I don't need a flashlight with a beam visible a mile away; I need something to help me see the things right in front of my face. And I found it—a powerful micro-light, no bigger than a quarter, that performs both functions.

The first micro-light I had several years ago was a gift from a grandson, who bought it at a camping supply store. When squeezed, it emitted an eerie blue glow. Although I couldn't imagine why he thought I needed the light, I wore it on a chain around my neck as a talisman against ever being in a place where my life would depend on a signal that could be seen from afar.

A couple of weeks ago, in a store where I rarely shop, I stumbled onto a new, improved version with an unbreakable LED bulb that shines a bright, white light. I didn't know I needed one so badly!

At night, the light from my desktop computer is sufficient to see the symbols on the keyboard, but by contrast makes the sticky notes plastered around the computer frame impossible to read. Previously I would sigh, get out of my chair, and walk across the room to turn on the overhead light. Now, a quick squeeze on my new micro-light illuminates everything I want to see.

The screen on my compact netbook isn't bright enough to allow me to see the keyboard symbols. When touch-typing doesn't work, I use my thumbnail light.

On my hands and knees in front of a low cabinet, I can focus a tiny beam into the darkest corners.

The other day an air-conditioning emergency resulted in a service call. The repairman, realizing that the hallway light cast a shadow on the thermostat control window, began patting his pockets for his handy-dandy trouble light. In a flash, I had the beam of my micro-light aimed at the panel.

The first micro-lights I had (in time the first one was replaced with a red-light model) cost around $5. My recent purchase cost just under $20, operates by squeezing or pushing a switch, is run by a replaceable battery, and has a ring clip for easy attachment to a chain or a key ring.

In addition to white, several useful color variations are available: If you're a nighttime bird watcher, a red glow will not frighten birds. For hunters, the night-vision green does not scare away deer. Scorpions are not easily intimidated, but a purple light will help you spot them by causing a reflective gleam. I can't remember the last time I went looking for copperhead snakes, but, should I ever go, a blue beam would be helpful to highlight their scaly skins.

There is also an advanced version that sends an automatic Morse code SOS in case you ever find yourself in a place where the closest rescue is up to a mile away.

But for now, I need to get a thread through the eye of this sewing machine needle, and I'm reaching for my new coin-size micro-light.