Questions on the Zebralight AA version

[lengendcpf]

There are posts by Zebralight that says, there will be few new variants of the H50, i.e. H501, H51. (I prefer AA to the CR123 H30.)

But for me, I think the current H50 without a reflector is what makes Zebralight stand out as an headlight.

Why I think this way is, I tried to use my flashlight to read newpaper in the dark. But it have a reflector, meaning a focus beam, making the reading quite uncomfortable. Then I think of Zebralight without the reflector, won't it be the perfect light to read papers in the dark? I may be wrong, cause I don't have the ZL.

Also, pls choose what AA ZL appeal to you. Thanks..

 

[uk_caver]

Having used my AA Zebralight a few times, what I'd prefer would be a slightly narrower field-of-view and a bit more throw, but keeping an essentially smooth beam.

That's actually perfectly possible if using a very small conical reflector, little more than a few millimetres deep.
That can give a definite boost to the on-axis light, but without any kind of hotspot, just a slow decline in brightness as you move outwards. Personally I find it gives a much better light than a total flood, both for close-up work and for walking around

 

[skyva]

I would like an AA headlight witha broad smooth coverage. I have the H30 and love it, but an AA would be great. I will wait and see what they come up with, so I guess I want a H50 without reflector.

 

[drmaxx]

Having used my AA Zebralight a few times, what I'd prefer would be a slightly narrower field-of-view and a bit more throw, but keeping an essentially smooth beam.

+1 :thumbsup:

 

[Yucca Patrol]

I'm in the minority that LOVES the super wide angle flood of the H50. When it is on my head, everything I can see in my field of vision is illuminated. I worked in the dark garage on my car for several hours last week and forgot that the lights were not on since everything I could see was always illuminated.

Easily my most favorite light at the moment.

 

[uk_caver]

For me it's not a question of flood vs. spot, but what kind of flood.

My caving lights have incorporated a flood beam for the last 3-4 years.
Initially, that was a 'naked' Luxeon, more latterly I've used Seoul P4s or Cree XR-Es. Once I'd tried using a very small conical reflector, I wouldn't have dreamed of going back to a naked LED.

In practice, even in a place fully lit by daylight, etc, even if using peripheral vision, if I want to look at anything much more than 45-50 degrees sideways, I'll turn my head rather than try looking monocularly, with the other eye just looking at the side of my nose.
Likewise, I can't look upwards much more than 45 degrees since my forehead gets in the way.
If I actually need to see where my feet are, I (like everyone else?) can't do that without looking down, and if I'm working at a bench, I'll be looking down to some degree.

To me, light much more than 45 degrees off the LED axis is basically wasted. Having it directed generally forwards rather than having it annoying other people off to the side seems to be a double benefit.

 

[RGB_LED]

While the 'super wide' spill of the H50 is unique and very cool, I don't find that is a great selling point for me in what I use the light for. On the other hand, I don't find the H30 with its more narrow beam to be any more of a selling point.

Rather, I find that the small, elegant form factor, simple design and UI along with ability to use many battery chemistries to be the strongest selling points. So, the H50 with just a clickie and / or reflector wouldn't exactly make me jump for joy. I like the H50 as it is right now.

The two selling points that I would really love are: 1. Memory mode and 2. Get rid of need to cycle from Low each time to get to desired light level.

 

[Nico87]

+1....these are thingst that would improve the UI....I think they should keep the h30's beam and might use a very hard stippeled reflector in the handhelt lamps that are to come.

 

[importculture]

I'm not particular on reflector or reflectorless wide or narrower beams. I like both the H30/50 I haven't had a problem with either beam. For me it just comes down to what I need it for. If I'm going to set it down and run it for a long period of time like I do at home instead of turning on the lights. I use the H50 with eneloops. If I need a light I can turn on one handed I use the H30 and it's nifty tap switch. So pretty much any incarnation of the AA H50 with a push switch will get me emptying my bank account.

 

[uk_caver]

Personally, on the control issue, I really appreciate having a light like the H50 that can't feasibly get turned on in a pack by accident.

I find the UI on the H50 to be fine for my needs.
From one use to the next, there's a large enough chance that I'd want a different power level to the previous time that a memory wouldn't help me. Much of the time I'd be likely to have to go through a cycle of levels to work out how I'd left the light, whereas starting on low each time means I can select a level just by giving the right number of twists.
Most times, I'd likely have another, brighter, light around if I really needed lumens, which means I wouldn't be using a H50 on full very often, so I'd likely only need one or two twists to get the level I wanted.

legendcpf,
You're right that a flood beam is great for reading with.
My old focussed incandescent-based camping light was horrible for in-tent reading, but when I made a floody headlight, it was fantastic, and much less tiring on the eyes.

 

[lowatts]

Just received my H50 Q5 today and so far I like it a lot. The flood is nice just as it is, not too wide for me. If I want a narrower beam I have my other lights. I don't seem to have any glare problems even with the light on my head without the glare shield on.

I can see where the H30, with it's stronger but narrower beam and clicky switch, might be better for some applications. But I prefer AAs as I have a bunch of AA Eneloops, and the clicky can be vulnerable to accidental activation in some cases. Also cannot be helped without making the light bigger, the head does start getting very warm after running the light on high for 15 minutes or so in a 78oF room. I don't think I'd run it continuously on high for much longer than that, but medium should be no problem.

IMO the H50 fills a niche no other light does, with its wide flood, UI, AA battery convenience, and size. It's a well designed, and apparently well made, light. The only thing I don't like, but really can't be helped without making the light a lot bigger with a diffuser lens, is the glare of the LED to someone looking in its direction.

EDIT: Regarding "Then I think of Zebralight without the reflector, won't it be the perfect light to read papers in the dark?" H50 does fine as a reading light, but a narrower and brighter beam would work even better for that application, especially if reading in an airplane where a wide flood would disturb others. I'd also prefer a very warm tint when reading, black print on white background is just more comfortable to me when illuminated with a very warm (maybe 4000K ?) tint.

 

[LED-holic]

I now own 2 H50 Q5s and I really like these lights. I will buy the H501 and H51 as well when they come out.

 

[Bernhard]

I prefer H50 with clicky switch and slightly more throw, probably like current H30, so I will basically buy the H501 once it is available.

BTW, when this H501 be available? I know Zebralight talking about June/July availability, but it ins June now and we haven't heard anything from them? Come on ZebraLight, I want my H501...

 

[AdamW]

The H501 is AA with clicky and lens (not reflector).

The H51 is AA with clicky and reflector.

I would have voted for the H501 (clicky/lens) but it was not a poll option.

 

[cat]

I'll buy them both.

I have the H50 and I'd probably have bought the H30 if it wasn't for the switch issues, although I'd prefer to standardise on AA.

I don't want any memory mode or anything that could futher compromise the reliability/robustness of the switch/UI circuit. The H30 switch/UI circuit is already not as reliable as the H50 twisty.