I have a collection of flashlights, Streamlights, Inovas, Surefire, and a Fenix. The Streamlights are in a drawer, the Inovas, several with the Swiss 'Victorinox' brand on them, are in a display case with a few same branded SAKs, along with the collection of Inova X1s (They changed emitters three times!), actually a decent USA-made <$20 single AA light [Target, etc.).
I hate to admit it, but the PRC-made Fenix is a nice light - as are the Surefires and Inovas, both US-made. I carry a Surefire E1b 'Backup' in my pocket - sometimes the E2DL 'Defender'. The simple 6P LED is in my Jeep - or by the bed. They all use CR123s, which I buy from Surefire ($21/12) as their cells are protected and US-made for them. I ordered three dozen from them last year (3/08) - had to pay a couple of bucks for faster than their free delivery - still less than $70/36 delivered quickly. I still have 22 left, despite three 2-cell and one single cell light. They last - and I feel their higher energy storage capacity and always ready nature outweighs the 'economy' of rechargeables.
My Inovas all use either AA or AAA penlite cells. They are warmer in tint - and the Victorinox-branded ones were all bought as closeout 'kits' with a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife in a metal box - for less than the knife's cost. Check Amazon!
I started my Surefire experience with a 6P LED for $65 3/08 at a 'LEO priced' store. Later, I added a new regular incandescent 6P from Evil-Bay for <$40 delivered - intent on adding an aftermarket high power LED - but substituted another P60L Surefire head, making it a '6P LED', too. When I bought my 627 Pro last year, I added the E1b for $76 - a steal! I similarly added the E2DL last September - another bargain. Both list now for $149 - pretty expensive for the amount of finish wear mine show. The Fenix, a single CR123 unit, shows no wear, despite it's age [Bought 3/08.).
I love my Surefire E1b - but - the Fenix line is nice. Check them out.
For comparison: The 6P incandescent puts out 65 Lumens - and eats a pair of CR123s in less than an hour. The 6P LED puts out 80 Lumens for an optimistic rating of 11 hours, although it's a bit dimmer for the last couple of hours. Dick's M6 Guardian incandescent puts out 250 or 500 Lumens, depending on lamp module - for 60 or 20 minutes - from SIX CR123s! Finally, my Fenix P2D special is rated at 220 Lumens on Turbo High, but has a ~5 Lumen setting for days of use on one CR123. It will strobe on Turbo and irritate the stew out of you - or remind you of those sixties college parties with strobes... oops, I digress. It'll also blink out 'S O S' in Morse code. My f-i-l, b-i-l, and older son have them, too.
Surefires are more honest, light output-wise. My E2DL, rated at 120 Lumens, puts out 170+ Lumens, by several testers - more than that P2D Fenix on Turbo, by one-one comparison. I find myself using the CR123 lights more these days - much higher energy density than the best AAs - even the lower voltage (1.75V) Li Energizers (CR123s are 3.3V Li's.).
Stainz