[MSilvia]

Long story short, you get MUCH more light out of a good can light than you would out of almost any handheld. That light can also be focused into a tight beam that can be used to stay in contact with buddies even when the sun is shining brightly.

Just in terms of intensity though, comparing a typical hand-held light in the <$200 range to a HID can light in the >$900 range is like comparing an oil lamp to a car headlight.