Cool Gadgets for Girls: Nightwalker Flashlight

Cost: $23 at herringtoncatalog.com

The gimmick: The Nightwalker flashlight features not one, not two, but three beams, allowing a clear view of what's ahead and what's at your feet--especially handy when stepping into a dark cellar.

What the experts say: Recipient of a 2008 Good Design Award, the multi-beam Nightwalker Flashlight has folks at Be Sportier saying it "blows the old single beam flashlight out of the water." Ubergizmo thinks the "high-visibility red-flashing taillight" makes this "the perfect travel tool for outdoor explorers and adventurers." Reviewers at flashlight-fanatical LEDMuseum.org love grip, calling it "comfortable to hold, and your thumb naturally falls right over the switch."

Upside: Provides 13 hours of light on only 3 AA batteries, and comes with a powerful Luxeon LED that never needs replacing.

Downside: In spite of manufacturer's claims that the Nightwalker is gasket-sealed for use in inclement weather, critics say it's not even water-resistant.