Hello to all, new member here. I'm looking to upgrade my lighting, and thinking about getting a quality headlamp. I've used that flat curvy 3 led units that clip onto the brim of a hat and do like the light being on my head, but these are absolutely wimpy, and have to be wearing a baseball cap. Then on some hiking trips with my friend I was blown away with his headlamp - how bright and useful it was. All my hiking gear is old so I am upgrading it little by little and my only light I bring is an old AA mini mag with a Teralux ministar extreme upgrade from a few years ago.
My most critical application would be hiking, I typically go on a few mountain hiking trips a year (anywhere from 2-5 day trips). But something that could be versatile enough for general purpose stuff too... an EDC, and maybe night jogging.
I need something with multiple brightness settings, good efficiency (good runtimes at least on low/med), and something reliable. I'm really wanting to stick to AA format (have tons of Nimh, Lacross 9009), plus my camera takes AA's I hike with.
A big plus would be if the light could easily start in low mode (I hate waking up in a tent and blinding myself with a flashlight). Or the ability to also start in max would be useful sometimes. The ZebraLight seems to have a nice UI that allows you to start in like any mode. And some of the mods you guys have done make the light seem very versatile!
I think I have decided on the ZL. The brighter Sparks would be ideal if I didnt mind the extra weight/size and battery format, but I think for EDC/light weight hiking the ZL is perfect. Do you guys agree? I guess my biggest decision yet is which one. I think I like the spot+spill of the H51. I think I would like the H501 for purely up close stuff but just doesnt have the range I'd like. I'm interested in the upcoming 502 but dont think I can put it off much longer. Then there is still the reg/W/C but after watching the youtube videos I think I would like the extra brightness of the regular.
My most critical application would be hiking, I typically go on a few mountain hiking trips a year (anywhere from 2-5 day trips). But something that could be versatile enough for general purpose stuff too... an EDC, and maybe night jogging.
I need something with multiple brightness settings, good efficiency (good runtimes at least on low/med), and something reliable. I'm really wanting to stick to AA format (have tons of Nimh, Lacross 9009), plus my camera takes AA's I hike with.
A big plus would be if the light could easily start in low mode (I hate waking up in a tent and blinding myself with a flashlight). Or the ability to also start in max would be useful sometimes. The ZebraLight seems to have a nice UI that allows you to start in like any mode. And some of the mods you guys have done make the light seem very versatile!
I think I have decided on the ZL. The brighter Sparks would be ideal if I didnt mind the extra weight/size and battery format, but I think for EDC/light weight hiking the ZL is perfect. Do you guys agree? I guess my biggest decision yet is which one. I think I like the spot+spill of the H51. I think I would like the H501 for purely up close stuff but just doesnt have the range I'd like. I'm interested in the upcoming 502 but dont think I can put it off much longer. Then there is still the reg/W/C but after watching the youtube videos I think I would like the extra brightness of the regular.