Costco store has a 3-pack that equates to $ 6.12 per flashlight. These are pocket-sized flashlights, but have a high lumen setting of 250, and one dimmer setting, which I would guess is 60 lumens. Also, has strobe setting.
These appear to be rugged and compact enough as your 3rd source of light. Price includes quality batteries. The lights are only resistant to moisture and rain, so in a river cave, you would want to wrap them in something, or gerry-rig them with a sealant. See Duracell #739422 ( Disclaimer: I am only viewing the product through the packaging ) It would seem there is no reason to carry a bigger flashlight into a cave, unless you were in an easy cave with mostly walking passage, or were a tour guide. For that purpose, Costco offers a 2-pack that equates to $ 10.80 each. But even that one, is smaller than the flashlights I used to carry in my cave-pack back in the 20th century. I am certain there are experienced cavers that do not take a flashlight with them now, as they either only use 2 sources of light or carry small or tiny headlamps in their cave-pack. I think that has been going on for years. Feel free to correct me, as I have done zero caving in this new era of high-tech headlamps. David Locklear
