Zebra H30 vs. H50 beam comparison experience?

[liquidsunshine]

Hi everyone!

Anyone here who can share their experience with the beams of the Zebralight H30-Q5 (80 degree flood) and H50-Q5 (120 degree flood)?

Both lights have advantages and disadvantages in my view, but this thread is mainly about comparing the beam patterns. If there should be a thread about this already which I have overlooked, please let me know.

I am particularly interested in:

1. How does the evenness (no hotspot) of the H30 beam compare with the H50 beam?

2. Does the H30 have a real-life advantage in not annoying other people with spill light?

3. Does the H30 have a real-life advantage in (however moderate) "throw", e.g. would it make a tangible difference if hiking along a path?

4. Does the H30 have a real-life disadvantage over the H50 for typical camp site work or reading due to the narrower beam?

After doing some research, I'm pretty much focused on the Zebralights now - unless anyone can point towards something comparably sturdy, compact, bright and multilevel.

About the H30 I personally like the functionality and one hand operation of the clickie as well as the CR123 battery. But I also like the rotary switch of the H50 which is more reliable in my view, as well as the fact that it is safe to store without coming on accidentally - which I would not be so sure of with the H30.

Main use would be camp life, map reading, tent light and all the odd stuff at home in everyday life. The light would replace my 4-LED black diamond, which has served me well over the years, but starts to show some issues with the battery cable (wouldn't want a headlight with cable again) and is also a bit behind the time regarding batteries (3xAAA) and weight / bulk.

Thankful for all input!

Cheers,

Matthias

 

[Yucca Patrol]

I only have the H50, but I can say that I don't feel like the wide flood is too wide. I particularly like that it illuminates everything in my vision so there are no dark areas in my field of view.

I experimented one day with using it as my main headlamp on a caving trip. I asked everyone in the group to tell me if they felt that the flood was annoying to them and nobody mentioned it for the rest of the day.

My H50 is perfect for around the campsite, working under cars, or in any situation where a very long distance throw is not necessary. My experiment in the cave proved that it was an acceptable light for use when crossing difficult terrain as long as you do not need it to throw a long distance.

For me, the downside of the H30 is the CR123 battery since I have made a great effort to standardize all of my gear to use the same rechargeable AA or AAA batteries. I do have CR123 lights, but they are primarily for backup and emergency use where I need to know the light will work even if it means using an expensive battery that cannot be purchased everywhere batteries are sold.

When the push-button version of the H50 comes out, I will get that too. It might be nicer to work with wearing gloves covered in cave mud, as I worry that grit and dirt will get into the twist cap of the H50 (but the o-ring does prevent that quite well.

 

[jwl]

See this thread if you haven't already.

 

[DM51]

Please see WadeF's very good review and comparison of both lights in the link given by jwl. This thread is closed now.