this be a very bright light , much brighter than the older incandescent Mini Maglite and very much brighter than a single-led flashlight I have from Brinkmann and a 9-led light from Harbor Freight Tools . the illumination pattern be also much smoother , and I like that you can adjust it by rotate the head of the flashlight -lrb- although the range of adjustment be fairly limited compare to the incandescent version -rrb- . I also like the cool white color of the illumination . it be advertise as be a 3 watt lead , so be a engineer , I have to measure it . it draw 370ma of current at 3 volt , so that be more like 1 watt of actual power dissipation . I guess they rate it compare to the amount of light that would be put out by a 3 watt incandescent bulb . by the way , my old incandescent bulb version of the same Mini Maglite draw 300mA of current , so do not expect more battery life from the lead version . my Brinkmann and Harbor Freight Tools flashlight draw around 50-60ma , so they battery last a lot longer at the expense of much less illumination . if you be concern about go through battery , you can use nimh rechargeable battery . overall I be very impressed with this little light . it be a bit longer than the incandescent version but I have not find that to be a problem . update 1\/11\/09 : as expect , my first set of battery last about 8 hour . there be no warning when they go . the light just suddenly go out . it might go off and on several time as the battery voltage hover around the minimum necessary to keep it light . at first I think there be a loose connection . I be out hike on a cold night when this happen , and I be able to get another 20 minute of life by warm the flashlight inside my pocket for a few minute . I still stick by my 5-star rating as you get a much brighter light with battery that still last as long as in the older incandescent version of this flashlight .