I love my LD22, but it isn’t enough wow factor to justify her spending the money to move from her old led 2AA maglite for something that she rarely uses, this needs to be more than perfectly adequate and
To maintain credibility, I have to get wow factor in the light, something I didn’t know though, was that the LD22 now has 300 lumens on burst, that is sweeeeet.
Oh, well, if wow factor is a player then you just simply MUST get her a Mokume 18350 Sinner. Or at the very least a Cypreus.
The female mention is widely understood, they generally don’t like complexity in things, from stereos to flashlights, but your take on colors also has a place, when generalizing about females.
ah yes!
well I stand with my idea of the RED S2+
but take it with 3 mode only option, to complete the package 
So, red huh? Like this…
5 modes, ~2000 lumens
Or maybe something a little more colorful?
Or my best recommendation, a copper X5 (or the more readily available Astrolux SC)
I keep reaching for my Olight s30 every time I have to make a choice of what light to use
Uncoated A6? Seems a little more interesting to look at than black and output will have the wow factor. Or one of the coloured S2+ with A6 driver?
Does gender really matter? You know someone who needs a good light. Admirable you are willing to help. Emphasizing the fact that the individual is female suggests an ulterior motive.
No it doesn’t, who convinced you that men and women are exactly the same?
Don’t try to force us not to use common language and rational conversational short cuts.
OP, you have shown her a couple of lights already?
Have you checked out the updated Fenix E25 UE? (XP-L V5)
2 - AA or 2 - 14500.
1000 lumens Turbo mode with 14500s (then 350 lumens). Manuf claimed output.
350 lumens on High with 2 - AA (no Turbo).
5 levels + SOS. Strobe mode is directly accessible via second side button (even from OFF).
Memory. Nice neutral tint.
Comes with holster (with top flap). Might fit Maglite’s holster? Combo runs about $50.
Caveats: Side button(s). Holster has Flap. Memory. The biggie: press and hold the main side button for OFF.
I do like the light. Still prefer my (updated) PD 35 TACs tho.
But CR123s might be problematic for your friend? AAs are so darn ubiquitous.
Good luck,
J&H
ps. My own go-to light for general use is the Zebra SC600 MkIII. Click for instant High (Turbo), or Hold to change levels (starts out on Low from Off). No Mem.
Tiny for a 18650 light (but crazy output). Side button is recessed, but easy to find (for a side button).
My favorite Tactical light (to keep by the front door) is the Thorfire JM07 (1 - 26650) but that’s a whole ’nuther discussion. 
well the olight s15 (or s15r) is what i have gifted to non lion type people. they used to be available under $30, but only seem available for >= $39 now.
the olight s15 works with either 1xAA or 1x14500 and is great for EDC. also great UI for novices.
For a flashlight muggle - I’d rather think about something with built-in charing. Manker U11 would be perfect in my opinion. Maye Eagle Eye X6R / X5R….or nitecore MH20. It’s simple to use, no need to deal with extra charger.
You say in the OP she likes your Fenix PD35…… why not just get her a PD35 or PD35 TAC?? They are both great lights. [Personally I like the TAC a bit better.]
Either one has better output choices than the Nitecore P12’s or ThruNite TN12. [And I have both, being a fan of Nitecore & to a lesser degree ThruNite; but seldom use them anymore. The PD35 just blows them both out of the water as far as I am concerned.]
If she has enough sense to use and care for the Li-Ion’s she’ll be good to go. And that is not rocket science ’if’ one is just careful and pays attention to what they are doing.
If not, taking a look at the Nitecore EA45S would be advised. A fantastic light & small!! Operates on 4 AA’s and great mode choices. It is a no brainer to use Eneloops also. This has become one of my most favorite lights.
Below are the Output Modes: Lumens/Runtimes for each light I mentioned. For my money the gap is just to big in the P12’s & marginal in the TN12.
Fenix PD35
Turbo: 960 Lumens / 1 hour 10 min.
High: 460 Lumens / 3 hours 15 min.
Mid: 180 Lumens / 10 hours
Low: 50 Lumens / 38 hours
Economy: 14 Lumens / 150 hours
Fenix PD35 TAC
Tac-Turbo: 1000 lumens / 1hr 10min
High: 500 Lumens / 2hrs 55min
Medium: 200 Lumens / 8hrs 30min
Low: 60 Lumens / 29hrs 15min
Eco: 8 Lumens / 140hrs
——————————————————-
NiteCore P12 TAC
High: 1000 Lumens / 1hr 15min
Med: 240 Lumens / 6hr
Low: 70 Lumens / 28hr
Moonlight: 1 Lumens / 520hr
NiteCore P12GT
High: 1000 lumens / 1hr
Med: 280 lumens / 5hrs 15min
Low: 55 lumens / 28hrs
Lower: 1 lumens / 520hrs
NiteCore P12 2015 Edition
High: 1000 lumens / 1.25hr
Mid: 210 lumens / 6hrs
Low: 50 lumens / 28hrs
Firefly: 1 lumens / 520hrs
—————————————————————
ThruNite TN12(2016) Neutral White
-Turbo: 1050lm / 95min
-High: 370lm / 4.2hrs
-Medium: 145lm / 11.8hrs
-Low: 11lm / 5.5days
-Firefly: 0.4lm / 74days
ThruNite TN12(2016) Cool White
-Turbo: 1050lm / 95min
-High: 370lm / 4.2hrs
-Medium: 145lm / 11.8hrs
-Low: 11lm / 5.5days
-Firefly: 0.4lm / 74days
—————————————————————-
NiteCore EA45S
Turbo: 1000 lumens / 45min
High: 430 lumens / 2hrs 45min
Med: 210 lumens / 7hrs
Low: 45 lumens / 35hrs
Ultralow: 1 lumens / 416hrs
Or, if cost is an issue; maybe try one of these…… Convoy S2+ Flashlight
http://www.mtnelectronics.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=80&product_id=474
I have recently read a bunch of good stuff about them and the price is sure right.
I do not have one but I’m gonna order a couple first of the week, give one to a friend and check them out.
Since this light should be an all round light that she can use on her tours, and at the home, I decided that the E25 is also a great prepper light for her, with it’s range of batteries, and that she should have a VC4 so that she can use her car to recharge batteries in a sustained blackout.
We sat down at her computer and I got her to order the E25 UE and a holster because it doesn’t list that it comes with one, and two of their 14500 protected batteries, and an E05 for her key chain, all from the Fenix-Store, I also sold her my almost new VC4 charger because there is no way that I could get her to buy one online, and I sold her my 2 Sanyo UR18650FM 18650 2600mAh Protected, barely used (same reason), and my Small Sun ZY-T08 so that she would have a spotlight, she and I both were surprised at the Small Sun and it’s reach among the downtown high rises, where she lives.
Although she didn’t know what they were, she showed me 2AAA and 2AA eneloops and the basic charger they sometimes come with that someone must have left there during a visit, or something, I explained the VC4 to her, and will help her get more Eneloops.
You can try Fenix TK35 Review 2000 Lumen CREE flashlight XHP LED Tactical Flashlight 4 X EdisonBright CR123A Lithium batteries, Holster & Lanyard bundle. But, always love Fenix PD35 TAC with 18650 batteries.
+1. She would have the option to use the shorty tube, and have insane lumens on tap in an EDC. You could also mention that the firmware was written by a female.