MagLite K3A986Maglite Solitaire Incandescent 1-Cell AAA Flashlight Purple

If you need a very bright light that lasts extended periods, spend about twice as much and get an led.I have been using these exact lights for about 30 years. They used to give them away as rewards for Salem cigarettes in the 90s. I personally use these lights for night fishing. They are easy on & off and I can hold it in my mouth, yes that’s what I said. They give off enough light to get a fish off of hook or tie a knot. I am in my 50s so eyes not so great. Many places I fish are outlaw so I don’t want a huge bright light. They are enough to get me through the woods in a black night. Beam is adjustable and the top comes off for a lantern effect. This is no light for hiking, late night dog walks or spotting deer, but it’s size and light are perfect for me and others who may have like tasks. They are quality made in USA and usually last until I lose it. Kids love them too, mine have been taking them from me for years.

At only 2 lumens, this incandescent Maglite Solitaire flashlight is an order of magnitude less bright than newer designs, including the latest 47-lumen LED version of the Solitaire. But sometimes a much dimmer light is exactly what you want, for example to look for a dropped object in the car or read a map at night without blinding the driver, or to provide close-up illumination when you're looking through a magnifier to identify a tiny electronic part at your workbench. Just don't leave an alkaline battery in the Solitaire and then forget it in a drawer for several years, because the old battery will leak and ruin the flashlight, which is why I recently had to buy a replacement. Think I'll keep an Energizer Ultimate lithium battery in this one.Update Nov 2019: Despite owning dozens of higher-output flashlights, I have just ordered my fourth incandescent Maglite Solitaire in the last two years because I keep finding more applications for low-level, close-up illumination. I keep one incandescent Solitaire in each car so my passenger can look through a bag or read a map during night drives without blinding the driver, I keep one at my workbench to provide close-up lighting for working on small parts, and I take one on camping outings to provide low-level lighting in the tent or for finding my way to the bath house without disturbing other campers. And of course, you should always have a spare, so maybe I will order a fifth incandescent Solitaire. Yes, I also carry a higher-output light for when 2 lumens is not bright enough for the job, but for many situations, I find that the classic incandescent Maglite Solitaire produces just the right amount of light.

Powerful mini flashlight especially useful for up close tiny space to be viewed! Easy adjustment on focusing light beam.

I love Maglites. I love how they look. I love how they feel. I have more of them than one person should because I love always having one close at hand. But I don't love the Solitaire.At first, it's everything you'd expect from a Maglite. It's bright enough and the head rotates smoothly to turn the light on and off and adjust the beam width. You can remove the head completely for "candle mode" to light a small area all around the flashlight.These include a strap to attach it to a keychain, and that's how I use my Solitaire. If it's dark, I always have a light in my pocket so I can see where to put the key. But where you'd think a Mag would hold up to living in a pocket if any flashlight could, it doesn't. Even with a fresh battery, after a few months the light flickers and is dim, if it comes on at all. Sometimes it will if I tap it just right. So I replace the flashlight, and then the same thing happens again after another few months.It's a shame, because there's so much to like. The metal barrel is sturdy and its shape makes my keys easy to find. It comes in many colors. Since you twist it to turn it on, it never gets turned on by accident in your pocket. There's even a spare bulb in the tail cap, though I've never had to use it since the flashlight's mechanism always fails so soon.It's not such an expensive light that I can't afford to replace it, but Maglites aren't supposed to be disposable. This is the incandescent version, and I always buy the purple one. I may have to try the LED version next and see if it holds up better, but I sure will miss my purple since the LED Solitaire isn't available in that color.