ZebraLight H504d Red Headlamp – red light with professional reliability

It is no coincidence that ZebraLight headlamps rank amongst the best in the world. There are no unnecessary features, yet everything has been perfected down to the last detail. The H504d Red headlamp is a tool for people who know what true performance means.

The model uses a Lumileds LUXEON C 665nm Deep Red LED – a red light with a wide beam angle of 120°. It preserves night vision, does not attract insects, and is the preferred choice for hunting, fishing and working in the dark.

Why ZebraLight is different from mass-market torches

Extreme efficiency – maximum battery output with virtually zero losses, thanks to buck-boost drivers
Constant-current driver – stable light output without dips or flickering
Unibody design – the body is machined from a single piece of aluminium
Type III Hard Anodising – a coating approximately 2 to 3 times more wear-resistant than that of a standard torch
Potting compound – the electronics are sealed with thermally conductive silicone for strength, cooling and water resistance
Compact design – real power in a pocket-sized format
Precise control – a simple interface with extensive customisation options

Luminous flux and runtime

All values are measured in accordance with the ANSI (OTF) standard. Runtimes are tested using Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA batteries.

High mode

H1: 122 lm – 1 hr
H2: 84 lm – 1.7 hours / 56 lm – 2.7 hours / 30 lm – 5.2 hours

Medium

M1: 14 lm – 11.3 hours
M2: 8.4 lm – 19 hours / 4 lm – 1.7 days / 2 lm – 3.2 days

Low

L1: 1.0 lm – 5.5 days
L2: 0.04 lm – 3 months / 0.01 lm – 5 months / 0.002 lm – 6.5 months

Beacon and Strobe modes

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

The remaining charge (approximately 10–20%) after automatic dimming is not included in the operating time.

Headlamp controls

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

Basic operation

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 at the desired level

Advanced control and configuration

Hold the button – cycles through Low → Medium → High, regardless of the current level
Double-click – switches between the two sub-levels of the current main level; the selection is saved
6 double-clicks at a selected level – starts configuration of the second sub-level; subsequent double-clicks cycle through the brightness levels; a single click saves and switches off
4 short clicks from OFF – battery indicator: the main LED flashes 1–4 times depending on the remaining charge
Beacon-strobe mode is activated with 3 clicks from the OFF position; a double-click switches between the options; settings are saved

Mode groups

The torch has three mode groups: G5, G6 and G7.

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

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

General rules (applicable to all groups)

H can be H1 or H2. M can be M1 or M2. L can be L1 or L2.

From OFF: 1 click → H | 2 clicks → M | hold → cycle L → M → H

G5 (factory setting)

H1 is fixed at 122 lm
H2 can be 84, 56 or 30 lm
M1 is fixed at 14 lm
M2 can be 8.4, 4 or 2 lm
L1 is fixed at 1.0 lm
L2 can be 0.04, 0.01 or 0.002 lm

G6 and G7

H1, H2, M1, M2, L1 and L2 can be programmed to any of the 12 available brightness levels
6 double-clicks on the desired sub-level – enter programming mode
Double-click – one level up
Triple-click – one level down
1 click – exit programming mode

Reset

Three consecutive series of 5 clicks (or 6, or 7) reset the G5 (or G6, G7) to factory settings respectively

Specifications of the ZebraLight H504d Red

Battery capacity indicator (LED flashes 1–4 times)
All levels are current-regulated
Automatic downgrade from High to Medium and from Medium to Low when the battery is low
Durable electronic button with smooth action
Precision CNC-machined unibody casing made from high-quality aluminium
Patented heat dissipation design – the LED board is directly connected to the aluminium body
Type III Class I hard anodised coating
Sealed and potted driver electronics
Reverse battery insertion protection
Tempered optical glass
The power supply can be disconnected by gently unscrewing the rear cap
IPX8 water resistance (2 metres, 30 minutes)

Applications

Hunting and fishing – the red light preserves night vision and does not disturb wildlife
Hiking and camping – excellent balance between power and battery life
Professional use – security, inspections, technical work
EDC (everyday carry) – a compact yet robust tool
Emergencies – reliability and long battery life in low-power modes

Electrical specifications

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

Included

Two O-rings
Pocket clip
Headband with black silicone holder

Specifications	Price
Brand	ZebraLight
Model	H504d Red
Category	Headlamp
LED	Lumileds LUXEON C 665nm Deep Red
Maximum luminous flux	122 lm
Beam type	Flood, 120°
Operating modes	H1, H2, M1, M2, L1, L2, Beacon, Strobe
Number of main levels	3 (High, Medium, Low)
Power	1 x AA battery (NiMH, lithium or alkaline)
Operating voltage	0.7 V – 2.0 V
Head diameter	21.8 mm
Length	69.8 mm
Weight (excluding battery)	29 g
Weight (with AA battery)	55 g
Weight (with AA battery and headband)	78 g
Housing material	Aluminium (unibody, CNC-machined)
Coating	Type III Hard Anodising, Class I
Water resistance	IPX8 (2 metres, 30 minutes)
Mode groups	G5 (factory setting), G6, G7
Contents of the set	Headlamp, two O-rings, pocket clip, headband with black silicone holder

Frequently asked questions

Why does the ZebraLight H504d Red use exactly 665nm red light?

The Lumileds LUXEON C LED, with a wavelength of 665nm, falls within the deep red light spectrum. It is preferred because it does not disrupt human night vision – the eyes do not adapt to it in the same way as they do to white light. This makes it exceptionally suitable for hunting, night fishing, astronomical observations and any work in the dark where you need to preserve your eyes’ night vision. Furthermore, red light does not attract insects, which is an additional advantage for outdoor activities.

What battery is recommended for the ZebraLight H504d Red and why?

The torch operates on a single AA battery – NiMH rechargeable, lithium or alkaline. The manufacturer strongly recommends the Panasonic Eneloop Pro, as all runtime figures were measured using this particular battery. NiMH rechargeable batteries provide a stable voltage throughout the discharge cycle, which works well with the ZebraLight’s constant-current driver. The battery is not included in the pack. The torch’s operating voltage is 0.7 V – 2.0 V, which allows the use of various types of AA cells.

What does ‘unibody construction’ mean and what are its benefits?

‘Unibody’ means that the torch’s body is machined from a single piece of aluminium using CNC machining. This eliminates joints and threads in the body, which increases impact resistance and improves heat dissipation. The LED board is directly connected to the aluminium body using a patented method, which ensures better cooling. The Type III Hard Anodising coating makes the surface approximately 2 to 3 times more resistant to abrasion compared to standard torches.

How does the ZebraLight H504d Red’s control system work?

The torch is controlled by a single smooth-action electronic button. A single short press switches it to High or turns it off. Two clicks switch to Medium; three clicks activate the beacon-strobe mode. Holding the button down for over 0.6 seconds starts a cycle: Low → Medium → High. A double-click toggles between the two sub-levels of the current main level. The system supports three mode groups – G5 (factory setting), G6 and G7 – selected with 5, 6 or 7 clicks from the off position. The settings are retained after switching off and when the battery is replaced.

How long can the H504d Red run on the low modes?

In L2 mode, the torch can run for up to 6.5 months at 0.002 lm, up to 5 months at 0.01 lm and up to 3 months at 0.04 lm. In L1 mode (1.0 lm), the runtime is 5.5 days. These figures have been tested using Panasonic Eneloop Pro AA batteries. The remaining charge of around 10–20 per cent after automatic dimming is not included in the stated runtimes. Standby power consumption is negligible – significantly lower than the battery’s self-discharge rate.

What is potting compound and why is it important for ZebraLight?

Potting compound is a process in which the driver electronics are encased in thermally conductive silicone, thereby hermetically sealing them. This contributes to three things simultaneously: increased strength and impact resistance, better cooling of the electronics, and higher water resistance. Combined with the IPX8 rating (2 metres, 30 minutes) and the tempered optical glass, the result is a torch suitable for use in demanding conditions.

What activities is the ZebraLight H504d Red best suited for?

The model is designed with a wide 120° beam and red light, making it particularly suitable for hunting and night fishing – it preserves night vision and does not disturb wildlife. It is also suitable for everyday carry (EDC), hiking and camping, emergency situations and any work in the dark where causing glare is undesirable. Its long runtime on low settings makes it a reliable choice in situations where access to a charger is limited.