After about six weeks with the Serfas SL-255 I'd still recommend it as a flashlight if it might also be used for cycling. It's a properly designed cycling headlight first that can also serve as a flashlight. The mount is well designed, grips the handlebar securely and the light stays put. No problems with shifting, pivoting or popping off on rough pavement, gravel or railroad crossings. But the light is relatively easy to detach and reattach to the supplied mount.

On some recent group rides I've seen some cylindrical metal body flashlights used as headlights, but they tend to pivot up/down or pop off the bikes on rough roads or crossing railroad tracks. And they weren't any brighter than the Serfas.

I've gone through two pairs of AA alkalines and just began trying NiMH AA's. As you might expect with alkalines, there's a long, gradual discharge with the light gradually dimming until it goes out. While the alkalines do last several hours, the final 30-60 minutes becomes so dim it's necessary to use full power to get any usable light. I'd guesstimate with a nearly exhausted set of alkalines the final 30 minutes on the high setting has an output closer to the Serfas on low with fresh batteries.

I'm hoping the NiMH AA's will behave on the Serfas as they do with other devices -- close to full power until they discharge quickly.

I like it well enough that I'll often grab it off the bike for late night trips to take out trash, etc., rather than my older conventional LED flashlight that uses three AA batteries. The Serfas is much brighter on high, with a better pattern, more neutral whitish light and the dimmest setting is often plenty bright enough for walking around. And the side cutouts do enhance visibility from the side, for folks who may need to walk in the street and want to be seen at night.