ZebraLight - Should I wait?

[bradthebold]

I have narrowed my choices down to either an H51FW or an H600FW for an everyday/camping light.

The H51FW is backordered and they said it should ship in a few weeks if I order now. I was pretty set on this light until I looked more at the H600FW. I didn't think the extra price of the light and batteries would be worth it, but you get a lot more output and much longer run times. That is out of stock though, so I'm not sure what that means.

I've read about H52 rumors from over 6 months ago, and more recent ones about this or an updated H51. Should I wait for this? I'm not in a hurry and don't want to buy an H51 for an update/H52 to come out shortly after.

Is there going to be an update to the H600 or will it come back in stock?

Then I'm just trying to decide between 18650's and Eneloops. 18650's would be for flashlights only, but the chargers look cheap. Eneloops could be used in other devices as well, but the Maha C9000 charger is expensive and looks like the cheapest decent one that charges around 1A and has independent channels.

Edit: the Armytek looks like it might be an option as well. 5500k might be a little too blue, but if actually comes into stock it could be a good choice.

 

[Norm]

:welcome:

Your duplicate thread has been deleted.

Norm

 

[rojos]

I think you should wait. We're in a transition period going from first to second gen Cree XP and XM emitters and there should be updates coming up over the next few months.

 

[Knight_Light]

I have narrowed my choices down to either an H51FW or an H600FW for an everyday/camping light.

The H51FW is backordered and they said it should ship in a few weeks if I order now. I was pretty set on this light until I looked more at the H600FW. I didn't think the extra price of the light and batteries would be worth it, but you get a lot more output and much longer run times. That is out of stock though, so I'm not sure what that means.

I've read about H52 rumors from over 6 months ago, and more recent ones about this or an updated H51. Should I wait for this? I'm not in a hurry and don't want to buy an H51 for an update/H52 to come out shortly after.

Is there going to be an update to the H600 or will it come back in stock?

Then I'm just trying to decide between 18650's and Eneloops. 18650's would be for flashlights only, but the chargers look cheap. Eneloops could be used in other devices as well, but the Maha C9000 charger is expensive and looks like the cheapest decent one that charges around 1A and has independent channels.

Edit: the Armytek looks like it might be an option as well. 5500k might be a little too blue, but if actually comes into stock it could be a good choice.

I EDC headlamps all the time and do a considerable amount of camping. I am also familiar with all of the lights you mentioned. Having said that I will throw out a few personal opinions and data points that might be helpful.

As far as EDCing all of the lights that you mention will be excellent. I do not know how weight or size sensitive you are, but if you are not very sensitive I would not use EDC as a criteria for selection since all of them will do very well in that capacity.

I would focus more on the camping capabilities if you are getting only one headlamp. The H51FW although a very fine headlamp just lacks the higher light levels that sometimes you may prefer in hiking and camping situations. The only positive aspect is that it runs on AA’s. So if you have a lot of gear that runs on AA’s it’s nice to have your power source somewhat interchangeable. However if that is not the case then there really is no advantage to the H51FW. I would also look into the Spark AA headlamps. More output AA battery source.

You really can’t go wrong with the Zebra Light H600 or the Armytek Wizard Pro both good headlamps. Having used both of them I would take the Armytek hands-down. Better run times & higher outputs and the ability to use unprotected cells. Having said that I have no idea when Armytek will actually be available for sale and Zebra Light is notorious for not being in stock.

As far as considering costs. For AA’s you can get 4 Eneloops for $11 and a good quality smart charger for about $35. 18650 can be had for $17 for a pair and a good-quality charger for around $35-$45. So if you are talking in finances the 18650 set up edges out the AA set up in terms of how much stored energy you can carry around with you (5 Eneloops = 12Wh, 18650 = 12.5Wh).

 

[jonathanluu2]

The above replies do a good job of elaborating on your lighting dilemma. As for the charger, I did a lot of research on them and finally settled on the Nitecore Intelecharger because it was relatively inexpensive, had a warranty, got good reviews as far as the charging cycle (keeps the batteries nice and happy), and most importantly, could charge NiMH’s AND LiIons. HKJ has a personal website that reviews many, many chargers, among other things. There are other, very good chargers out there. My personal choice mandated that I had a charger that could handle both battery chemistries.
Best of luck with finding a fantastic headlamp and :welcome:

J.Thread

 

[markr6]

Zebralight is a hard one to wait for (Q50, S5310, many out of stocks, etc), so I would suggest getting any variant of the H51 or H600 that suits you, if in stock. They are both great lights for camping, running, whatever. I really want an H52w, but I've been waiting for over a year! Who knows when it will actually be made. In the meantime, I've been enjoying my H51w and putting it to use.

 

[Knight_Light]

Zebralight is a hard one to wait for (Q50, S5310, many out of stocks, etc), so I would suggest getting any variant of the H51 or H600 that suits you, if in stock. They are both great lights for camping, running, whatever. I really want an H52w, but I've been waiting for over a year! Who knows when it will actually be made. In the meantime, I've been enjoying my H51w and putting it to use.

I agree that they are both great lights. But how do you make the H51w work in a camping and even running scenario. I understand you can use any amount of light to get a task done but I am talking about comfortable situations. And I understand that things change once you've had time to adapt to a dark environment. But that is not always the case when you are in a camping and especially running scenario. I know the H51w can put out 172 lm but at that level you don't even get an hours worth of runtime. And although you can probably function on 86 lm for those tasks it's just not a comfortable level of light unless you get your night vision.

 

[bradthebold]

Ok. I think I will wait for the new round of lights to come out and I'll probably go with an 18650 one. I can get a lot more output if I need, or much longer run times at a comparable output levels compared to a AA light. How does the discharge rate and number of charge cycles of 18650's compare to Eneloops though?

 

[markr6]

I agree that they are both great lights. But how do you make the H51w work in a camping and even running scenario. I understand you can use any amount of light to get a task done but I am talking about comfortable situations. And I understand that things change once you've had time to adapt to a dark environment. But that is not always the case when you are in a camping and especially running scenario. I know the H51w can put out 172 lm but at that level you don't even get an hours worth of runtime. And although you can probably function on 86 lm for those tasks it's just not a comfortable level of light unless you get your night vision.

Here's what I've used them for, specifically (and comfortably/safely):

H51w (with frosted diffuser film for more flood)
- navigating around camp
- cooking
- setting up hammock and digging thru backpack
- reading before bed
- getting up in middle of night

H600w (again, with diffuser film)
- running
- hiking (it's nice to have a ton of light, especially when unfamiliar with the area)
- cycling, but I still like to have a fixed light on handle bar
- and of course, while you can do all the H51w activities with the H600 it's sometimes nice to have the smaller H51w.

 

[Knight_Light]

Here's what I've used them for, specifically (and comfortably/safely):

H51w (with frosted diffuser film for more flood)
- navigating around camp
- cooking
- setting up hammock and digging thru backpack
- reading before bed
- getting up in middle of night

H600w (again, with diffuser film)
- running
- hiking (it's nice to have a ton of light, especially when unfamiliar with the area)
- cycling, but I still like to have a fixed light on handle bar
- and of course, while you can do all the H51w activities with the H600 it's sometimes nice to have the smaller H51w.

See that was my point exactly, maybe it just did not come across that way. I would use those two lights almost the same way. But that’s my point is that the H51w would not cut it as the only headlamp for camping and running. Whereas the H600 can do both. So if you are going to pick one headlamp as a do it all you almost kind of have to go with the H600.

 

[Knight_Light]

Ok. How does the discharge rate and number of charge cycles of 18650's compare to Eneloops though?

Let’s assume you are responsible and take good care of your cells. Under real-world scenarios you would get somewhere around 300 good cycles out of the 18650 and you would probably get around 500 good cycles out of the Eneloops. Under ideal circumstances you can probably get 500 good cycles out of the 18650 and about 1200 out of the Eneloops.

Having said that keep in mind that in terms of portable stored energy 5 Eneloops = 18650.

 

[elbowtko]

Zebralight is a hard one to wait for (Q50, S5310, many out of stocks, etc), so I would suggest getting any variant of the H51 or H600 that suits you, if in stock. They are both great lights for camping, running, whatever. I really want an H52w, but I've been waiting for over a year! Who knows when it will actually be made. In the meantime, I've been enjoying my H51w and putting it to use.

I have also been waiting for the H52, I recently sent an email to their rep and they say they had no future plans as of yet for a H52, where as others have reported they passed R&D etc...Who knows, they are all rumors but it does seem logical for them to announce plans for it sometime in the next decade...

I really want one because 2 weeks after buying a H51w, I lost it at a hike, and can't bring myself to buy another one unless it is a significant upgrade.

So HURRY UP ZEBRALIGHT!

 

[Knight_Light]

If I had $100 for every time I heard somebody on the forums say "Hurry Up Zebra Light". :)

 

[bradthebold]

The Wizard Pro looks pretty amazing - 250lm for 7 1/2 hours. The H51 can't come anywhere close to competing with that. It's build quality looks great too. The only concerning thing I've seen so far is the temps it produces. 111 - 125F on high/mode 4 - I wonder if that's too hot to hold/have on your head for long term use. I'll have to wait and see how warm the color is and how floody it is too.

 

[Knight_Light]

The Wizard Pro looks pretty amazing - 250lm for 7 1/2 hours. The H51 can't come anywhere close to competing with that. It's build quality looks great too. The only concerning thing I've seen so far is the temps it produces. 111 - 125F on high/mode 4 - I wonder if that's too hot to hold/have on your head for long term use. I'll have to wait and see how warm the color is and how floody it is too.

One of my favorite modes is probably the 250 lm, especially for night hiking. Mode 4 is definitely uncomfortable to hold in the hand but not unbearable. When you say "too hot for long-term use", what do you mean by that? Comfort wise to the user or damaging to the light?

 

[bradthebold]

I just mean comfortable to the user. Based on your tests, it looks like the light can handle a lot.

I've never had a good light before though, so I'm not sure what 250 or 500lm looks like or what I would need.

How floody is it for around the house or camping setup use compared to a floody ZL version? Is the color a normal cool blue, or is it a little warmer, closer to neutral white?

 

[Knight_Light]

I just mean comfortable to the user. Based on your tests, it looks like the light can handle a lot.

I've never had a good light before though, so I'm not sure what 250 or 500lm looks like or what I would need.

How floody is it for around the house or camping setup use compared to a floody ZL version? Is the color a normal cool blue, or is it a little warmer, closer to neutral white?

Unless you are wearing gloves I don’t think you would be comfortable in the hand for prolonged use. In a headband I think it would be fine.

As far as your second comment. What’s even more confusing is that 250 lm in one light might look totally different in another (talking about perceived brightness). But for the most part 250 lm is plenty of light for me. And although you can tell the difference between 500 lm and 250 lm on the same light it’s not as dramatic as you would think. It’s not like twice as bright (not even close).

The Armytek is not as floody as the zebra light floody version. But it does have a nice beam that is good for both around the house and for a campground as well as for night hiking and picking up trails. If you are looking at anything but a white wall and beyond 5 feet there basically is no hotspot.

I received the cool version which is slightly on the warmer side. I don’t know how the production models will run because what I received are the preproduction.

 

[stevieo]

BrightGuy site indicates new version of ZL H600 due July. I can hold out to buy the new version in cool white without flood just like my SC600 Mk II cool white which is plenty floody for my needs & I prefer the 18650 bat & like the ZL UI.

 

[bradthebold]

After reading a bunch more, I think I just want to go with a flood light since most things I'll be dealing with are within 20ft. Right now I think I'm leaning towards an H602w if they ever come out and I could augment it with an 18650 spot+spill handheld light or maybe another headlamp if needed. Or I may just go with an updated H600fw or the wide Armytek wizard. It's hard to find comparison shots of throw/flood.

 

[Knight_Light]

After reading a bunch more, I think I just want to go with a flood light since most things I'll be dealing with are within 20ft. Right now I think I'm leaning towards an H602w if they ever come out and I could augment it with an 18650 spot+spill handheld light or maybe another headlamp if needed. Or I may just go with an updated H600fw or the wide Armytek wizard. It's hard to find comparison shots of throw/flood.

I think you are making the right decision to go with a flood if your primary tasks are going to be within 20 feet. But remember some floods are different from others. The most flood you can get from a light would probably be from one with a naked emitter. But if you go with this type of set up you will need to get a headlamp with higher lumens to get the same amount of brightness on an object then one with less flood (tighter beam pattern). If runtime is not a major concern for you then you can go with the pure flood and just run it at higher levels. One of the best pure flood headlamps I have ever seen in this price range is from Spark.

If you decide to go with the Armytek, my advice is you choose the regular wizard and not the wide. I have used both and prefer the regular.