can pivot and or rotate within the telescoping tube 611 to provide a wide range of motion fig1 also shows light emitting diodes 1203 in the lamp head which illuminate to provide light one or more other types of illuminating members could also be used for example the light emitting diodes could be replaced with or used in conjunction with halogen bulb fluorescent bulb and or incandescent bulbs any desired combination of such illuminating elements could be controlled by switch 605 to illuminate in any desired sequence without departing from the scope of the invention fig1 shows lamp head 107 connected to telescoping tube 611 from the rear of the lamp head as shown in fig1 when pivoting connector 1201 is an offset hinge offset hinge 1202 includes a member 1301 which connects at a first end to the telescoping tube 611 member 1301 can be arranged to rotate within tube 611 thereby allowing lamp head to be placed anywhere in a 360 range to direct light as desired a second end of member 1301 pivotally connects to member 1302 which is connected to lamp head 107 by pivoting second member 1302 about point 1303 light from lamp head 107 can be directed vertically as desired as shown offset hinge 1201 permits about 135 degrees of movement of lamp head 107 other arrangements which permit a wider or smaller range of motion may also be used when the portable light according to the invention is to be placed in the collapsed position lamp 107 is pulled toward the telescoping tube 611 such that member 1302 pivots about point 1303 to collapse member 1302 toward member 1301.