Pretty sure eagletac isnt gonna be 30 bucks or less.
The budget offerings at Deal Extreme and Kaliedo main are not very reliable and you have NO customer service to speak of. Id recommend an online shop that people here like. You can browse to find some of the reputable ones.
Heres the deal:
If you go with RCR123s, 14500s, or 18650s, you WILL pay more for batteries than the light!
A charger is 15 bucks. Ultrafire WF139 is the one I have.
A decent quality 18650 or RCR123 is close to 10 for a protected (i.e. safe) battery. AW is recommended by most here, but at least get a Protected circuit one. Even so, some batteries have Flat Tops vs the nubs so not all 18650s fit! That causes extra complication.
Hence, I would recommend a light that uses AAs because you likely already have an AA charger. If you dont, you can get one cheap and use rechargables around the house, whereas 18650 chargers are pretty much useless.
With AAs, you can get an 1xAA or 2xAA light depending on your preferred form factor. You could even get a Big Boy 6xAA itp A6 Polestar someday (72 bucks tho!)
The battery of choice is the Sanyo Eneloop which is easy to get from Amazon. It even comes in packs with passable chargers included. I think a 4 pack+charger is 17 bucks. Look for free shipping.
Oh yeah, AA NiMH batteries dont usually blow up, unlike Lithium Ions which require more care. Not Blowing Up = Bonus!
Romisen is a good company that makes budget lights. itp would be recommended for keychain-style lights but I dont think you are interested in these. Their normal offerings are good as are 4sevens and fenix, but they are 40 bucks each and up. Thats kind of over-budget.
So, here are some of my picks. I like shiningbeam for their customized romisens and customer support.
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-212/Romisen-RC-dsh-N3-CREE-R4/Detail
Uses 2xAA, OR can use cheap CR123 lights for smaller size. This one uses the latest emitter for solid output. Not sure about modes though. In CR123 mode, it is very small and portable if you are carrying around.
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-215/Romisen-RC-dsh-C8-II-Q5/Detail
Can run this with 3xAAAs or 2xCR123s. Its an adjustable throw to flood light. Good for close up work since it has no glaring hotspot (changing tire), but also good for seeing or signaling long distances. Strobe, high, and low modes.
http://www.shiningbeam.com/servlet/the-149/Romisen-RC-dsh-G2-II-Cree/Detail
Pretty standard 1xAA light.
If you want a light that you can always have with you, a good keychain choice is the itp A3. 3modes, twisty that wont come on accidently, 80 lumen max. Nice beam.
http://goinggear.com/index.php?main...id=255&zenid=2a29c5ddef0955d175369b9a17434e8f
All these options are around 20 bucks each, +/- 5 bucks. Get a small box of CR123s online for a buck each if you decide to get any of those options. At the store they can be 4 bucks each!!