THE MORNING AFTERLike most of the northern hemisphere my little Appalachian village is cold (teens Fahrenheit) and treacherous for wheeled travel. On a foolhardy trek to check on a relative last night I met a hill that neither I or anyone else could scale. So I parked the car in a safe place and headed home on foot. This little hike was made much safer by the Tom Bihn Guardian dual-function bag light. This lanyard/clip LED light usually lives in my car or bag. Last night it was on the kitchen table and it was the light I grabbed when I headed out. Good thing. The roads were so slick that even walking was dangerous unless you could find the powdery parts not already polished by vehicles. The little light was bright enough for this. I used it in flashing mode when I had to stay on the road and in continuous when I took to the shoulder, yards, or ditches. I used it clipped on my jacket pocket and in my hand.
The Guardian is meant as a convenience for illuminating bag interiors and as a compact emergency light that can always be with you. Its second function, I found, is as valuable as its first.
CLIPPED ON POCKET, HANDS-FREEFrom the TB website: Made in Canada to military/law enforcement specifications (not to be confused with the made-in-China consumer version). The replaceable battery is said to be good for 250 hours. Also available with red lens.