ZebraLight H502 XM-L

[Bolster]

I hope to not regret it ...anyone can tell me how far 502 thrrows outdoors?

I really don't understand "how far does it throw?" as a follow-up question after buying a full flood. With no reflector, it doesn't throw. How far the flood will reach depends on how constricted your pupil is. If you want throw you definitely bought the wrong light.

[YoSeKi]

...anyone can tell me how far 502 thrrows outdoors , I need around 15 meters...

I really don't understand "how far does it throw?" as a follow-up question after buying a full flood. With no reflector, it doesn't throw.

He just wanted to know if it would throw 15 meters. 15 meters isn't very far. It's less than 50 feet.

I don't have a H502 and I don't know how far it throws. But it seems like a fair question to me.

I wonder what actual H502 owners think.

[Bolster]

Then we are using different definitions of what "throw" is. Most people refer to "throw" as how the reflector (or magnifying optics) manipulate the light to go a good deal beyond what the bare emitter does on its own.

There seems to be a lot of speculation about what use the H502 is best suited for from people who don't own one yet.

I wonder what actual H502 owners think.

I am an owner... paid ... just don't have possession yet! But I think this thread is open to anyone who wants to participate in the discussion. Don't need to have it in my hands to tell you that the H502 is not a thrower.

[YoSeKi]

Then we are using different definitions of what "throw" is.

It seems like it. I'm using the dictionary definition: to project, to cast. I also took into account the specific distance that ulfheonar included in his question: 15m.

Forget for a second that he used the word "thrrows". His question was whether the H502 could project or cast light 15m. 15m isn't that far. It's barely 50 feet. Aside maybe from his questionable word choice and misspelling, it sounds like a fair question to me.

I am an owner... paid ... just don't have possession yet!

I should have asked what possessors of the H502 think.

Don't need to have it in my hands to tell you that the H502 is not a thrower.

But having it or something similar would certainly help in answering whether it can reach 50 feet.

I read your Spark SD52 review and its output and beam seem like they would be similar to the H502. Can the SD52 reach 50 feet?

[Jacklight]

I have an H502 and I would say it casts 15 feet. In my small backyard it will light up to the fence 50 feet away, and you could make out if there is rabbit back there but it would be a long stretch to say it throws 50 feet. It is an amazing little light, can't wait for my H502D to get here!

[srfreddy]

Well... ANSI standards calculate throw as when the center of the beam reaches intensity comparable to the full moon, so by that, the h502 would throw more than 50 feet.

[Helmut.G]

Well... ANSI standards calculate throw as when the center of the beam reaches intensity comparable to the full moon, so by that, the h502 would throw more than 50 feet.

Based on what data? did anybody measure the intensity?

[R11]

LOL, too many flashlight nerds on this thread ;-). It seems he just wants to know if he'd be able to "see" 15 meters with it. I will say no. It will cast a bit of light 50', but I would say that that the maximum distance to actually be able to see things with any degree of definition and detail (on high) would probably be closer to around 10 meters at most. But that's really pretty darn decent for a little flood lamp though...


ron

[Jacklight]

+1 to R11
I am going to guess that it is brighter than the full moon at 50 ft but not a lot, maybe . I would also say that the full moon is a pretty poor light to see a trail clearly ahead at 50 feet. That just might be my tired old eyes, YMMV. So I'll stick with it casts a light 15 feet. My only complaint with the one I got is the blue tint, which is why I am giving it to my brother and I am getting the 502D. I'll admit to liking the HCRI much better than the cool white, I know I will never buy another cool white anything, period. It's probably a fluke, but did anybody else get a blue tint?

[R11]

My only complaint with the one I got is the blue tint, which is why I am giving it to my brother and I am getting the 502D. I'll admit to liking the HCRI much better than the cool white, I know I will never buy another cool white anything, period. It's probably a fluke, but did anybody else get a blue tint?

The color temp of the straight 502 is fine for me. I was a little concerned it might be too blue until I actually got it but then felt fine after I saw how it looked. When it comes to things like photos/cameras and TVs I'm totally anal about accurate colors. But with flashlights it's far less of a concern though. As long as colors are not significantly altered and still look like themselves (albeit with a bit of blue tint), I'm ok. I actually prefer the cool tint to a warm tint like the W or C versions will provide. The D unit was very intriguing as I think from a color perspective it would have probably been ideal, but runtime trumped out for me. It was a close decision though.


ron

[ulfheonar]

if I can see in a trail up to 25 feet it would be very reasonable for such a small light , anyone knows how far I can see clearly with D model M1 - 40 lumen , because it is the one I would use the most , H2 110 Lm (1.9 hrs) / 72 Lm (3.3 hrs) / 4Hz Strobe, does 72 lumen is normal light or strobe its not clear ,

[Helmut.G]

I'll go out presently and test how far I can see with a ~40 lumens no reflector XM-L - stand by.

[Esko]

if I can see in a trail up to 25 feet it would be very reasonable for such a small light , anyone knows how far I can see clearly with D model M1 - 40 lumen , because it is the one I would use the most , H2 110 Lm (1.9 hrs) / 72 Lm (3.3 hrs) / 4Hz Strobe, does 72 lumen is normal light or strobe its not clear ,

I saw your first question before anyone had answered, but didn't want to answer, since I don't have the light yet.

However, to some degree, I agree with Bolster. This is a full flood light, and the properties of such lights have been discussed in this thread many times. If you ask about throw, that pretty much tells already, that you are looking at a wrong light. The light illuminates almost everything you see, and the center is only very slightly brighter than the periphery.

It might illuminate objects at 15 meters. However, at the same time the land 5 meters from you will be ~10 times brighter. Leaves and branches (and possibly the land, too) at 2 meters from you will be tens of times brighter, also in the periphery of your vision. If you want to see the trail clearly, you should consider the different H51F (or H51) models instead. The difference will be significant.

[Helmut.G]

It might illuminate objects at 15 meters. However, at the same time the land 5 meters from you will be ~10 times brighter. Leaves and branches (and possibly the land, too) at 2 meters from you will be tens of times brighter, also in the periphery of your vision. If you want to see the trail clearly, you should consider the different H51F (or H51) models instead. The difference will be significant.

Esko is right with the bright ground directly in front of you, however the effect is less strong than I expected with a light placed on your head (or at the same height).

Seeing to 10 meters with 40 lumens just about works but will be tiring if you do it for a long time (except when you are looking at bright objects, they are very easy to see). Using a reflector you can see 30-60 meters (depending on the size) with the same 40 lumens.

[pobox1475]

Is there a big difference in tint between C and D versions?

My last ZL was a H30w Headlamp CR123 Neutral White and I'm looking for more
output this time.

[Diablo_331]

Is there a big difference in tint between C and D versions?

My last ZL was a H30w Headlamp CR123 Neutral White and I'm looking for more
output this time.

The "d" will be more of what many consider a "true neutral" while the "c" will be a very similar tint to your H30w. The "more output" part of your question may or may not be a little more tricky to answer. A hotspot will not be present, so to say, with a pure flood headlamp. The H30w will have an intense hotspot which to many non-informed folks may see as being more bright even though the flood light may be pumping out more lumens. I guess a good way to put it is that a reflectored light will be more impressive to a non-flashaholic because it has more lux, which is what many folks perceive as being "more bright". I hope that made sense. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong as I am far from an expert on the subject.

[davidt1]

I got mine too and am in LOVE! I agree with all these excellent observations, lampe, and would add that I like it so much it is the first light to truly replace my H501! The low low is amazing too, and I have actually used it for reading in a pitch dark room--it was perfect for that for me. When you wear it around at night the feeling is even more intense than with the H501 that you can just SEE in the dark! It's like you have night vision! I wear glasses--thick ones!--and it has NOT been an issue for me with the 120 degree beam. I like it better than the H501 in every way and that is saying something for me!!

I also agree with #5... what to get next. We need our experts here to help us! Selfbuilt! HKJ! Kaichu Dento! We need a consult!

That's it. I am buying this light. A positive impression from a veteran such as yourself is always reassuring.

[Diablo_331]

That's it. I am buying this light. A positive impression from a veteran such as yourself is always reassuring.

I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the light davidt1! Please let us know what you think and, more importantly, what accessories you dream up for it.

[RedForest UK]

I think I am waiting for the warm version. This has been the light to look forward to for months now.

I would be interested to see pictures of the LED assembly on one of the rebel versions, and what the smaller LED (with rectangular ceramic base) looks like in place of the larger and square XM-L. I'm not a fan of the larger lense but if it works well it is ok with me.

[applevision]

That's it. I am buying this light. A positive impression from a veteran such as yourself is always reassuring.

Whoo hoo! Thanks, davidt1! I'm using this light daily and continue to love it!

I cannot wait to hear your thoughts on the light davidt1! Please let us know what you think and, more importantly, what accessories you dream up for it.

+1!

[Mr Floppy]

I have been putting my H502 on the front handlebars for commuting, using a TwoFish block, but the right-angle kind instead of the parallel kind that Varuscelli is using.

This way the block clamps directly onto the bar, as his does, but the battery-tube of the light just hangs vertically below the bar, with only the head of the light above the rubber block.

I think this configuration would work with even a very curvy handlebar.

I had thought about having it this way but was not so sure about the bit that hangs below the light. With the H502, I don't think that would be a problem but the H51 might .. well I guess at most it'll only be 4 cm or less looking at the picture again. I think that solves my issue actually, full X-Y axis movement. Hmm, I was saving the right-angled twofish for the rear.

Speaking of rear lights, is there any word on a H502r? No red XM-L that I can see yet ..

[nakahoshi]

Order Placed from ZL HQ. Cool White for me. Ill post my impressions when it arrives.

Cant wait!

-Bobby

[Outdoorsman5]

No news on the h502w?

I asked Zebralight when they thought the H502w would be released, and got this response last night:

"Don't know the dates yet. We are still waiting for the 'w' LEDs with the tint we like.

Sincerely,

Lillian Xu
ZebraLight, Inc.
8320 Sterling Street
Irving, TX 75063"

[MichaelW]

Is there a big difference in tint between C and D versions?

Yes, the D is cool-white, where the C is neutral-white.
3000K = warm, 4000K = neutral, 5000K = cool.

[RedForest UK]

I would say 5000k is still neutral, just leaning more towards cool than a 4000k, which leans itself more towards warm. 5600k+ is what I would class as 'cool'.

[Bolster]

I thought that 4800 (direct sunlight) was the dividing line between cool and warm...no?

[Esko]

Esko is right with the bright ground directly in front of you, however the effect is less strong than I expected with a light placed on your head (or at the same height).

True... Also, there is the human perception thing... 100 lumens light doesn't look like 10 times brighter than a 10 lumens light. It looks like it is just a few times brighter.

5K is pretty much the CCT I have been wanting to get. So far, my only outdoor white light ("real neutral") has been a Shiningbeam S-mini with XP-G E3...

The "d" will be more of what many consider a "true neutral" while the "c" will be a very similar tint to your H30w.

Yes, the D is cool-white, where the C is neutral-white.
3000K = warm, 4000K = neutral, 5000K = cool.

I would say 5000k is still neutral, just leaning more towards cool than a 4000k, which leans itself more towards warm. 5600k+ is what I would class as 'cool'.

I thought that 4800 (direct sunlight) was the dividing line between cool and warm...no?

And I have considered "neutral" as light in which white looks white. Not yellow or blue. That is why it was a bit difficult first to accept "led neutrals" (most often around 4000K) as neutral lights. But that is how it usually goes. ~5000K has often been called outdoor white in order to separate it from cool whites and 4000K+ neutral whites.

Also, I believe you mean direct sunlight at noon... I thought it was somewhere around 5500K. Some variation doesn't surprise me though, The CCT varies so much (in indirect sunlight even more).

[varuscelli]

I have been putting my H502 on the front handlebars for commuting, using a TwoFish block, but the right-angle kind instead of the parallel kind that Varuscelli is using.

This way the block clamps directly onto the bar, as his does, but the battery-tube of the light just hangs vertically below the bar, with only the head of the light above the rubber block.

I think this configuration would work with even a very curvy handlebar.

You're right! The block you're talking about is the TwoFish Lockblock (as opposed to a TwoFish Bikeblock). The lockblock would allow the lamp to be held vertically on the handlebar. To offset the curve of the handlebar (if using a lockblock), all you'd need to do is rotate the lamp a bit left or right in the block (holder).

Here's a shot of an H600 in a TwoFish Lockblock.




And again (for easy comparison) an H600 in a DealExtreme Universal Mount (which is almost the same design as a TwoFish Bikeblock and is oriented the same way as a bikeblock).

[Bolster]

Also, I believe you mean direct sunlight at noon... I thought it was somewhere around 5500K. Some variation doesn't surprise me though, The CCT varies so much (in indirect sunlight even more).

I don't know if this chart is helpful or not...it's calling 5500 "Day White." Whatever that means. I guess that's your "Outdoor White."

At this link there's an attempt to show LEDs with the various colors...

[R11]

However, to some degree, I agree with Bolster. This is a full flood light, and the properties of such lights have been discussed in this thread many times. If you ask about throw, that pretty much tells already, that you are looking at a wrong light. The light illuminates almost everything you see, and the center is only very slightly brighter than the periphery.

It might illuminate objects at 15 meters. However, at the same time the land 5 meters from you will be ~10 times brighter. Leaves and branches (and possibly the land, too) at 2 meters from you will be tens of times brighter, also in the periphery of your vision. If you want to see the trail clearly, you should consider the different H51F (or H51) models instead. The difference will be significant.

But that depends on one's particular situation and point of view. Understanding that this is a flashlight forum and therefore the mindset of most of the posters is probably a bit different from the person who doesn't generally carry a light around with them in their pocket at all times, or have a "stable" of lights to pick the best tool for the specific job. Sometimes a person might simply be looking for a nice, small, all around light to use for multiple purposes to which a flood type light (that can be worn as a headlamp if desired) makes a lot of sense. Then that person will likely also be interested to know how far it will illuminate enough to see into the distance for those uses as well...


ron