Easy-Going Emergency Flashlight Accepts Whatever Batteries You’ve Got

After the disastrous earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last year, local companies have been working hard to create products that will be useful in an emergency. Including big corporations like Panasonic, which has created a brilliant LED flashlight that will run on almost any battery you've got on hand.

AAA, AA, C, or D-sized batteries can all be accommodated at the same time, and while the flashlight's LED bulb won't be blinding when relying on a single AAA, it will still provide ample light to get around.

To keep the Any Battery Light cheap—just $24 when it goes on sale in January—the flashlight's lacking the requisite hardware to use the different-sized batteries all at the same time. Instead, a rotating power switch lets you choose which battery you want to use. But with every battery slot filled, Panasonic claims the flashlight will run for up to 86 hours straight, making it a must-have for any emergency kit. More here.