I actually have the M500B lamp housing on order, that way I will have 500 lumen for 20 or so minutes or 250 for a hour (currently have the MN16 bulb fr 225 lumen, The thing lights up the room NO problem. The girlfriend thinks Im nuts. But I actually like having a good bit of power in the lights. I buy the surefire brand 123's in bulk so they are pretty good priced.... about $1.00 each.
The collection consist of the M500AB, a M3T, 618FA for the 870P, a U2, on order is the M500B lamp housing. Soon to purchase is a Kroma mil-spec, M6, and a LED conversion for the 618.
I also have 3 and 5 w cabelas, a few Krills, a few Mag lights in differnt configurations, TLR1s (one for the XD45c and another for the CX4 storm), and a few others I probally can not think about right now.
The 500/ M3T, can easily light up the houses down the street with the higher output bulbs, if you are in the same room it simply lights the thing up, just holding the M3t upright and turning it up illuminates the living room just fine. But I agree, I would hate to have that thing go off in the eyes. it reminds me of this picture borrowed from the motivational poster thread...