Sorry my light is so awesome

[Beerplumber]

I'm wishing I had a Dime for every time someone sees my zebra light in use and immediately regards the torch they're holding with disgust. Camping this weekend and someone puts out the request for some light. "we just got a new one use this" a fellow camper replies. Sooner or later I click on my little H51 and light up the campsite like its noon. A lot of "where'd you get that" and "but I just bought this thing" flies around. I find it so weird that the common store bought light is so sub-par in comparison to the high quality lights most of us favour. It's not like they're hard to find you just have to spend a few minutes of research and a few clicks on eBay or where ever you like and exponentially better lights are easily had. For how much a flashlight is used you'd think people would pay attention to what's actually available. Anyways this is getting to be a common occurrence for me this summer. I think I've been using my lights more often than knives or multi's so far this summer. High quality lights are worth every penny of the cost IMHO and I never regret putting the time and money into something I use so often. Why are they such a secret from the general public?


Stay multi my friends

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

There's a couple of Maglite users at work and there shocked at how my torches comprehensively destroy there 4x C cell mags

[N_N_R]

Well, I don't have much to show, I have only a Fenix E11, but whenever I use it in the yard and the neighbours are around and the Fenix lights up the whole yard from one end to the other, they're like: looook at that light, what the hell is that?? And then I say: well, it's a little more expensive than the average ones And.. this seems to be enough for them, lol. They keep WOWing and AAHing every time I use it and they're holding their $2-lights... Don't get me wrong, I've also used and still use plenty of cheap lights, just I've started appreciating the quality and pros of more expensive lights.

[Gareth]

I don't know what it's like elsewhere, but here there are very few places that might even have a chance of stocking anything like a current generation of torch.  So unless you are the type of person that does a lot of on-line shopping and research, there's just no way for them to know what's out there.  I've seen plenty of people using LED lights these days but not one who has anything like as good as the one that I am inevitably carrying.

[Suveges]

I must say that light did kick ass.

[N_N_R]

I don't know what it's like elsewhere, but here there are very few places that might even have a chance of stocking anything like a current generation of torch.  So unless you are the type of person that does a lot of on-line shopping and research, there's just no way for them to know what's out there.  I've seen plenty of people using LED lights these days but not one who has anything like as good as the one that I am inevitably carrying.

Haha, that's right. The neighbour I mentioned above asked me where they could get the same flashlight. When I told him he could buy it online only, he was like: oh, come on, that's not for me then. 

There are just people who don't do much or any online shopping at all here. Therefore deprive themselves of the variety which the online world/shops offer.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I'm wishing I had a Dime for every time someone sees my zebra light in use and immediately regards the torch they're holding with disgust. Camping this weekend and someone puts out the request for some light. "we just got a new one use this" a fellow camper replies. Sooner or later I click on my little H51 and light up the campsite like its noon. A lot of "where'd you get that" and "but I just bought this thing" flies around. I find it so weird that the common store bought light is so sub-par in comparison to the high quality lights most of us favour. It's not like they're hard to find you just have to spend a few minutes of research and a few clicks on eBay or where ever you like and exponentially better lights are easily had. For how much a flashlight is used you'd think people would pay attention to what's actually available. Anyways this is getting to be a common occurrence for me this summer. I think I've been using my lights more often than knives or multi's so far this summer. High quality lights are worth every penny of the cost IMHO and I never regret putting the time and money into something I use so often. Why are they such a secret from the general public?


Stay multi my friends

I love doing that too!   

Last summer when my family went camping and caving at Lava Beds National Monument, we went on a cave tour with one of the park rangers.  She had an old style carbide lamp on her helmet, and she kind of laughed when she saw my Spark ST5-190NW...  Her reaction when I fired the thing up and totally drowned out her light was priceless... 

[Beerplumber]

great stories guys I'm glad I'm not alone! I'm not a gloating when I use it but ya still gotta love the looks we get! It's funny too how some people are so intimidated by shopping on-line. My lady won't even bank on-line, scared of identity theft!


Stay multi my friends

[Syph007]

I was JUST on the zebra sight looking at their stuff.  I'm not a light guy and there are too many options for me to know what's good.  I know I want AA powered, but do I want the Neutral White or regular?

[Metropolicity]

I found out you can't leave batteries in either the zebra or the ultra fire clone. The digital switch is a slow drain on the battery. The cost of infinite adjustability.

[Beerplumber]

I found out you can't leave batteries in either the zebra or the ultra fire clone. The digital switch is a slow drain on the battery. The cost of infinite adjustability.

it's true, but super slow. I don't usually worry unless I'm not going to use it for day's at a time then I unscrew the tail-cap a couple turns. Hey what the...! Who's this guy thread hijacking! Mods! :p  I just lost my ultrafire this week so ordered two more yesterday actually! Such good lights on 14500's. Already got one for my service manager and of course everyone else wants one. "Where did you get that light...?" they ask. "My Tactifriend Eric found them for us sucka!"


Stay multi my friends

[Beerplumber]

I was JUST on the zebra sight looking at their stuff.  I'm not a light guy and there are too many options for me to know what's good.  I know I want AA powered, but do I want the Neutral White or regular?

Honestly I don't mind the regular tint personally. From what I've heard and Heinz will testify the neutral is sweet.


Stay multi my friends

[Metropolicity]

Werd!

I found out after I left it on my fridge for a day and I thought it was broken.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I was JUST on the zebra sight looking at their stuff.  I'm not a light guy and there are too many options for me to know what's good.  I know I want AA powered, but do I want the Neutral White or regular?

I'd strongly recommend either the neutral (anything with a "w" in the name), or a high CRI version.  You lose a few lumens with the neutral version (e.g. H51:200 lumens, vs H51w: 170 lumens), but the difference is barely noticeable.  However, you get a lot better color rendition and depth perception with the neutral versions in my opinion.  You'll pay a greater lumen penalty for high color rendering emitters, but again, I think it's worth it.  I, personally, won't buy a light if it's not available in at least a neutral emitter.

Without knowing your needs or intended use, I'd recommend the H51w or Fw; the "F" indicates it's a frosted lens and will give you a much floodier beam profile.  The regular version will have a beam profile that looks just like any regular LED torch.  I personally have an H51w; got it because I thought I might like having the regular beam profile now and again.  I put some DC-fix diffusion film on it thinking I could take it off whenever I like so I have the traditional beam, but I never have.  If I were to get another one, I'd get an F model, or one of the new H502 models with the pure flood beam.  I'm jonesing for one of the H502c models with the high CRI emitter.

I found out you can't leave batteries in either the zebra or the ultra fire clone. The digital switch is a slow drain on the battery. The cost of infinite adjustability.

You may have one with a defective switch.  The parasitic drain on Zebras is so low, they have a shelf life in years... you should test it out by seeing if it does it again.  If so, contact them and request an RMA.  I've had several Zebras over the last few years, and never had a problem like that with any of them, even my AA based ones.

[gustophersmob]

I was JUST on the zebra sight looking at their stuff.  I'm not a light guy and there are too many options for me to know what's good.  I know I want AA powered, but do I want the Neutral White or regular?

I'd strongly recommend either the neutral (anything with a "w" in the name), or a high CRI version.  You lose a few lumens with the neutral version (e.g. H51:200 lumens, vs H51w: 170 lumens), but the difference is barely noticeable.  However, you get a lot better color rendition and depth perception with the neutral versions in my opinion.  You'll pay a greater lumen penalty for high color rendering emitters, but again, I think it's worth it.  I, personally, won't buy a light if it's not available in at least a neutral emitter.

Without knowing your needs or intended use, I'd recommend the H51w or Fw; the "F" indicates it's a frosted lens and will give you a much floodier beam profile.  The regular version will have a beam profile that looks just like any regular LED torch.  I personally have an H51w; got it because I thought I might like having the regular beam profile now and again.  I put some DC-fix diffusion film on it thinking I could take it off whenever I like so I have the traditional beam, but I never have.  If I were to get another one, I'd get an F model, or one of the new H502 models with the pure flood beam.  I'm jonesing for one of the H502c models with the high CRI emitter.

I found out you can't leave batteries in either the zebra or the ultra fire clone. The digital switch is a slow drain on the battery. The cost of infinite adjustability.

You may have one with a defective switch.  The parasitic drain on Zebras is so low, they have a shelf life in years... you should test it out by seeing if it does it again.  If so, contact them and request an RMA.  I've had several Zebras over the last few years, and never had a problem like that with any of them, even my AA based ones.

+1 to all of this, Heinz beat me to it.

Go for a "w" (my personal preference) or a "c" (high CRI).

Zebra's parasitic drain is super small (some low number of micro-amps) the battery shouldn't drain for several years.

[Syph007]

Thanks guys, the H51w does look good to me.  All my mobile/emergency gear is AA powered so I like to have them share batteries so looks like a AA H51w is in my future.

[Beerplumber]

Eric is referring to an Ultrafire UF-H2 I believe, also great lights for half the price but you kinda get what you pay for. I use one for work knowing I'll either lose it or break it.


Stay multi my friends

[sjian]

Werd!

I found out after I left it on my fridge for a day and I thought it was broken.

A day seems like there's something wrong with the light or the battery, the specs show that it show take years to drain the battery after a full charge.  For example the H51fw lists it as 16 years.  All batteries will drain themselves too, Lithium, Lithium ion and Low Self Discharge batteries such as eneloops will have the least amount of self drain.  NiCD are the worst and regular NiMH are bad too.

[ryan1835]

i think i have the h51w does anyone know iof it has a strobe or sos mode?

[JAfromMn]

I got to have a good light. I am still amazed how much better the light I carry now is better than the. Led maglight I used to carry just a few years ago.

Zebrilight SC51w is in my pocket now.

[Syph007]

i think i have the h51w does anyone know iof it has a strobe or sos mode?

The specs say the alternate mode of the high mode has a strobe.  http://www.zebralight.com/H51w-Headlamp-AA-Neutral-White_p_46.html

I got one on the way now too. 

[JAfromMn]

i think i have the h51w does anyone know iof it has a strobe or sos mode?

The specs say the alternate mode of the high mode has a strobe.  http://www.zebralight.com/H51w-Headlamp-AA-Neutral-White_p_46.html

I got one on the way now too. 

6 Double clicks on hi will get you to select H1 H2 or strobe if it works like my Sc51

[Beerplumber]

i think i have the h51w does anyone know iof it has a strobe or sos mode?

yup yup, six clicks in high will strobe for you.


Stay multi my friends

[legtu]

for most people 'high' quality lights definitely gives an oooh/wow/ reaction but when you start mentioning how much one costs or that they have to buy it online, that's when they start going 'oh, okay. nevermind.'

[Syph007]

Thanks for the tips in this thread about the led type.  For the avg person, it should really be made clearer on the 'fancy' light sites about what cool white and neutral and CRI mean.  NOW I understand at least. 

Long story short thanks to this new info, I have three on the way since I couldnt decide.  Zebra H51w, Zebra SC51Fw and a Peak El Capitan (neutral/medium beam/keychain).  I couldnt figure out what exactly I wanted so I had to get the zebra most folks like, and then a floody, and then one of those peak ones to see how I like the infinite variable type.  LOL.  OH well I wanted a light, now at least one of these should satisfy the need.   

Also since those are all aluminum frames I figured I could strip them and hard anodize in OD green, or Red since I do that for my SAK mods I can just throw in flashlight parts along with those.

[Beerplumber]

H51


Stay multi my friends

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

Thanks for the tips in this thread about the led type.  For the avg person, it should really be made clearer on the 'fancy' light sites about what cool white and neutral and CRI mean.  NOW I understand at least. 

Long story short thanks to this new info, I have three on the way since I couldnt decide.  Zebra H51w, Zebra SC51Fw and a Peak El Capitan (neutral/medium beam/keychain).  I couldnt figure out what exactly I wanted so I had to get the zebra most folks like, and then a floody, and then one of those peak ones to see how I like the infinite variable type.  LOL.  OH well I wanted a light, now at least one of these should satisfy the need.   

Also since those are all aluminum frames I figured I could strip them and hard anodize in OD green, or Red since I do that for my SAK mods I can just throw in flashlight parts along with those.

Glad to help...   I don't have one myself, but I think you'll like the Peak.  They have a cult-like following over on CPF.

Interesting you chose the SC51Fw and the H51w; I personally would have done it the other way around, but then again, I used DC-fix diffusion film on my old SC50w+ for almost the entire time I had it, until I traded it.

Regardless, see which you like best, and how you end up using them, and then decide what you prefer from there.

[Syph007]

Thanks for the tips in this thread about the led type.  For the avg person, it should really be made clearer on the 'fancy' light sites about what cool white and neutral and CRI mean.  NOW I understand at least. 

Long story short thanks to this new info, I have three on the way since I couldnt decide.  Zebra H51w, Zebra SC51Fw and a Peak El Capitan (neutral/medium beam/keychain).  I couldnt figure out what exactly I wanted so I had to get the zebra most folks like, and then a floody, and then one of those peak ones to see how I like the infinite variable type.  LOL.  OH well I wanted a light, now at least one of these should satisfy the need.   

Also since those are all aluminum frames I figured I could strip them and hard anodize in OD green, or Red since I do that for my SAK mods I can just throw in flashlight parts along with those.

Glad to help...   I don't have one myself, but I think you'll like the Peak.  They have a cult-like following over on CPF.

Interesting you chose the SC51Fw and the H51w; I personally would have done it the other way around, but then again, I used DC-fix diffusion film on my old SC50w+ for almost the entire time I had it, until I traded it.

Regardless, see which you like best, and how you end up using them, and then decide what you prefer from there.

I'll admit my choices were somewhat impulse driven, but I hope that it'll give me an idea of what my preferences are, and I can sell off the ones I dont end up using.  That peak just looked neat to me, so I had to try one.

[JAfromMn]

I can't say enough good things about my Zebralight SC51w. I think I'm going to try a H51f to go with it.  The H is the way to go for hands free use. The sc has got to be a better hand held because of the shape. I wish I could comment on what zebra clip I like better but the clip on my ss rides in my pocket nice. It will give my a hot pocket now and them if I carry it wrong.


Zebra Love

I also I'm going to try the AA/cr123 light I like both batteries but can't pick one. Lol

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

I also I'm going to try the AA/cr123 light I like both batteries but can't pick one. Lol

That's the SC80; also available in either cool, neutral, or HCRI emitters.  I'd love to have a couple of them myself... I just can't afford it right now. 

I really like the fact they can use both AA and 123 format cells.  Some comments on CPF indicate they work well with both 14500 and 16340 cells as well.  I've also read that if you just take the spacer out completely, you can run a 17500 in them and double the run time you'd normally get with a 14500.

Hey Syph... if you decide you don't like the SC51Fw, let me know, and maybe we can work a trade.