Ultra Fire WF-503B $12.00 at Manafont http://www.manafont.com/product_info.php/ultrafire-wf503b-flashlight-tube-no-led-emitter-p-4293
This budget P60 host was among the products offered in the Cash Back Campaign for BLF members that began 3-23-11. I ordered this 503B, yet another Ultra Fire XM-L/3-mode drop-in and a couple of Trust Fire 2400 mAh 18650 batteries. The much anticipated manila envelope arrived at work today, just nine days later. Not only is this the fastest Hong Kong Post turnaround I've had so far, the promised cash back that I qualified for was in my Paypal account within minutes. Kudos to Jim for staying on top of his thread and personally following through to make sure all of us were happy.
Bottom line: I want to start off by saying $12 is a great price for a solid performing P60 host and overall, this is a pretty good flashlight. Problem is, there are better hosts available at or near this price. The Solarforce L2 for example, cost $11.50 and has stronger knurling, smoother finished aluminum and the anodization quality is significantly better. Aesthetically, the dull finish on the 503B is not necessarily a deal killer but it has a blocky appearance when viewed from the rear. The rubber switch cover looks small and they should have found a better laynard solution or, do what Solarforce did and just forget it. Individually, these issues are not a big deal. You'll find occasional machining boo boos even on a Surefire and I've seen several Solarforce torches where the printing is not quite straight. The white lettering on this WF-503B is aligned and its thread quality is outstanding. It was a real surprise to find squared threads for the head and there are more of them than most other P60 hosts. Bottom line: This 503B has the look and feel of a cheap flashlight. Yes, this is a budget host and expectations should be adjusted accordingly but, other Chinese manufacturers have changed our perception of quality at a given price point. The Ultra Fire WF-503B is not one of those lights.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 Foys.
things I like:
arrived in great condition in record time
awesome customer service from Jim/Manafont
light performed flawlessly with no failures
square threads and lots of them (for the head)
all threads have a smooth, high quality feel
fluorescent o-ring behind the lens
things I do not like:
aluminum finish quality
anodization
knurling
power switch feels cheap
black plastic bezel ring
clumsy aesthetics
Ultra Fire WF-503B $12 with free shipping from Manafont.com
accepts 1 x 18650 or 2 x CR123 batteries - "tactical" reverse clicky tail switch (no tail stand) - 5.34 x 1.36 x 1.36/3.7 ounces (without emitter/battery)
The 503B arrived thus;
Actually, the bubble wrap was much neater than this. I put the light back into the wrap for this shot in an attempt to recreate the thrilling moment I experienced earlier today.
The general manager at Manafont expressed their gratitude for my order by including some "Crystal Mud" and this note. It doesn't look like any mud I'm used to seeing but unlike most other muds, apparently this mud keeps its color.
The aluminum is not smooth and the anodization looks almost like paint.
The hole in the tail cap is only big enough for one of those thin, black (weak, ugly) laynards like the one that came with this light.
One thing the 503B has going for it are these beautiful threads, often found only on higher priced flashlights. They are silky smooth and there's more of them than on other P60 hosts.
The tail cap threads feel nice as well. Here, we see a twisted o-ring prior to being lubed.
This is honestly not a big deal but the knurling that runs into the name plate unevenly on one side does illustrate the fit and finish issues I have with this light. Also, what is "HWASWYS?"
Inside the head.
Inside the tail cap.
The fluorescent o-ring behind the lens is kinda cool. I think I'm going to put it in my L2P.
Here's the 503B with the rest of the XM-L crew.
Thanks for watching, y'all come back now.
keepingitrealFoy
(at least the 
