ZebraLight H502 XM-L

[Bolster]

It would become much more useful with an oval beam profile...

This is a GREAT idea. Never occurred to me before, but I can see the usefulness of it immediately. If it were me I'd probably do an oval in Illustrator, then lay it over electrical tape and cut carefully with an xacto, then transfer to the ZL. I may have to try this, looking forward to your results.

 

[Mr Floppy]

OK here you go.

Thanks. That's not a bad.

The electrical tape would be cool too. You could make all sorts of shapes

 

[AnAppleSnail]

Contact lens for your ZL? It can't be THAT hard to use a thick transparent goo to adhere a concave blob to the front window.

 

[Planz]

Zebra,
If you are reading this thread, please plan for a H52f asap and don't change the switch to be like SC52; too firm.
Keep the switch.

 

[markr6]

Zebra,If you are reading this thread, please plan for a H52f asap and don't change the switch to be like SC52; too firm.Keep the switch.

H52!!!

+ keep the H51 switch or H502 is fine

+ BLACK anodize (am I the only one?)

+ threaded bezel for optional filters (blue, red, flood, etc)

+ snap-in style headband holder (or as an option to buy) so you can take it out quickly and use as a hand lamp instead of pulling out of the silicone rings - which I never do since it's a hassle

+ battery meter (I'm sure it will have this like the 502, but dont forget!)

 

[B0wz3r]

Upon further reflection, I think the emitter housing would have to have a compound curve in it. It would have to extend forward on the top and bottom but not on the sides. That would be the best solution, I think. Might still be possible to simulate with electrical tape, but I'm thinking the constriction might have to be pretty extreme to produce the desired beam pattern. No way to know for sure without actually trying it out.

 

[eh4]

Sounds like a good excuse to play with some Sugru moldable silicon.

 

[Kyle K]

Zebralight can't even keep up with the demand for their products as it is. I'd like to see them concentrate on stepping up production before they take on new designs.

 

[Popp]

These are back ordered on ZL site, any idea when they will be available again?

 

[B0wz3r]

I should be able to make some time tonight to play around with my H502d and some tape. To begin, I'm not planning on making any kind of special mask. I think the breadth of the beam profile will be wide enough that I should be able to place a small piece of tape with its straight edge directly on the upper and lower portions of the bezel/lens and still get the desired effect. I'll let you know what my results are as soon as I can.

 

[ibu]

Anyone out there who believes that a 502w will ever be released?

 

[psychbeat]

Seems like they are waiting either for a specific tint or for the new XML2 to be available.

 

[ToyTank]

Upon further reflection, I think the emitter housing would have to have a compound curve in it. It would have to extend forward on the top and bottom but not on the sides. That would be the best solution, I think. Might still be possible to simulate with electrical tape, but I'm thinking the constriction might have to be pretty extreme to produce the desired beam pattern. No way to know for sure without actually trying it out.

how about getting one of those wallet sized fresnel lenses? If you used one as a difuser you could shape the beam. I just played with my H502 and a page size lens I have and it seems like it would work quite well and leave a smooth beam.

 

[B0wz3r]

how about getting one of those wallet sized fresnel lenses? If you used one as a difuser you could shape the beam. I just played with my H502 and a page size lens I have and it seems like it would work quite well and leave a smooth beam.

Interesting idea... I don't know much about fresnels myself, but I suppose one could be formulated to produce the desired beam pattern without having to alter the shape of the emitter housing. At least it would help limit the amount of physical variance in the housing required to produce the desire beam pattern.

 

[ToyTank]

I need to get another lens I use mine as alternate fire starter so I don't want to cut it up.

When I shine through the lens on the edges it flattens the beam on that side. I think it refracts toward the center so I'm going to try and make a "bifocal" lens from a bottom and top part of the lens to squish the top and bottom of the beam.

Amazon has what looks like the same page size lens' that I have for $5 ish.

 

[ToyTank]

I was thinking about it so I did a real quick and dirty proof of concept. It took longer to take photos, edit, upload yada yada.

This is with 2 layers of tape and a dirty scratched up old lens with a big ugly joint down the center. Normally IMO you'd want the lens turned 90 degrees for headlamp use, I have it like that for taking the picture only.

IMO with a little polish this would be a nice simple mod:shrug: It works better than the photos show- Cell phone camera

Stock

Proof of concept Zebra eye

Like I said quick, ugly I did not even cut the lens straight

Edit:This is where I cut the lens-top is top. I cut there because I wanted to squish the top and bottom of the beam down. I think it went to far though as you can see in the photo. You really should be able to customize the shape of most light beams. Fresnel lenses historically are used for lanterns and lighthouses not sure why we don't see them more in flashlights.

 

[skycamnz]

Now THAT is an interesting beam pattern!

 

[Mr Floppy]

Proof of concept Zebra eye

Fresnel lenses historically are used for lanterns and lighthouses not sure why we don't see them more in flashlights.

I love it! The Fenix BT20 bike light is using a fresnel lens not. It might start a trend

 

[Swede74]

I can't think of any real-world applications, but it comes in very handy when you need a focused beam on your bedroom closet door

 

[ToyTank]

I can't think why you'd want a focused spot on your closet any less than an eye on your kitchen wall

I know there is a zebralight mod thread but I'm almost thinking we need a H502(any floody) beam mod thread. After sleeping on it I realized several things I did wrong on POC, and I want to solicit others ideas and opinions without hi-jacking this thread.

Edit: I made a thread in the mod section