So much has changed since the OP in 2005. High powered LED flashlights are as cheap as dirt now, so there is no longer a compromise. I used to have a 15w cygolite that I replaced with a 7w LED flashlight from ebay. Same output. I remember buying my first Cateye LED headlight that boasted thousands of hours on 4 AAs. That light wasnt even worthy of being seen.