, we were able to pack, shower, and get ready for the return flight in the morning, with only the light from that small Maglite. It stayed lit for almost seven hours, and didn't let us down.
Don't travel without a small flashlight--you never know when it will be needed.
bj-21.
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I always have a Mini-Maglite in my computer bag. It's come in handy over the years (also good for discreet reading of programs in darkened theatres/opera houses).
I've found that my Treo 600 is nearly as good as a flashlight. Use it frequently for getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom when I can't find a light switch in a unfamiliar hotel room.
I also recommend the store I linked to above on W54th Street in NYC. I was there a couple years back to get my travel lighting situation under control and the guy was very helpful and has a great selection.
I use a Photon 2 LED keychain light that only weights 5.5 grams with on/off switch. Its great since its lightweight and water resistant. Who wants to add more weight to their keychain since car keys/fobs are getting so big and bulky now.
The really small key-chain Maglite (runs on a single AAA batt) goes everywhere I do. Worst case, it provided sufficient illumination for a three-mile walk from the pub to the B&B on a very dark night in western Ireland.
SureFire. There is no substitute. I still have and carry a 3P and 6P with the red filter on each, though if I were buying anew I would look seriously at the LED-based models for their increased durability.
