Zebralight H503w, H503c owners - green ring around beam?

[NuisanceValue]

https://flic.kr/p/2gZYAmz

The H502d is a bit dimmer - also a smaller LED footprint which might make a difference.

Playing around with the H503c again really makes me wish it didn't have that awful green ring. The centre of the beam is so nice - 4000k and high CRI mean it's otherwise perfect for hobby/DIY type stuff. Oh well - maybe in another couple of years the H504c will sort it all out...

 

[tcglog]

I have tried to post a reply for several days but CPF issues haven't allowed me..


Thanks alot! There seems to be quite a big difference, maybe the H503c is ~0.05lm, kinda disappointing. Looks like a next generation Zebralight goes 2 steps forward in some aspects and 2 steps backward in other aspects. Why can't they just combine the best aspects... Like combine the artifact-free beam and lowest moonlight with a programmable UI and higher CRI. And ditch the GITD-reflector crap that glows for 2 minutes and is useless after that even possibly causing edge artifacts..


Yes Stefano I am coming to the same conclusion, although it would be nice to have the option if you want it.

 

[tcglog]

P.S. Damn that H502d looks clean. The H503w edge seems closer to the H503c although more yellow and slightly milder.

 

[Stefano]

P.S. Damn that H502d looks clean. The H503w edge seems closer to the H503c although more yellow and slightly milder.

But this problem is only evident if you look for a defect on a white wall or can you see this even walking in the house? (or walking outside)
If the problem is not serious I think you can use this H503w - even if in the future you buy an H604c this small H503w can always be useful (AA batteries are comfortable in case of SHTF)

 

[tcglog]

But this problem is only evident if you look for a defect on a white wall or can you see this even walking in the house? (or walking outside)
If the problem is not serious I think you can use this H503w - even if in the future you buy an H604c this small H503w can always be useful (AA batteries are comfortable in case of SHTF)

Walking around the house I don't notice the discoloration edge, and even less outdoors. BUT when I do close-up work at the table, eg. repairing a toy, and my eyeballs look down at some detail (downgaze), there i see that ugly colored edge right in my vision. And I set the direction of the light pointing so down that any more would cause the light to hit the top of my eyeglasses and nosetip, but I still see the edge when my eyes look down at an object that is close. It's a bit disturbing. The light being too cool for me combined with the beam edge when looking down got me thinking whether I should return it.

 

[NuisanceValue]

Tcglog, if that yellow ring bothers you now, it always will. You have exactly the same issue as me with using it for close up work. I suggest you send it back and either try the H502c (learning to live with the old UI) or follow Stefano's advice and try the H604c. The H604c sounds like it would have a lot of extra power that you don't need though, and is bigger. Actually, one other thought - maybe try an H53fc? Although you don't get the big wall of light the frosted lens does smooth out the hot spot to some degree. And it doesn't have the GITD "reflector" which I agree is pretty pointless.

You are right, this generation is two steps forward and one step back. It's frustrating when you think what they cost, and how close they are to being perfect.

 

[tcglog]

Tcglog, if that yellow ring bothers you now, it always will. You have exactly the same issue as me with using it for close up work. I suggest you send it back and either try the H502c (learning to live with the old UI) or follow Stefano's advice and try the H604c. The H604c sounds like it would have a lot of extra power that you don't need though, and is bigger. Actually, one other thought - maybe try an H53fc? Although you don't get the big wall of light the frosted lens does smooth out the hot spot to some degree. And it doesn't have the GITD "reflector" which I agree is pretty pointless.

You are right, this generation is two steps forward and one step back. It's frustrating when you think what they cost, and how close they are to being perfect.

Thanks for the great insight! I agree and sended back the H503w, let's see if they give me a refund. I enjoy the frosted lens beam of my Armytek Wizard v3 warm, but having tried out the H503w I really enjoyed the mule beam more for close-up work, so I think I'll try to stick with a mule. It is either the H502c with its smaller size and the old UI, or the H604c with its bigger size and the new UI. I searched for the H502c but it seems to be out of stock everywhere, which made the choice easy for me and I ordered the H604c. The folks at NKON seem to be quite slow with every step taking several days to a week, apparently due to summer holidays. I'll update here how this all turns out.

 

[tcglog]

Very disappointed in NKON. I specifically stated that it is very important to check the beam and tint of the light before they send it. Now when I asked if they did they said sorry we forgot! Now I might have to pay extra international postage fees again and wait 6 weeks for the light to ship back and forth if the tint lottery doesn't work out. The last time I order from NKON

 

[tcglog]

"unfortunately in the future we don't have a flashlight specialist anymore. We will not be able to check the flashlights before it's send."

This is a reply I got from NKON. So in the future if you want a hand picked unit, look elsewhere.

 

[NuisanceValue]

Chin up tcglog, you might still win the tint lottery (or at least the clean beam edge lottery). I only recently heard that another member had got Nkon to check the tint and was surprised they'd do it - and then I thought it might be a good plan if it cuts down on returns for them to process. Shame they can't do it after all. Fingers crossed!

 

[tcglog]

Thanks man I appreciate the support :thumbsup: You know exactly what kind of beam I'm looking for. Apparently it is very uncommon for a store to be able to choose specimens - shame indeed that it can't / couldn't be done anymore. But according to what I've read the H604c does not have the widest tint / beam variation lottery so I'm still hoping this turns out ok. I'll update here how it goes!