Sometimes the best place to stash a flashlight is in those pen loops you find in everything from backpacks and laptop cases to pant pockets and even body armor admin pouches. But for that to happen, you'll need a flashlight that is thin and shaped like a pen.

In this installment of HIGHLights, we look at specialized lights that are not only slim and compact, but pack a powerful burst of bright light as well. You never know when you'll need a light, but having one when and where you need it can make all the difference. We didn't have to search far and wide for them, as there are many great pen-shaped flashlights available. Here's a look at a few up close.

Pen Shaped Flashlights Buyer's Guide

5.11 TMT PLx

Make & Model - 5.11 TMT PLx
Colorway - Black
Lumen Output - High 90
Beam Options - High
Runtime - High 4 hrs
Bezel Diameter - 0.56 in
Overall Length - 5 in
Weight With Battery - 2.1 oz
Battery Type - AAA (2, included)
Controls - Momentary and constant on tail cap push button switch
Accessories - Pocket clip
MSRP - $30
URL - http://www.511tactical.com
At the heart of 5.11's Tactical Mission Torch PLx Penlight is a Cree XPE-B LED capable of putting out 90 lumens of illumination.
Brite-Strike EPLI Illumination Tool

Make & Model - Brite-Strike EPLI Illumination Tool
Colorway - Black
Lumen Output - High 160 / Low 80
Beam Options - High / Low / Strobe
Runtime - High 30 mins / Low 6 hrs / Strobe 45 mins
Bezel Diameter - 0.58 in
Overall Length - 5.4 in
Weight With Battery - 2 oz
Battery Type - AAA (2, included)
Controls - Momentary and constant on tail cap push-button switch
Accessories - Pocket clip
MSRP - $80
URL - http://www.brite-strike.com
Brite-Strike held no punches when they came up with the EPLI.
FOURSEVENS Preon P2

Make & Model - FOURSEVENS Preon P2
Colorway - Black (shown), Blue, Red, Satin Titanium, Satin Titanium/Black, Yellow
Lumen Output - High 192 / Medium 26 / Low 2.2
Beam Options - High / Medium / Low / Strobe / SOS / Beacon Hi / Beacon Lo
Runtime - High 48 mins / Medium 6 hrs / Low 23 hrs / Strobe 1 hrs 36 mins / SOS 4 hrs 48 mins / Beacon Hi 8 hrs / Beacon Lo 40 hrs
Bezel Diameter - 0.55 in
Overall Length - 5.05 in
Weight With Battery - 2.2 oz
Battery Type - AAA (2, included)
Controls - Constant on tail cap push-button switch
Accessories - Pocket clip, split ring for keychain attachment, spare O-ring
MSRP - $50
URL - http://www.foursevens.com
You need a light that does it all? Look no further than the Preon P2.
Maglite Mini Maglite

Make & Model - Maglite Mini Maglite AAA LED
Colorway - Blue (shown), Black, Silver Gray, Red
Lumen Output - High 84
Beam Options - High
Runtime - High 5 hrs 48 mins
Bezel Diameter - 0.75 in
Overall Length - 5 in
Weight With Battery - 1.7 oz
Battery Type - AAA (2, included)
Controls - Constant on twist head
Accessories - Pocket clip
MSRP - $17
URL - http://www.maglite.com
Serving first responders for 25 years, the Mini Maglite has been updated with an LED that produces 84 lumens of light.
Pelican 1920 LED

Make & Model - Pelican 1920 LED
Colorway - Black
Lumen Output - High 120 / Low 12
Beam Options - High / Low
Runtime - High 2 hrs 45 mins / Low 9 hrs 30 mins
Bezel Diameter - 0.69 in
Overall Length - 5.5 in
Weight With Battery - 2.2 oz
Battery Type - AAA (2, included)
Controls - Momentary and constant on tail cap push-button switch
Accessories - Pocket clip
MSRP - $36
URL - http://www.pelican.com
Boasting a runtime of over nine hours on low mode and a rated high output of 120 lumens, the 1920 LED by Pelican covers the bases in terms of longevity and brightness.
Streamlight Stylus Pro USB

Make & Model - Streamlight Stylus Pro USB
Colorway - Black
Lumen Output - High 70
Beam Options - High
Runtime - High 3 hrs 30 mins
Bezel Diameter - 0.67 in
Overall Length - 6.15 in
Weight With Battery - 2 oz
Battery Type - Internal Rechargeable Li-ion (included)
Controls - Momentary and constant on tail cap push-button switch
Accessories - Pocket clip, Holster, AC wall adapter USB charger
MSRP - $90
URL - http://www.streamlight.com
The Stylus Pro USB is a pen-sized, USB rechargeable, lithium ion battery-powered flashlight that is housed in a durable and abrasion-resistant Type II Mil-spec anodized aluminum body.
TerraLUX LightStar80

Make & Model - TerraLUX LightStar80
Colorway - Orange (shown), Titanium Gray, Red, Blue
Lumen Output - High 80
Beam Options - High
Runtime - High 5 hrs
Bezel Diameter - 0.63 in
Overall Length - 5.5 in
Weight With Battery - 2.3 oz
Battery Type - AAA (2, included)
Controls - Momentary and constant on tail cap push-button switch
Accessories - Pocket clip
MSRP - $30
URL - http://www.terraluxportable.com
The LightStar80's has a rubber "BiteGrip" at its tail end so you can put your incisors to work for hands-free operation.
UZI Tactical LED Light Defender Pen

Make & Model - UZI Tactical LED Light Defender Pen
Colorway - Gunmetal
Lumen Output - High 18
Beam Options - High
Runtime - High 7-8 hrs
Bezel Diameter - 0.55 in
Overall Length - 5.9 in
Weight With Battery - 1.5 oz
Battery Type - CR927 (2, included)
Controls - Constant on twist tail cap, twist head for pen
Accessories - Pocket clip
MSRP - $30
URL - http://www.uzi.com
The makers of the legendary submachine gun, famously used by the Israeli Defense Forces and the United States Secret Service among other agencies, offers this multi-use penlight.

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