Hunter needs new headlamp, thinking ZL, but can't decide...

[Websniper]

Hello all, I'm desperately in need of a new headlamp for hunting this season. The headlamp will be used to scale my treestand if there's little/no moon, when I bag one late in the day and end up field dressing in the dark (which happens more often than not), and for gearing up in the dark.

I have narrowed my preference down to one of the Zebralight models and have been doing a lot of reading, but just can't decide on which model. I'm thinking one of the FW models will be the best bet for me, as I like the better color rendition of the W tint and and that the "floody" beam should be a good compromise for up close use and a little throw should I need it to walk the trails in the dark. However, you don't see much about the C high CRI models, so I'm wondering if it's color would be that much better than W....

My other question is that of battery choice. I like the ease of access and price of the AA format (I'll probably get Eneloops and back them up with alkalines). However, how will Eneloops and alkaline AA's compare in cold weather compared to CR123's?

So, I'm basically asking, for a hunter would you guys go H31FW, H51FW, or one of the "C" models?

 

[motohooligan]

I have both the h51w and h31w. I like the convenience of AA Eneloops, but I like the size of the h31 better. I wouldn't recommend alkalines with the h51. Eneloops or lithium primaries are the way to go. You can usually find cr123s cheaper than energizer lithium AAs. I posted some pix comparing the size of 51 vs 31. I don't have the link handy, but if you look for threads I've started, you should be able to find it.

 

[B0wz3r]

The H51Fw or H51Fc would both be good choices. The high CRI model does show colors better and more accurately, but the difference between it and the H51Fw is subtle. In the main LED flashlights forum, you can do a search for the SC51c for more info. It uses exactly the same emitter and driver but in a hand held form factor. If you're going to be field dressing, then the C model would probably be better for you, although its max will not be as bright as the W model.

I'd recommend you use either Eneloops or Energizer Ultimate Lithiums (L91's). Right now, they're the best primary AA cells on the market; they have about 50% again the energy in them as an Eneloop, and they're about a third the weight of an Eneloop. They're not too expensive if you buy them on Amazon, you can find them for about $2 per cell, and if you have other devices that use AA's you'll be able to swap the cells around, which you won't be able to do with CR123's.

The small Spark lights are a good choice too. I have both an H51w and a Spark ST5-190nw, which is my favorite headlamp right now.

You probably already do this, but you should also make sure to carry a throwy, hand held light for seeing things farther away as well.

 

[Outdoorsman5]

+1 on what BOwz3r said.

I have the H51 and H51w & like em both. The floody versions will probably be better for your uses (I use mine for jogging in the dark.) I use eneloops with them mostly, and have a bunch of Energizer Ultimate Lithiums (L91's) as back up. The problem with alkaline batteries is that you lose the brightest setting when using alkalines. Alkalines cant pump out enough juice to generate the max output, but do fine with all of the lower settings on these lights.

For really cold weather you should stick with the Energizer Lithium L91 AA batteries. They're lithium batteries (just like CR123's) and these lithium primary batteries perform the best in really cold weather. Eneloops do better than alkaline, but begin to struggle the colder it gets. Also, the lithium cells are about half the weight of an eneloop - lithium AA weighs .51 oz. and an eneloop weighs .93 oz........so that's another advantage. I buy my Energizer Ultimate Lithiums (in the blue package) at Sams - 12 for $20.

 

[DIΩDΣ]

Websniper - sounds like you have already done your homework. I think either of the 31/51 - Fw/Fc would work great for you. I have a H51w and kind of wish I had the F but I can fix that with film or scotch tape etc. Between w and c well I only have the w but from what I gather for general purpose there isnt a big difference between them. If a slightly better color rendition is important to you I say try the c. For me the color of the w is quite nice and I didnt want to give up even more lumens for the c. If they had the c model with the same output then maybe. Between 31/51 I prefer AA, much more common, I already have a bunch, and I have absolutely nothing that uses cr123s. Plus for lithiums like Outdoorsman mentioned you can get the energizer ultimate lithium AAs for lighter weight or cold weather performance in the 51.

Just keep in mind you need quality AA to get full output and long runtimes, NiMH like Sanyo Eneloops. Cheaper or worn out ones will have higher internal resistance and limit how much current the batteries can discharge. It will still work, but you wont get full brightness.

 

[B0wz3r]

Websniper - sounds like you have already done your homework. I think either of the 31/51 - Fw/Fc would work great for you. I have a H51w and kind of wish I had the F but I can fix that with film or scotch tape etc. Between w and c well I only have the w but from what I gather for general purpose there isnt a big difference between them. If a slightly better color rendition is important to you I say try the c. For me the color of the w is quite nice and I didnt want to give up even more lumens for the c. If they had the c model with the same output then maybe. Between 31/51 I prefer AA, much more common, I already have a bunch, and I have absolutely nothing that uses cr123s. Plus for lithiums like Outdoorsman mentioned you can get the energizer ultimate lithium AAs for lighter weight or cold weather performance in the 51.

Just keep in mind you need quality AA to get full output and long runtimes, NiMH like Sanyo Eneloops. Cheaper or worn out ones will have higher internal resistance and limit how much current the batteries can discharge. It will still work, but you wont get full brightness.

+1 on the eneloops. You can also get some of them with a Duracell labeling... they rebrand eneloops and sell them for a comparable price. Look for the ones with a white ring around the positive terminal on the cell; That's the underlying coating of the eneloop. We typically refer to them as 'duraloops'.

 

[ryguy24000]

this is all good advise. get a single bay charger for those Eneloops/Duraloops.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maha-Powerex-MH-C9000-Wizard-One-Charger-Euro-Plug-/320750173101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aae333bad&BackToListReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fmy.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FMyEbayBeta

 

[B0wz3r]

this is all good advise. get a single bay charger for those Eneloops/Duraloops.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maha-Powerex-MH-C9000-Wizard-One-Charger-Euro-Plug-/320750173101?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aae333bad&BackToListReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fmy.ebay.com%2Fws%2FeBayISAPI.dll%3FMyEbayBeta

Just got one of these today from Thomas Distributing. Have a batch of duraloops in it now on a break-in cycle.

I'd suggest against going through Flea-bay... Hard to know if you're buying from a reputable dealer. Thomas Distributing has them for $48.95.

 

[varuscelli]

this is all good advise. get a single bay charger for those Eneloops/Duraloops.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maha-Powere...ttp://my.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MyEbayBeta

Just got one of these today from Thomas Distributing. Have a batch of duraloops in it now on a break-in cycle.

I'd suggest against going through Flea-bay... Hard to know if you're buying from a reputable dealer. Thomas Distributing has them for $48.95.

Great charger. I've been using one for a handful of years (Maha MH-C9000 charger), but yes -- purchased from Thomas Distributing in my case, too.

 

[Websniper]

Thanks for the input guys, I don't have time to reply in detail, been working 16 hour days. Be back soon...

 

[Websniper]

The H51Fw or H51Fc would both be good choices. The high CRI model does show colors better and more accurately, but the difference between it and the H51Fw is subtle. In the main LED flashlights forum, you can do a search for the SC51c for more info. It uses exactly the same emitter and driver but in a hand held form factor. If you're going to be field dressing, then the C model would probably be better for you, although its max will not be as bright as the W model.

You probably already do this, but you should also make sure to carry a throwy, hand held light for seeing things farther away as well.

I do indeed carry a handheld light for longer range stuff, though frankly, I rarely use it.

I think based on the above info, and after I do a little more research on those C models. I may do a H31C strictly for hunting, and get an H51fw for general all around use, then I have the best of both worlds! If funds don't allow, I think I may opt for the H51FW, seems like a great all around useful light, plus I see so many people who rock it, AND it give me the option of going lithium, and even though they suck, use alkalines in a pinch, or eneloops.

 

[Websniper]

Hello all,

I ended up ordering a ZL H51Fc. So far I'm pretty pleased with it, it seems to render red and browns pretty well. I'll be trying out on a trip up to the cabin next weekend.

 

[B0wz3r]

Hello all,

I ended up ordering a ZL H51Fc. So far I'm pretty pleased with it, it seems to render red and browns pretty well. I'll be trying out on a trip up to the cabin next weekend.

Sounds excellent. Let us know how it worked for you.

 

[davidt1]

I do indeed carry a handheld light for longer range stuff, though frankly, I rarely use it.

I think based on the above info, and after I do a little more research on those C models. I may do a H31C strictly for hunting, and get an H51fw for general all around use, then I have the best of both worlds! If funds don't allow, I think I may opt for the H51FW, seems like a great all around useful light, plus I see so many people who rock it, AND it give me the option of going lithium, and even though they suck, use alkalines in a pinch, or eneloops.

I rarely use my flashlights too. I don't know what your reason is. For me they become unnecessary once I have discovered hand-free lights.

Enjoy your ZL light. I hope you will find much use out of it.

 

[B0wz3r]

I do indeed carry a handheld light for longer range stuff, though frankly, I rarely use it.

I think based on the above info, and after I do a little more research on those C models. I may do a H31C strictly for hunting, and get an H51fw for general all around use, then I have the best of both worlds! If funds don't allow, I think I may opt for the H51FW, seems like a great all around useful light, plus I see so many people who rock it, AND it give me the option of going lithium, and even though they suck, use alkalines in a pinch, or eneloops.

I guess I'm a bit of an odd bird in this respect, but I don't like using a headlamp as my primary light when hiking, as it gives me too much tunnel vision. I can't see shadows on the surface of the ground and end up stumbling over small irregularities in the surface of the trail, road, whatever. A handheld light works better for me when hiking as it lets me see more depth information and plan my steps accordingly. I do use a headlamp while hiking, but mostly for doing stuff that's up close and personal, rather than seeing down the trail or off into the bush. In situations where there is little to no ambient light, I'll use it on a low setting in conjunction with a handheld, as that gives me just enough light to see around me but yet it's not so bright that it causes me to get tunnel vision.

 

[RangerHD]

I am a deer hunter and have been pleased with the H51w for walking in and out. Have not used it to blood trail yet. I have the SC600 for that purpose.