Hmm. The LED lights that come to mind are the Lightwave 3000 (3C/7LED), Inova X5 (2-123/5LED).
You might also look at the CMG Reactor (2AA/1LS) and run it with Lithium batteries (for brightness and runtime). I think the Reactor is not as good a selection as it is very new and it is not clear how sturdy it is yet (there have been a few reported failures).
These should yeld a good ten hours of light. However, note these are not extreamly bright lights either.
You might consider a hybrid solution - a LED light and a conventional light. This would give you a brighter light to get your bearings and then a lower power light with good runtime.
Selection #1:
- $26 PT Surge (8AA, bright!)
- $28 Opalec Newbeam kit for MiniMag
- $10 MiniMag AA (if you don't already have one)
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$64 ($54 if you already have a MiniMag)
Selection #2:
- $26 PT Surge (8AA, bright!)
- $17 PT Attitude (4AAA/3LED)
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$43
Selection #3:
- $16 UK 4AA
- $28 Opalec Newbeam kit for MiniMag
- $10 MiniMag AA (if you don't already have one)
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$54
Selection #4:
- $36 Scorpion (2 123)
- $17 PT Attitude (4AAA/3LED)
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$53
The Surge is very bright and reasonably small. It actually has a 3+ hr runtime as well.
I would prefer the Opalec Newbeam over the Attitude because it takes the same type cells as the Surge (or UK 4AA) and is regulated so it provides full light output for about 10 hours (doesn't get dimmer over time).
The Attitude provides about the same light output as the Newbeam and is very inexpensive.
The UK 4AA is small, has a decent runtime (3+ hrs) is rugged, inexpensive and waterproof. It has a 2.1W bulb vs. the 7.5W for the Surge, so obviously the Surge is tops.
The Scorpion is fairly bright (brighter than the UK 4AA) but has slightly less than one hr runtime.
-john