Man, I had this nice post written, and it got lost in cyberspace when I tried to send it. Hitting the back button did not help either!
OK, I did a search at
www.brightguy.com and his site shows 44 lights that use AA batteries.
I am sure that you explained to your sister the shortcomings of the mini-mag. While an ok light, not the best choice.
IF I could only recommend 1, commercially available, AA light IN YOUR PRICE RANGE, it would be the Streamlight 4AA, 7 LED light.
While we all know that Incandecents are better at certain things than LED's, specifically comparing a mini-mag (or any other 2 AA incandecent) to the Streamlight 4AA, 7LED light, the Streamlight would win in every catagory. Whiter, Brighter, Wider light, with MUCH LONGER runtime, and never have to worry about a "bulb" burning out! Yet it is still compact enought to fit into a purse (even a small purse) or a pocket. The Mini-mag has a 2-3 hour run time, then you are left with a fire-fly glow. The Streamlight 4AA, 7 LED has a 155 hour run time, with diminishing brightness. So that means she will almost never be left in the dark in a situation. While the light gets less intense, the COLOR of the light stays a very very white light. That mini mag (or any 2aa light) can poop out very suddenly.
Now I don't know what she is going to be doing in these 3 months. Is she staying at 4 star hotels, or is she camping out? different activities would require different lights.
Now, for a 3 month trip, here is what I would recommend, again, with two exceptions, keeping the AA and Commercially available requirements in mind:
Princeton Tec SURGE. Takes 8AA batteries, and is one of the brightest lights and a good value. 3-5 hour run time. Compact, and lightweight. This light is BRIGHT, and when you NEED this light, no LED is going to substutite for this light. I would have this on me, if I were traveling for 3 months. Also consider the Princeton Tec Tec 20 or Tec 40 or UKe 4aa lights, if cost or size is an issue with the Surge.
An ARC AAA or Inova Microlight on her keychain. Throw a pack of AAA's in her suitcase or a couple of sets of Lithium button batteries from Radio Shack, and you are set.
A CMG Infinity Ultra with a laynard. Takes 1 AA battery, nice light for a room, not too bright but very wide, small. Great to put around the neck, a nice light to light up a room (even a big room) when you are sleeping.
I would also recommend a portable smoke/fire alarm, and one of those portable extra locks that you add on to a hotel door, that prevents the door from opening, if if it jimmied, or if someone has the official hotel keys.
