Flashlights! How can something so simple be so hard to get right!
Here’s my spin on it!
First off, one size does not fit all. What works for me may not work for you, but here’s what I use, evolved over a few decades. Bear in mind that I’m in the U.K. so may have some things that are not readily available stateside, but you get the idea!
For general use you can’t really beat Mag Lites, incandescent or LED as you prefer. The design is a classic, build quality is good, and price isn’t high, all things considered! I know some folks will say they don’t want something that uses ‘leaky’ dry cells, but my response is ‘don’t use leaky ones’. I find that Japanese made Panasonic’s and German made Varta’s don’t leak. Energisers, and the once gold standard Duracell’s, are now the worst offenders, together with anything made in China!
The full size lights are great in LED, but beware of anything electronic. I find the AA size, otherwise my all time favourite, doesn’t work well in LED. The problem seems to be the switch contacts, which you can’t access to clean. The full size lights with proper switches don’t suffer from this.
Secondly, you might want a dedicated work light. I use these for the longest periods so prefer rechargeables. Technology moves fast here so newer is better. I really like the Unilite shown. Practical shape, perfect beam for most jobs, and charge from any USB charger. I couldn’t get by without a headlight as well though. Petzl are pretty much universal, and again LED is king, but I use rechargeable eneloop cells in mine! I have one for work, one in my road box, and another in my case when travelling!
Most people like some sort of “Tactical” light these days. You might not need to do anything tactical with it (or then again you might) but I find almost endless uses for these from finding cracks in components to locating lost screws. Surefire are the market leaders, and probably rightly so. At top is my original 6P. Lost track of how old but a great light. I tend to use the new Aviator instead now. The Titan plus is in my clothes full time when I’m working (as a British airline pilot) as it can be everything from a tactical light to a low power/long duration emergency light.
For years I never touched the Chinese lights, but they are improving. I really like the Olight shown. Power to size it’s better than most of the Surefires, and so far dead reliable. No excuse not to have one really.
I always tend to carry a backup though, and backup to me means incandescent. Yes I know the light is poorer than an LED, but no electronics = reliability. The yellow “Safety Torch”s shown are patterns that have been kept on British commercial aircraft for decades. The best ones are made by SA Equipment (Shimwell Alexander) who traditionally made mining equipment. The bulb and reflector are sealed within a housing, the front glass is thick toughened Pyrex, and I’ve never had one fail.
Sometimes I like a traditional “hand lamp” that I can stand up. The green one shown is a British made “Bardic” light used on the railways and in military service. It’s more solid then most, and gives you the option of selecting colours too, should you wish!
Edit - the pictures came out sideways, but you get the idea!
I ended up building my own.