What Happened to Zebralight R&D?

[jon_slider]

lightweight and output

Lumintop FW1A is 11% lighter than Zebra SC600

what do you think of the output?

 

[KITROBASKIN]

Lumintop FW1A is 11% lighter than Zebra SC600

what do you think of the output?

SC64c LE is 38 grams. FW1A is ~57g. Difference of 19g, or FW1A is 50% heavier than SC64. Wife and I use a headstrap in order to occasionally put it on our heads when we need hands free. The difference is felt on the head; not the end of the world but the lighter weight is preferred.

The COVID 19 disruption continues in ways we may not be aware, including supply and transport warping. Wondering if this is a factor on (relatively small operation) Zebralight, including possible new models:

https://apnews.com/article/coronavi...fornia-china-9f2e0810bb4a9638d79d5898afd5b7af

 

[MX421]

From what i understand, while Zebralight designs its lights here in the United States, they are primarily made in China. I'm sure the formation of new lights requires travelling back and forth btween the two countries and the china virus kinda shut that down. That would also explain why they are out of the lights that they have already released. Before the wuhon virus, Zebralight was at the cutting edge of flashlight technology at least from my perspective. Most of their lights were high CRI and on the high end of lumen instensity for those high CRI lights. They added more flexibilty to their UI that made the light cstomizable to whatever the consumer prefers. Quite frankly, even with this lull in Zebralight models coming out, the other flashlight manufacturers still haven't caught up. My opinion of course.

 

[Derek Dean]

MX421, I agree completely, and don't forget one of the most amazing design features of their lights, the incredible efficiency of their drivers. Many other manufactures tout how their lights can offer days, and maybe even weeks, of output when run at lower levels, while Zebralights offers MONTHS of incredibly stable and extremely low level output that as far as I can tell is unmatched in the industry.

 

[xevious]

Sorry, I know this is somewhat of an old thread (at least it's not 2 years!), but I have a related question -- does anyone here know if Zebralight ownership has remained consistent since inception? This company is so small, there's not even a Wikipedia entry for it. There is a FlashlightWiki entry, but it only mentions ZL being based in Irving Texas. and it's still there: 2908 Story Rd W, Irving, TX 75038. What's weird is that this is a commercial address, while George Yao (CEO) listed this as a place of residence back in 2013 before changing to Southlake TX (LINK).

What I have learned is that while being incorporated in Texas, it's not an American owned company. It's actually a privately held, foreign company. The owner George Yao, is from China. He founded the company in 2006. The CFO is Ling Yao, and I presume George and Ling are spouses. Supposedly the Texas brick & mortar location is manned by just 3 people. I don't know if the Yaos live in the USA or China.

What's really curious is that while manufacturing initially started in the USA, it moved to China, but then moved back again to the USA sometime about 6~10 years later. And now, Zebralight is shipping only to the USA. Very odd for a Chinese owned company to do this. What I surmise is going on, is that most of the essential parts are made in China, but then shipped to the USA for final assembly. So, it's "Made in USA," but from China sourced parts. Nothing wrong with that, just aiming for clarity.

I did a little digging and there's some strangeness going on, with regard to legal filings in the state of Texas. Particularly the addition and removal of two key people. The latest:

When you look at the history, from OpenCorporates (LINK), there have been several addition and removal events regarding George and Ling. (EVENTS). You need to create a free account to view. Here's the list:

DATE(s)	EVENT
On 2009-11-02	Incorporated
Between 2009-11-02 and 2019-12-02	Addition of officer GEORGE YAO, ceo
Between 2009-11-02 and 2019-12-02	Addition of officer GEORGE YAO, director
Between 2009-11-02 and 2019-12-02	Addition of officer LING YAO, chief financial officer
Between 2009-11-02 and 2019-12-02	Addition of officer LING YAO, director
Between 2021-03-01 and 2021-04-30	Addition of officer GEORGE YAO, agent
Between 2021-03-01 and 2021-04-30	Addition of officer GEORGE YAO, ceo
Between 2021-03-01 and 2021-04-30	Addition of officer LING YAO, chief financial officer
Between 2021-03-01 and 2021-04-30	Change of status from 'Active' to 'In Existence'
Between 2021-04-30 and 2021-05-31	Removal of officer GEORGE YAO, ceo
Between 2021-04-30 and 2021-05-31	Removal of officer LING YAO, chief financial officer
Between 2021-06-01 and 2022-01-17	Addition of officer George Yao, ceo
Between 2021-06-01 and 2022-01-17	Addition of officer Ling Yao, cfo
Between 2022-01-18 and 2022-03-30	Removal of officer GEORGE YAO, ceo
Between 2022-01-18 and 2022-03-30	Removal of officer LING YAO, cfo

George was not only added as ceo, but also added as an "agent." Then two months later he's removed, then added back again just one month later, only to be removed again about 7 months later. Same for Ling, always at the same time. I wonder if this was done for a potential acquisition or merger? Or for tax purposes? Seems odd.

 

[gurdygurds]

That’s pretty funky….just like their lights…..and I love it.
George and Ling 2024!!!

 

[gurdygurds]

I’ve also read that there’s speculation that they will be merging with an alien light company and working to drop their lows even lower. Current Zebra lows are still way too bright for aliens, which makes sense cause they have huge eyes which look to be mainly pupils.

 

[xevious]

^ I'm curious, did you ever meet the Hurdy Gurdy man? 😄

 

[alpg88]

Do not fix what ain't broken.

 

[gurdygurds]

^ I'm curious, did you ever meet the Hurdy Gurdy man? 😄

I had to google Hurdy Gurdy Man.

 

[gurdygurds]

Do not fix what ain't broken.

Do not fix what ain't broken.

Agreed. I’m not looking for much change from Zebralight. Aside from the alien super lows, the only thing I’d like to see are these funky tailcap patterns show up more often or even randomly. It’d be like opening a box of Cracker Jacks. Maybe make some that look like crop circles to keep the alien vibe.

 

[AstroTurf]

I’ve also read that there’s speculation that they will be merging with an alien light company and working to drop their lows even lower. Current Zebra lows are still way too bright for aliens, which makes sense cause they have huge eyes which look to be mainly pupils.

i use my zl to fight off aliens!!!

LOLz

 

[defloyd77]

Do not fix what ain't broken.

There's still some room for tweaks though. I'm sure a lot of people would be all over Zebras with a 519A rather than a LH351D.

 

[alpg88]

There's still some room for tweaks though. I'm sure a lot of people would be all over Zebras with a 519A rather than a LH351D.

Then they'll lose Lumens war with competition. Normal people will not care what led is in there. numbers sell.
same as with generators, people most likely will buy a 3500W generator vs 2500W, for the same price, same brand, they won't care if 2500W model has more efficient inverter, or runs 2 db lower.

 

[desert.snake]

I see flashlights on their website with the new XHP50.3 HI, so the progress doesn't stop.

 

[defloyd77]

Then they'll lose Lumens war with competition. Normal people will not care what led is in there. numbers sell.
same as with generators, people most likely will buy a 3500W generator vs 2500W, for the same price, same brand, they won't care if 2500W model has more efficient inverter, or runs 2 db lower.

Normal people aren't buying Zebralights, let alone the high CRI version. People who are buying a high CRI Zebralight more than likely know what they're buying.

 

[alpg88]

Normal people aren't buying Zebralights, let alone the high CRI version. People who are buying a high CRI Zebralight more than likely know what they're buying.

Of course they do, i've seen plumbers and electricians use ZL, as well as few people i went camping with.

 

[xevious]

I see flashlights on their website with the new XHP50.3 HI, so the progress doesn't stop.

NICE! I just saw that. The XHP50.3 is very recent. That's not a usual Zebralight move. I hope this means they'll be looking into 519A.

 

[alpg88]

I have to try 519, want to see what is the fuss is all about, i have a KR4 with 219 4500k, to my eye, there isn't really much if any difference compared to my neutral ZLs. when i shine them on a wall i can see a slight difference in tints, but during regular use, i can't say i see any difference.
Zl is available with samsung 4000k 90+ cri. looking at nichia 519 datasheet, highest cri available is 93. i do not see them using 519, they already got high cri demand covered with samsung.

 

[defloyd77]

I have to try 519, want to see what is the fuss is all about, i have a KR4 with 219 4500k, to my eye, there isn't really much if any difference compared to my neutral ZLs. when i shine them on a wall i can see a slight difference in tints, but during regular use, i can't say i see any difference.
Zl is available with samsung 4000k 90+ cri. looking at nichia 519 datasheet, highest cri available is 93. i do not see them using 519, they already got high cri demand covered with samsung.

You aren't going to see the difference on a white wall.

The big difference other than tint between the Samsung and the 219A and 519A (their R9080 variant) is the R9 value, which is your vibrant reds. That R9 is the difference between certain things, like us humans, look more life like. If you have ever used a light to examine skin, eyes, throat, etc., that R9 makes a world of difference. Outside it makes a difference if you find yourself making sure you don't step in dog crap or searching for animals (cats often in my case) hiding in bushes, under trees, etc. I'd imagine it would make snakes easier to spot, but I don't have first hand experience with that.