Zebralight Headlamp Review

[@richardleetbluesharmonicac7192]

This is what I’ve been looking for. I ran justrites and carbide. I was wondering how LED technology was being incorporated in caving. I think I may go with this.

[@ShouldaWaved]

Did you go with the zebra light sir? Curious your thoughts

[@isabellam1936]

Mostly only flashlightheads know about Zebralight and how good they are. I love my flood right angle light be Zebralight.

[@ShouldaWaved]

I think I'm gonna go with armytek as I drop my stuff like a clumsy baffoon it may habe been a fake review but guy had a problem with the zebras glass breaking. The armytek I've had my mind on for a decades, but kinda have on zebra too

[@mikealwiney8234]

Hey Derek, Thanks for all the informative content. I'm wondering where you purchased the hardware to mount dual Zebralights on the front of your Helmet. I've got a Petzl Vertex Vent helmet, and want to have the dual mount, as shown in this video. Thanks!

[@gratefulakers]

Same

[@counterterror101]

Excellent review. I use a zebralight as my backup (main is a custom duo on a light that came with my explorer helment). I was able to mount the zebralight on the holes of the carbide lamp. Your observations are the same as mine. The light has a generally good beam pattern but it can go through a battery quite quickly. A member of our caving group has experienced buying a defective light, and it's a pain in the ass to replace (all the way from Asia!). It's a solid light for caving though when it's working. Can you also do a review of Scurions, Rude Noras and maybe some footwear?

[@DerekBristol]

Working on a Scurion review.

[@spaceman61]

For general caving which model is best? thank you

[@Isaac_L..]

Im curious what your thoughts are on Zebralights new A6 model (currently on sale for $50 with a 3450 mAh Panasonic 18650 from Zebralights website). I had a non-caver friend get one and I'm pleasantly surprised. It seems just as well built (and still has potted electronics), is reasonably bright, and is noticeably shorter than other models. However, I can't find any information on runtimes from zebralight or anyone else. It also has two other unfortunate design choices: the addition of magnets and a CRI of only 70. I'm definitely going to stick to my older model which gets brighter, I know the runtimes, has a higher CRI and doesn't have magnets on it; but for $50 the A6 seems really good for anyone not surveying or not worried about photography. I might see if I can get those magnets off as well.

[@Katy-Did]

Great video! Can you tell me where I can find a mounting bracket for the two Zibralights like in your video?

[@theshoemaker1]

Why didn't you say the Zebralight headlamps miss a magnetic tailcap? It would be a good feature, can't understand why they don't do magnetic tailcaps.

[@daniels8625]

Well I'm not sure why Zebralight has not done that yet, as many other companies have that feature now. But for cave surveyors it's a good thing. The magnetic tail cap messes with survey equipment.

[@Isaac_L..]

Their newer A6 model has magnets on the head of the lamp. I find them annoying as a caver but I've seen some reviews from non-cavers that have a favorable opinion on the feature.

[@benhazell470]

Do you have any experience or thoughts on Fenix headlamps?

[@badams2025]

*clap clap* gear review. Are you using the mounting bracket from Inner Mountain Outfitters? A few guys in my grotto are thinking of investing in them. Great video as always!

[@DerekBristol]

Yes, that's the bracket from IMO. Just know that it doesn't come with a means to mount it to a helmet. That required a drill and bolt.

[@walterdage8159]

I work underground, what is the best cave headlamp regardless of cost? I thought it was the olight h2r, i had 3 of them. Thinking of buying my 4rth one.

[@DerekBristol]

IMHO the Scurion 1500 is the best headlamp you can buy. www.finalfrontiersports.com

[@leechjim8023]

You don,t need to blow too much money. Too many way overpriced headlamps in the last 20 years. For under 200$ you can have a lamp much better than cavers had in the old days.

[@difflocktwo]

Hmm.. dual setup. Intradasting. Nothing unusual about carrying more than one light, but two of the same model with different beams is pretty cool and functional as you mentioned.

[@allanschmidt8859]

Howdy Derek, I'm wondering if you or someone you know has experimented with fenix lights or Olight headlamps. I really like the o light recharge system but unsure how the would last in an environment like this. Love the dual mount idea.

[@iamcalledcleb]

Don't buy Olights, their cheap price is fitting for their cheap build quality. Many people who own them have been seriously injured due to their batteries spontaneously detonating inside the unit from poor quality. Just save the extra money and buy a zebralight, fenix or even lamps from Petzl or Black Diamond. I wouldn't use an Olight even if someone gave it to me for free.

[@Brawler.1588]

Great review looking for a good headlamp for hiking and camping, any recommendations would be great

[@DerekBristol]

I consider myself more of a caving expert than a light expert. I use the AA-powered ZL for a lot of general purpose hiking and camping activities.

[@Isaac_L..]

Is the magnetic interference an issue when the light is turned off, or just when it’s on?

[@DerekBristol]

The battery creates a magnetic field whether the light is on or off.

[@DerekBristol]

Sorry. Probably inaccurate to say the battery “creates a magnetic field” when off. I believe it’s the metal casing that’s ferromagnetic… not a field generated by current. Not sure if degaussing will work. Best to just keep batteries away from instruments when taking readings.

[@TheAkhkharuHex]

How did you attach the mount to the helmet?

[@ZarrisKem]

Great video! Wonder where did you get that zebralight mount? Had a zebralight for a long while and they've made exhanges and services very well. Had a switch problem. Please 🙏🏽🙏🏽 make a helmet review, especially on the Petzl Boreo!

[@DerekBristol]

Inner Mountain Outfitters carries that mount. It's not very expensive, but it takes some custom drilling and hardware to adapt it to a helmet.

[@ZarrisKem]

Thanks @@DerekBristol will have look at their online store. 🙏🏻

[@Katy-Did]

@@DerekBristol Could you show us how you mounted that hardware to hold the 2 Zibralights? I just got my hardware today but I am not sure of the best way to mount it.

[@sleasys14]

14 weeks guess I’ll look at armytek or skilhunt.

[@DerekBristol]

It was frustratingly long, but that’s a single data point. Others may have had a faster turn-around, and they did eventually replace it. I still recommend these lights.

[@z50king29]

Does the 120 degree feature a frosted lens?

[@DerekBristol]

No, the "Flood" with the 120 beam has a clear lens. The "Floody" with the 90 beam has a frosted lens. The Zebralight website lists all of the new MkIV lights with the exact same lumen output. It doesn't seem likely to me that different emitters with different color temperature, CRI and optics would all have the same ANSI lumens. Probably a mistake.

[@RyanBoyce]

Thanks for another honest and accurate review. I've also experienced a Zebralight failure, but after 8 years of consistent use, I can confidently say that Zebralights are unquestionably cave-worthy, and I will continue to use it until ultimate failure. Another excellent lighting option would be the 18650 Armytek lights. In comparison to Zebralights, they are more rugged due to a thicker aluminum housing, the UI is far less complicated, they are cheaper, I personally like the optics more, they consistently beat Zebralight to the punch with the latest LED tech, and they come with 10 times the warranty. Armytek also has a very nifty magnetic charging accessory which avoids the need to open the tailcap as part of the recharging process.

[@kuzmanmarinov2832]

Armytek have reputation of not as reliable producer wit disappointing customer support. Yes Armytek are very popular too but there are too many negative reports about its reliability and quality control.

[@tixtix2468]

Where did you get the dual mount from?

[@DerekBristol]

Tix Tix Inner Mountain Outfitters. Though it required some drilling and a trip to the hardware store to get it mounted to a helmet. My understanding is that this is a mount for attaching a scope to a rifle, so you might find something similar at a gun shop.

[@aarong5996]

Zebralights are nice because you can buy one as a novice, and upgrade by buying another, which is way more cost effective than shelling out for a fancy new light

[@pieterveenders9793]

I would say a Fenix is a better choice for beginners, they're pretty comparable in quality and range of models and options, but a fair bit cheaper depending on the model, starting at around €50-60 for a decent headlamp, compared to Zebra's which cost about double that.

[@leechjim8023]

A bit pricey, but much more reasonable compared to the grossly overpriced scurion or sten.

[@showingYOUtheworld]

Let's be honest, As a caving headlamps Zebralight are unfortunately not so good ,but as a EDC and for hiking and camping personally for me they are one of THE BEST on the market.

[@Vrindavan1008]

14 weeks to prepare a faulty product , that’s enough for me to buy something else

[@bluttbeff]

Zebralight is based in China. Texas imports them and claim the fame as per video (: I love my Chinese Zebra's 🦓🦓🦓🦓🦓