Book Lights
 

Has anyone found a great one? One that is lightweight and the battery (ies) last more than a blink? Thanks.

Every book light I've ever had seems to break or run out of batteries, as you said, in a blink. But last fall I got a "Flexible-neck Mini-light" from the National Geographic catalogue, and it has lasted a long time, and the light has stayed nice and bright. I've seen it other places as well, but I don't know what the brand name is.

I got mine from Magellans five years ago; it takes 4 AA batteries and works wonderfully.

A few years ago I got my kids these lights that are supposed to strap onto their seatbelts in the car...about the size of a deck of cards. They sell them in the automotive aisle at Walmart.

I just use a small flashlight. I haven't had good luck specifically with travel book lights. They always seem flimsy & fall apart on me.

I've never found a great booklamp either! I've heard that camping headlamps work great as reading lamps, though, and I think I'm going to get one before my next trip.

The camping headlights work much better for reading than the "booklights" because they have more LED lights. The booklights only have a single LED bulb, and that simply does not deliver enough illumination for me to read comfortably. Most of the camping lights have at least three lights.

The disadvantages are that the batteries do not last as long on the camping lights, and they lack a shade that would prevent shining light into your companion's eyes.

I am going to get one, anyway, and see if I can rig some sort of shade.

The camping headlamps work great (if you don't mind looking a bit like a doufus). The Petzl "Tikka" ($26) is a 3-LED light (very bright) that weighs only 3 ounces and takes 3 AAA batteries. I can't say yet how long they last---I've used mine a lot over the several years I've had it, both for night cycling and night hiking, and my nephew borrowed it for several hours of reading on our last backpack trip. I'm still on the original batteries.

These might be too bright for use on the plane. Petzl also makes a less techie one ($19.95) that can be detached from the headband and held like a flashlight. REI has both.

Thanks everyone. I've also tried several different kinds. Just bought a little one from Borders called Book Owl; I'm going to see how long it lasts before I change batts. I'll check out some of the ones you all suggested. Thanks again.

There's one available in Australia called the Itty Bitty booklight and it's been around for years and years...I would assume if it wasn't any good it would have gone out of production years ago. The are quite expensive however - around $A50.

I got a halogen little light that we use in the car for reading, seeing maps, etc. I don't think the battery is rechargeable, but I've had it 3 or 4 years and no problem. I got it at Target and it was in the automotive section... with the car 'gadgets'.

good luck!