Peter K,
glad you are ok. I feel for you guys. Here in Connecticut we had a couple of zingers last August and end of October. Our house was out of power for 7 days with each storm. Luckily our vehicles were ok and we were able to keep our biggest flashlite going by very careful use and spare batteries on hand, AND lots of candles. Wood stove for cooking was very handy in October, but for August storm, the outside barbeque did the cooking.
I just recently picked up a Syslite and showed THE BOSS how it lights up the entire kitchen, even on the low setting. She, so far, complains about the briteness when she looks at it. She has a hard time understanding that you are not supposed to look at the lite, but look at the areas it is lighting up. She'll appreciate the next time we find our selves without power.
I keep the lite in a spot where I can find it no matter how dark it may be. I just put my hand out and there it is. I am thinking seriously of getting another to keep in my truck during winter (I go out thru long nites to plow snow and always keep two lites in the truck). A big factor with the Syslite is the number of ways there are to keep it charged to full.
I usually don't spend a lot of money for Christmas presents, as i build most of them in my shop (of course wood costs nothing and Festoys are so cheeeep :

) This year i am thnking of getting one for both our son (who plows with me) and our daughter who is in realestate in DC area. She is a concientious type who often allows herself to be called out in middle of nite to check a threatened property. I thought the expense for a Syslite was rediculous when i first investigated. Now, I am not sure i would want to be in situation where I did not know where it is so I can get my hands on it instantly.
Tinker