Re: Looking for recommendations on a <$20 led f. l
You chose a great time to be looking at under-$20 lights. That seems to be a sweet spot for 1W and 3W Luxeon and Luxeon-clone LED lights, especially those from "Emilion's Workshop" in the Dealers section of these forums.
If you don't plan to get into lights in a big way, stick with a light that uses AA cells. If you do expect to acquire more lights, go straight to 3V CR123A cells at $1 to $1.50 apiece by Web...or 3.7V lithium-ion rechargeable "RCR123A" cells, at $3 to $7 apiece.
I've found that my weaker 1AA 5LED to 2AA 16LED lights aren't bright enough for fixing PCs. Things start to change when using my 2.4V 19LED (Quake II) or 21LED (MEK) light (2 x CR123A). Each is available from SZWholesale.com for about $7 plus shipping plus cells. I've read that the MEK can use 3.7V rechargeables, virtually doubling its brightness to about 800 mcd (millicandella). I'll find out in a couple weeks.
Or head down to Target and pick up a Brinkmann Maxfire LX incandescent, with glass lens, for $16, 2 CR123A cells included. (not available in all Targets)
For fixing PCs, avoid twistie switches; you'll probably have only one hand available, and most twisties require two hands.