The Official Zebralight Thread
- Thread starter C.M.S
- Start date
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
I just want to clarify, because I think there is an implication that the fact it's still shining is something you're perceiving as a marker of a special quality, and want to point out that most greases by their nature do not evaporate, and that's why it's still shining.
That's a fairly standard feature of any oil based product, and is why oil based products are often chosen; they don't typically evaporate in air, but polymerize. Greases are thicker oils, so the polymerization tends to be slower, so they don't "gum up" as quickly as oils.
But, to your question, I don't know what ZL uses, but because it tends to be likely to contact my bare skin, I like the Haynes Lubri-film Malkoff used to sell.
At the end of the day, I think using a safer grease, and simply cleaning and reapplying it to the threads every year or so is the way to go, as it keeps things cleaner.
What is the difference? They both seem to be using same LED. Better driver?
Booyakasha
Newly Enlightened
Yes, the H54Fc N is way more efficient.
Booyakasha
Newly Enlightened
A few months ago, I sent my SC65c HI for RMA, but my package was unexpectedly rejected by Chinese customs, and I'm still waiting for its return. In the meantime, Zebralight sent me a brand new unit, which arrived yesterday with customs duties already covered. Huge kudos to ZL for their outstanding customer support!
SYZYGY
Enlightened
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2019
- Messages
- 329
almost certainly a silicone grease
AMD64Brunette
Enlightened
Anyone know why the SC64w was discontinued?
tonkem
Flashlight Enthusiast
One of the reasons was the owner wanted to lower the number of SKUs to only one variant of the SC64/65 series. I have requested they they bring back other variants with Cool White LED's but they said no other variants of the SC65 would be released in 2024. Not sure about 2025. Holding out hope :)
It wasn't just the light that was discontinued but the LED installed was the CREE XHP35 HI 4500k and that LED was discontinued by the manufacturer
I still would have liked to see them do other variants. The new one is nice, but the option for 5000k would be great
tonkem
Flashlight Enthusiast
Agreed, I prefer cooler tints, for sure, 5000k is about the lowest I can stand. My SC700d is 5000k and it is not bad.
Climb14er
Enlightened
I’ve got one from an initial run of SC52’s. The light runs alkalines, Eneloops and all types of 14500’s. Great light, when I travel, it’s always in the bag or pocket cause if I ever need spare cells, no problem almost anywhere.
abarth_1200
Flashlight Enthusiast
Back online here after a while away, still loving my zebra lights, I've tried a few other headlamps but none are exactly replacement for function form and tint. I have a h502n which is great on my 14500 batteries I have plenty of, and I have a h32cf and 302 I think it's called with the pure flood beam. I see now zebra light don't seem to be selling or pushing many new designs and actually don't have any cr123 sized headlamps anymore, and the AA size is only 2v max voltage now.
Is that right?? Why drop the 14500 capability.
What are my options for a new headlamp back to old fashioned aa and nimh cells? Or get searching for an old model?
Is that right?? Why drop the 14500 capability.
What are my options for a new headlamp back to old fashioned aa and nimh cells? Or get searching for an old model?
Random Dan
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2012
- Messages
- 1,417
I don't know their reasoning, but I guess they didn't think li-ion support was that important and wanted to focus on efficiency for alkaline/nimh.
I'm glad I got an SC52w and H52w when I did and I certainly won't be giving them up. I usually run li-ion but like the option of eneloops.
Lots of options from other brands though. The Emisar D3AA has a very highly regarded driver which takes li-ion. I just ordered the new Wurkkos HD12 headlamp so I'll see how it stacks up.
abarth_1200
Flashlight Enthusiast
Just waiting on my d3aa arriving, I've seen the runtime graphs looks great. Never held a wurkkos before and I'm used to premium flashlights so I've never been bothered to try. I may have to eventually if ZL are on their way out.
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
I recently re-bought an H53FcN headlamp (I had gotten a defective one years ago) when they were clearancing them out recently...
The H54FcN is the new one, and is even more efficient.
If I was looking for an AA/14500 headlamp in 2025, I'd probably save the $30-40 and get a Skilhunt H150 instead of a H54FcN.
It's, of course, a matter of your preferences, and what you favor and disfavor.
Here is my logic:
Pros for the H150:
-The flood on the H150 is much, much wider (which is a pro OR a con, depending on what you need)
-The headband is lightyears better and more comfortable (I don't run the top strap)
-You can keep the clip mounted to the light while it's in the headband with the H150
-The button placement is much better
-COLORS!
-3 CCT's!
-On sale, you can almost get two for the price of one ZL
-Magnetic charging (This is a pro or a con, but I don't mind not having to remove the battery, and not having a port to eventually get filled with gunk, and you can still open it and charge the cell normally)
Pros for the H53FcN (or H54FcN):
-More efficient (not that the Skilhunt is bad; it is well regulated)
-Slightly smaller
-Throwier beam
Both have great beams, but if you're working with your hands, the H150 is amazing. If you're using it for walking/cycling, the ZL is likely better.
I know I'm blasphemous when I discuss quality and durability with and Zebralight... I fully acknowledge the durability/reliability metric is going to vary much more widely from person to person. It's all down to anectdotal evidence, and I understand that (heck, I bought another ZL, eventually). I have four H150's, and haven't had any issues with any of them. I've had two H53fcN's, and one was a complete turd. Both lights are one the better end of Chinese build quality, which is good. I haven't run into any major issues with having to warranty anything with Skilhunt, but they're in China, so I don't expect it'd go well. Dealing with the ZL warranty was one of the absolute worst CS experiences I'd ever had. I think the "Zebralight has a goofy UI" always sounds like people just don't like it, but mine behaved very erratically, and that ultimately ended up having to contact and deal with Zebralight. So, potted, goofy electronics is kind of a wash for me. I drop my H150's pretty often, and they've definetly fallen off my desk onto some cast iron free weights more times that I can count, and still no issues.
I tend to not place a lot of emphasis on durability of headlamps, anyway, because they are right on my forehead, so I tend to naturally shield my head from damage (while I tend to drop hand lights constantly, haha). So, for me, the durability/reliability aspect is a wash. I think both are perfectly fine choices, and I wouldn't be worried about either (to be fair to ZL, my new one worked correctly out of the box, and I haven't had any issues, yet).
EDIT: Another feature which might make or break the ZL vs. H150 for someone is that the H150 has a light that tells you the voltage, and it comes on when you turn it on. I have XL/XXL hands, and I keep the button facing up, so when I hold it to put it on low, I do NOT see the blue light, so it doesn't bother me. I know for some people, that blue light right by their eye is a dealbreaker. In that sense, the ZL might be a winner.
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jon_slider
Flashaholic
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2015
- Messages
- 6,839
Congrats on your new little Zebra. Still the pony with the most endurance, Zebras are the king of runtime.
I have the H150 and I like the beam for things at arms reach. It came with a 4500K 519a.
I keep the H150 in my car, loaded with Eneloop. It also works on LiIon, but I dont keep those in the car.
fwiw, Skilhunt CS is almost as good as Wurkkos.
If there is a manufacturing defect that slipped through QC, or something is not working right when you first receive a light, they just ask for a video, and ship out a replacement.
They do Not ask for the light to be shipped back to China, you get to keep the defective one..
thanks for sharing the comparison to the Zebra beam, which I have not tried
I have the H150 and I like the beam for things at arms reach. It came with a 4500K 519a.
I keep the H150 in my car, loaded with Eneloop. It also works on LiIon, but I dont keep those in the car.
great to hear that they are not fragile
fwiw, Skilhunt CS is almost as good as Wurkkos.
If there is a manufacturing defect that slipped through QC, or something is not working right when you first receive a light, they just ask for a video, and ship out a replacement.
They do Not ask for the light to be shipped back to China, you get to keep the defective one..
Schokokeks
Flashlight Enthusiast
Oh, if you've got the 4500K H150, I PROBABLY wouldn't drop the $85 (shipped) for the Zebra, unless you REALLY wanted a very efficient light. Since it's an Eneloop emergency light, maybe it's not the worst idea.
Honestly, when they sold off the older ones for $59, I jumped on that, because it's a much better deal, even with the lower efficiency.
That's great to hear Skilhunt has great CS. I've only dealt with them for minor stuff, and they were great, but I've never had a light issue. On the upside, I know ZL does do repairs, so that's kind of cool.
So, I mean, unless you really just want to try one and have the money budgeted, you should be fine with that H150. I wouldn't say ABSOLUTELY don't get the ZL, but it's kind of pricey, and won't seriously outclass the H150. If you just want it to try it, or to have something different, it's not bad. Lovely beam, and I'm going to probably use mine in lieu of the Acebeam H16 when riding my bike (the H16 is WAY too harsh of a hotspot).
