I have used the 500 for the past month and the hotshot in the rear. Both are awesome lights for the money. The 500 puts out more then enough light when riding without streetlight and the flash pattern makes you seen during dawn and dusk. I just returned it and ordered the 700 because I really like the expilion design and I was interested in trying out the 2in1 flash patter on the newer 600 and 700 expilions.