- Joined
- May 16, 2010
- Messages
- 9,347
My current headlamp is this Streamlight Sidewinder Compact (pic below).
Its the version for both CR223 and AA batteries. Not that I have any need for AA batteries - all my light needs are pretty much covered by rechargeable CR123 and ditto 18650 batteries but nice to have the capability of using AAs in an emergency.
I have its 'brother,' which is a Streamlight for CR123 batteries only. The two lights look alike at a glance, as dimensions are nearly the same.
One how ever rotates the battery compartment when adjusting the beam up and down, the other does not. They are both equally good IMO.
Streamlight is excellent to deal with - I sent in a light for repair and having bought a Zebralight whilst waiting for the repaired light to come back, simply stored the Streamlight, when the company sent me a brand new one.
When I after a while went to use the Streamlight, I found that they had sent me the wrong model (as mentioned, they both look alike at a swift glance). When I wrote Streamlight to tell them about this but not knowing what to expect, they simply and very quickly sent me another brand new light - this time the correct one. Color me impressed. Kudos to Streamlight for their CS.
Ive grown fond of the Streamlight. That being said, one gets spoiled when having had a Zebralight. Ive been through a bundle of headlamps over the years but must say that Zebralight has by far the nicest and most even light of all tested. Impressive beam on those lights.
I got a floody Zebralight for setting up camp at night, moving around camp at night, setting up the hammock and getting in and out of same in the dark. The floody Zebra has an amazing beam for that. Not much throw but designed for giving ample spread to the beam for working in. A most excellent headlamp.
I was not a fan of how the Zebralight ramped down with certain batteries. This can be avoided by using other batteries and/or one can adjust the settings, so max light is slightly less than the factory setting. IIRC Zebralight dont recommend using rechargeable batteries - correct me if Im wrong.
I really also wanted red light capability (it also has blue light capability) for preserving night vision hence I got the Streamlight and sold the Zebralight, which is white light only.
Compared to the Zebra, the Streamlight also seems sturdier....even though Ive had one (1) break down on me. The button simply failed - dont know what caused this. I assume a fluke, as I hadnt been abusing the light and evidently Streamlight didnt think so either, as they promptly sent me a new light after examining the broken one.
The Zebra is truly a compact light - almost just a tube the size of the CR123 battery and a small lens sticking out. The name of the Streamlight - Compact Sidewinder- seems amusing in comparison. I guess though that Streamlight caters to the MIL community hence the rugged build.
The thin(-ish) housing of the Zebra most likely wont stand up to the same abuse as a Streamlight, should one do a destruction test on these but this is merely an assumption on my part.
I like to assume the one broken Streamlight was a simply the odd one out. Ive used the current Streamlight a lot in recent years and it has given stellar service both hiking/campin and in the kayak around sea water.
Not convinced, that the Zebra will stand up to the same abuse, though I have no way to say for certain, as I sold my Zebralight in short order after getting back the correct Streamlight.
The Streamlight beam took some getting used to after being used to the fantastic even and flawless beam of the Zebra. Most users will likely not care or even notice but for the flashlight nutters and for those of us hanging out on flashlight forums (yeah, I know, sad....) the donnuts and stark light with rings within rings of the Streamlight becomes immediately evident after the quality beam of the Zebra.
Dont get me wrong, Im perfectly happy with the Streamlight and am going to stick with it, as it works just fine for my needs - its just that the transition after the wonderful Zebralight beam took some getting used to. The Streamlight gives adequate light for setting up camp, its just a more concentrated beam, which immediately pays off on the trail in the shape of ample throw.
And of course the comparison is somewhat unfair, as my Zebra was a dedicated floody (they come in different models according to your needs) meant for close up work in camp or on the trail - some like to see whats up in ones peripheral vision - whilst the Streamlight is a dedicated thrower.
There is quite some reach to the relatively powerful beam (for a stand alone headlight) of the Streamlight - it easily competes with some of my smaller handheld flashlights.
For my use, I could easily just use one light, that being the Streamlight. The light detaches from the headband and can be hooked via the clip to a pocket, Molle, rucksack or carried as a pocket light when not in use. Nifty.
Of course I carry more than one light on outings, as I adhere to the adage 'Two is one, one is none'
According to Murphys law, if you only bring one light, itll break down.
The Streamlight doesnt seem to eat through the batteries like some lights do. When out kayaking for days on end, its nice to not having to swap batteries very often nor to have to bring multiple batteries along. The light will work for several evenings/night for my use. I seldom run it down but then only seldom rund around shining the light all night long.
This became more long winded than intended - in short, Im happy with the Streamlight. Ive settled on the Streamlight but can heartedly recommend both the Streamlight and the excellent quality Rolls Royce of a headlight - the Zebra.
Any other Streamlight users out there, pls chime in. Heck, any headlamp users at all - always interesting to hear of peoples current headlamps.
Its the version for both CR223 and AA batteries. Not that I have any need for AA batteries - all my light needs are pretty much covered by rechargeable CR123 and ditto 18650 batteries but nice to have the capability of using AAs in an emergency.
I have its 'brother,' which is a Streamlight for CR123 batteries only. The two lights look alike at a glance, as dimensions are nearly the same.
One how ever rotates the battery compartment when adjusting the beam up and down, the other does not. They are both equally good IMO.
Streamlight is excellent to deal with - I sent in a light for repair and having bought a Zebralight whilst waiting for the repaired light to come back, simply stored the Streamlight, when the company sent me a brand new one.
When I after a while went to use the Streamlight, I found that they had sent me the wrong model (as mentioned, they both look alike at a swift glance). When I wrote Streamlight to tell them about this but not knowing what to expect, they simply and very quickly sent me another brand new light - this time the correct one. Color me impressed. Kudos to Streamlight for their CS.
Ive grown fond of the Streamlight. That being said, one gets spoiled when having had a Zebralight. Ive been through a bundle of headlamps over the years but must say that Zebralight has by far the nicest and most even light of all tested. Impressive beam on those lights.
I got a floody Zebralight for setting up camp at night, moving around camp at night, setting up the hammock and getting in and out of same in the dark. The floody Zebra has an amazing beam for that. Not much throw but designed for giving ample spread to the beam for working in. A most excellent headlamp.
I was not a fan of how the Zebralight ramped down with certain batteries. This can be avoided by using other batteries and/or one can adjust the settings, so max light is slightly less than the factory setting. IIRC Zebralight dont recommend using rechargeable batteries - correct me if Im wrong.
I really also wanted red light capability (it also has blue light capability) for preserving night vision hence I got the Streamlight and sold the Zebralight, which is white light only.
Compared to the Zebra, the Streamlight also seems sturdier....even though Ive had one (1) break down on me. The button simply failed - dont know what caused this. I assume a fluke, as I hadnt been abusing the light and evidently Streamlight didnt think so either, as they promptly sent me a new light after examining the broken one.
The Zebra is truly a compact light - almost just a tube the size of the CR123 battery and a small lens sticking out. The name of the Streamlight - Compact Sidewinder- seems amusing in comparison. I guess though that Streamlight caters to the MIL community hence the rugged build.
The thin(-ish) housing of the Zebra most likely wont stand up to the same abuse as a Streamlight, should one do a destruction test on these but this is merely an assumption on my part.
I like to assume the one broken Streamlight was a simply the odd one out. Ive used the current Streamlight a lot in recent years and it has given stellar service both hiking/campin and in the kayak around sea water.
Not convinced, that the Zebra will stand up to the same abuse, though I have no way to say for certain, as I sold my Zebralight in short order after getting back the correct Streamlight.
The Streamlight beam took some getting used to after being used to the fantastic even and flawless beam of the Zebra. Most users will likely not care or even notice but for the flashlight nutters and for those of us hanging out on flashlight forums (yeah, I know, sad....) the donnuts and stark light with rings within rings of the Streamlight becomes immediately evident after the quality beam of the Zebra.
Dont get me wrong, Im perfectly happy with the Streamlight and am going to stick with it, as it works just fine for my needs - its just that the transition after the wonderful Zebralight beam took some getting used to. The Streamlight gives adequate light for setting up camp, its just a more concentrated beam, which immediately pays off on the trail in the shape of ample throw.
And of course the comparison is somewhat unfair, as my Zebra was a dedicated floody (they come in different models according to your needs) meant for close up work in camp or on the trail - some like to see whats up in ones peripheral vision - whilst the Streamlight is a dedicated thrower.
There is quite some reach to the relatively powerful beam (for a stand alone headlight) of the Streamlight - it easily competes with some of my smaller handheld flashlights.
For my use, I could easily just use one light, that being the Streamlight. The light detaches from the headband and can be hooked via the clip to a pocket, Molle, rucksack or carried as a pocket light when not in use. Nifty.
Of course I carry more than one light on outings, as I adhere to the adage 'Two is one, one is none'
According to Murphys law, if you only bring one light, itll break down.
The Streamlight doesnt seem to eat through the batteries like some lights do. When out kayaking for days on end, its nice to not having to swap batteries very often nor to have to bring multiple batteries along. The light will work for several evenings/night for my use. I seldom run it down but then only seldom rund around shining the light all night long.
This became more long winded than intended - in short, Im happy with the Streamlight. Ive settled on the Streamlight but can heartedly recommend both the Streamlight and the excellent quality Rolls Royce of a headlight - the Zebra.
Any other Streamlight users out there, pls chime in. Heck, any headlamp users at all - always interesting to hear of peoples current headlamps.