This post seems out of date. Buying a decent LED flashlight was an issue just a year or two ago. That is no longer the case and every hardware store has a selection. I use the cheap $1 flashlights for most uses. When I want a serious flashlight, here is what I want. Power by 2 D or 2 C cells instead of costly low power AA or AAA batteries. I want a low power saver setting and a high power setting in the range of about 500-700 lumens. I want a head that will concentrate and focus the beam and adjust to a wide setting when needed. I can usually find flashlights that meet these requirements at under $10. I think my last purchase was a pair of Duracell brand flashlights from Costco at about $7 each.