For the guys recommending the zebra light, which one. There’s like twenty diff ones. I didn’t see much on the website talking about the diff color light and the diff models. Im thinking about a rechargeable flood type headlamp but need some more info.
I’m I correct in that the price doesn’t include the battery so it is $20 on top of the $80 for the light?
Note that all Zebralights go from blinding blazing high to sub lumen moonlight mode and everything in between. They all essentially are set to size preset levels that you can customize however you want. Press and hold cycles through the three main levels. Double click each main level for an alternate level (that you set). Click once for high. Press and hold a second or so for the faintest moonlight that you desire. I program mine opposite for camp lights. Click once for moonlight. Press and hold for mid. Click twice for highest. All have strobe by pressing 3 clicks.
Batteries are only about $5 - $6. Buy the non-protected batteries. Zebralight has built in protection, so you don't need protected batteries. Buy the big four brands from reputable online battery sellers like BatteryWarehouse.
Sanyo, Samsung, Panasonic-NCR, Sony
Specific models (none of these cost more than $8, and the average is closer to $5):
- Sony VTC6 18650 3000mAh 15A Battery (with 15 amp capability, will support very bright lights)
- Samsung 30Q 18650 3000mAh 15A Battery
- Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh 4.9A Battery (still powers most lights, but has more capacity and lower self-discharge)
- Sanyo NCR18650GA 3500mAh 10A Battery
You can look up battery life versus setting for every light on the Zebralight website. I use my lights for weeks without changing batteries. On a hunting trip, using your light at night, as they are intended, you will run on low for hiking, ultralow for finding stuff in the tent at night. You'll get about 17 days running NONSTOP on low (which you would never do), and 5.4 months nonstop on ultralow (moonlight mode).
"Floody" version of Zebralight is what I recommend. Flood works better for close up work, and floody gives a good combination of flood plus spot. Get a "high CRI" version. High CRI reproduces natural colors much more accurately. Floody lights are all designated H600Fx (where X = color temperature of the light). Flood are all designated H604x, and the more throwy lights are designated H600x.
I recommend high CRI is 4000K tint (X = C). That will be warm and very accurately render colors. That leave you with only two choices to ponder:
H600Fc Mk IV 18650 - FLOODY 1568 lumens: Good combination of throw plus spill. Best for closer work, trail walking, camp chores. Ultra accurate color rendition. Floody beam from frosted lens, with 90 degree beam spread.
H600c Mk IV 18650 - THROW, 1616 lumens: More throw with a decent amount of spill. Can be used around camp, but really "shines" for further distances, like search and rescue, spotting game, etc. Excellent color rendition. 17 degree hotspot, 80 degree spill.
Color comparison between the H600Fc (4000K) and H600Fd (5000K). Many beginners like the bright white, but after using the warmer tint of the 4000K, I hate it. Love the more natural tint of the Fc. You may prefer the more white version. Both will give you excellent color rendering, and the whiter light will be slightly brighter.
FLOOD vs FLOODY Zebralights. First light he shows is the FLOOD (H604c). Second is my recommendation, the H600Fc. You can see you get almost no throw with the flood version, but both throw and spill for close and far work with the H600Fc. The camera actually suppresses the actual flood in the second light. It does a fantastic job up close, a very good job at midrange, and not so good after about 100 yards. But it's not made for long distance. Excellent camp and hiking light.
