Recommendation for a new headlamp

[Phaselock]

I'm looking for a new headlamp. I have a Zebralight H501w, but I think it have too much flood and not very good for night hiking. Looks like it have happend a lot on the headlamp market since I bought my ZL.

Can Any one recommend a new headlamp that can combine both flood and spot? It must be 100% waterproof and easy to operate (no strobe or sos). Preferably with lock out function and AA or 123 powered.

The new Surefire Saint Minimus looks good, but I it really worth $139?

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Thanks!

 

[RobertM]

I have a Saint Minimus and absolutely love it! The variable knob UI is nice, simple, and great being able to select exactly the amount of light you want.
If I were to nitpick it, I sometimes wish that it had a bit more throw to it (although, it does have more throw that a ZL H30 I tried awhile back) and wish that the lowest setting could go lower. Other than those minor grips, it's been a great light and worth the money IMO. The UI is the key feature to my liking it so much.

-Robert

 

[pobox1475]

Dismissing the blinking mode lights is a mistake IMHO. In lights I too find them distracting. But it only takes a split second to bypass them and you never know when they may be a potential lifesaver. That being said one recommendation for a great light is the EOS. Not AA or 123 but with a few packs of Eneloops and decent charger would be a good package for <$100. Plenty of throw and with a ZL carried along would cover a lot of bases.

 

[Mathiashogevold]

For a good price in Norway(Lightman) you can get a 220 lumens headlamp at 6,8 centimeters, the ZebraLight H31. It got very good flood (80 degrees) And throws a bit too, with a 8 degrees hotspot. It uses as CR123 battery. I have used mine for cycling in the dark, and it really lights up my area very well.
You can also try the ZL H51, which uses one AA battery(the light is made for using AA nimh batteries, but also works well with Alkalines) who will produce 200 lumens at one AA. The H51 wil throw a bit too.

I have used my H31 for night hiking at it serves me very well, i mostly uses the mid modes around the camp.
These headlamps don't have SOS or Strobe

 

[Tuikku]

Hi!

This thread was nicely up so I´ll ask here.

I´m planning to get headlamps as presents for my brother and dad.
I was thinking about getting a LL-clone headlamp from you-know-where but I might as well get a decent ones.
I have NO headlamps myself, kinda a new territory for me.

My dad and brother do not cycle or hike, headlamps would probably be mostly used indoors and in repairing cars or other machines etc.

They are total flashlight newbs, so simple AA or AAA would maybe be a good idea comparing to Li-ions?

Any ideas should I go for example with ZL H50 120° or 80° flood or perhaps the newer H51 with some spot & flood?

OR

Would it be even better to get SC51 because it can be used either as a flashlight OR headlamp with strap?

Opinions, please:thanks:

 

[B0wz3r]

They are total flashlight newbs, so simple AA or AAA would maybe be a good idea comparing to Li-ions?

By all means then, DO NOT get them any Li-ion rechargeables unless you're CERTAIN they are willing to put the time and effort into their proper care and use. If misused, even the best ones (AW) can be dangerous.

Whatever you choose to get for them, get a 4 pack of NimH rechargeables and a charger, as they give you hundreds of recharges and are as simple to use as disposable alkalines.

Any ideas should I go for example with ZL H50 120° or 80° flood or perhaps the newer H51 with some spot & flood?

OR

Would it be even better to get SC51 because it can be used either as a flashlight OR headlamp with strap?

Opinions, please:thanks:

If you want a headlamp for yourself (or relatives) go the headlamp route. I have an SC50w+ which comes with a headband and you can use it that way in a pinch, but there is very little adjustment as to where you can point the beam, and it is difficult to do so. If you (they) are going to need hands free workability, definitely get one of the H series instead.

The H51 would be a better choice for all around use, as its beam is just like a good LED flashlight's beam; a center hot-spot that gives some decent throw and a good useable spill area too. (In fact, my SC50w+ out-throws my Quark XPG neutral white even though it has a slightly larger spill area than the Quark.)

Some users here use the earlier flood-only Zebralight headlamps like the H501, but pair them up with a handheld thrower flashlight for seeing things far away. Unless your relatives are going to be doing that, the H51 is the better choice.

If you know they will never be using the light for anything but up close work, the H501 is the better way to go.

Ultimately it depends on what the usage is going to be; the H51 is the more versatile of the two IMHO.

 

[Vesper]

I'm a big fan of the offerings from Princeton Tec. You can get some pretty nice and reliable headlamps for $50 and less.

 

[abras]

I have an old SC50w (with a strobe).
But it has not enough flood for home tasks when the light attached to my head. I consider buying a real flood headlamp. Don't know what to choose : H501 or H51 ? Are there any videos comparing both lights ?
1-st option as mentioned above is H501 for close light + thrower in hands.
The 2-nd - H51.... is it much less floody ?

 

[Tuikku]

Thanks for your reply B0wz3r!

A will definitely get an AA headlight Eneloops, they have been working so fine for me. I believe they have some sort of chargers if their own.

As I´m not precisely sure what all these will be used to, H51 would probably be the best option as it is more versatile.

Vesper: I´m going to check Princeton Tec also, thanks!

 

[zemmo]

I have a Minimus and an H51, and prefer the Zebralight for almost everything except reading. The Minimus doesn't have enough throw for my general purpose uses. The H31 would be a great light too, depending on what batteries you want to use, but the Eneloops and H51 are very well matched.

 

[Tuikku]

Is the H501 high on "flashaholics TOP10" just because it has been on market longer than H51 or is it "the first" and has the legend-status?

 

[dla]

I'm looking for a new headlamp. I have a Zebralight H501w, but I think it have too much flood and not very good for night hiking. Looks like it have happend a lot on the headlamp market since I bought my ZL.

Can Any one recommend a new headlamp that can combine both flood and spot? It must be 100% waterproof and easy to operate (no strobe or sos). Preferably with lock out function and AA or 123 powered.

The new Surefire Saint Minimus looks good, but I it really worth $139?

Are there cheaper alternatives?

Thanks!

I'm not sure about the accolades heaped on Zebralight - might be deserved or it just might be group-think.

I've got a lot of headlamps and the following is based on what gets used the most by me. I backpack, hunt, walk the dogs at night, etc. - a lot.

I've done a fair amount of hiking out of the woods at night using headlamps (the joys of bowhunting) and I like no-frills lights like the Princeton Tec EOS, StreamLight Enduro, and the new Princeton Tec Byte. The EOS ($35) dumps out more light than I need 99% of the time, the Enduro ($14) barely dumps enough. The Byte ($20) is just right. All have the right amount of spill for hiking and yet retain the "spot".

I really like the lightweight lights that eat 2xAAA's at a time and can handle lithiums (no lithium 3 packs). The Enduro design is robust. I can't say much about the Byte as I haven't used it long enough - but it has been excellent so far.

Lumen rating is kind of confusing as it doesn't really tell you how useful the light is. So other than bragging rights, can $70 for a 200lumen really do more than 70 lumens for $35? Not for hiking in my experience. Not even for keeping an eye on wolves checking out my camp.

Have fun checking out all the lights!

 

[davidt1]

Is the H501 high on "flashaholics TOP10" just because it has been on market longer than H51 or is it "the first" and has the legend-status?

It's probably because it's been on the market longer and more people own it. Give the H51 sometimes and will probably surpass the H501 in popularity. I am one of those who voted for the H501. Check out the "Zebralight Mods" thread in my signature and you will know why.

When you buy an EDC headlamp, ask yourself these questions:

1. Is it small enough to carry discreetly in my pocket or on my belt so I can have it when I need it?

2. Is it versatile enough to do more than one thing?

A Zebralight headlamp meet these requirements.

 

[Tuikku]

Thanks for the tips, davidt1! :wave:

I agree on the size. A good light is a light, that you find yourself carrying always!

 

[jrtuma]

I have had the H51 for a few months and have owned the H501 in the past. While not currently able to do a direct side by side comparison, if my memory of the H501 serves correctly, the H51 is at least as good or perhaps a bit better. The UI is intuitive, the lamp with Cree XP-G is bright enough for surprisingly nice throw into the tree tops, versatile enough on the mid setting for strolling about the campground, and on the low works as a late night tent light. Plus, it has gone through about 6 camping weekends without needing a battery change. I love it!