Re: Zebralight H51 details/preorder!!!
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
gsimon on 02-05-2011 07:41 PM GMT
30 yards is no problem with the H51w....My fence in my backyard is 50 yards and i can light that up. Now....not like daylight...but good enough to see something back there. At 30 yards, you would be fine. I am still in "Bear,Coyote,fox,deer,skunk" mode....the skunk being my biggest worry when i let the dog out. That was the whole reason for investing in a quark turbo and the zebra in the first place! I need to see them before my dog gets sprayed for the 5th time!
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
davidt1 on 02-05-2011 08:30 PM GMT
Used my H51w (without a diffuser) for about 2 hours just now to do some close-up work. The 26lm medium mode was used the whole time. This project involved making some containers out of some small metal tubes for my wallet and key chain. I used a hand saw to cut thin slices of aluminum and glued them to the tubes. My H501 just sat there unused. I didn't feel a need to use it at all.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
JA(me)S on 02-05-2011 09:14 PM GMT
srfreddy said:
30 yards is pretty damn far...... Well not really, but the H51w would reach much better.
gsimon said:
30 yards is no problem with the H51w....My fence in my backyard is 50 yards and i can light that up. Now....not like daylight...but good enough to see something back there. At 30 yards, you would be fine.
davidt1 said:
Used my H51w (without a diffuser) for about 2 hours just now to do some close-up work. The 26lm medium mode was used the whole time....My H501 just sat there unused. I didn't feel a need to use it at all.
:thumbsup:Thank you. I have tried to analyze my EDC light needs carefully; estimated 60% distance, 40% close-up. With your input, I still believe the H51w will be of better service over the H51Fw. davidt1, once again I extend my gratitude for posting a pic to illustrate - a picture is worth a thousand lumens (diffused or not)...
- Jas.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
davidt1 on 02-06-2011 08:37 AM GMT
Just to be clear:
The H501 is still a great light. There is nothing like a all flood beam for up-close work. I don't use my H501 a whole lot anymore because I like the NW tint of my H51w more than the CW tint of my H501. I did some sewing work this morning. I started with the H501 on high. Then switched to the H51w on the 26lm mode. Yes there was a hot spot and I had to aim it precisely, but the tint was so much better.
I still want an all flood ZL light in neutral white. Unless Zebralight comes with a new light, I will most likely buy an H501w even though I hate the though of buying 2009 technology in 2011.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Bolster on 02-06-2011 11:18 AM GMT
davidt1 said:
I still want an all flood ZL light in neutral white. Unless Zebralight comes with a new light, I will most likely buy an H501w even though I hate the though of buying 2009 technology in 2011.
I feel the same way, but I did just buy a H501w despite the investment in 2-year-old technology. I'm sure that I'd be thrilled with a H51Fw, too, in many situations. However I so often get my head stuck in tight spots, it's easier to turn my eyes than my head...thus the H501w. I feel the same way, but I did just buy a H501w despite the investment in 2-year-old technology. I'm sure that I'd be thrilled with a H51Fw, too, in many situations. However I so often get my head stuck in tight spots, it's easier to turn my eyes than my head...thus the H501w.
Interestingly, you don't see such a big difference in power/efficiency between the H51 and H501 in the midranges, where I tend to use my lights almost exclusively. 28 lumen/12 hrs for the H51, 18 lumen/19 hours for the H501. Sometimes I think the real breakthrough with the new H51 series is mainly that the bright setting got a lot brighter. ("Not that there's anything wrong with that," as Seinfeld would say.)
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Haz on 02-08-2011 03:11 PM GMT
silverglow said:
I realised that the contact between the blank metal rim at the end of the body and the contacts inside the tailcap just wasn't good enough for the high current on H1, so I cleaned the rim (which was also somewhat greasy) and tightened it much more firmly and now the difference between H1 and H2 is very noticable
and most probably also the duration, but I haven't tested it so far.
So maybe this helps in your case, too.
silverglow
1 )Have you had further issues since you cleaned it?, do you constantly need to clean it to get the H1 and H2 to function property? or does the tightening action help to make it more permanent and non-reoccuring issue? 1 )Have you had further issues since you cleaned it?, do you constantly need to clean it to get the H1 and H2 to function property? or does the tightening action help to make it more permanent and non-reoccuring issue?
2) another question, how sturdy is the clip, does it hold on tightly enough?
thanks
Haz
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
mellowman on 02-09-2011 03:55 AM GMT
I placed an order for three H51w in Dec. and received them direct from China mid Jan.. Always thought the hotspot was small compared to other XP-G lights I have but thought it was a design issue with achieving the large spill area.
Having viewed a review on H51Fw on youtube by GoingGear.com I started to think the problem might be the leds. I remembered reading posts about cloudy led domes on SC51w's and took a closer look at my leds.
Sure enough, all my H51w's have dome issues.
H51w #1
H51w #2
H52w #3
Not sure if these dome imperfections cause smaller hotspots or less overall lumens or not. But as stated in the SC51w posts, not the quality expected in a flashlight at this price point.
Here's some shots of a Fenix MC10 and a Jetbeam BK135A, both around the same price as a H51w.
Fenix MC10
BK135A
At least my H51w's were centered but I think they will be going back for an exchange.
Edit: BTW, if you want check you own get a good magnifier. It is hard to tell with the naked eye.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
mkd on 02-09-2011 04:45 AM GMT
i'm new to flashlights and have a few fenix aa lights and recently bought a h51 (not the neutral white) for mostly using as a headlamp but also as a dual purpose light. it took a bit to get the program down and features sorted out but it really wasn't that big of an issue. i have used it twice for a headlamp for snow removal while running my ariens and many times to walk the driveway getting the paper. i am a bifocal glass wearer and 60 yrs old and have a bit of a balance issue and don't like walking anywhere in the dark without seeing where i'm going for fear of tripping and falling.i must say as a novice to lights that my first impression of the light is it's a great little light. i like the size,the variable beam output levels, the od green color,the run time(all though i've used the light mostly on the mid beam lower setting), the fact the clip is removable for deep pocket carry,and the headlamp option.i'm especially going to like the lower beam output settings and the compact size for walking into my turkey blind in the dark and decoy setup where i want to be in stealth mode.one thing i didn't like was the shipping times from overseas and the fact you are buying the light from one address here in the states and the product or support doesn't come from the same place.it's like purchasing through an agent vs right from the mfg. the only 2 things i didn't like about the light were no way to attach a paracord lanyard and the bigger con of having the lamp turn on by itself in my shirt pocket. i would like to see a stiffer on/off button or perhaps the button recessed farther in. the light end cap can be twisted open a tad and that will prevent it from turning on by itself and i'm thinking perhaps a paracord could go around the main tube of the light similar to attaching a goose call to a neck lanyard. anyone have any better ideas for the lanyard? all in all the h51 so far has been a great little light even though the shipping seemed to take forever and i'm a little skeptical of the company if i ever need service.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Power_of_the_Sun on 02-09-2011 05:43 AM GMT
Hey guys: Just found this japanese link with some great close-up shots of the H51fw.
http://www.pro-light.jp/head_lamp/ze.../h51_f_nw.html
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Power_of_the_Sun on 02-09-2011 05:46 AM GMT
Notice how the color is more of a green/brown/gold/grey than the more sunburnt bronze/dark brown appearance seen in ZL's webpage. After seeing the shots Mellowman posted of domes with milky siding, my confidence is a little shaken in what I was hoping would be a really professionally put-together light. $64 USD is a lot of money for something that isn't made properly.
I recently ordered an H51fw and am still awaiting it's arrival from China. I can only hope that mine comes with a clean/clear dome, and gives off a full 164 lumens at H1 as advertised.
On another note, although (like some others) I would prefer the all-flood of the H501w I can understand why ZL decided to go with a less than perfect flood.
1. The XR-E LED (as seen in the H501) is better suited for wide flood than the XP-G, but doesn't have the lumen per mA capabilities of the XP-G (as featured in the H51).
2. Many users (I think Davidt1 may have been an influence here [not in any way saying it's a bad thing!] have appreciated the flood of the H501, but have wanted more throw. The H51fw allows what I believe the company must have decided was a good compromise between the two. It's brighter because it has a superior lamp, and it has more throw because although it has no "hotspot" as per se, the brightness level isn't continuous from 1 side of the beam to the other - it's still brightest in the center, giving it more throw. To have the kind of throw most users would like while retaining a perfect flood at a 80º or 90º angle, with current LED capabilities getting that out of a 1xAA light IMHO just isn't possible. You want to see a long way down a darkened path while cycling or down a long hallway when there might be bad guys lurking there? You need some kind of focused light. The tighter the focus, the greater the throw. That's why a lazer beam has the greatest throw - it's close to perfectly focused. No focus/all flood = limited throw. Sharp focus/great throw = little to no flood.
Also interesting to note that what's her name from ZL said that they tried to replicate the beam of the H501 using the XP-G lamp and they just couldn't get it to do the same thing. No matter what they did, it wouldn't produce the same beam. So, since they were using the XP-G they had to come up with a strategy to create flood using it. The "frosted" looking lens was what they decided on. I understand that they have plans, however, to incorporate Crees latest and greatest XM-L lamp in future lights, starting with a SC600. But before they can promise anything thorough testing must take place. My personal hope is for yet another 1xAA Hfw light, even brighter than its predecessors, and ideally with a perfect (non-diminishing, edge to edge) flood.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
davidt1 on 02-09-2011 09:44 AM GMT
+ for a NW XM-L emitter in an H501 body.
It is possible to have both throw and flood, though not in a small light yet. My dream light is something with this beam profile from an H501/H51 body:
http://www.dereelight.com/cl1hv4nohs.htm
mkd,
I have been wearing my ZL lights around my neck with great results for over a year now. The neck lanyard is also the headband. I use my H51w right from my chest about 80% of the time. When it must be used as a headlamp, it just move up to my head. Being able to store and use the light around my neck is the #1 reason I choose A Zebralight headlamp. Check out the "Zebralight Mods" in my signature for more information.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
tedh on 02-09-2011 12:19 PM GMT
If I remember correctly, the Dereelight CL1H V4-NOHS achieves that hotspot by blacking out the reflector; perhaps someone can confirm this? If so, I would think it possible to get a similar beam from a small light by painting over the reflector. Not sure if anyone has tackled an H51 disassembly. I think someone unscrewed the front of their Spark, however, so perhaps it's possible to get the beam profile in a small headlamp. The Spark doesn't seem very amenable to your neck carry method, though.
Ted
CL1H V4- NOHS
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Power_of_the_Sun on 02-09-2011 09:24 PM GMT
davidt1 said:
My dream light is something with this beam profile from an H501/H51 body:
http://www.dereelight.com/cl1hv4nohs.htm
+1 on that, David! +1 on that, David!
The only beam profile I know that comes close in a small EDC is the Dorcy 41-4224 1xAAA flashlight. Granted, it is alot less bright. The 41-4224 is my EDC, and I've always wanted a brighter light with similar beam profile. In some ways, I actually prefer it to flood, because it allows you to direct the even beam pattern more particularly. Useful in situations like navigating a movie theatre aisle without annoying fellow movie-goers with spill. I've used the Dorcy all over the world now. 5.5 hours on a single AAA. 14-16 lumens. It's not pretty, but it works well for me.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
KarstGhost on 02-11-2011 03:28 PM GMT
I'm having some runtime problems with my H51w. On a caving trip the other day the light was dropping down from the 86 lumen mode after about 45 mins. It is advertised at 2.4 hours for that mode. After three battery changes I finally just kept it at the 26 lumen mode. I know Zebralight did their test with Eneloops, I was using brand new Energizer lithiums. Could that cause that much of a difference? I'll admit I know very little about batteries.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Bolster on 02-11-2011 06:18 PM GMT
davidt1 said:
My dream light is something with this beam profile from an H501/H51 body...
Wow that would be nice. While we're on the subject of headlamps that have a "NHS" (no hot spot) beam, I recall the 3xAAA Mammut Lucido TR1 had that sort of beam, although it was elongated horizontally. I remember being surprised its beam was so much nicer than the other 3xAAA offerings at REI. Wish I could find a beamshot of it. Wow that would be nice. While we're on the subject of headlamps that have a "NHS" (no hot spot) beam, I recall the 3xAAA Mammut Lucido TR1 had that sort of beam, although it was elongated horizontally. I remember being surprised its beam was so much nicer than the other 3xAAA offerings at REI. Wish I could find a beamshot of it.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
B0wz3r on 02-11-2011 09:22 PM GMT
KarstGhost said:
I'm having some runtime problems with my H51w. On a caving trip the other day the light was dropping down from the 86 lumen mode after about 45 mins. It is advertised at 2.4 hours for that mode. After three battery changes I finally just kept it at the 26 lumen mode. I know Zebralight did their test with Eneloops, I was using brand new Energizer lithiums. Could that cause that much of a difference? I'll admit I know very little about batteries.
No... on L91's you should get more run time than with an Eneloop. Though it's not advertised, I've read on threads here before that the ultimate lithiums have an equivalent of nearly 3000 milli-amp hours in them, so they should outlast an eneloop. No... on L91's you should get more run time than with an Eneloop. Though it's not advertised, I've read on threads here before that the ultimate lithiums have an equivalent of nearly 3000 milli-amp hours in them, so they should outlast an eneloop.
I went on a weekend trip to Yosemite just this past weekend with my wife and used my H51w as my primary light the whole time, starting the trip with an ultimate lithium in it, and it's still going strong.
Do some objective tests first... get a timer and put your light in a glass of water to keep it cool, and see how much run time you get out of an ultimate lithium and an eneloop. If you don't get a solid 2 hours on high out of the ultimate lithium, your light most likely has an issue and should be warrantied.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
MountainVoyageur on 02-13-2011 02:43 AM GMT
What is the story on the cloudy domes? Was it just some of the original shipments, or does it continue to be an issue? How serious is the issue?
--MV
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Lite_me on 02-13-2011 12:39 PM GMT
I just ordered and received a H51w. It arrived from TX. I ask in my order that they check the LED. It came centered and cloud free. With a
nice neutral tint too.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
B0wz3r on 02-13-2011 12:58 PM GMT
Lite_me said:
I just ordered and received a H51w. It arrived from TX. I ask in my order that they check the LED. It came centered and cloud free. With a nice neutral tint too.
Same for me; shipped from TX and the dome is clear of any clouding or glue or anything on it. Same for me; shipped from TX and the dome is clear of any clouding or glue or anything on it.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
flasherByNight on 02-16-2011 08:26 PM GMT
can't find the 51W in stock anywhere :/
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
davidt1 on 02-17-2011 10:55 AM GMT
flasherByNight said:
can't find the 51W in stock anywhere :/
Zebralight might have it even though their website says otherwise. Zebralight might have it even though their website says otherwise.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
davidt1 on 02-17-2011 11:09 AM GMT
flasherByNight said:
can't find the 51W in stock anywhere :/
Sorry for duplicate post. Sorry for duplicate post.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
pelotonjon on 02-17-2011 11:11 AM GMT
Lots of great info on this light. I have been thinking of grabbing one for a while.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
mellowman on 02-17-2011 02:08 PM GMT
I don't think ZL has them in-stock as my replacements are going to be shipped from China. Well, I guess you can order from ZL just don't expect shipping from TX for now.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
flasherByNight on 02-17-2011 07:07 PM GMT
I emailed ZL, theyre getting new ones "next week"
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
mellowman on 02-17-2011 07:41 PM GMT
flasherByNight said:
I emailed ZL, theyre getting new ones "next week"
Funny, mine are supposed to ship from China next week. Funny, mine are supposed to ship from China next week.
Given that two of them are b-day gifts to be given less than a month from now I probably won't get them in time.
Edit: Asked ZL if I could get it sooner and they said ok and will ship from TX when they come in so I'll probably get them in time. Thanks ZL. :thumbsup:
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
flasherByNight on 02-17-2011 10:05 PM GMT
I took a bit of a gamble as i'm under a time crunch and ordered from high mountain outfitters...never heard of em (decent prices, free shipping and most importantly in stock). My googlefu came up with a few positive reviews, but nothing else. Here goes nothing... *crosses fingers
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Power_of_the_Sun on 02-18-2011 05:45 AM GMT
Just got my H51fw today. Mine arrived from China.
Intial thoughts
- inside chamber, and negative battery terminal connection (spring area) seemed a little less clean than I was expecting, but it could have just been the excess lubrication that came with it
- threads felt a little rough (like they needed to be cleaned, but all I had to clean them was a Q-tip...sorry guys, I'm not as hardcore into flashlight prep as most of you...I just like to be able to take them out of the box and use them); threads were very well lubed, though
- w/battery it's heavier than I expected
- frosted lens looks/seems more frosted around edges than in centre (in fact, in L2 mode when looking directly into the lens, I can see a distinct squarish looking area that's a lot more translucent looking - surrounding it is a yellow ring, and on the outside of the ring the white looking area of the orange peel reflector may be distinctly seen)
I am a little disappointed by the brightness of H1 mode - sorta hoped it would seem a little brighter. It's the diffusing that's deceptive. I'm sure it's as advertised, though. It's brighter than my LLH7 with ceiling bounce test, which on Max is rated at 149 lumens, and is a really decent headlamp.
The color is A LOT warmer than I expected. I was sort of expecting a tint like the Q5 in my iTP A3 EOS Upgraded, which, compared to the Nitecore D11 I had was quite warm. Well, the warmth on the tint on the H51w is in a whole other category! "Neutral" white! Compared to the iTP it's yellow! If my iTP mimicks moonlite, the H51fw comes closer to mimicking sunlight. Or a low-wattage incandescent. It's a very pleasant beam, I'm just wishing it was brighter, or more focussed without hotspot as seen in the Deerelight previously mentioned in this thread.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
Power_of_the_Sun on 02-18-2011 07:39 AM GMT
Intial Shots of H51fw
Frosted Lens
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/806/headcloseup.jpg/
Spring area and threads
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/413/screwc.jpg/
Inside Chamber and threads
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/840/insidebarrel.jpg/
1000% price mark-up! (if declared value is accurate)
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/253/thousandpercentmarkup.jpg/
Trying out various uses:
Clip in reversed position (allows it to clip on to belt or pocket with head in upright position)
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/576/fliptheswitch.jpg/
Clipped on to belt in upright position
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/onbelt.jpg/
Also, before I received it and actually tried it out,
I had imagined I would be able to primarily use the H51fw while holding it upright in a punching position (no pics...sorry). Because the lens area is so large, both fingers directly under it interfere a little with the light coming out. My index finger partially interferes with the actual beam, and my middle finger interferes with the spill that would otherwise light up my feet.
In order to receive the full flood & spill benefits from the beam, the best way (unfortunately for me)
seems to be by holding it in ready-to-mace-someone position, meaning you are using, not your thumb, but your index finger to activate the button at the top. In my opinion, this is not a great position, ergonomincally, for lengthy use. Temporary - fine. But long-term, taking into account it's weight with the rechargeable installed, I would say
this little light is better suited for use attached to a pocket, belt, strap, or harnessed to the headband that comes with it, rather than for hand-held use.
If you want a hand-held Zebralight FW AA, get the SC51Fw AA. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to use it in both regular carry (i.e. suitcase carrying) and tactical (i.e. fist-beating-on-a-door) positions (the 1st activated by the thumb, the 2nd by the pinky).
My initial keenest interest in the H51, was the fact that it seemed so ergonomically suited to long-term hand-carrying. My fist wouldn't have to face the ground (regular/suitcase position, which has never seemed to be a very good elevation for clear object identification), nor the sky (tactical position, which over time gives me a sore arm). Instead, it would basically face in front of me, meaning less effort and more comfort, ie. ergonomic.
Sadly, due to the fact that I would like to make full use of the beam profile, this is not the case. It may be with the H501 (I've never used one, so I wouldn't know from personal experience), but definitely not with the H51. But as a headlamp, and for other attached/hanging purposes, I'm sure it works great.
Re: Zebralight H51
Written by
bapski on 02-18-2011 09:15 AM GMT
wonder how this beaut will fair against a FENIX HP10.
am in search for a general purpose headlamp but looking for something that can also do more if need be... e.g. snowblowing, working in the garage, ....
http://img9.imageshack.us/i/h2850.jpg/
http://img193.imageshack.us/i/m2850.jpg/
:bow:Wow, where did you pull that out of - impressive! Who knew Dennis Miller was into flashlights?! 
- Jas.
