Help me decide between Zebralight SC52w and H52w

I have decided to purchase my first ZL to use as my edc. I will primarily use this as a flashlight as I have no real need for a headlamp but I am torn between the two since I don’t have any headlamps yet and the the H52 can be used as both and works much better as a headlamp. I think it would be nice to have the option to use it as a headlamp when the need to work with my hands arises. I am just looking for people who have used Zebralights in the past to weigh in on which style they prefer. I don’t need experiences from just these two specific lights. I’d rather just hear opinions on which style people prefer.

I would also appreciate recommendations on your favorite 14500 battery.

Zebralights in question:
SC52w L2
H52w

Thanks in advance to all who chime in!

While I can’t help with your light choice, I can say I just received two 800mAh Keepower Protected 145000’s that won’t fit in my SC52 or S15 Baton… :weary:

Hi,
I have a ZL SC600 and a H51W(in addition to a typical newbie collection of 502s, SRKs, C8s etc). I end up using the H51 more, its nice to have hands free lighting! When we were without power for a week after superstorm Sandy, the headlights got more use than the flashlights. The flashlights were usually used as lamps aimed to bounce off ceiling. The H52 can do that as well…

Thanks for the reply.

Is the H51 awkward to hold at all when using it as just a flashlight?

Even in partial light, a good headlight can make a job so much easier. I use the H502W (which has a much wider beam than the H52) and the Ultrafire H2, both on a regular basis. A good headlight can provide fill lighting that you can control with literally a turn of the head, so working on a car, or a motorcycle, or even a snowthrower is much easier.

You can forget you’re wearing it until you need to reach a fastener or something and you’ll just move your head a bit and light up your target. It’s like having an assistant with ESP holding the light for you. You don’t need complete darkness to appreciate its value.

So, obviously, the headlight is the way I’d go without question.

I decided to pull the trigger on the H52w. I was leaning slightly towards the SC52w since I intend to use it more as a flashlight than a headlamp, but I think the added headlamp functionality will come in handy. Thanks everyone for weighing in.

Yes and no. Depends how big your hand is, you may cut off some of the beam but being on a right angle, you can grasp it between thumb and forefinger and still have your other digits to do things, or hold it cigar style and hold something else in your palm. Much more versatile I reckon. Congrats on your purchase.