Polycarbonate is still pretty tough stuff. It will hold up well unless really abused. It can also survive impact better. If that kind of lens had to be ground and polished out of glass, this thing would cost a lot more than $50.
I wonder if they’ve thought of adding a fitted filter cap at the end of high transparency glass for those who want a stronger cover, also they could have colored filters for those who want red and yellow and blue for night.
Does this run on just 3 or 6 AA’s as well? how’s the performance on fewer batts?
design of the battery carrier.
I imagine someone, somewhere, will mod this somehow to take 3 x 26650’s sooner or later. H)
Depends how they're wired. I'll bet you it is wired 3s3p...
I’m guessing it IS wired 3s3p, since 9 AA batteries is just a strange number otherwise. Plus, their HP17 (which uses D batteries, but uses an older, less powerful 615 lumen version of the Cree XM-L) uses three D batteries. So I’m assuming that the HP550 runs on the same voltage. This would suggest that the HP550 could possibly run on, say, 3 AA batteries or 6 AA batteries (with reduced runtime, of course). I’ll have to see if I can do this when I finally get mine (I’m having a friend in Southern California buy me one, and ship it up to me).
Speaking of the HP17, this makes me wonder what Coast is going to do about THAT particular light. It would certainly be nice if they could upgrade it to the same LED as the HP550 for the added runtime, simplicity, and reliability (I’ve not had the best of luck with battery holders - another reason I like D’s). And they might have to, since the HP550 is cheaper (for the time being) and brighter. It also makes me wonder what they’re going to do about the HP21. The HP550 produces almost as much light at a fraction of the cost. They’re REALLY going to have to ‘step it up’ with that one if they hope to sell it for ~$300!
named ‘Cyclone’ heat-sinking system if that indeed is what they’re using inside the 550. Had it on high for a good 15 minutes and it barely gets warm. To dismantle that head I think is gonna be challenging though. So how many more of these am I gonna buy some of you are wondering?
Prolly five, could be seven, or even nine if I really go bonkers. I’m not sure yet. It depends on the beam quality from test-flashing a bunch again. I kinda think they prolly got security keeping close tabs on me after I went through all those boxes 2 x now. 
Try 1 and 2 batteries in each carrier (instead of 3) to see how it works - or doesn’t.
and just thought he was asking how many batts the carrier was spec’d to hold vs what it could light up. (We just got a new puppy who kept me up pretty much all nite.) 
Just tested it and it runs on 3 or 6 AA’s just dandy. H) I’m running eneloops.
As far as brightness, by a quick look in my garage it appears to be just as bright whether on 3 or 6 as to 9. But I didn’t run it long in that config to see what batt sag’s going on. I’m waiting on a luxmeter to verify this sort of stuff too btw.
whoa thats definetly a plus on my end. running on 3 cells and just as bright too….hmmm thats winner winner chicken dinner
Current draw? Can you also measure with higher/lower voltage to get an idea of regulation? Do D cells fit into the tube?
With alkalines the “1000 lumen” implies >3A, so >1A per cell.
Only competitor with AA nihms is Trustfire 3T6 4S, and 4A style, >1000 lumens lol.
All I can say is that it appeared to be just as bright. Don’t hold my crank to the fire on that, please.
I’d have ya pretty busy over the work bench with DMM’s, mods, special projects, and other money-making ventures.
I’ll be the twisted, demented, proud owner of 7 of these things. H)
I guess I’ll have to invest in another charger.
now. I feel like a sow with 50 piglets and only 8 nipples.
into a death-lasering thrower. How will I do it?
I haven’t a frickin’ clue because the challenge is getting the head assembly apart without damaging anything. This thing is robustly built, I can assure you. But I could be on the way to figuring out the clue part. H)
Then again if disassembly isn’t practical then this still remains an impressive torch. If you don’t have one yet, I would get one asap. I spoke with a Costco employee recently and this could be gone off the floor at any moment. It’s not slated to be a re-stocked item (‘To be discontinued’ per Costco putting an asterik (*) on the product sign) and when it’s gone will prolly stay gone.
So just wanted to let you guys know that if you want one you should prolly grab one now.
Maybe it have been already answered, buyt does the tail seitch have memory?
from any mode. Normally I hate these because some take a lot longer but since it cycles relatively quick I can live with it. Momentary switch too so ya can cycle real quick to your preferred mode.
It does not have memory and always starts on high.