Post Up Your NEW Gear ...

[HikingMano]

I know, but whenever I use the highest mode, it's usually to light something up briefly then I drop back down to medium modes. I'm rarely lighting stuff up at high for longer than a minute, even 30sec. I find it very helpful when moving through unfamiliar areas on moonless nights or shooing off animals (also why I still like having a little bit of throw on the headlamp, since I don't carry another light backpacking). So being able to start off on that turbo whenever I enter high mode would be a nice touch. And I believe a jump to 500 on their OTF lumen rating should be significant enough to be a worthwhile addition.

I use H1, M1, L2 most on my H51w unless I'm reading, then I bump up the low level to L1. I haven't ran a L91 in a while, but I'm pretty certain the differences in output are more discernible than with the 1.2V LSD.

But either way, yeah, they're really bright regardless. I don't NEED to upgrade my H51w...but I want to. My excuse is I can then use my H51w as my EDC backpack headlamp


I almost decided to try the H52Fw this time around, but figured I'd stick to the less floody format and slap DC-fix on it again if I really want to change it up. I know some guys don't like the spot bouncing around when moving at night, or feel the spot is too delineated for arm's-reach tasks, but I've never found it to bother me (and there's slightly less spot movement if the light is on my belt). Doing stuff around camp at low, occasionally medium, has never been a problem, and I find the little added bit of throw (as much as one can get in a headlamp) to be nice since I don't carry another dedicated thrower. If I'm specifically doing a night hike, not part of a bping trip, then I carry a throwy handheld.

Maybe when I get my H52w I'll shoot it to you and you can take some in-action shots for me comparing the two; I really have been on the fence between sticking with the H52w or trying the H52Fw. Perhaps the age old "get both" would be the wisest course, when I can afford to pick up a second H52

 

[OwenM]

Maybe when I get my H52w I'll shoot it to you and you can take some in-action shots for me comparing the two; I really have been on the fence between sticking with the H52w or trying the H52Fw. Perhaps the age old "get both" would be the wisest course, when I can afford to pick up a second H52

Sounds like it might be better for me to send you the H52Fw to compare to your H51w before you buy your next light. Just say the word if you want to check it out.

There's more difference in beam width and hotspot intensity(especially the hotspots on high) than these quick beamshots show, also in brightness between the two modes since the camera doesn't know better, but here's H2 and M2 with rechargeables:

I always say the standard beams are better for looking at something, while the diffused ones are better for looking for something...

 

[HikingMano]

That's the SC52w and H52Fw, right? Pretty nice actually, how the hotspot of the H52Fw intensifies with the high mode. How accurate is it to compare the SC to the H? Doesn't the SC have a deeper reflector than a H52w would have? Edited to add: Well, your beamshots reinforces the point of the Floody ZLs vs. the actual flood lights. I keep forgetting there is still a bit of throw on the floody versions.

Anyway, yeah, I may take you up on your offer later (much later, after you've had a good bit to play with your new toy ). I should be doing a nice night hike this weekend if plans hold up, would be cool to do the same loop with your H52Fw later to better gauge which I prefer. :thumbup:

 

[OwenM]

Yes on the models. Don't know about deeper. I can't see the H52Fw's reflector because of the diffusing film.
The reflector on the SC52w is a bit wider, though. Eyeballing it and trying to measure the ID on the other side of the lens, I'm seeing about .61" on the SC52, .58" on the H52, and .53" on my SC51Fw-measuring inside the flat around the edge of the reflector. These new lights are chunkier than the old ones, with bigger heads and larger reflectors.

 

[HikingMano]

Yeah, well, those beamshots are making me reconsider. I haven't looked at beamshots for the Floody model in quite a while, and the XM-L2 looks nice. I like the versatility of the DC-Fix on the standard model, but perhaps the floody model is a better compromise. I just found out a jacket I've been waiting for is on even further backorder, so now I have some funds to play with... Hmmm...HPG Runner's Kit Bag in Foliage and H52Fw?...

 

[HikingMano]

Well, pulled the trigger on the last of 2013's purchases :

ZL H52Fw (Owen's looked good, I'll give it a try instead of the H52w I had my eye on :thumbup
HPG Runner's Kit Bag in Foliage (will see which I like better, Runner's or regular)
Another Patagonia Houdini, in black this time (caught a good sale)


Early 2014 purchases are shaping up to be:

Kuiu Super Down Hoody (been on backorder since Sept/Oct...now ETA is Feb, ugh)
Couple of ZL 14500s and Xtar MC0, probably also one of cottonpickers 150mA or 500mA solar panels
0.9L Evernew Ti Pot (I miss having measuring gradations on my pot, been wanting one of these forever...the tsunami put that on delay)
Enlightened Equipment Enigma (still can't decide between 10 or 20F)
New sleeping bag for the GF
New bping pack for the GF
MLD Duomid Innernet
Kydex for my BRKT Ultra-lite Bushcrafter

 

[JV3]

solo stove's 900 ml pot.

gossamer gear ccf pads:

 

[Tixx]

 

[JV3]

couple feet of coyote brown 500d cordura, blaze orange 1000d cordura, grosgrain ribbon, and polyester thread.

gift - mora classic #2 and firesteel

 

[tknife]

 

[redpoint]

Here's a few pictures of my new Hilleberg "Soulo" tent - taken on a trip to Joshua Tree NP a couple of weeks ago. Sweet tent. Pretty stealth even in the desert, but will be even more stealth in the PNW.

 

[G.Moll]

One of the few Tops designs that push all my buttons! Looks good

 

[neeman]

Just a picture
No comments
nothing .........
Do you like it even?

LOL

 

[Groove]

Condor Mini Bushlore. I'm really liking this knife!

 

[JV3]

mors small pot - mudman made me buy it! something about all asians should have the same gear

 

[HikingMano]

Been using this guy for a bit, the Nichia 219 is awesome :thumbup: Small particle of some sort on the dome, but I can live with it.

 

[OwenM]

First use of my new Corona folding saw.

Pairs nicely with a medium fixed blade for splitting, and zips through green branches(those were dumped near a campsite by people who maintain the area and cut up trees downed in storms, etc.-didn't cut them from a live tree!), though thicker dead wood becomes much more of a chore. Splitting that was more of a chore as well, so I used a quarter of a smaller split piece in place of the knife to speed up the process. Been awhile since I used a saw, and I very much liked having flat ends on my cut wood for splitting.

Think I'll be more likely to actually carry the saw at times I might want a fire than a large blade or my small Forest Axe.


Also first use of my Kahtoola MicroSpikes. Had these awhile, but hadn't had a use for them. The ones I'd used before were rentals.

Also first real outdoor use of my First Ascent MicroTherm hoody, which I got at a EB outlet for half price($99). This was the only one they had, and given a choice I'd have gotten the gray one...
I've tried it before outside, and both times I've been fine with just it and a baselayer sitting around at 20-25F, so it's about perfect for our winters here in AL.
Think it weighs right at 12oz.

It matches my Marmot Pinnacle sleeping bag

And serves as a pillow(though it will later be used to supplement a quilt, which is why I bought it).

 

[JV3]

swack shack (7.5'x9' tarp)...this is getting ridiculous, i can't stop buying cooking pots or shelters...i have enough to setup my own fema camp

 

[Bowman1911]

Finally broke down & bought me a kupilka. Did not know that the cup came with the tea spoon. It was a pleasant surprise! Whomever packs my amazon orders must think I'm a might strange. Yesterday's package was the kupilka, the +2 extension for the 27, and 6, 100 year blue pint mason jars! LOL

 

[JV3]

titanium emberlit #2...i like it so much i wanted a backup.

it even came with a free fresnel lens with a handwritten thank you note!

minor change to the hole pattern from the first version.