Here's my experiences with LED flashlights for lighting -- they work very well!
Three biggest recommendations are:
(1) Use Sanyo Eneloop batteries if your flashlight uses the conventional AA or AAA batteries. They're awesome at storing electricity for loooonngg periods of time. I use these batteries in every portable device I own because I only buy devices if they use these most conventional batteries.
(2) Doubling up on some more moderate flashlights is usually going to be better than one extremely powerful flashlight. Just more flexible to use one or both, which direction they point, etc.
(3) TwoFish Lockblocks are awesome. I haven't tried the dual hose clamp method which would prolly be good enough, but I did want some rubber to dampen the vibrations felt by the flashlight. It's also sweet to be able to remove the flashlight in one second to use elsewhere.
(One pack:
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=92&products_id=273 -OR- Two pack:
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=92&products_id=274 )
LED flashlights I've used:
(1) Coast LED Lenser P7 (AKA 8407 or HP8407) (now only $77 at
http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=38244 )...
Best flashlight I've ever seen. Speed Focus is very nice for widest beam from any flashlight or incredibly narrow, focused beam... your choice. Batteries last virtually forever.
(2) Fenix L2D Q5 Premium ($58 at
https://www.4sevens.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_65&products_id=600 ... 8% off that with CPF8 coupon code at checkout, use that on the TwoFish Lockblocks above, too!)...
Brightest flashlight I've ever used. Its beam is only slightly narrower than the Coast Lenser P7, but the output is regulated for a consistent level of brightness. This drains the battery quicker, in about 2 to 2.5 hours... unlike the P7, which is always putting out a consistently lower level of brightness. That's why the P7 runs forever, but even after 10 hours the brightness is acceptable as one headlight.
(3) The double pack of Element LED flashlights from Sam's Club that SirJakesus was talking about (something like $30 at Sam's)...
Definitely the best value in LED lighting as they give you two for $30. Right off the bat, the two combined are very powerful. But there is no focus like the Coast light (even tho the packaging shows a variety of beam patterns, there's only one), and the output isn't regulated like the Fenix light. For some reason, the output decreases a lot faster than the P7 does... but at least there is output for many, many hours.
In summary: The Coast P7 is awesome, but I'd keep it at home or in some bag that you carry often and use it as a utility light. If you need some budget lighting, the Element lights are very nice since you get two.... if there were only one, I wouldn't bother. The Fenix is my flashlight of choice for MBs. I only have one, but it's good enough for me. Takes AAs, extremely compact, and has excellent build quality. 2 Fenixes with 2 TwoFish Lockblocks would provide better visibility than almost anything you could come up with.
