Zebralight SC80

[Cataract]

Smells like a future EDC to me...

[Acid87]

This light looks pretty quality. I love lights that make use of different battery configurations. Versatility is key. Well done ZL.

[Danielsan]

this light is wider then SC51 too, i looked at the Zebralight product comparision table, there is a light called SC5 "xmas Edition 2011". I believe this is the "old" SC51 for 39 Dollar but with only 3 modes. Sounds interesting because the price is fair and i never had a use for 8 modes

[Cataract]

this light is wider then SC51 too, i looked at the Zebralight product comparision table, there is a light called SC5 "xmas Edition 2011". I believe this is the "old" SC51 for 39 Dollar but with only 3 modes. Sounds interesting because the price is fair and i never had a use for 8 modes

It's not really wider, the body is the same width as the head, but max width is 0.9", same as SC51

I think the Xmas edition is just a great marketing plan for a cheaper simpler light they want us to give to all our friends and family, but if you want one for yourself, you'll definitely save money It's also a good light to ASK for Christmas, since people won't recoil at the price... my Dad will definitely get one of those rather than an SC80 or something with 12 modes.

[henry1960]

When is the SC80 coming out?
Any one know.....

[whiteoakjoe]

What I really like about this light is you can use either 123A or AA without a extender. .

+1 thats why I've been watching for this one for a little wile now. Could be the perfect EDC for my needs.

[BBL]

I wonder if a 17500 cell fits in this light (AA length, cr123 diameter) - that would be cool

[liquidsix]

I like it, but man, that knurling looks aggressive.

Better to make your hands all rough and dry and callousy man hands!

Hrm. Not a fan of the knurling or the snap-on clip.

Really, is a snap on clip really a clip at all? They just don't have the security that a clip is supposed to have. It's like locking up your bike with a rope and knot instead of a chain and lock.

What I really like about this light is you can use either 123A or AA without a extender. .

Sounds interesting. I wonder if they do that with a spacer or a really big flimsy spring with a low K-constant.

This looks like a nice light. In my years here on CPF I've never gone for the side switch lights but Zebralight's starting to change my mind.

[candle lamp]

I don't know if it won't be a problem to link the following.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...CNqP6KIC#gid=0

The size is smillar to SC51c. It looks fine.

[MashBill]

I like the looks of this. I will definitely order one of these when they are available.

[leon2245]

+1 gotta love that simple tube shape, & accommodating both battery types is just useful!

[Danielsan]

I think accommodating both battery types is not that good for this pocket light class becasue size is everything here, especially for the ppl who use only one battery type at all, this compromise just makes the light longer in case of CR123 users and wider in case of AA users and more heavy as well. I bought a H31 just because its shorter then the H51 in the past and i wouldnt miss this size. You cant say that the light will be brighter with CR123 if the light really has 220 Lumen with CR123 and 200 with AA, you wont feel the 20 Lumen difference and thats another point, the difference in Lumen dont justifice the use of 1CR123 or 1AA. I think a light designed for one battery type specifically is always better then a compromise but its also more expensive for the manufactor This dosnt count for "Lego" lights where you can add different sized tubes.

[run4jc]

I think accommodating both battery types is not that good for this pocket light class becasue size is everything here, especially for the ppl who use only one battery type at all, this compromise just makes the light longer in case of CR123 users and wider in case of AA users and more heavy as well. I bought a H31 just because its shorter then the H51 in the past and i wouldnt miss this size. You cant say that the light will be brighter with CR123 if the light really has 220 Lumen with CR123 and 200 with AA, you wont feel the 20 Lumen difference and thats another point, the difference in Lumen dont justifice the use of 1CR123 or 1AA. I think a light designed for one battery type specifically is always better then a compromise but its also more expensive for the manufactor This dosnt count for "Lego" lights where you can add different sized tubes.

I respect your opinion, but I'll offer a different opinion. I think this is FANTASTIC! I would agree with you IF Zebralight didn't offer both 123 and AA sized lights (and quite a few of each), but since they do, this is an awesome idea. Imagine - you are traveling with only one light (the SC80) and the RCR is run to depletion and you have no way of charging it. Simple - any where in the world, you can pick up a common AA battery and be back in operation. I travel frequently, and typically carry an AA light and a 123 light for that very reason. Now I'd need carry only one. I think this is a fantastic idea, and I can't wait to show my support by purchasing a couple of them!

[run4jc]

I wonder if a 17500 cell fits in this light (AA length, cr123 diameter) - that would be cool

+1

[Danielsan]

I would agree with you IF Zebralight didn't offer both 123 and AA sized lights (and quite a few of each), but since they do, this is an awesome idea. Imagine - you are traveling with only one light (the SC80) and the RCR is run to depletion and you have no way of charging it. Simple - any where in the world, you can pick up a common AA battery and be back in operation. I travel frequently, and typically carry an AA light and a 123 light for that very reason. Now I'd need carry only one. I think this is a fantastic idea, and I can't wait to show my support by purchasing a couple of them!

Its true, you are correct, if ZL offer both 123 and AA lights then i am with you. But i have the feeling that the SC80 will replace the SC51 and SC31 series, so the customer will have no choice. Again, i doubt that double A Batterie users will have any CR123 batteries at home, so its not really useful for them to have the CR123 option, only for CR123 users it will be useful with the compromise that the light grows to AA Lenghts and like i said i bought the H31 only because it was shorter then H51. Its like 4 Sevens cancel the Mini 123 and offer it in mini AA lenghts. But anyway, i can still buy the SC51 or the SC5 xmas Edition, i will wait for it.

[B0wz3r]

But i have the feeling that the SC80 will replace the SC51 and SC31 series, so the customer will have no choice.

I doubt that'll happen. From what I've seen of ZL's product history, they don't discontinue something unless A) it sells poorly, which the SC51 series is definitely not, and B) they come out with a newer product that is in the same niche as the one it replaces. The best example of this is the SC600 replacing the soon to be discontinued SC60.

This looks like a light that is intended for enthusiasts, for sure... I think it will be awesome for EDC backup, emergency/disaster preparedness, etc. The form factor really isn't all that much bigger than an SC50/51, and it has an XPG in it so it should have the typical Zebralight beam profile for a clear lens, generous well defined spot, and nicely useable, wide spill, giving good peripheral vision.

For myself, I can see plenty of uses for this light. While the clip is certainly not optimal, one advantage of it is that being reversible, it can easily be attached to the bill of a cap, a pack strap, etc. I like the aggressive knurling... While I live in California, I'm currently working in Iowa, and it's already starting to get cold here... (yeah, spare me the jokes about a Californian adapting to real winter... :P ) That knurling will be nice to have when using the light with gloves on. It will also make for a very stable fit in a two-fish bike block on the handlebars of my hybrid commuter bike, or on my helmet.

I think this one looks like a home-run on ZL's part... I even like the styling! Good useable output on an AA, since it's CR123 compatible it should even be able to take a 14500 or 16340 as well as an L91, alkaline, or Eneloop. I'm all for versatility in a light; the more the better. I'm completely convinced that any light that can take that wide of a range of chemistries is a better light than one that's limited to just Eneloops, or the 123 format.

I've been looking for something new/nice to get for myself, to celebrate and congratulate myself for some recent successes in my career, and right now, this light looks VERY appealing! I want the W version though... and if I get one, it'll actually be two! I'll mount one on each side of my bike helmet, Clone Trooper style!

[Harry999]

I find myself more and more moving to AA only lights just because of the convenience and now performance that eneloops provide. However, I can see the benefits of this light in an emergency such as a long term power outage.

You can keep your long term lithium primaries in storage and just use AA but when you need them you can use the CR123s. Here in the UK people only tend to use AA, C & D cells with CR123 cells used mainly for cameras. So in an emergency you are likely to still find CR123 cells in a pharmacy, supermarket or electrical store.

I'll check what people say about the SC80 when it comes out and then purchase at least one if reviews are favourable. I might also give one or two as gifts!

Having said that it will probably be two for me if it is good - one warm & one cool!

Sent from my smart phone using Tapatalk

[Dsoto87]

Its true, you are correct, if ZL offer both 123 and AA lights then i am with you. But i have the feeling that the SC80 will replace the SC51 and SC31 series, so the customer will have no choice. Again, i doubt that double A Batterie users will have any CR123 batteries at home, so its not really useful for them to have the CR123 option, only for CR123 users it will be useful with the compromise that the light grows to AA Lenghts

As stated before, its doubtful zebralight will outright cancel the lines. On top of that, how do you know AA users don't keep cr123s? That doesn't seem like a very logical assumption. In an AA user but keep many different types of cells around, and I don't I'm the only one.

[snakyjake]

I hope the knurling and design won't interfere with the headband. I like the versatility of Zebralight.

[Wrecked]

At least this one is a little less ugly than the rest.

[Danielsan]

one advantage of it is that being reversible

Im not sure if you can reverse it, because if you want to reverse it you have to clip it in right under the head and maybe its to wide there but reversible clip is always nice.

That doesn't seem like a very logical assumption. In an AA user but keep many different types of cells around, and I don't I'm the only one.

Im an AA user and i moved away from CR123 and i dont own any CR123 flashlights anymore and also other devices in my household dont need CR123, its useless for me. Im sure many non flashaholics dont have Cr123 at home too. Like i said, for CR123 users its a great light because they have probably AA batteries at home, maybe for other devices. Nearly everybody has AAs at home. In germany most devices use AA or AAA, digi cams,navigation devices or cell phones etc.. use always special Li/ion packs. The last time i used a D-Cell was in the 80s for a maglite, same with a 9V block batterie, i bought the CR123 only for a flashlight but i dont own them anymore since they are a bit expensive, i switched comletely to AA or AAA. For me this sound very logical and im sure there are more ppl on this planet using AA or AAA then CR123. But like i said the new SC80 is fine as long they dont stop the others.

You can keep your long term lithium primaries in storage and just use AA but when you need them you can use the CR123s

I think there are AA lithiums as well but im not sure.

So in an emergency you are likely to still find CR123 cells in a pharmacy, supermarket or electrical store.

Ok, but why search for CR123 in an emergency situation?

and B) they come out with a newer product that is in the same niche as the one it replaces. The best example of this is the SC600 replacing the soon to be discontinued SC60.

Ok. lets hope they dont discontinue because you can discuss about it if the SC80 is in the same niche as the SC51,SC31. I mean SC600 is a much larger light compared to SC60 as well.

[Cataract]

I respect your opinion, but I'll offer a different opinion. I think this is FANTASTIC! I would agree with you IF Zebralight didn't offer both 123 and AA sized lights (and quite a few of each), but since they do, this is an awesome idea. Imagine - you are traveling with only one light (the SC80) and the RCR is run to depletion and you have no way of charging it. Simple - any where in the world, you can pick up a common AA battery and be back in operation. I travel frequently, and typically carry an AA light and a 123 light for that very reason. Now I'd need carry only one. I think this is a fantastic idea, and I can't wait to show my support by purchasing a couple of them!

My thoughts exactly, but from the viewpoint of a hiker: campgrounds are always near small cities or villages, so CR123's are hard to come by when I'm on vacation. (Then again, I always travel with at least 5-6 flashlights and spare batteries, so maybe I should just shut up...)

[Harry999]

Hi Danielsan,

I am replying in bold below next to your quoted comments

I think there are AA lithiums as well but im not sure.

Yes there are - you can get Energiser L91s and I have plenty of them - they are a great primary cell!

With CR123 cells purchased online they are cheaper then Lithium AA Primaries. I last got 10 Titanium Innovations CR123 batteries for £10. It now costs £10 for four Lithium AAs. Obviously I purchase the Lithium AA cells when they are on offer.

I have plenty of CR123 cells which I store so that I can use them to power my Surefire E2D LED and LX2. It would be nice if they could also power my AA torch if I ran out of AA batteries - which is unlikely to happen given my hoarding instinct!


Ok, but why search for CR123 in an emergency situation?

I would not be searching for CR123. I am a sensible flashaholic so would have plenty of AA rechargeables and primaries at home - plus in the next month or so I will possibly be getting solar panels to charge the rechargeables. My point is that all other cell types might have been grabbed by people preparing for an emergency. In the UK I suspect CR123 cells would go after AA, AAA, C and D cells had been cleared from the shelves.

Of course given how many I have in stock I am unlikely to go searching but it is simply part of planning and preparedness to consider such options.

Why limit yourself?

[Danielsan]

Well, i would store some lithium AA at home for an emergency situation but i would never use them for every day, have eneloops for that. I think 4 cells are enough, can be stored until 2020. I think we declare emergency situation different, you mean something like the world ends For Armageddon i would definitely buy some of those dynamo lights. But i think most buyers of the SC51 or SC80 dont think that far i must say. I want to use only AA and that means the light can be made slimmer then a light that eats AA and CR123. Same counts for CR123 or CR2, i like the CR2 Quarks because they are so small, i dont want them bigger that i can use CR123 or AA as well.

[Harry999]

You know that is what makes this hobby so interesting. Everyone has their own ideas of what they want and the best thing is that a company like Zebralight makes what you want available. I understand what you mean about narrowness of the light. I definitely prefer my SC51c in my pocket than my Jetbeam RRT-0!

[pjandyho]

I think it is beautiful. The knurling does add a new touch to Zebralight's design, but I just don't understand what is keeping Zebralight from producing the same clip system offered in the current SC31 or SC51 series. Would be waiting for it.

[flame2000]

I'm not so much into this one. The head is all smooth and the body/tail is all knurled. It looks like 2 different lights LEGO together.

[B0wz3r]

Harry, I get 4 packs of L91's on the "A" site for $7.

[leon2245]

Harry, I get 4 packs of L91's on the "A" site for $7.

And 12 packs at the "S" club for $20.

[B0wz3r]

The mods might spank me for this, but I just checked, and the price of L91's has gone down from what I last paid for them in 4 packs...

http://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Ulti...6306278&sr=8-2

They're now $1.41 per cell.