This is an area that I hadn't kept up with well.....for a number of years. I used one of two mini-mags that I own and never bothered looking around. And in truth they have worked fairly well.

Recently I acquired a Surefire and to say that there is a difference...would be the "king of all understatements". (But the life of the Lithium batteries is too short to carry only a Surefire.) So now the Surefire is a "bedside" light that doubles duty with a 3 "D" cell Maglight.

I've read a little about the LED's and plan on looking into them. As well I believe that Surefire recently brought to market a small light with clear lens and both a red and blue filter. (To reduce impaired night vision...and for blood trailing in the dark....should that be necessary.) And I think I remember reading a review of that light that stated it is not quite as bright as their Tactical models....but has better battery life. More research is indicated!

I've found as I grow older....even when I know my way to stand in the dark....I always use the light. Simply because "deer don't"! I don't want some over anxious fool shooting me!