The Official Zebralight Thread .

[aznsx]

I think that depends. S, B&D bought Craftsman to essentially try and put lipstick on an entry level product line. Their initial run of Craftman was pure Chinesium, and there was a lot of backlash.

They are now manufacturing a lot of the Craftsman products in Taiwan, instead, and it's a reasonable improvement for a mid-range brand, as Taiwan DOES do very excellent tool manufacturing at reasonable prices.

When Sears owned Craftsman, it was very much during a time when the U.S. had a robust middle class, and you could sell tools to these "enthusiast+" non-professionals. Now, you only really have markets at the cheap end and high end, and BOTH of those are wildly crowded in the tool world.

For many of us, this is why the end of Sears Craftsman was so cutting; it was the last option for truly decent tools at a reasonable price for a non-professional. Sure, the tools weren't AS GOOD as the ones from the tool truck, but if you accepted that, they were damn fine tools for their price (made by VERY competent companies). Sure, at the VERY end of their Sears ownership, you could tell standards were slipping, but for a good CENTURY, Craftsman really was a seal of quality.

Flashlights are a lot different. Sure, there's a MASSIVE market for the cheapest light possible to flood into Wal-Mart and Amazon, and there's a very high end market, but there's a fairly lively mid-tier of enthusiast lights. You're not going to have the market share of hand tools, but I think that's okay.

Brands like Peak and Malkoff still make lights in the U.S., and while they're more expensive than Chinese brands, they're not really that expensive. Titanium lights from China are often multiple times as expensive as a Peak or Malkoff. Compared to some of the "exotic" metal "enthusiast" lights from China, Surefire is downright affordable.

Flashlights aren't TOO complicated, and you can make a super high QA light in the U.S. like HDS, and it's still cheaper than a lot of the novelty collectible ones from China. Surefire has the equipment to make their own boards, and they have their own engineering teams, yet their newish EDC1-DFT sells for around $200 street price.

The U.S. is also a manufacturing POWERHOUSE. Many people don't realize the sheer skill and scale of the US knowledge base in manufacturing. I live in the Rust Belt, and we still churn out absolutely insane stuff at a very, very high level; extremely tight tolerances with individual part testing, etc. Around here, you can make good money in manufacturing, because companies pay for that skill. I was once at the shop of a household name F500 that made aerospace parts. The entire facility was cleaner than a surgery room, and the complexity of the parts they made were shocking; you'd think they were 3D printed. They only hired smart people with skill. While we have kind of a negative attitude towards manufacturing in the U.S., it's really the spear head of the STEM world; it's where the bleeding edge technology is implemented.

There's nothing stopping ZL from contracting manufacturers in one of the Aerospace corridors in the U.S. if they wanted some serious skill with aluminum. I think the difference is that some of the smaller shops (Malkoff, Peak, HDS, Convoy, Emisar) are largely small groups of people who handle the machining/assembly directly, and it sounds more like ZL handles the "specification selection;" i.e. it's more akin to a drop-shipping company than to a small manufacturer, and the final assembly is likely where they have an issue. Gene, Robyn, and Henry don't mind spending their afternoon assembling their lights by hand...

While we have kind of a negative attitude towards manufacturing in the U.S., it's really the spear head of the STEM world; it's where the bleeding edge technology is implemented.

There are some very good points here. I always tell younger folks that what is far more important than 'what you know' is 'what you can do with what your know'. Some may virtue signal about so-called 'STEM', but if one can't actually do / produce something with what they know, it is of relatively little value. B&D has little to do with flashlights, but when I read this stuff it made me wonder what happened to the Easton Md. facility (their HQ was Towson, MD) where I did work on some telecom switching equipment decades ago. It's been dead for 20 years now, with most of the jobs there having apparently been shipped to Mexico. Yeah, 'intellectual property' doesn't mean much if one can't use it to produce products. The U.S. system's talent production now includes few who actually know how to make things, and unfortunately things have been allowed to continue this decline down the 'brain drain' road to a point where, at this point, it would take decades to correct the course. Sadly, B&D is but one story, but is perhaps indicative of the process which has left this country, once a leader in global manufacturing, in practical 'third world' shambles status in the manufacturing world. I guess in a day when one can make $15+/hr. for handing out cheeseburgers, why do 'real' hard work in manufacturing?;-)

Here's the building:

Former Black & Decker building renamed

EASTON — Black & Decker hasn’t operated out of its former Easton facility at 28712 Glebe Road since 2003, but people still call the building by the company’s trademarked name.

www.myeasternshoremd.com

...and here's just a bit of background on how B&D has tried(?) to navigate through this sad reality, if you'd like to read it and weep:

Black & Decker closing Maryland plant, cutting 1,300 jobs

EASTON, Md. (AP) _ Black & Decker Corp. will close its Easton plant, eliminating 1,300 jobs and leaving the toolmaker with virtually no manufacturing presence in its home state. <br><br>Most of the Maryland

www.newson6.com

Personally, I'd rather get back to talking about flashlights. This probably belongs in the 'ptomaine kitchen' of the 'Cafe';-), but if someone's actually interested in Black and Decker, ......

 

[Schokokeks]

There are some very good points here. I always tell younger folks that what is far more important than 'what you know' is 'what you can do with what your know'. Some may virtue signal about so-called 'STEM', but if one can't actually do / produce something with what they know, it is of relatively little value. B&D has little to do with flashlights, but when I read this stuff it made me wonder what happened to the Easton Md. facility (their HQ was Towson, MD) where I did work on some telecom switching equipment decades ago. It's been dead for 20 years now, with most of the jobs there having apparently been shipped to Mexico. Yeah, 'intellectual property' doesn't mean much if one can't use it to produce products. The U.S. system's talent production now includes few who actually know how to make things, and unfortunately things have been allowed to continue this decline down the 'brain drain' road to a point where, at this point, it would take decades to correct the course. Sadly, B&D is but one story, but is perhaps indicative of the process which has left this country, once a leader in global manufacturing, in practical 'third world' shambles status in the manufacturing world. I guess in a day when one can make $15+/hr. for handing out cheeseburgers, why do 'real' hard work in manufacturing?;-)

Here's the building:

Former Black & Decker building renamed

EASTON — Black & Decker hasn’t operated out of its former Easton facility at 28712 Glebe Road since 2003, but people still call the building by the company’s trademarked name.

www.myeasternshoremd.com

...and here's just a bit of background on how B&D has tried(?) to navigate through this sad reality, if you'd like to read it and weep:

Black & Decker closing Maryland plant, cutting 1,300 jobs

EASTON, Md. (AP) _ Black & Decker Corp. will close its Easton plant, eliminating 1,300 jobs and leaving the toolmaker with virtually no manufacturing presence in its home state. <br><br>Most of the Maryland

www.newson6.com

Personally, I'd rather get back to talking about flashlights. This probably belongs in the 'ptomaine kitchen' of the 'Cafe';-), but if someone's actually interested in Black and Decker, ......

I think the current state of manufacturing in the US is very apropos this conversation.

Zebralight could tighten their QC and likely increase their overall responsiveness to their customers if their entire operation was in the U.S.

But, the first question is, would people be willing to pay for that? Costs to manufacture in the U.S aren't as big of a delta versus China as they were in the 80's and 90's...


So, more importantly, is that possible?

As you mention, a lot of the know-how disappears with those jobs. I live in an area that used to be FAMOUS for a few products, and then it all got outsourced, and the quality tanked. Those same companies now want to bring the manufacturing back, but they can't because no one knows how to run the machines, and the guys here who know how refuse to help the companies that destroyed their lives 20-30 years ago (I see arguments for both sides of that).

People often roll their eyes at the cost of Surefire, but I give them credit for running smaller operations doing some of their critical processes (e.g. making their own boards). HDS is bringing that in house because it's becoming so hard to get the quality you want externally. This all drives up costs.

The U.S. is benefiting from a consumer-driven demand for products made here. There seems to be a plurality of "I'd prefer to own less, but better products" consumers.


The future landscape might turn into a two-tier system of just cheap Chinese stuff, and then really expensive stuff. If that's the case, what's the future for Zebralight?


People mentioned the owner is getting up there in age. If you've spent ANY time in manufacturing, you know that a HUGE issue is that all the small shops that have done great work seem to just...close down once their owner hits retirement age. This is driving a LOT of the loss of institutional knowledge.


This conversation started with people musing about the future of Zebralight as a company, so I think this tangent is an important part of that conversation.

Plus, at the end of the day, these tangents pull the threads up, getting more people looking, thinking, and talking.

 

[Brokenarrow]

Recently picked up an older Sc64C
Seems to be a little weak and ugly- Needs to go visit Mr.Bob.
Any recommendation's for bright & beautiful emitter?

 

[ilikeguns40]

XHP35 HI 5000k high CRI

 

[Romanko]

Discontinued.

https://www.zebralight.com/H53c-N-Neutral-White-High-CRI-AA-Headlamp-_p_252.html

 

[ilikeguns40]

More than likely it'll come back as a H54c N

 

[this_is_nascar]

Someone please remind me which of the 1xAA ZL's ever produced are able to safely run on a 14500. Thanks in advance.

 

[ilikeguns40]

I believe the real ones were the SC52 series.

Earlier models were the SC50 and SC51

 

[this_is_nascar]

I believe the real ones were the SC52 series.

Earlier models were the SC50 and SC51

OK, thanks. I thought I had seen an individual list models that would safely use the 14500, maybe not officially supported, but able to use without any concerns of doing damage. I can't find that list, nor recall the source.

 

[Burgess]

Today I inspected my "Disaster Bag",
which contains one of my ZebraLight
H-52 headlamps.

It has been sitting (totally untouched)
in my Temperature-controlled room
for the past 6 years, without a battery.

Immediately noticed the "Rubber" (silicone ?)
mounting "sleeve" has been "sweating"
some Sticky, Gummy substance where
it comes in contact with the metal
headlamp itself ! < groan >

"Dis-assembled" it, and with LOTS of paper towels
soaked with rubbing alcohol, I finally
managed to remove MOST of that damn
sticky substance, but not entirely.

W_T_F !

BTW --
This rubber mounting sleeve is
Black, and not the Glow in the Dark
version. Wondering if that would
make a difference.

Anyone else ever encounter this ? ? ?


_

 

[jon_slider]

You may want to consider a Skilhunt headband, the light is held by a clip made of a hard plastic, not soft rubbery loops

 

[Random Dan]

I've always found zebra headbands a bit disappointing. The aforementioned skilhunt mount looks good, as do some olight and armyteks. I haven't yet bought any to see how well they fit though.

 

[gurdygurds]

When one removes one's pocket clip from one's Zebralight, one may wish to dremel down the sharp edges that have now been exposed. I've been using this guy at night for the past week and it just plain rules. I like everything about this light.

 

[Pi_is_blue]

H54Fc N for sale for $79! I already ordered one. H53Fc N in stock and reduced to $59. Comparing the specs:

Level	H54Fc N	H53Fc N
H1	238Lm ( 1.3 hr )	233Lm ( 1.0 hr )
H2	197Lm ( 1.7 hr ) 155Lm ( 2.1hrs ) 102Lm ( 3.5hrs )	201Lm ( 1.3 hr ) 164Lm ( 1.3hrs ) 112Lm ( 2.7hrs )
M1	55Lm ( 6.5hrs )	63Lm ( 5.3hrs )
M2	15Lm ( 30.6 hrs ) 8.1Lm ( 2.8 days ) 2.9Lm ( 6.8 days )	16.3Lm ( 26.4hrs ) 8.6Lm ( 2.2days ) 3Lm ( 5.6days )
L1	0.9Lm (18 days )	0.9Lm ( 15days )
L2	0.21Lm ( 1.9 month ) 0.06Lm ( 3.3 months ) 0.02Lm ( 5.2 months )	0.22Lm ( 1.6month ) 0.07Lm ( 2.8months ) 0.02Lm ( 4.4months )

 

[fwafwow]

H54Fc N for sale for $79! I already ordered one. H53Fc N in stock and reduced to $59. Comparing the specs:

Level	H54Fc N	H53Fc N
H1	238Lm ( 1.3 hr )	233Lm ( 1.0 hr )
H2	197Lm ( 1.7 hr ) 155Lm ( 2.1hrs ) 102Lm ( 3.5hrs )	201Lm ( 1.3 hr ) 164Lm ( 1.3hrs ) 112Lm ( 2.7hrs )
M1	55Lm ( 6.5hrs )	63Lm ( 5.3hrs )
M2	15Lm ( 30.6 hrs ) 8.1Lm ( 2.8 days ) 2.9Lm ( 6.8 days )	16.3Lm ( 26.4hrs ) 8.6Lm ( 2.2days ) 3Lm ( 5.6days )
L1	0.9Lm (18 days )	0.9Lm ( 15days )
L2	0.21Lm ( 1.9 month ) 0.06Lm ( 3.3 months ) 0.02Lm ( 5.2 months )	0.22Lm ( 1.6month ) 0.07Lm ( 2.8months ) 0.02Lm ( 4.4months )

Thank you. I am looking at one, or both. I have the H600c MKIV that I use currently as a headlamp. I'm thinking it can't hurt to have a backup. Am I right that the H600c vvs. H54Fc's is basically the latter have lower lumens but will take AA? And if you don't mind me asking, why did you choose the H54 over the H53?

 

[gurdygurds]

When the new SC54 came out, I ordered the previous model on discount. The cool thing is they all run AAA batteries no problem. At least the sc53 and h53 do, so I imagine new ones do as well but someone would have to confirm.

 

[Schokokeks]

Welp, for $65.99 shipped, I'm going to give Zebralight a second chance. I ordered a H53Fc.

Hopefully it works, and I don't have to deal with the return process.

Thanks for the heads up on the sale!

 

[jon_slider]

H54Fc N for sale for $79! I already ordered one. H53Fc N in stock and reduced to $59. Comparing the specs:

great info, thanks for taking the time to collect it and share

Am I right that the H600c vvs. H54Fc's is basically the latter have lower lumens but will take AA?

yes, the H53 and H54 ONLY use AA, No LiIon
the advantage of the H54 is longer runtime (about 25% longer)
the advantage of the H53 is lower price (25% lower)

 

[Pi_is_blue]

Thank you. I am looking at one, or both. I have the H600c MKIV that I use currently as a headlamp. I'm thinking it can't hurt to have a backup. Am I right that the H600c vvs. H54Fc's is basically the latter have lower lumens but will take AA? And if you don't mind me asking, why did you choose the H54 over the H53?

I have a couple H600c as well as an H53Fc. I like the H53 for camping or backpacking when I need something more compact and mostly use lower light levels around the tent. I got the H54 for the increased runtime! The H600c is definitely a much brighter, more capable all around headlamp that I use for mountain biking as well as hiking. I run a pair of them - one on the bars, one on my helmet.

 

[fwafwow]

Ugh. I was too slow on the H53