On the flashlight theme-- I recommend buying one of the LED type miner's headlamps instead of a traditional flashlight. I have one I got from Target (an Eddie Bauer brand) and it is the bomb for all things camping and biking. It is extremely bright white light, can be held in your hand and used like a regular flashlight, takes 2 AA batteries that are supposed to give like 100+ hours of light, no bulbs to ever replace, and (great for working on your bike and camping) you can of course wear it on your head and keep both hands free for the tasks at hand... Also collapses to a size small enough to fit in your pocket (although you would look happy to see people...

)
Of course, it is not useful as a blunt object, like a mag-light. But, for those situations, I wouldn't want to depend on a flashlight anyways!!!
JC