Zebralight SC600 Mk II L2 (XM-L2, 1x18650) Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, VIDEO+

[LesSaucier]

Thanks for the review! Great Job!​

 

[cynic]

Just wanted to say it's been about 2 months now since I had this flashlight and it is GREAT! I have many fenix flashlights of all sizes but the Zebralight SC600 is the only one I use!
The build quality is amazing, I accidentally dropped it (1meter high on a hard pavement) and not a single scratch at all whereas my fenix one lost the color and had some dents.

The flood on this is amazing and the distance is Great given the kind of flashlight it is and the compacted size. It's my ALL IN ONE flashlight. I use this over all my other ones. Best purchase.
It feels so nice in my hand that I don't even want to let go of it and so portable but so BRIGHT! The many mode it has certainly helps.

 

[markr6]

After all this time, I just now noticed the cutaway photo on the ZL website. There's a good chance it was posted in a thread here, but I must have missed it. Pretty cool. Look at all that heat sinking potential!

 

[Mr Floppy]

After all this time, I just now noticed the cutaway photo on the ZL website. There's a good chance it was posted in a thread here, but I must have missed it. Pretty cool. Look at all that heat sinking potential!

I don't think I've seen that before but yeah, that is pretty cool. Copper sink pad too, nice.

 

[witness]

This question may have already been asked but when I compare the (so called) 1100 lumen setting of the MkII to the 750 lumen setting on my older SC600, I barely see any difference. Furthermore the beam patterns, which are supposed to be the same aren't even close. The MK11 has a significantly smaller hot spot but, paradoxically, seems more floody. I mention that because the specs claim the the beam pattern is identical and I'm starting to think I got a dud. Any one have any thoughts on this?

 

[cagenuts]

Anyone else have a problem with the battery compartment being ever so slightly small? I have a Keeppower 18650 and even when I removed the label the fit is rather tight. To remove the battery you have to band the lip on a ledge to dislodge the battery.

 

[cagenuts]

This question may have already been asked but when I compare the (so called) 1100 lumen setting of the MkII to the 750 lumen setting on my older SC600, I barely see any difference. Furthermore the beam patterns, which are supposed to be the same aren't even close. The MK11 has a significantly smaller hot spot but, paradoxically, seems more floody. I mention that because the specs claim the the beam pattern is identical and I'm starting to think I got a dud.

If you program your H2 to the highest setting (670 lumen), this should be close as dammit to the 750 lumen of your older model. Try this and see. Mine also has less hotspot and more flood and this is what I bought it for.

 

[offthetrail]

I see a substantial difference between my SC600 and MKII SC600 on their highest settings. I really enjoy the H2 setting on the MKII, since it is almost as bright as maximum on the previous light and runs cooler. The beam pattern is a little tighter on the new light, due to the XML2. Everything about the new light is an improvement, other than I slightly prefer the tint of my original SC600.

This question may have already been asked but when I compare the (so called) 1100 lumen setting of the MkII to the 750 lumen setting on my older SC600, I barely see any difference. Furthermore the beam patterns, which are supposed to be the same aren't even close. The MK11 has a significantly smaller hot spot but, paradoxically, seems more floody. I mention that because the specs claim the the beam pattern is identical and I'm starting to think I got a dud. Any one have any thoughts on this?

 

[selfbuilt]

Furthermore the beam patterns, which are supposed to be the same aren't even close. The MK11 has a significantly smaller hot spot but, paradoxically, seems more floody. I mention that because the specs claim the the beam pattern is identical and I'm starting to think I got a dud. Any one have any thoughts on this?

My SC600 MkII in this review definitely has a more focused hotspot than my original SC600 - you can see this in the comparison beamshots. I suspect part of this is due to a reflector change, and part is due to the switch to XM-L2 emitters from XM-L. Don't know if things have progressed further since this review was done.

Anyone else have a problem with the battery compartment being ever so slightly small? I have a Keeppower 18650 and even when I removed the label the fit is rather tight. To remove the battery you have to band the lip on a ledge to dislodge the battery.

Hmmm, all my recent Keeppower protected 3100mAh fit fine in my MkII (labels on). But again, there may be some variability (in both battery and light) over time.

 

[UnderPar]

Anyone else have a problem with the battery compartment being ever so slightly small? I have a Keeppower 18650 and even when I removed the label the fit is rather tight. To remove the battery you have to band the lip on a ledge to dislodge the battery.

Am using an unprotected Panasonic 18650B. It fits perfectly! :thumbsup:

 

[CelticCross74]

My first Zebra! I never thought light this bright could come out of a torch this small! Neutral white tint is a treat. Boy does it totally devour even my stoutest 3400mah 18650's but it is more than worth it!

 

[CelticCross74]

My copy gets so hot so fast it is unreal...

 

[ozzie_c_cobblepot]

Don't know about you all but I consider H2 to be the "high", with H1 comparable to high beams on a car - use it for short bursts but return quickly to H2.

 

[brightnorm]

For those who wanted more of a "thrower", Zebralight could slightly lengthen the body back to the original 600 size which would accommodate a longer reflector. If that would noticeably increase throw, I would be willing to pay a premium for it, and I suspect some others might feel the same way.

Brightnorm

 

[AxisDeer]

Re: Zebralight SC600 Mk II L2 (XM-L2, 1x18650)

I just got my SC600 Mk2 L2 and found that the Panasonic 18650 3400 mAh battery I wanted to install was an EXTREMELY tight fit. So tight in fact that I had to remove the label on the battery and put graphite on the battery!!!
The only way to remove this battery is to forcefully sling the open flashlight and use centrifugal force. Gotta aim at something soft!

Has anyone else experienced this or is this a manufacturing defect of the light? These batteries fit just fine in my other 18650 lights.

 

[newbie66]

For those who wanted more of a "thrower", Zebralight could slightly lengthen the body back to the original 600 size which would accommodate a longer reflector. If that would noticeably increase throw, I would be willing to pay a premium for it, and I suspect some others might feel the same way.

Brightnorm

It would be nice if Zebralight produced throwers.

 

[selfbuilt]

Re: Zebralight SC600 Mk II L2 (XM-L2, 1x18650)

Has anyone else experienced this or is this a manufacturing defect of the light? These batteries fit just fine in my other 18650 lights.

Zebralight is often a bit snug for high-output batteries. My Eagletac 3400mAh fit fine, as do all my 3100mAh cells. But ones with separate labels can be a bit of a challenge to get in and out though.

 

[UnderPar]

Re: Zebralight SC600 Mk II L2 (XM-L2, 1x18650)

The unprotected Panasonic 18650B fits just fine with SC600II L2.

 

[cagenuts]

Re: Zebralight SC600 Mk II L2 (XM-L2, 1x18650)

I just got my SC600 Mk2 L2 and found that the Panasonic 18650 3400 mAh battery I wanted to install was an EXTREMELY tight fit.

Has anyone else experienced this or is this a manufacturing defect of the light? These batteries fit just fine in my other 18650 lights.

I have Keeppower 2600s and the fit is mighty tight. I also have to bash the light on my wife's head to get the cell out.

One of the Sony V5 (I think) that I bought recently fits just fine.

Someone here mentioned filing the inside of the battery compartment.

 

[bjt3833]

Re: Zebralight SC600 Mk II L2 (XM-L2, 1x18650)

Some cells are just wrapped much thicker than others. I have an orbtronic or two that won't go in or CE out easily I'm 18650 or 14500 in quite a few lights of mine, including the L2. It isn't the light problem but a poorly done wrapping imo. Come protected cells even have the bottom out of alignment making it wider. Others just have far thicker wrapping than needed increasing the thickness too much to fit.

I have Keeppower 2600s and the fit is mighty tight. I also have to bash the light on my wife's head to get the cell out.

One of the Sony V5 (I think) that I bought recently fits just fine.

Someone here mentioned filing the inside of the battery compartment.