Les: Sorry to hear it!
Doug / Cow: I would recommend not Mickey Mousing the light situation, especially for a new diver who's not gone night diving. Get 2 quality lights, one big one small and reduce the stress produced by a potential light failure. They do die and the last thing you need if you are new to night diving is to be worried about not being able to see properly.
Just my $0.02
Bjorn
Doug / Cow: I would recommend not Mickey Mousing the light situation, especially for a new diver who's not gone night diving. Get 2 quality lights, one big one small and reduce the stress produced by a potential light failure. They do die and the last thing you need if you are new to night diving is to be worried about not being able to see properly.
Just my $0.02
Bjorn