*new* Fenix HL50 headlamp

[Tuna]

As someone who also bought this headlamp and owns many, many other headlamps, here are my initial impressions. Is it the perfect headlamp? No.

Does it perform better than the typical headlamps sold at your local REI. Absolutely.

Does it fit my needs for throwing in my backpack for a short hike after dark in a light weight reliable package for under $50? Absolutely.

It has a nice wide beam and tint useful for outdoor adventures. I swapped out the headband from a zebralight h31 that I don't use and it fits fine. The fenix headband is just too overbuilt for me.

I like the large button on the side. It has a nice feel to it and easy to locate. In comparison, my Armytek Wizard Pro button is rock hard and difficult to locate by touch.

Overall, I am happy with it, but never had super high expectations. It is a Fenix, not a Surefire. I'm not taking into combat or a gunfight, just everday recreational activities.

 

[newbie66]

Thanks for the impressions. Guess nothing beats the comfort of Zebralight's headband.

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[gunga]

Would you choose it over a Zebralight?


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[newbie66]

Just remember that Zebralight lacks impact resistance.

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[colight]

Wonder if the headband is as comfortable as the Zebralight H52w...

Hope someone comes up with review soon!

someone has done a review,here is the link:http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...XM-L2-T6-Neutral-White-CR123A-or-1xAA)-Review

 

[Tuna]

Would I choose it over a Zebralight? Nope. It doesn't feel as robust as a zebralight but most fenix lights generally feel lightweight. If you are holding out for a zebralight then get that.

However, they just don't make a light yet (that I know of) that can take both cr123 and AA batteries with a xml led. I like the brightness/weight of cr123s and the ability to use another type of battery as a backup. For example, I already carry my garmin gps when hiking which uses AA eneloops. In a jam (and not lost) I can always use those batteries too.

 

[danstheman]

Some initial impressions (most in relation to the Zebralight H50x/H5x, which get more use than all my other lights combined):

• The HL50 threads are conductive, so you can't easily lock the light out by unscrewing the tailcap (big point in the H52's favor, for me).

Thanks for the review! I ordered one of these weeks ago, but it has been delayed repeatedly- I think I might cancel the order now that I know it doesn't have a lockout function. This is such an essential feature, and present on my other Fenix lights, so I was hoping it would be on this one too.

I've been waiting many months for zebralight to release the H32, to replace my two previous H31s that I both lost, and unfortunately are no longer available online. My zebralights were by far the best headlamps I've ever seen, and I haven't been able to find anything close online. The last response I got from Zebralight (on 5/29/2014) said the H32 will come out in "2-3 months", meaning by the end of August, but I'm not holding my breath.. they said the same thing in April.. I guess I'll be waiting longer..

Any suggestions for a Zebralight alternative? As in, a Cree, single-cell CR123 headlamp, with a lockout function, with no gimmicks like red LEDs, SOS, carbon fiber, etc?

 

[psychbeat]

I was going to replace my gf's broken "fireworm" with one of these for her bday but she only uses 16340s so I'll have to look elsewhere.
No lockout or rechargeables (besides extender & Eneloop) is pretty weak sauce.

 

[mhanlen]

Ok, so my video review of the light won't be ready for a few days because editing takes a while, but here are runtime tests that I have rendered and completed. They are video runtime tests sped up, that accurately show the decline in output over the duration of the runtime of the light. I used an energizer industrial alkaline and an eneloop pro. Hope this helps. These will be integrated into the full review, but here they are by themselves. Time elapsed is in hours and minutes.

 

[RobertMM]

Thanks for the videos mhanlen, I have Eneloop XX so I'm really up for this headlamp.

 

[mhanlen]

Thanks for the videos mhanlen, I have Eneloop XX so I'm really up for this headlamp.

Thanks! Here's a split screen comparison between all battery types, along with the CR123A.

 

[IgglePiggle]

Would you choose it over a Zebralight?

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It's a toss up for me. I like the neutral white of the HL50 but I'd like to see it compared to the High CRI models that Zebralight has. I'd be using for close up work like working on the car or around the house.

 

[Swedpat]

I received HL50 some week ago. Nice design, nice beam pattern and nice tint. Nice compact size and useful with as well AA and CR123. That's good features. But I have one complaint: the only way to protect it from accidently turning on is to remove the battery or loosen the tailcap until it's almost removed from the body.
HL50 has some similarity to Zebralight but Zebralight has the advantage that it's enough to just loosen the tailcap some mm to break the electrical contact.

 

[Nyctophiliac]

But I have one complaint: the only way to protect it from accidently turning on is to remove the battery or loosen the tailcap until it's almost removed from the body.
HL50 has some similarity to Zebralight but Zebralight has the advantage that it's enough to just loosen the tailcap some mm to break the electrical contact.

Thanks for that. Stopped me reaching for the "BUY THIS!" button.

I'll stick with my Zebralight.

Nice looking though, and if I didn't already own the Zebra.......

 

[Swedpat]

Thanks for that. Stopped me reaching for the "BUY THIS!" button.

I'll stick with my Zebralight.

Nice looking though, and if I didn't already own the Zebra.......

While otherwise seems to be a very nice light and the protruding button is very comfortable to use, it's not a question if it will turn on accidently in the pocket. You can count it will do. I planned to give a HL50 to my brother in law, but I think I will give Zebralight H52W instead. HL50 will work good at home but for backpacking it's just not suitable.

 

[Fumer Tue]

They now have got the HL55! Nice work~

 

[Jiri]

I wish they made a version suitable for RCR123A li-ion batteries. That would be just awsome!

 

[Big_Sam]

While otherwise seems to be a very nice light and the protruding button is very comfortable to use, it's not a question if it will turn on accidently in the pocket. You can count it will do. I planned to give a HL50 to my brother in law, but I think I will give Zebralight H52W instead. HL50 will work good at home but for backpacking it's just not suitable.

Yes this is a disadvantage, I have a small plastic hydraulic hose cap which I pop over button if going in my pocket.

I now keep it in a Peli 1010 case, perfect fit including the AA adapter loose.

I find the tint to be ideal, very neutral, ideal for working in the house or on cars, cables easily identified.

 

[hiuintahs]

I thought I'd share this idea with you guys. I bought an Efest 18650 zippered battery storage case. (you've probably seen them at the dealers for about $3.00). I looked at that and thought, I wonder if my HL50 headlamp would fit in there. Sure enough. It works great to protect the headlamp so now I can throw it anywhere in a gear bag or backpack and not worry about it. Shown in the pic is with the AA extender. I love this headlamp.

 

[Taz80]

Thats a good idea, thank you.