WTB Zebralight H51

[mickellay]

Im after a Zebralight H51 either new or in very good used condition. Any help suggestions or offers appreciated.

[Supertramp]

Keep an eye out on ebay, there were some for sale recently.

[Strider]

Have you considered the H51F? A much more versatile light IMO.

I would also avoid the warm models for outdoor use. They just don't have the penetration of the cool tints and are actually a little warmer than Black Diamond etc anyway.

[mickellay]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, Ive had a look on Ebay and only one that I see is in the US. The postage costs at $44 making the light a touch expensive.

Thanks for the info Strider. I hadnt considered the H51F. Would the H502 not be a better option then? My understanding is that it is a very floody light. I tend to favour the cooler tint so Im hoping that a cool white may turn up.

[Strider]

The H502 is a pure flood with no reflector, meaning you get a very even light that bathes absolutely everything in front of you, but with a very short throw.

The H51F is just like any other torch with a reflector, but instead of an intensely bright hotspot with a duller spill (e.g. H51) you get a less defined hotspot and a brighter spill - a more even beam overall. This translates to more usability at close range (cooking, reading, walking but not routefinding) which tends to be the dominant usage for a headtorch anyway IMO. I only use the medium settings while walking, and the low settings around camp. High is only used very occasionally to spot a cheeky possum or to routefind (on track) if needed.

I initially bought the H51FW but didn't like it as I am used to cool tints and it felt like I was walking along by candlelight - weird!

[Bubbalouie]

Thumbs up on the H502, I originally bought an H51 (still have it as a shared backup for longer trips), but the H502 has a much nicer flood, weighs less and is more efficient.

I bought from these guys: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/330931028433 ... 1439.l2649

Shipping was free, still not cheap overall though.

[Strider]

How far is the throw on the H502 at the 25lm level Bubbalouie? Enough for bushwalking at night?

[GPSGuided]

I bought from these guys: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/330931028433 ... 1439.l2649
Shipping was free, still not cheap overall though.

I think it has been pointed out earlier, purchasing directly from Zebralight is cheaper at US$69 with free postage. Still can't understand how these eBay sellers are picking up customers.

[Bubbalouie]

I use it at 2.7 or 25 lumens in camp (depending what I'm doing).

When roaming about (within a few hundred meters of camp) I use 50 lumens, 25 will be enough to stop tripping, but you need a bit more oomph for some range (I like to see the detail of where I'm going). At 50 lumens I'd say you're looking at maybe 50m range (a wild guess) based on the last time I used it like that. To be honest I think the 25lumen is good for 40m, this might have to do with pupils being more dilated due to lower illumination in the immediate area, some detail is lost in the distance for me though.

All of the above said, I've not used any headlamp for hiking any real distances at night (I've only once had to do a few km in the dark once and that was with a big torch). At this time of year I find natural light is good until around 1830 for walking (in SA anyway). I have no doubt that the hi-lo 160 lumen mode would be near perfect though.

@GPSGuided: yep, you're right, from the maker is way cheaper, and probably means more money for them to stay in business. At the time they had no stock of the H502 though and impetuousness got the better of me (I also bought the first from them in an "or best offer" buy where they matched the supplier + USD2). Now that you've pointed it out if anyone ever asks where to get one I'll send them right to the maker, thanks

[GPSGuided]

At the time they had no stock of the H502 though and impetuousness got the better of me (I also bought the first from them in an "or best offer" buy where they matched the supplier + USD2).

You are not the only one. I've done similar due to that need for instant gratification. My H502D should be here any day now and looking forward to trying it out... tic, toc, tic, toc.

[Strider]

Sounds like the H502 struggles to throw any great distance unless you go to a higher setting, which of course means more battery consumption.

Given you don't walk at night, can I say your preference vs the H51F is more based upon usage at close range?

I still get the impression that the H51F is a better all-rounder, with fair compromises to each type of usage.

Sorry if we're steering this wanted thread off course, though you'll certainly be making an informed purchase!

[GPSGuided]

Should note also that the H502 comes in a number of models with differing lumen output and colour temperature. It's a bit difficult to talk about them in the same basket.

[mickellay]

I think presently Zebralight have stock of the H502. However they no longer have the H51 which was why I posted a WTB here.
I figured theres maybe someone who may have both and prefer the H502.
The only H51 I see on Ebay at present is at working out at around $120 posted which is beyond what Im prepared to pay. Im sort of hoping to get one at around the range $50 - $70.
Anyway, it looking as though I may have to take the H502 route

[GPSGuided]

Sounds like that they are keepers and few cares to offload.

[Strider]

That could be a sign the H52 isn't far away...

[Strider]

Wow I thought you meant they were out of stock but now I see the H51 and H31 have been discontinued! So glad I got one while I could! Surely they will be replacing them with something good. Surely!

It is sad that even the H600 is only available in the warm tint too

[Strider]

Amazon has 4 x H51F in stock, but will only ship within the US. Got a friend in the States or use a shipping forwarder?

[Bubbalouie]

Given you don't walk at night, can I say your preference vs the H51F is more based upon usage at close range?

Yes.

I concluded that 260 lumen even flood at max output vs 200 lumen with flood + spot might work out to being good enough on the rare occasions I'd use it at full power. However, the main reason for me is a super floody headlamp is better for my 90+% use case so I went with that in the end.

If you are walking at night I suspect the 51 would be better as you would get less light from your immediate surroundings (less floody) allowing your pupils to dilate a bit more when looking into the distance. That is purely speculative though, I've not compared them for walking at night.

[Strider]

This will interest you - from the ZL website. All are marked as being due this month!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... y=CNqP6KIC

[Strider]

Another tip - this is by far the best way to route the headband.

Any other way and you either have too much strap bulk under the light, causing it to wobble, or have the lugs on the silicone holder digging into your forehead. This way is definitely the most comfortable and as an added benefit provides a little extra turning resistance to the holder.

[mickellay]

This will interest you - from the ZL website. All are marked as being due this month!

https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreads ... y=CNqP6KIC

Thanks for that. It may be better to wait then. The H52 seems it may be an improvement on the H51. I didnt realise they were so close to release.

Incidently, I was reading elsewhere that the Niteize headband which is around $10 on Ebay is a much better option than the supplied Zebralight headband. Aparently the light dosnt bounce around as much.

[Strider]

The only negative for the H52 for me is that it appears they are only planning to offer it with warm tint.

No problems with the ZL headband here. Very very comfortable and if it moves as described I am yet to notice it

[Bubbalouie]

Another tip - this is by far the best way to route the headband.

Any other way and you either have too much strap bulk under the light, causing it to wobble, or have the lugs on the silicone holder digging into your forehead. This way is definitely the most comfortable and as an added benefit provides a little extra turning resistance to the holder.

Nice, thank you, I'll be doing this before I next go anywhere.

The only negative for the H52 for me is that it appears they are only planning to offer it with warm tint.

On the warm white vs cool models, generally a cool white LED has more lumens per watt than a warm white one, the CREE data sheets spell it out nicely. As you say, that's a definite negative to not offer a cool, white option.

[Strider]

Don't just look at lumens. Warm tints are amazing, but I just think they lack the type of penetration needed when surrounded by greens and browns. Perhaps this is countered by the greater number of lumens in the H52, however...

[Bubbalouie]

Don't just look at lumens. Warm tints are amazing, but I just think they lack the type of penetration needed when surrounded by greens and browns. Perhaps this is countered by the greater number of lumens in the H52, however...

For home use I agree, I have dimmable 3,500k LED's in my house, it's great for winding down in & isn't as jarring as a cooler colour. But, 6,500k is daylight white, it isn't as pleasant, but as you point out it's functionally superior for the intended environment.

At 280 vs 200 lumens I'm guessing you are very very much right, it will utterly destroy the older model. Optionally accepting a 14500 is also a nice touch (rechargeable lithium cell), I don't use them myself (I like to be able to use one type of battery for everything) but they have excellent power density for a rechargeable cell.

[Strider]

My H51Fw was fine in the bush on High...but then I only got an hour of light.

The medium levels of the H52 will be what makes it or breaks it. Also, having 15 modes would suggest it has more than 2 sub-levels for each mode. Sounds a bit tricky to be honest!

[mickellay]

At 280 vs 200 lumens I'm guessing you are very very much right, it will utterly destroy the older model. Optionally accepting a 14500 is also a nice touch (rechargeable lithium cell), I don't use them myself (I like to be able to use one type of battery for everything) but they have excellent power density for a rechargeable cell

.[/quote]

For the 280 lumens to be achieved it will likely require the use of the 14500 battery. Personally Id stick with the AA for safety reliability and availability which will likely mean 200 lumens.
If wanting to take the 14500 path Id be inclined to take the extra step to the Zebralight H600 which uses the 18650 cells. Then you are achieving 1000+ lumens on high which surely is a significant and clearly obvious difference.

[icefest]

I wonder how much the CR123 h32w weighs.
Specs wise, it seems equal to the H52.

[Bubbalouie]

For the 280 lumens to be achieved it will likely require the use of the 14500 battery. Personally Id stick with the AA for safety reliability and availability which will likely mean 200 lumens.

The 502 series which uses a last generation cree led (xm-l) gets 260 from a good AA battery, being based on the xm-l2 this should do 280 with an eneloop just fine (it'll probably get terrible battery life at 280 though). The linked google doc at the top says a 14500 will allow up to 500 lumens for around 1 minute (OK, probably not very useful).

I agree wholeheartedly on sticking with AA's, GPS batteries & the batteries anyone else has will likely all be interchangeable. Throwing in specialised torch cells robs you of that versatility & you'd want something pretty cool to make up for it (as you say a lamp with 1000 lumens for example).

[Supertramp]

Thanks for the replies. Yes, Ive had a look on Ebay and only one that I see is in the US. The postage costs at $44 making the light a touch expensive.

These guys were selling a week or two ago, contact then and see if they will get more. P.s. Zebralight usually takes a long time to get there new lights out and being shipped.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300931930220 ... 1423.l2649