ZebraLight H504c headlamp – precision and efficiency in a compact design

ZebraLight ranks amongst the world’s best headlamps – not because of marketing, but because of its genuine performance. The H504c is a headlamp with a 4000K neutral light and a high colour rendering index (CRI) of 93. It’s a tool for people who know what they want.

Why ZebraLight stands out from the mass market

Extreme efficiency – buck-boost drivers with minimal battery power loss
High CRI light – CRI 93 at 4000K means realistic colour rendering, which is critical when working on electrical installations
Constant-current driver – stable brightness without flickering or dips
Unibody aluminium housing – machined from a single piece of aluminium
Type III Hard Anodising – a hard anodised coating with 2–3 times higher wear resistance than standard torches
Potting compound – the electronics are encapsulated in thermally conductive silicone for strength, cooling and water resistance
IPX8 – waterproof to a depth of 2 metres for 30 minutes
Compact design – length 70.1 mm, weight just 29 g without battery

What is the ZebraLight H504c suitable for?

Professional use – security, technical inspections, electrical work
Hiking and camping – excellent balance between power and battery life
Hunting and fishing – neutral light with realistic colour rendering
EDC – everyday carry – lightweight and compact, yet fully functional
Emergency situations – reliability and long battery life in low-power modes

LED and optics

LED: Nichia 519A-V1
Colour temperature (CCT): 4000K
CRI: 93
Colour deviation: 3-step
Beam type: flood beam with frosted lens, 90° beam angle
Reflector: orange peel
Glass: tempered optical glass

Luminous flux and runtime

Luminous flux is measured according to the ANSI OTF standard. Runtimes are tested using Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA batteries. The remaining charge (approximately 10–20%) after automatic dimming is not included in the runtime.

High mode

H1 – 265 lm (1 hour)
H2 – 220 lm (1.6 hours) / 160 lm (2.3 hours) / 100 lm (4.1 hours)

Medium

M1 – 50 lm (7.8 hours)
M2 – 15 lm (7.5 hours) / 7.5 lm (days) / 2.4 lm (days)

Low

L1 – 0.8 lm (days)
L2 – 0.2 lm (months) / 0.06 lm (months) / 0.01 lm (months)

Beacon and Strobe modes

Beacon 0.2 Hz – Low
Beacon 0.2 Hz – H1
Strobe 4 Hz – H1
Strobe 19 Hz – H1

Electrical specifications

Operating voltage: 0.7V – 2.0V
Battery: one AA battery – NiMH, lithium or alkaline. Panasonic Eneloop or Eneloop Pro are recommended. The battery is not included in the pack.
Standby current: negligible – significantly lower than the battery’s self-discharge rate

ZebraLight H504c controls

The torch has 3 main levels (High, Medium, Low) and a beacon-strobe mode. Each main level can be programmed to one of its two sub-levels. The second sub-level can also be programmed to different brightness levels.

Basic controls

1 short click – switches to High or turns off
2 short clicks – switches to Medium
3 short clicks – activates beacon-strobe mode
Hold for over 0.6 seconds – switches to Low, then cycles through Medium and High; release to select the desired level

Advanced control

Hold the button down – cycles from Low to High; release at the desired level
Double-click – switch between the two sub-levels of the current main level
6 double-clicks at a selected level – enters configuration mode for the second sub-level
Short click after configuration – exit and save
4 short clicks from OFF – battery indicator (LED flashes 1–4 times)
3 short clicks from the OFF position – activates the beacon-strobe; double-click to switch between modes

Mode groups

G5 (factory setting) – selected with 5 clicks from the OFF position
G6 – selected with 6 clicks from the OFF position
G7 – selected by 7 clicks from OFF

The selection is retained after switching off and when the battery is replaced.

G5 – factory settings

H1 fixed at 265 lm; H2 – 220, 160 or 100 lm
M1 fixed at 50 lm; M2 – 15, 7.5 or 2.4 lm
L1 fixed at 0.8 lm; L2 – 0.2, 0.06 or 0.01 lm

G6 and G7 – fully customisable

H1, H2, M1, M2, L1 and L2 can be programmed to any of the 12 available brightness levels
6 double-clicks on a selected sub-level – enter programming mode
Double-click – one level up; triple-click – one level down; single click – exit
Three series of 5 clicks (or 6, or 7) – reset to factory settings for the relevant group

Features and design

Battery capacity indicator
All levels are current-regulated
Automatic reduction from High to Medium and from Medium to Low when the battery is low
Durable electronic soft-touch button
Single-piece housing made from high-quality aluminium
Special heat dissipation design – the LED board is connected directly to the aluminium housing
Type III Class I hard anodised coating
Sealed and potted control electronics
Battery reverse polarity protection
Power cut-off by gently unscrewing the rear cap
IPX8 water resistance – 2 metres, 30 minutes

Dimensions and weight

Head diameter: 21.8 mm
Length: 70.1 mm
Weight: 29 g (without battery)
Weight with Eneloop AA: 55 g
Weight with Eneloop AA and headband: 78 g

Two O-rings
Pocket clip
Black silicone holder with head strap

Specifications	Price
Brand	ZebraLight
Model	H504c
Category	Small headlamps
LED	Nichia 519A-V1
Colour temperature	4000K
CRI	93
Maximum luminous flux	265 lm
Beam type	Flood, 90°
Reflector	Orange peel
Glass	Tempered optical
Operating voltage	0.7V – 2.0V
Battery type	AA – NiMH, lithium or alkaline
Housing material	Aluminium (unibody)
Finish	Type III Hard Anodising, Class I
Water resistance	IPX8 (2 m, 30 mins)
Head diameter	21.8 mm
Length	70.1 mm
Weight (excluding battery)	29 g
Weight with Eneloop AA	55 g
Weight with Eneloop AA and strap	78 g
Number of main modes	3 (High, Medium, Low)
Number of mode groups	3 (G5, G6, G7)
Contents of the set	Two O-rings, pocket clip, silicone holder with headband

Frequently asked questions

What type of battery does the ZebraLight H504c use, and is it included in the pack?

The torch operates on a single AA-sized battery – NiMH, lithium or alkaline. The manufacturer recommends Panasonic Eneloop or Eneloop Pro for best results. The battery is not included in the set and must be purchased separately. The operating voltage ranges from 0.7V to 2.0V, ensuring compatibility with various types of AA batteries.

What does High CRI mean and why is it important for the H504c headlamp?

CRI stands for Colour Rendering Index – it indicates how realistically the light reproduces the colours of illuminated objects. The ZebraLight H504c has a CRI of 93 at a colour temperature of 4000K, which is considered a very high value. This is particularly important for technical tasks such as working on electrical installations, where it is essential to correctly identify the colours of the cables. The neutral 4000K light is easy on the eyes whilst ensuring accurate colour rendering.

How are the ZebraLight H504c’s modes controlled?

The torch is controlled by a single electronic soft-touch button. A single short press switches the torch to High or turns it off. Two short clicks switch to Medium. Three short clicks activate the beacon-strobe mode. Holding the button down for over 0.6 seconds switches to Low and then cycles through Medium and High – release the button at the desired level. A double-click switches between the two sub-levels of the current main level. Four short clicks from the off position display the battery charge indicator by flashing the LED 1 to 4 times.

What are the G5, G6 and G7 mode groups?

The ZebraLight H504c has three mode groups. G5 is the factory-set group and is selected by clicking 5 times from the off position. In this group, H1 is fixed at 265 lm, M1 at 50 lm and L1 at 0.8 lm, whilst the second sub-levels, H2, M2 and L2, can be programmed within pre-set values. G6 and G7 are selected with 6 and 7 clicks respectively and offer full customisation – each of the six sub-levels can be programmed to any of the 12 available brightness levels. The group selection is retained after switching off and when the battery is replaced.

What is the water resistance rating of the ZebraLight H504c and how is it achieved?

The torch has an IPX8 waterproof rating, which means protection when submerged to a depth of 2 metres for 30 minutes. This protection is achieved through a combination of O-rings and the encapsulation of the electronics with thermally conductive silicone (potting compound). The silicone not only ensures water resistance but also contributes to impact resistance and better cooling of the electronic components.

What does Type III Hard Anodising mean and why is it important?

Type III Hard Anodising is a type of electrochemical coating for aluminium that significantly increases the hardness and durability of the surface. Compared to standard torches, the coating on the ZebraLight H504c is around 2 to 3 times more resistant to abrasion – for example, in a pocket alongside coins or tools. The body is manufactured using unibody technology from a single piece of aluminium, which further enhances the strength of the construction.

What is included in the ZebraLight H504c kit?

The pack includes two O-rings to maintain water resistance, a pocket clip for attaching to clothing or equipment, and a black silicone headband, which allows the torch to be used as a headlamp. A battery is not included and must be purchased separately. We recommend Panasonic Eneloop or Eneloop Pro AA batteries.