the dw904 can be a excellent accessory to have , but I much prefer the Dewalt flexible model to the pivot type flashlight because they really handle daily on the job abuse better and also have the add advantage of a long rubber cover flexible neck to wrap around object for better positioning . my preference be base on heavy use of both type of the 12v , 14.4 v and 18v model . most of the flexible model I currently own be several year old and have have many time more use than the pivot model ever will , for a good reason . although they have be pretty well beat up , all be still work fine and I could never say enough good thing about they . the on-off switch on all model be fairly well protected but can occasionally get stick in one position because of heavy dirt or mud buildup . the switch can be free up easily with the aid of a stiff part clean brush once the mud have dry . if you do a lot of work in crawl space or other area where dirt , mud , sand and grit can get ground into the pivot joint of the dw904 flashlight , it can eventually cause excessive wear at the joint and damage to the spring loaded electrical contact located there , cause the light to malfunction without warn at a most inopportune time . one day , I have just such a experience use the 12v dw904 while replace the motor on a circulator pump located about sixty foot back inside a crawl space under a hotel . the crawl space have absolutely no area lighting of its own and none of the natural light that you sometimes get through vent , so the dw904 be literally the only source of light to be have . about halfway into the job , I be in the process of adjust the flashlight head to better light the work area , when everything suddenly go pitch black . at first , I think , ... okay ... , maybe the bulb have just burn out . I would have to change the bulb in the dark once before so I new it could be do . feel my way around the flashlight , I carefully unscrew the lens and replace the bulb with a spare bulb store inside the flashlight head . the bulb be not the problem . I remember think , ... `` Heeere Lassie ! '' ... because there be no way I be go to be able to navigate my way around obstacle and get out of the crawl space without see where I be go . fortunately , I have a two-way radio with I and be able to get hold of someone up above to grab another flashlight and come down to where I be work . I do not think this situation be bring about by any flaw or defect in the dw904 so much as that it be just not design for any type of use that expose it be pivot joint to continuous abrasion from sand and dirt . the older Makita 9.6 v pivot type flashlight I use year ago where also susceptible to the same problem , although none of they ever go completely and totally dead on I like the Dewalt do . you could usually bang the Makita against a floor joist a few time and it would come back to life , at least temporarily . overall , if you plan to use you flashlight only in clean , dry location , the dw904 should be a good choice . on the other hand , if you plan to consistently use you flashlight in damp , dirty environment and other high abuse area , as most tradesman normally will , then one of Dewalt 's flexible flashlight model be definitely a better and much more appropriate choice .