I have at least 15 other lights that could do the job, and 4 on my short list, but for the last 8 months, I’ve carried only my ZL.
Does it have all the features I want? Nope:
- no charging port
- no two-way clip
- no deep-carry
- too throwy for the close-range
Why do I prefer it over any other literal-EDC light I have (or know about):
- Best “energy reserve” — most compact 18650 light, fits clipped in my left front pocket.
- I don’t have to lock it. It’s always ready to use.
- The UI allows direct access to three user-programmed levels: 1C (click), 2C (double-click), and 1H (click-and-hold). The user can freely choose and program any of the 12 available brightness levels (from 0.03 lm to 660 lm).
- Additionally, the user can assign two different “alternative” levels to each of the 3 main ones and switch between them with 2C (double-click).
- Further customization is possible thanks to three configurations or groups (“G5”, “G6”, “G7”, named after the number of clicks needed to activate them).
- I find this flexibility of the UI simply amazing.
- I started by mimicking the typical “1H=Moonlight, 1C=Medium, 2C=Turbo”, but
- in the last few weeks I’ve changed it to “1C=Low, 1H=Medium, 2C=High/Turbo”, and it works even better for me.
- My G6 group covers “daytime” (overall brighter) and “nighttime” (overall dimmer) use, and satisfies 100% of my incidental needs. It’s a bit too throwy for very close-range use, but it’s a huge advantage outdoors. I can walk with it with no problem.
- G7 is my eco/emergency group with guaranteed 24h+ runtime (I hope I’ll never have to use it).
- I don’t use G5, as it is factory-restrained and doesn’t give the same level of programming freedom.
I should have trusted my intuition and bought it years ago. I was reluctant because it doesn’t have some features I considered vital in an EDC light, and it’s expensive. I could have started enjoying it a long time ago and… saved a lot (by skipping many other purchases).
I don’t regret my journey, but it taught me to trust my instincts more and my beliefs less.
by macomako
