Batuche
Newly Enlightened
First post. New Zebralight owner - learning.
Totally to my personal taste, having grown up with thumb switched D-cell flashlights I continue to find tail switches awkward and unnatural which is how I came to discover Zebralight flashlights.
I received my first Zebralight ever in the form of the SC64w Hi 18650 XHP35 flashlight for mixed EDC/home use, four days USPS Southdale, TX, to Houston. I was immediately so pleased with everything about it; size, beam, throw, tint, etc., that I placed an order for their H53fw AA Headlamp which also arrived in four days USPS.
As surprised and happy as I am with the diminutive SC64w Hi, the H53fw may have provided an even bigger (or smaller depending how you look at it) surprise. This tiny AA wonder will be for general use around the house, setting up a tent in the dark, camping food prep, etc. I prefer hand held for hiking, but may give this a try. Thus far I have had little reason to run it beyond medium M1.
I'll be futzing with the UI on each for no other reason than to get familiar with it, yet after spending a week with them I don't perceive any immediate need to reprogram anything. I've messed with the beacon-strobe modes just to try them out.
Sorry, I 'm not equipped to provide any technical information of which there exists an ample amount available on this forum, however I do wish to express these opinions:
* H53fw: A real surprise - I may love this as much as the SC64w Hi, albeit for different reasons. It arrived in perfect condition, and comes with a nice removable black pocket clip which I may not use. The power switch is very positive - a light touch and it clicks with no play at all - love it. It's so tiny that with an eneloop pro AA battery & strap it tops out at 3.2 oz. on our kitchen scale, just .15 oz more than our plastic Energizer HDD323 headlamp with 3 x AAA batteries & strap. The size, color, and beam are perfect for my needs, however if I had four wishes/nitpicks the first would be that this right-angle headlamp came with a side power switch vs. end switch allowing a pinch to turn it on. Second would be that it had a brighter low L1 closer to the L1 2.7 Lm on the SC64w vs. the current L1 1.2 Lm which is on the dim side for reading. Third would be a reversible pocket clip as the current clip hangs the light upside down. Last, some headlamps have moved to a plastic quick click-in type mount on the head strap which would be more convenient than the silicone hoops.
I just read that previous model(s) supported the 14500 battery (this one doesn't?), and have yet to use this in practical camping/hiking situations, so actual run times may give cause to moderate its favorability. If so, I'll probably upgrade to the H600 series.
* SC64w Hi: It arrived in perfect condition along with a strong black pocket clip which perfectly fits a 1.5" webbed belt, the very reason why I almost lost it by carrying it clipped to the outside of said belt. While the clip is strong the flashlight can be easily snagged in that position. The power button is a tad spongier (as though there's some space between the boot and the switch) than the H53fw, but it works perfectly well. The natural color temperature really impresses - in our living room at night all colors look stunningly real vs. the bluish washed out cast with every other light we own.
Also for not having thought things completely through I found myself in a quandary as to where to carry the SC64w Hi because normally my pants pockets are all taken; left front pocket - cell phone, right front pocket - keys, change, and folding pocket knife, back left - wallet, back right - batteries for hearing aids. Then I discovered that wearing jeans - VOILA! It slips right into the coin pocket secured with the pocket clip on the outside. It's a bit heavy for a t-shirt or shirt pocket, but would easily be at home in any jacket pocket.
Last, I want to say thank you to everyone here for so much useful information which convinced me to purchase Zebralight products. Initially I shied away from Zebralight because of what I perceived to be a daunting UI, but after having read your very, very helpful instructions/graphs/opinions on the topic I changed my mind, and almost immediately discovered that I could conveniently start a Zebralight in whichever level I choose (still working on changing levels once the light is on). Zebralights may not be cheap, but I find them extremely satisfying. So far, so good - we'll see what happens.
Totally to my personal taste, having grown up with thumb switched D-cell flashlights I continue to find tail switches awkward and unnatural which is how I came to discover Zebralight flashlights.
I received my first Zebralight ever in the form of the SC64w Hi 18650 XHP35 flashlight for mixed EDC/home use, four days USPS Southdale, TX, to Houston. I was immediately so pleased with everything about it; size, beam, throw, tint, etc., that I placed an order for their H53fw AA Headlamp which also arrived in four days USPS.
As surprised and happy as I am with the diminutive SC64w Hi, the H53fw may have provided an even bigger (or smaller depending how you look at it) surprise. This tiny AA wonder will be for general use around the house, setting up a tent in the dark, camping food prep, etc. I prefer hand held for hiking, but may give this a try. Thus far I have had little reason to run it beyond medium M1.
I'll be futzing with the UI on each for no other reason than to get familiar with it, yet after spending a week with them I don't perceive any immediate need to reprogram anything. I've messed with the beacon-strobe modes just to try them out.
Sorry, I 'm not equipped to provide any technical information of which there exists an ample amount available on this forum, however I do wish to express these opinions:
* H53fw: A real surprise - I may love this as much as the SC64w Hi, albeit for different reasons. It arrived in perfect condition, and comes with a nice removable black pocket clip which I may not use. The power switch is very positive - a light touch and it clicks with no play at all - love it. It's so tiny that with an eneloop pro AA battery & strap it tops out at 3.2 oz. on our kitchen scale, just .15 oz more than our plastic Energizer HDD323 headlamp with 3 x AAA batteries & strap. The size, color, and beam are perfect for my needs, however if I had four wishes/nitpicks the first would be that this right-angle headlamp came with a side power switch vs. end switch allowing a pinch to turn it on. Second would be that it had a brighter low L1 closer to the L1 2.7 Lm on the SC64w vs. the current L1 1.2 Lm which is on the dim side for reading. Third would be a reversible pocket clip as the current clip hangs the light upside down. Last, some headlamps have moved to a plastic quick click-in type mount on the head strap which would be more convenient than the silicone hoops.
I just read that previous model(s) supported the 14500 battery (this one doesn't?), and have yet to use this in practical camping/hiking situations, so actual run times may give cause to moderate its favorability. If so, I'll probably upgrade to the H600 series.
* SC64w Hi: It arrived in perfect condition along with a strong black pocket clip which perfectly fits a 1.5" webbed belt, the very reason why I almost lost it by carrying it clipped to the outside of said belt. While the clip is strong the flashlight can be easily snagged in that position. The power button is a tad spongier (as though there's some space between the boot and the switch) than the H53fw, but it works perfectly well. The natural color temperature really impresses - in our living room at night all colors look stunningly real vs. the bluish washed out cast with every other light we own.
Also for not having thought things completely through I found myself in a quandary as to where to carry the SC64w Hi because normally my pants pockets are all taken; left front pocket - cell phone, right front pocket - keys, change, and folding pocket knife, back left - wallet, back right - batteries for hearing aids. Then I discovered that wearing jeans - VOILA! It slips right into the coin pocket secured with the pocket clip on the outside. It's a bit heavy for a t-shirt or shirt pocket, but would easily be at home in any jacket pocket.
Last, I want to say thank you to everyone here for so much useful information which convinced me to purchase Zebralight products. Initially I shied away from Zebralight because of what I perceived to be a daunting UI, but after having read your very, very helpful instructions/graphs/opinions on the topic I changed my mind, and almost immediately discovered that I could conveniently start a Zebralight in whichever level I choose (still working on changing levels once the light is on). Zebralights may not be cheap, but I find them extremely satisfying. So far, so good - we'll see what happens.
