Zebralight H30 Q5 Review

June 2008

The ZebraLight H30 Q5 is a single CR123A-powered multi-level headlamp that utilises a Cree Q5 LED to produce up to 110 bulb lumens. ZebraLight currently make two other headlamps, the H30 P4 which uses a different LED and provides slightly less light, and the H50 Q5 which is AA powered. Unlike most flashlights which use a reflector to direct light from the LED forwards, the ZebraLight H30 and H50 use a bare LED with a basic Lexan polycarbonate lens provide protection. This gives a pure flood of light with no central hotspot and no artefacts in the beam shape. The H30 lights provide an 80-degree flood beam, while the H50 provides a 120-degree flood beam. As a headlamp is typically used to flood light an area, this is very useful and provides a very wide and even coverage of light.

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The ZebraLight H30 is extremely small, even more so than most compact headlamps. It is not much larger than the CR123A battery that powers it, and as such this light is ideal for hands-free use. Due to the aluminium constructions, the H30 weighs only 40g with a CR123A battery fitted. The H30 is advertised not only as a headlamp, but also as a pocket light and a small clip is included with the light that allows it to easily be attached to a pocket or belt. The wide flood of the beam means that all objects in front of the light should be well illuminated. Obvious tasks for the ZebraLight include walking, cycling and orienteering at night, as well as providing hands-free lighting when working in confined or awkward spaces.

zebralight

SPECIFICATIONS

• Uses one CR123A Lithium Battery
• CREE XR-E Q5 LED providing up to 110 bulb lumens
• Extremely compact 56mm x 25mm size
• 80-degree flood beam
• 80 Torch Lumens (High – 2.5 hours)
• 20 Torch Lumens (Medium – 21 hours)
• 4 Torch Lumens (Low – 3.7 days)
• IP69 Waterproofing

Initial Impressions

The ZebraLight H30 Q5 comes packaged in a plastic container with a cardboard backing. In a clear portion at the top of the packaging the H30 can be seen fitted to a black silicon bracket on the headband. A lower section of the package holds the included accessories which consist of a pocket clip, a glow in the dark bracket on a neck lanyard, a keyring-style clasp, a glow in the dark switch cover and two spare o-rings. The packaging itself is strong enough to withstand rough handling, and this item arrived from www.flashaholics.co.uk inside a bundle wrapped package with no damage.

box

The H30 can easily be removed from the silicon headband bracket without tools, and upon doing so it is immediately apparently just how small the light is. The lower section of the light unscrews to reveal the battery compartment, while the upper section contains the LED and a switch on top of the unit. The threads of the light are fairly well lubricated from the factory, but will benefit from extra grease to improve waterproofing and to ease unscrewing the unit. Just behind the threads is a single o-ring designed to protect the light from water. In addition to the threads, the electrical contacts of the light may benefit from cleaning to ensure good contact with the battery. It is important to keep the light well cleaned and lubricated to ensure correct operation. Once unscrewed, a CR123A battery can be inserted in the light, with the positive end towards the switch/LED.

unpacked

The H30 itself is very light weight, and would not add any burden to a camping or walking trip. The size and design of the light lends it to many purposes, and it has already proven to be very popular with people who are used to more traditionally designed headlamps. The H30 also has a hard anodized finish that should protect it from scratches and knocks, which is ideal of a light that may be used in awkward or tight spaces. Overall, initial impressions suggest the strong but compact H30 appears to be very well made and well suited to its purpose.

h30

In Use

Once a CR13A battery has been inserted into the H30, the light can be activated by pressing the button on the head of the light. This is a soft-press switch and makes practically no noise when clicked. The H30 is a multi-mode light, and the different levels are easy to access. Pressing the button once from off will turn the light onto the low setting, and pressing the button again will turn the light off. To activate the other levels, hold the button down and the light will repeatedly sequence from low to medium to high. Releasing the button will keep the light on the current setting. Turning the light on will always put it in the low setting as the light does not remember which level was last used.

The beam of the H30 is extremely even with no hotspot and a smooth fade to darkness at the edge of the beam with no sharp transitions. The size of the beam is also larger than most standard flashlights as it provides a much wider flood. The H50 will provide an even wider beam than the H30 at the cost of a slightly lower level of brightness. The beam colour of the H30 is slightly cool in the centre, with a warmer tint around the edges. Overall this is pleasing to the eye and provides good colour rendition at night. The beam tint of LEDs will vary from model to model and so no assumptions should be made about the colour of any individual H30.

zebralight-h30

At night the H30 is very effective at evenly flood lighting an area. As there is no hotspot in the beam, the light appears evenly spread and no particular area is better lit than another. This can be very useful when navigating at night as the eye is not distracted by a brighter spot of light and a person’s night vision is maintained across the entire visible area. The H30 is usable to approximately 50 feet on the high setting. Beyond this, details are hard to make out. However, due to the width of the beam, areas right down to the user’s feet are well lit if the light is adjusted correctly. Due to the style of the silicon bracket that holds the light, it is easy to adjust the angle of the beam as required.

The headband that comes with the ZebraLight is similar to many other headbands and is simple and comfortable to use. It is adjustable, and the elastic material will securely grip a person’s head once adjusted. The silicon bracket that holds the H30 onto the headband may become slightly uncomfortable after extended use if the headband is tight, but this can easily be remedied by either removing the headband for a short period or placing some material between the bracket and the user’s forehead. The glow in the dark silicon bracket on the neck lanyard is also very effective and glows relatively brightly after being exposed to a strong light. The pocket clip securely holds the H30 and can be easily clipped on or off a belt or pocket, making the H30 easy to use hands-free without requiring the headband.

Compared to other headlamps, the H30 is noticeably different in use at night. Most headlamps give a hotspot of light with a strong and wide spill. As the H30 has no hotspot it does not initially appear as bright as other lights, but it makes up for this by providing a brighter, wider and more even spill beam. As there is no brighter hotspot, lights like the more powerful Petzl range provide a greater throw of light, and this may be useful the longer distances are required. However, the even beam of the H30 is more preferable when an even beam is required to evenly illuminate a wide area ahead of the user. This also makes the H30 more appropriate for close-up work as there is no blinding hotspot with weaker spill, just an even covering of light.