I tested the Coast PM500R, a rechargeable utility light with a focusing beam and a strong magnetic base. I know that Coast has a model number for this utility light, but everyone that’s played with it calls it the Minion. One look is all you’ll need.
The Coast PM500R is dome shaped light with a turret for the light output part. It is made of their already proven polymer material, which is light and durable. The turret allows the bezel to swing a full 180 degrees. There is a ratcheting mechanism that keeps the turret where it is adjusted. Using it as a work light, all one must do is set it on something and rotate the light to the work area. It has a high beam and a low beam, which are accessed by a single press of the switch.
Using the powerpack, the approximate output on high beam is 700 lumens.
The PM 500R has the most user-friendly power options in the business. The flat powerpack can be charged outside of the unit, using a standard mini USB plug. It can be charged inside of the unit, using a DC 5V plug. It can take alkaline and rechargeable AA cells. All of the power cords, including the DC 5 V, mini USB, and 12 V car charging plugs are included with the product. Coast deliberately created a piece of equipment that will keep the user in business in a variety of situations. This is definitely a “prepper friendly” product.
For Law Enforcement, the PM500R is a versatile utility light. It has rubber feet that keep it stable on most surfaces. It makes a good work light for developing prints, gathering evidence, and accident reconstruction at night. The beam focuses from a floodlight to a spotlight by rotating the bezel. This is a one-handed thing and it takes less than a 90 degree turn to cover the whole range of focus.
Although this is a worklight, there is one tactical application for this light that would make it quite handy. The magnets on the bottom are strong enough to hold the light on a car hood during a windstorm. If I was alone on a traffic stop, I would thump the thing on the passenger side of my car and focus the beam at the driver after my initial contact, thus giving the impression that someone was there holding a flashlight.
Obviously, tasks like changing a tire and providing general lighting for an incident are perfect jobs for the PM500R. The output is somewhat blue/white and it renders a pretty good color spectrum. The case is weatherproof and my tests demonstrated its durability. After I did the usual drop tests on the unit, I put it to work as a photography light, leaving it on for hours and running the focus in and out. The PM500R is a flexible task light.
Coast uses a focused lens, rather than a polished reflector, to shape the beam. It does a good job keeping the lighting concentric and the output efficient. This efficiency may be what keeps this light cool when pushing out light. The beam does cast well defined shadows, but the usable light goes all the way to the edge of the spillbeam.
The PM500R slightly brighter than most handheld lights, and throws a beam that easily exceeds 150 yards, when adjusted to a spot. Coast managed to design a unit that doesn’t get too hot to the touch. Runtime on high exceeds 2 hours with the LiPo powerpack.
I guess it would be handy on a DUI checkpoint also, or as a crime scene crowd control tool.
I can’t think of any design improvement for the PM500R, except making a yellow version. I do recommend, however, a larger version with a lantern attachment for larger crime scenes.
The PM500R is a simple but very usable design. It would be at home in almost any patrol car toolbox.
