I bought 4 earlier-generation versions of these a couple years ago because they seemed super bright... However, _these_ are ridiculous, don't-look-at-them-you'll-go-blind, got-a-camera-flash-straight-in-the-eyes, burn-your-retina bright...! http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?dest=5&item=425248 I got one of these for a present - also painfully bright, comparable to the luxeon above... http://www.511tactical.com/browse/Home/All-Products/Flashlights/D/30000/P/1:100:50000:50500 I got the larger one (UC3.400), ultrabright, cool thing is no batteries, it uses capacitors instead, charges in 90 seconds, 2 hrs run time, good for 50,000+ charge cycles. Comes with a lighter-socket-12v-dc-powered charger, although an a/c adapter is available for additional purchase; any a/c converter that provides 12v-dc lighter-socket power would work though. Has regular, high-power, & strobe modes, although you have to hold the power switch on to get max bright. LED flashlights have made a lot of progress in the brightness/whiteness areas it would seem... anyone have other suggestions for bright flashlights?
I have one of these that works quite well. Around the house I use the basic MagLite 2-D-cell LED version.
I bought (literally) ten cheapie LED flashlights at Home Depot, similar to these: http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 and scattered them in the cars, desk drawers, tool chest etc. It is so nice not to have to search for a bright flashlight anymore. I also have the precursor to this (yeah, yeah, its a barbecue light): http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SP100A1848S166208589P?keyword=barbecue light Mine is a gooseneck that holds the above flashlights. This new one looks really cool since you could even clip it onto something under the car and shine it upward. I got one of these as a gift last month. It works great: http://www.rei.com/product/793429 What I DON'T have is a good general corded worklight (the operative word being "good"). I have several but they all like to shine light in my face more than on the car.
get a "bounce light," good quality and damn near indestructible, we used to go through several work lights a month in the shop I work, once we started buying these we've had some last for a year, they're real beaten up and a little melted in places (keep them away from torches and headers ) but they still work http://www.amazon.com/Central-12006-Bounce-Light-Foot/dp/B0027AFBKU
