Originally Posted by: ANdyGary 
DO you have any advice on the flashlight? What kind of flashlight is better?
I am new these forums, and judging from my past experience in some forums, my credibility here may need to be earned in front of some of the "old heads" here. So, I'm glad my first forum post on here will be relatively easy lol.
First of all, as one of the other members stated, you should figure out if you were looking for a light that you wear on your head or one that you would carry in your hand. I saw your response was that you weren't to fond of headlamps because it was not comfortable on your head.
I would suggest you continue trying the headlamps and see if you can get used to them. Usually, especially with the materials and technology used to make them today, if it is hurting when you are wearing it then it is most likely because you are not wearing it properly. There is always going to be a level of being uncomfortable when you start to wear something alien on your head. If the uncomfortable or hurting feeling does not go away, try to adjust the headlamp or move it (and the strap) to different places on your head. I would be willing to wager that if you put it on and wore it hiking, you would forget that it was on your head if it weren't for the light coming from it.
I suggest this because of how handy it is to have a headlamp instead of hand held light. A big reason I (and many other people) like them is because you don't have to hold it any your hand, and therefore, you can use both of your hands for whatever else you need them for (like messing with stuff in your pack, climbing up rocks or other obstacles, tying shoes... anything). My headlamp became one of my closest friends when I was in the Army. I really think that if you get a good one and try it out for a good bit, you will agree that headlamp is the way to go.
For a recommendation, I have to go with the Storm model from Black Diamond. You can get it at most outdoor outfitters that carry any gear from Black Diamond. It has a spotlight setting, floodlight setting, and strobe. Also has the red LEDs for when you need limited light. Each setting also allow you to dim or brighten the light. This thing seems pretty bombproof, and the battery life is pretty dang good, especially for 160 lumens.
As for handheld lights, I can only speak on the Surefire brand. However, my experience comes with the Surefire light that I had on my rifle and on my helmet when I was deployed to Iraq. Bright light? Heck yes. Battery life? Meh... Their lights and the batteries that usually are made to fit those lights can be pretty expensive. Especially since the batteries can't be bought everywhere.
All in all, dude. It is up to you and the performance you are wanting out of it, and what you are planning to do. I really do think that if you give the headlamps a decent shot, you will stick with them and even use them when you are back home and doing stuff around the house at night.
Good luck to ya, man.
