Lighten up on your next journey

The newest flashlights and other lighting devices provide assistance when you’re on the go. These items have been tested by the writer.

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Stand and deliver

The folks at Stanley Tools must have had fun designing the new MaxLife 369 Tripod Flashlight. The 11-inch-long light has a built-in, pop-open tripod for hands-free operation and a pivoting head to direct the beam higher or lower. The flashlight can function on three, six or nine AA alkaline batteries (not included), which stack in the tripod legs. The more batteries used, the longer it runs -- from 75 to 200 hours. A four-position, push-button switch -- high, medium, low and off -- controls the intensity of the beam from the six permanent LED bulbs. The flashlight has a slip-resistant rubber grip and a low-power indicator that lights up when the batteries should be replaced. Keep one in your car.

MaxLife 369 Tripod Flashlight is about $30; (800) 262-2161, www.stanleytools.com.

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Bright idea

It only takes one 9-volt battery to power the Pak-Lite. The small flashlight is an LED semiconductor encapsulated in a little plastic cap that snaps onto any 9-volt battery to produce an instant flashlight. Just flip the minuscule switch on the side of the cap and light flows out of two tiny bulbs at the top. When the battery is expended, just snap it off and replace with another 9-volt battery, whether a standard 9-volt, an alkaline or long-life lithium 9-volt. The Pak-Lite comes with a battery in place and is available in a variety of configurations, including a basic model with a standard battery and an on/off switch and a flashing model with a flash/off/high switch.

Pak-Lite LED Flashlight is $12.99 to $29.99; (541) 660-0349, www.9voltlight.com.

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Gear & Gadgets appears monthly.