single pilot ifr trip tonight

I've read all the replies, and appreciate everyone's comments!

I did actually have another spare flashlight that I always bring along with
me... I got it from Sporty's, and it's a flex neck type with a red led in it
that you can clip onto the visor. I had it positioned at the instrument
panel, so I did actually have a backup light in addition to the spare white
I was already using. I also discovered, thanks to Ben's post, that there was
indeed a spare bulb in the base of my Maglight, so I replaced it and it's
working again. For good measure, I bought another one, plus a headband red
led / white led combo unit at Target on the way home, so now I know I'm
golden on the flashlight situation.

As for the minimum equipment, night, etc, I knew I would be able to fly this
flight both to and from SWF under VFR if I had had to. I wouldn't have tried
if I couldn't, and actually scrubbed an attempt last week when the winds
started picking up as I was getting ready to preflight. This time, the winds
were real calm, clouds were very high (at least 5000 both up and back), and
visibility, while it did drop off as I approached CDW, was still at least 6
nm the entire trip.

All of my previous single-pilot IFR trips have been in a 172SP, with
alternate static source, dual COM, dual NAV, ADF, GPS, dual-axis
Autopilot... basically the works minus a standby vacuum. I wanted to do this
trip to get back to the basics, and didn't think it was as unsafe as it
might sound. It did give me a very good appreciation for GPS though... I
wouldn't fly passengers in actual without it, and I definitely won't be
taking such an underequipped plane out at night anymore.

--
Guy Elden Jr.