Zebralight plans MKIII's and SC63 release for this year

[scs]

If the light works out of the box, then it's not a QC issue, but QA issue.
Simply put, QA = defect prevention, and QC = defect identification.

 

[TheRealSpinner]

Any more updates to problems with the current batches? I'm currently waiting on an SC600w MK III HI and an SC63w (ordered directly from ZebraLight). I should have the SC63w friday (according to USPS tracking, but it hasn't moved for two days, so we'll see).

As far as the MK III HI, ZL said it would be shipped "next week" (I placed the order 2.5 weeks ago when it was on backorder; I asked when it would ship, they said 2 weeks; when that 2 weeks came, I asked again for an update, and they said it would ship next week). :shrug:

Looking forward to compare them with my standard SC600w MK III, as well as my h602w. :naughty:

 

[TA_ls1]

Any more updates to problems with the current batches? I'm currently waiting on an SC600w MK III HI and an SC63w (ordered directly from ZebraLight). I should have the SC63w friday (according to USPS tracking, but it hasn't moved for two days, so we'll see).

As far as the MK III HI, ZL said it would be shipped "next week" (I placed the order 2.5 weeks ago when it was on backorder; I asked when it would ship, they said 2 weeks; when that 2 weeks came, I asked again for an update, and they said it would ship next week). :shrug:

Looking forward to compare them with my standard SC600w MK III, as well as my h602w. :naughty:

I ordered my SC600 MK III HI last week Monday I think, and asked about the wait time later in the week. The told me this last Sunday that it's about 2 weeks which would put it at about next week. Hopefully soon as I'm very excited as well.

 

[SubLGT]

To me it makes no difference if it was a QC issue, production issue, or software issue. It is just another failure/defect to add to the list this last month or so alone. It just gives me less faith in ZL and their reliability/QC in general. Like I said, go read some of the other long threads on other manufactures lights. You just dont see near this many issues even over much more time and their production numbers far exceed ZL's. Zebralight may have some great ideas and even some of the best electronic designs in the industry but, I think they also have some of the highest failure/defect rates of any company….

Your comments seem more appropriate for Armytek than Zebralight. I own flashlights from both brands.

 

[Cobraman502]

Just got my SC600w MK III HI. I absolutely love the UI. I thought it would be hard to get used to but not at all. I quality of the light is excellent. Even the threads came pre lubed. The light puts out an amazing amount of light at about 1126 lumens. I find the hot spot rather nice with the large spill makes this light multi functional for me.

The lower lumen levels are great for when you need to find something at night and don't want to blast your night vision.

I thought I size of the light head would be to large for EDC but because of the length it's manageable. The clip seems strong and keeps the light in place.

 

[Drift Monkey]

So is there any update on if they'll do a run of the MK III/SC63 with the 90+ CRI XHP35s, or are those still incredibly hard to source?

 

[markr6]

So is there any update on if they'll do a run of the MK III/SC63 with the 90+ CRI XHP35s, or are those still incredibly hard to source?

No XHP35 that I know of. But the SC600Fd III Plus model is expected in August. That's an XHP50, but should be nice with the 93-95CRI @ 5000K. Sounds perfect on paper! We'll see what happens...

 

[Drift Monkey]

No XHP35 that I know of. But the SC600Fd III Plus model is expected in August. That's an XHP50, but should be nice with the 93-95CRI @ 5000K. Sounds perfect on paper! We'll see what happens...

Hopefully they put that in a headlamp...that would be perfect!

 

[twistedraven]

It'd be cool if they could make a headlamp with slightly more thermal mass to accommodate for the xhp-50 hi cri. I've never been too keen on flashlights with floody beams; I feel those should be reserved for headlamps.


If I could get like just one XHP-35 High Intensity HI CRI, and let Vinh put it into the SC600 HI, that'd be pretty cool, but as I understand Zebralights are pretty impossible to mod.

 

[moldyoldy]

one comment on Zebralight cell sizing - tight and somewhat variable. Some cells of nominally the same size designation will not fit because of a slightly longer length. Excessive cell length has caused weird problems with ZL light operation for me, both now and in the past.

eg: The ZL SC600 III accepts only unprotected cells. Protected cells are simply too long. The unprotected 18650 cells from ZL fit just fine. The pogo-tabs simply do not have the compliance for protected cells.

eg: Even the SC52 and H52 lights differ. My copy of the SC52 light will barely accept a Keeppower 14500 840maH cell but will function correctly. The ZL 14500 cell fits and functions correctly. An Eneloop fits and functions correctly.

Compare that with my copy of the H52 light: Only the ZL 14500 cell will fit and function properly. or Eneloops. The Keeppower 14500 840maH cell causes random functioning, sometimes flashes, sometime proper operation, sometimes nothing. I surmise that the excessive length of the Keeppower cell compresses the head or tail-cap sufficiently to cause intermittents. The Eneloop is clearly shorter than either Keeppower or ZL 14500s. The Keeppower is maybe 1 mm longer than the ZL 14500, but that is sufficient to cause difficulty in tightening the end cap and functionality.

There are plenty of comments on CPF about this or that 18650 not fitting in this or that light model - even w/in a brand. ZL is no different.

 

[Drift Monkey]

eg: The ZL SC600 III accepts only unprotected cells. Protected cells are simply too long. The unprotected 18650 cells from ZL fit just fine. The pogo-tabs simply do not have the compliance for protected cells.

From what I understand this was a deliberate decision. The new lights are much more compact at the cost of only being to use flat top, unprotected cells. This is fine by me as ZLs have excellent internal regulation anyway...I'd personally choose smaller overall size over protected cells.

Those that have stocked up on protected cells may not feel the same way...

 

[TCY]

Vinh sells the original MKIII as he explained in one of his videos that he just can't bring in any modifications to the light as everything is perfect. Don't know if that means he can still swap the LED inside though.

 

[wolfgaze]

Vinh sells the original MKIII as he explained in one of his videos that he just can't bring in any modifications to the light as everything is perfect. Don't know if that means he can still swap the LED inside though.

If he could I would love to send him one and pay him to swap the factory emitter with a Nichia 219B...

 

[Drift Monkey]

If he could I would love to send him one and pay him to swap the factory emitter with a Nichia 219B...

Seems like that would defeat the all the hard work ZL put into boosting their latest lights to work with the XHP35. Why not just ask him to swap it with a 90+ CRI XHP35?

 

[wolfgaze]

Seems like that would defeat the all the hard work ZL put into boosting their latest lights to work with the XHP35. Why not just ask him to swap it with a 90+ CRI XHP35?

I wasn't previously aware of that emitter option... What would be the differences in performance between the two (Nichia 219b & XHP35 90+ CRI)... Thanks....

 

[twistedraven]

The Cree would be outputting a lot more lumens, and have higher CRI overall, while the Nichia would probably still win out in deep red rendering (R9).

 

[Drift Monkey]

I wasn't previously aware of that emitter option... What would be the differences in performance between the two (Nichia 219b & XHP35 90+ CRI)... Thanks....

Apparently they are somewhat hard to source...otherwise we might see them from the factory from ZL. Still, it would be pretty sweet.

twistedraven covered the differences spot on. I'd personally prefer the XHP35 (HI) 90+ CRI for this application. If you could source one Vinh may be able to do it.

 

[wolfgaze]

The Cree would be outputting a lot more lumens, and have higher CRI overall, while the Nichia would probably still win out in deep red rendering (R9).

Apparently they are somewhat hard to source...otherwise we might see them from the factory from ZL. Still, it would be pretty sweet.

twistedraven covered the differences spot on. I'd personally prefer the XHP35 (HI) 90+ CRI for this application. If you could source one Vinh may be able to do it.

Thanks for the replies and feedback (I'm learning as I go)...

 

[Bluebloa]

We are talking about the battery issue in particular here man. That has to do with marketing nor innovation. People have a right to criticize it when other lights that cost 1/3 as much dont have this issue. Zebralight makes some great lights and are always near the top in performance and efficiency but, they could definitely improve in the product testing and quality control side of things. I cant remember the last new ZL product release that didnt at least have some kind of teething issues. You just dont see this many issues with many other companies near as often. Even companies that sell their lights for half or one third the price.

Here is some picture about the tail cap of SC600w mk3 HI I just bought. I am waiting from Zebralight to solve it.
http://imgur.com/a/HlKFL?desktop=1

 

[markr6]

Here is some picture about the tail cap of SC600w mk3 HI I just bought. I am waiting from Zebralight to solve it.
http://imgur.com/a/HlKFL?desktop=1

That's crazy!