From Dinodirect - Cost with Coupon was $13 [ some might thing that unlucky ]
Well its not often you can pick up a 5 mode XM-L for $13 , and this isn't one of them , dont get me wrong , I thought I was ordering the 5 mode , DD advertised the light as a 5 mode , and the 5 mode was what sold me . What did I get , the much despised [ by me ] 2 mode + strobe , I really dont like this mode arrangement , especially when it could very easily be 3 light levels [ Hi-med-lo ] , but some one in there infinite wisdom chose to lumber us with strobe .
Lets check out the performance :
High varied from about 1.65A to 1.9A depending on the battery used , and low was about 0.08A to 0.09A , again depending on the battery .
High varied from 670L to 630L depending on the battery , and there was some output sag , from 670L it would sag to about 645L in a minute or so .
Low varied from 39L to 42L , which is quite good for the current draw ...
There is no PWM that I could detect , so those sensitive to such , might be tempted by this offering .
What I didnt Like :
2 Modes + junk [ was promised 5 mode ]
Emitter is off center
Clicky switch is problematic [ If I swap in another switch it runs fine ]
What I like , thats a nice shinny reflector , might see if I can LEGO it with some other drop ins . Current is where I like it , its a P60 , it was cheap , $13 for a host and a XM-L drop in , I like it . Over all a decent light , the 504 is a nice host , shame about the clicky being troublesome .
I need to use another switch [ Solarforce Tailcap ] , and I may swap the drop in , into another 504 I have which is trouble free and came from Manafont.com and is currently XP-G R5 , I may even swap drivers if I cant live with the strobe .
Bottom line , for the price , its OK , it has issues , but they can be solved [ switch ] , and the quality does reflect upon the price some what , still for the price , parted out , its worth more than what was paid for it , so ....
504 Body ...
Well machined
Nice knurling
well finished
Tolerance on Tailcap a little generous , but when tightened , you wont notice .
O rings where they need to be
Head to body fits well
Bad clicky switch
3 Mode XM-L Drop in
No PWM
Nice reflector
Of center emitter
Nice beam
Good output for current
Direct drive [ no regulation ? ]