ZebraLights

[jjoustfrost]

i really don't like the way zebralights look, and i'm probably alone on this...
but i love their tech specs, and quality of build, and ui, and pretty much everything else besides the way they look
if these new SC-series lights are impressive enough, I may cave in

 

[mrlysle]

if these new SC-series lights are impressive enough, I may cave in

Trust not only me, but lots of other members here, they are impressive! If you don't like it, there's no doubt it will sell quickly on the CPMarketplace.

 

[Dude Dudeson]

When I start seeing Zebralight threads without people reporting problems I will seriously consider buying one.

"On Paper" they really seem awesome, but pretty much EVERY THREAD I see about Zebralights has posts about problems.

In fact that's why I viewed this very thread! I thought "Okay, let's see how long it takes before someone ELSE reports Zebralight problems..."

I really hope they get their act together, because that "On Paper" portion sure does look nice...

 

[Sparky's Magic]

Zebralight SC60W. arrived this am. 24th. March. Best ever from China, 10 days! The light works perfectly, the tint is
beautiful, the lumens honest, the beam pattern fantastic with a seamless transition to a generous spill that has solid, useful light without any artifacts or distractions of any kind.

I purchased this 'light because I was so happy with my SC30W,: Am I happy with the SC60W, ... I'm deliriously happy!

This Z/L is a color I've not seen before-a beautiful light bronze and the finish perfect. My SC30W. has a dark grey finish and is excellent but given the choice, I'd go for the bronze every time. It's special.

The 'Light came fully lubed, o-ring and all: the threads are so well cut, the SC60W. not only looks like a custom 'Light
it feels like one too. Well Done Lillian.

 

[flatline]

When I start seeing Zebralight threads without people reporting problems I will seriously consider buying one.

"On Paper" they really seem awesome, but pretty much EVERY THREAD I see about Zebralights has posts about problems.

In fact that's why I viewed this very thread! I thought "Okay, let's see how long it takes before someone ELSE reports Zebralight problems..."

I really hope they get their act together, because that "On Paper" portion sure does look nice...

If you're worried about getting a defective light, just buy from a reputable dealer with a proven customer service policy.

I just got an SC51w and so far am extremely impressed with it. It's heavy for its size (which I like), comfortable to hold, the electronic switch has a good solid feel to it, and the beam is nice and floody. My only reservation is the potential for accidental activation. I've also never clip-carried a light before, so it'll take some experimentation to figure out how I like to carry it. Worst case, it fits my Quark AA holster...

--flatline

 

[Lite_me]

I own 7 Zebralights and have sold 2 others. I just received my latest today. An H501w. The tint is perfect. It doesn't look any less bright than my original cool H501. Just a better tint, to me anyway. I love 'em all. Especially my H51w & SC51w. They get constant use. I want more. :D

 

[srfreddy]

I own 7 Zebralights and have sold 2 others. I just received my latest today. An H501w. The tint is perfect. It doesn't look any less bright than my original cool H501. Just a better tint, to me anyway. I love 'em all. Especially my H51w & SC51w. They get constant use. I want more. :D

7?! Wow......

 

[Dude Dudeson]

If you're worried about getting a defective light, just buy from a reputable dealer with a proven customer service policy.


--flatline

With cheap products I will gladly take a good exchange/return policy in lieu of quality.

But Zebralights aren't cheap flashlights. Doesn't matter if I have a million dollars, a hundred dollars, or a billion dollars. They're still not cheap flashlights. And they still (as yet again proven in this thread) have QC issues that need to be resolved.

Why do I even discuss it? Because "On Paper" the Zebralight offerings are very attractive. I keep hoping, but every time I read a Zebralight thread there's yet another person who had problems...

 

[srfreddy]

With cheap products I will gladly take a good exchange/return policy in lieu of quality.

But Zebralights aren't cheap flashlights. Doesn't matter if I have a million dollars, a hundred dollars, or a billion dollars. They're still not cheap flashlights. And they still (as yet again proven in this thread) have QC issues that need to be resolved.

Why do I even discuss it? Because "On Paper" the Zebralight offerings are very attractive. I keep hoping, but every time I read a Zebralight thread there's yet another person who had problems...

There has almost never been a production flashlight without problems.

 

[Dude Dudeson]

There has almost never been a production flashlight without problems.

Sorry, I've got nearly 40 years of experience that says otherwise. But I will absolutely concede that this was with nothing more expensive (or higher performance) than a Maglite.

I get the feeling that all the "regular Joe cheapo" flashlights are somewhat "underclocked technology" that survives, while our "CPF grade flashlights" are somewhat "overclocked technology" that's prone to failure due to pushing ahead of it's time...

 

[B0wz3r]

Sorry, I've got nearly 40 years of experience that says otherwise. But I will absolutely concede that this was with nothing more expensive (or higher performance) than a Maglite.

I get the feeling that all the "regular Joe cheapo" flashlights are somewhat "underclocked technology" that survives, while our "CPF grade flashlights" are somewhat "overclocked technology" that's prone to failure due to pushing ahead of it's time...

At risk of opening up a nasty can of worms here, this whole issue has been hashed out ad-nauseum over in the headlamps forum (although most of that thread was probably lost in the crash).

It is easy to perceive a particular brand as being/having low QC because in a place like this, we're much more knowledgeable and have higher standards than Joe Average Consumer.

The truth is that we are NOT a representative sample; meaning that the things we discuss here don't match what goes on in general for the rest of all people who buy a particular kind of light. The result is a highly skewed view of the particular light in question.

I could go into a long discussion about sampling, statistics, and all that (I teach statistics in fact), but I don't want to bore people or waste their time. The best thing I can say is that Marshal from GoingGear has commented on this issue, and he sells a LOT of ZL's, and has said that he sees a defect/return rate of only about 1 or 2 percent.

So, the odds are, that if you buy one you most likely won't have an issue with it. And, if you really want to be sure, order one from Marshal and ask him to vet the light in advance of having it shipped out to you. I'm pretty sure he's done that with other CPF'ers and it will mean you'll be assured of getting a good one.

But again, in short, it's a mistake to think that what we discuss here at CPF about ZL's (or any other brand of light for that matter) is a good representation of that brands overall quality.

 

[Glock27]

W00t! H31w Headlamp XP-G Neutral White
Several lights on sale now...must be making room for other new lights.
G27

 

[flatline]

I get the feeling that all the "regular Joe cheapo" flashlights are somewhat "underclocked technology" that survives, while our "CPF grade flashlights" are somewhat "overclocked technology" that's prone to failure due to pushing ahead of it's time...

All lights fail, but when a "cheapo" light fails, you don't hear about it because "regular Joe" doesn't go on a forum and talk about it. He dumps it in the trash and buys another (or returns it for replacement if he still has the receipt). Of course, a "cheapo" light consists of a bulb, a switch, a spring, and a conductor. Anyone with any amount of mechanical aptitude can fix a cheapo light. When a more sophisticated light fails, it can take special equipment to be able to troubleshoot the driver or re-flow on a new emitter.

But I get the impression that there's something fishy about Zebralight in regards to failures. Most people have no complaints, but the ones who do complain of issues have the exact same issue with multiple lights. I'm not saying that Zebralights don't fail, but the odds of getting a defective light replaced with another defective light (sometimes multiple times) must be pretty small. The lack of people complaining about singular failures is deafening. Unless we're willing to assume that the folks with singular failures get their lights fixed/replaced and don't think to mention it, it seems likely that at least one of the following is true:
1. the folks with the failures are extremely unlucky
2. the folks with failures are exaggerating the issue
3. the folks with failures are doing something wrong

Edit: I'm not try to call anyone out with this post and I hope I didn't offend anyone.

--flatline

 

[tre]

That is the first time I have heard about that type of thing, I assume you got it from Zebralight direct? I've received most of my ZL's through them and it's always been pleasant so this has to be a very rare abnormally, it does not excuse it but I don't think it's something you'll have to worry about again unless your have one of those lightning striking twice kind of deals.

I purchased them from Going Gear. I purchase from them because I know they are easy to deal with if there are issues. I have three other Zebralights that have always been problem free so I was pretty shocked to see two bad ones. Clearly QC checked these because one of them has some really bad touch up paint on it that does not match the finish. It is clear a half hearted attempt was made to fix the problem and it was shipped out in that condition. Here are a couple pics of my new lights.

 

[Lite_me]

The H501w that I just received and mentioned in a post above has a couple short side by side scratches on the LED dome (note: it's exposed on this model) and a nick similar to the first pic above on the edge around the switch ring. Not much to complain about other than that. Neither flaw affect the use of the light and doesn't bother me. From the pics I've seen here, and in other threads from memory, and similar flaws on a couple of my other ZL's, I get the impression that they are rough with handling their raw parts and/or during assembly. My other impression is, that they make a fine product despite the fact. It's just that they are not all pristine sometimes. But I plan on using my lights and they wouldn't remain that way anyway. And I do love the way they work. :)

 

[davidt1]

The H501w that I just received and mentioned in a post above has a couple short side by side scratches on the LED dome (note: it's exposed on this model) and a nick similar to the first pic above on the edge around the switch ring. Not much to complain about other than that. Neither flaw affect the use of the light and doesn't bother me. From the pics I've seen here, and in other threads from memory, and similar flaws on a couple of my other ZL's, I get the impression that they are rough with handling their raw parts and/or during assembly. My other impression is, that they make a fine product despite the fact. It's just that they are not all pristine sometimes. But I plan on using my lights and they wouldn't remain that way anyway. And I do love the way they work. :)

There are a few ZL haters on here who, I doubt, would ever buy any ZL lights. They, however, look for opportunities to attack Zebralight whenever they can. One person in this thread has some cosmetic issue with his ZL light while there are many who are happy with their ZL lights. This fact won't matter to the few haters. They look for and latch on to any negative report from an unhappy owner while ignoring positive reports from happy owners.

To respond to the OP:

I am hoping for an all flood NW XM-L in H51 body because Zebralight does not have a replacement for the H501 yet. I don't consider the H51F a true replacement for the H501.

 

[tuelleric]

W00t! H31w Headlamp XP-G Neutral White
Several lights on sale now...must be making room for other new lights.
G27

Thanks for the hint. I've been waiting for this light for a long time, it seems to meet exactly my needs. Just wanted to place my order, but it is already on back order...

 

[PerttiK]

I've got a H501W and a H51W, both arrived with perfect fit and finish.
I'm a happy camper with these.

 

[tre]

There are a few ZL haters on here who, I doubt, would ever buy any ZL lights. They, however, look for opportunities to attack Zebralight whenever they can. One person in this thread has some cosmetic issue with his ZL light while there are many who are happy with their ZL lights. This fact won't matter to the few haters. They look for and latch on to any negative report from an unhappy owner while ignoring positive reports from happy owners.

I don't know if you are talking about me but I'm not an unhappy owner. Check my past posts and you will find many where I mention how much I love my zebralights. I would not have purchased 2 more if I did not like them. However, the lights I have are unacceptable. I've purchased at least 50 lights of all different brands in the last year and I have never seen anything close to this. I don't know what happened but I don't think it is common. The pictures don't do the lights any justice though because they are much more beat up in person. In addition to that the SC60w has quite a lot of dust under the lens and finish issues on the reflector. I hope Zebralight has better QC in the future because in my opinion they have the best UI of any light on the market and I will continue to buy more. On the other hand, Zebralight should realize they are selling $80 lights so shipping somthing that looks like a $15 KD or DX light is unacceptable and I hope they see this post and change their QC. They are my favorite brand of lights.

 

[mellowman]

Well, this post is not meant to merely bash ZL but to share my experience. I've seen 6 H51w's, first 3 had emitter issues which were exchanged and the 3 I got back all had flawless emitters and centered. However, I wouldn't describe any of the 6 as flawless in terms of the external finish. All had some nick or scratch or poor ano area. The pics of the sc51s posted above are about equal with the worst of the ones I received which was one of the 3 that was exchanged. But frankly it really doesn't bother me and the recipients of the 2 I gifted are not flashaholics so will probably never notice or care.

So I agree with Lite_me in that the ZL manufacturing process is a bit too harsh on the body parts and is an area ZL could improve on based on my experience. This may not pertain to every model they sell.