Ligthweight Kit Lights- Streamlight,Zebra, Petzl

[IA Woodsman]

Winter is almost upon us, and with that come less daylight. It is important to have a good light in your kit. I have several lights, but these are my favorites. They are light, easy to maintain, functional, and can be kept in you pocket.

[video=youtube;jBwpTSSpMhs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBwpTSSpMhs[/video]

Up first is the Petzl E+Lite. it has changed a little over the years but it is a solid light for about 30 bucks.I keep this in my HPG Kit Bag in my truck.

From the Petzl site-

Ultracompact, ultra-light (less than 5 cm long and only 27 g) emergency headlamp to always have with you
Always ready to use, can be stored with batteries (lithium CR 2032) for 10 years
White lighting (26 lumens up to 29 m) allows you to move around easily in the dark
For emergency situations, the red LED allows you to be seen from a distance (300 m for 30 hours)
Locking on/off switch designed to prevent accidental operation
Resists extreme temperatures -30 °C to + +60 °C
Waterproof to -1 m for 30 minutes (IP 67)

The Zebra headlight is the most expensive, about 65 bucks,but has the most features. This is the light I keep in my pack at all times. The model I have is older than the one below, but real close to it.

From Zebra site=



LED: Cree XM-L2 Neutral White (Norminal CCT 4400K)
User Selectable Levels: 3 main levels (High, Medium and Low). Each main level can be programmed to one of its two sub-levels. The second sub-level of the each main levels can be further programmed to different brightness levels.
Light Output (runtimes)
High: H1 266 Lm (0.9 hrs) or H2 163 Lm (1.7 hrs) / 102 Lm (3 hrs)
Medium: M1 47 Lm (7.5 hrs) or M2 23 Lm (12 hrs) / 11 Lm (27 hrs)
Low: L1 2.6 Lm (4 days) or L2 0.32 Lm (3 weeks) / 0.06 Lm (2 months) / 0.01 Lm (3 months)
Beacon Strobe Mode: 4Hz Strobe at H1 / 19Hz Strobe at H1

Light output are ANSI out the front (OTF) values. Runtimes tested (and parasitic drain estimated) using Sanyo 2000mAh Eneloop AA batteries. Light output with 14500 batteries are the same except that the H1 is 475Lm for the first minute and then step down to 266Lm.
Operating Voltage Range: 0.7V - 4.2V
Battery: One 1.5V AA (NiMH, lithium or alkaline) or 3.7V 14500 li-ion rechargeable. Batteries are not included in the package.
Parasitic Drain: Negligible (much less than the self discharging of a battery)
Beam Type
Floody beam from frosted lens, with 90 degree beam spread
Dimensions
Head Diameter: 0.86 inch (21.8 mm)
Length: 3 inch (76.5 mm)
Weight
1.1 oz (32 gram)
2.9 oz (80 gram) with an Eneloop AA and headband

Features
Battery capacity indicator (LED flashes 1-4 times, 4 short clicks to start)
All levels are current regulated
Low battery alert when the light is switched Off (LED flashes if the battery voltage is below 1.06V)
Automatic stepping down to lower output when battery (AA and 14500) capacity is low
Builtin over-discharging protection for 14500 batteries at 2.8V cutoff
Durable electronic soft-touch switch
Smart user interface provides fast and easy access to all brightness levels and beacon-strobes.
Precision machined unibody casing from premium grade aluminum bar stocks
Proprietary heat sinking design bonds the LED board directly to the unibody aluminum casing
Durable natural hard anodized finish (Type III Class I)
Sealed and potted LED driver circuitry
Tempered optical grade glass
Battery power can be disconnected by slightly unscrewing the tailcap to prevent unwanted activations or parasitic drain
Waterproof to IPX7 (2 meters, 30 minutes)

Lastly is my most recent light purchase, the Streamlight Microstream. A friend of mine suggested I check it out. So I did. It has become my EDC. It replaced my Surefire. Great little light.

From Streamlight site=

C4® LED technology, with a 50,000 hour lifetime.
Unbreakable and scratch resistant polycarbonate lens.
Up to 683 candela peak beam intensity, 28 lumens typical, 2.25 hours runtime.
One "AAA" alkaline battery.
Push button tail switch – momentary or constant on operation.
Tailcap switch for momentary on/off. O-ring sealed, shock proof and drop-tested construction. Water resistant per IPX4; in accordance with specification EN 60529:1992. High Strength "Break Away" safety lanyard. Unbreakable pocket clip.
L x D: 3.5" x .6" (90 x 15 mm)
1.04 oz (29.7 g)
Matte Black

 

[jobasha11]

Beautiful set woodsman

 

[Woods Walker]

Putting on my nerd hat. Your ZL is a H501w. I think the specs you listed was from a H502w. Your light uses a XR-E Q3-5A (if memory is correct). An older LED but has a tint not matched by any other IMHO.

My H501 XR-E Q5 cool white on the left and H501 XR-E Q3-5A neutral white on the right.



There is no such thing as a C4 LED. Guessing the Streamlight AAA uses an XR-E. Marketing mumbo jumbo. LOL! Good light just the same. 1XAAA have come a long way from the days of the incan Mag solitaire. I have a 4/7 Prion, Fenix E01, leatherman (made by Fenix) serac S1 and S2. The Prion is crazy bright. A few times the 1XAAA came into play during night hikes. Good kit.

Liked your video.

 

[Shotgun]

I still really like the photon keychain lights. If you get a small caribiner you can hook it to a zipper and it gives you hands free lighting. I really hate headlamps.

 

[sloth357]

Hmmm, I'm looking to get a better headlamp and these (zebralight h5xx) are intriguing. But there are so many variations... H502c, H502d, H501w, etc... one says flood light.. is that a special reflector or lens cover??

Thanks for the post!

 

[Woods Walker]

I think ALL the ZL H502s have just the LED behind glass hence the 120 degree flood. No reflector etc. The H501 has an 80 degree flood due to an optic in front of the LED. Either the 80 or 120 flood is really nice for in camp or house. On the trail not so much because of the lack of throw. This isn't to say they won't on high light up a small back yard. The letters refer to tint. I would go with the "w" as they now use an XML. This LED suffers a bit on the lower modes compared to an XP-G or XP-E but rocks on the higher modes. There is a small lumen penalty for a more natural tint aka not squid piss green or abducted by aliens/angry blue however well worth it IMHO. There is one downside to the ZL line of headlamps. Some people have reported failures with waterproofing and them going dead.....forever. I haven't had these issues owning the H50, H501 and H501w but just passing on what I heard.

Here is a photo I took showing an example of what is meant by LED tint.

 

[Angus McGunnigle]

I have a Princeton Tec FRED that I really like.

 

[NoFair]

Zebras are great. Use a H501W when working on the car or doing other close up work. For hiking etc. I use a H31W (runs on cr123s or 16340 li-ions). Never had a water issue with either, but I've heard of a few people with issues as well (CPF).

For my hand held light I normally use a 2cr123/18650 light; 2 stage Surefire C2 (neutral led), Neutral Surefire U2 or neutral M20C from Sunwayman. I carry a cr123 light as a spare back up in my pack or pocket (HDS, L1, V11R or neutral titanium cr123 Quark)

I despise cool white leds when outdoors and have modded all the cool white lights I've had. Led lights have come a long long way the last 5-6 years so even the cheap stuff can be very good.

 

[Dirtknap]

I like my photon freedom covert. Comes with a hat clip and laniard and weighs one-millionth of your kit




Just funnin. I also have a princeton tec quad that is waterproof (i.e has a gasket). It is decent but relativrly heavy.