Zebralight SC52 (XM-L, 1xAA, 1x14500) Review: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS, VIDEO and more!

[lightliker]

Hi Selfbuilt, nice review as usual :thumbsup:I am almost pulling the plug on ordering a SC52 cool or neutral white but are hesitating because of some people are complaining about the greenish tint. I have two Olights (S10 and 20) wich have both a very greenish tint, especially on lower modes . I wouldn't like to have a third greenish light so my questions are: A) did you notice a greenish tint (at all) when testing these small giant? and B) what version would have the lowest risk of having a greenish tint: the neutral or cool white one? Looking at the color spectrum I would take my chances with a cool white.

 

[selfbuilt]

I wouldn't like to have a third greenish light so my questions are: A) did you notice a greenish tint (at all) when testing these small giant? and B) what version would have the lowest risk of having a greenish tint: the neutral or cool white one? Looking at the color spectrum I would take my chances with a cool white.

There's no way to predict with tint. As with everything, you take your chances. :shrug:

 

[lightliker]

There's no way to predict with tint. As with everything, you take your chances. :shrug:

Well, I like this little guy so much that I will order one and take my chances, especially because this is a ligt that I really can use as a EDC light where the Olight I take with me every day is just a tad too chunky in my jeans, however: my wife somtimes thinks that I am really happy to see her (until she notices the tiny reflector popping out my pocket) .Can you tell me something about the color of the cool white versus the neutral white?Did i red that the cool white LED, compared to the other cool white flashlights, is more neutral than cool? I am hesitating ordering the neutral one because of the newer LED but don't like orange colours neither... .

 

[markr6]

Well, I like this little guy so much that I will order one and take my chances, especially because this is a ligt that I really can use as a EDC light where the Olight I take with me every day is just a tad too chunky in my jeans, however: my wife somtimes thinks that I am really happy to see her (until she notices the tiny reflector popping out my pocket) .Can you tell me something about the color of the cool white versus the neutral white?Did i red that the cool white LED, compared to the other cool white flashlights, is more neutral than cool? I am hesitating ordering the neutral one because of the newer LED but don't like orange colours neither... .

Unfortunatley it's just impossible to tell until you personally try both. I've seen people here throw around "pure creamy white" or "smooth milky white" when referring to some cool whites - and I know that's BS. They're either new to LEDS and don't know any better, or never played around with trying other tints. Not to say I've had all good luck with my neutral white tints either, to be fair. It's enough to drive you crazy!!

Buy both directly from ZL. Return whichever one you don't like and they'll refund your money pretty quick.

 

[dc38]

Unfortunatley it's just impossible to tell until you personally try both. I've seen people here throw around "pure creamy white" or "smooth milky white" when referring to some cool whites - and I know that's BS. They're either new to LEDS and don't know any better, or never played around with trying other tints. Not to say I've had all good luck with my neutral white tints either, to be fair. It's enough to drive you crazy!!

Buy both directly from ZL. Return whichever one you don't like and they'll refund your money pretty quick.

If its anything like the xeno e03 NW, it shouldn't be too bad. Swm cool white isn't so bad either.

 

[selfbuilt]

Unfortunatley it's just impossible to tell until you personally try both.

What markr6 said - that's pretty much my experience as well.

Anything else is like trying to describe the various consistencies of quicksand ... you really need to see what tint you prefer.

 

[cyclesport]

Been reading the last few posts re: lightliker's request for tint feedback of the SC52/SC52w. There's one other aspect to all this I'll throw out and that is as someone who just bought the new ZL H52w using what I thought was going to be the same version, more or less, of the 4400k tint XM-L2 emitter that is a yellowish/green in my SC52w (like many have reported) only to get one of the most beautiful (Nichia 219 like) truly neutral, (w/a slight rose tint) LED's I've ever seen! *(Some other new H52w owners have reported this also). I am hoping that ZL has got a new bin of these XM-L2 emitters and...either are, or will be, using them in the newest production SC52w's? Queries to both ZL and Ill. Supply asking about this LED have thus far gone unanswered. Soooo...maybe there's hope for a new neutral tinted SC52w in something other than shades of yellow or green?

 

[markr6]

only to get one of the most beautiful (Nichia 219 like) truly neutral, (w/a slight rose tint) LED's I've ever seen!

JACKPOT!! I hope my H52w and SC600w II have this tint when they arrive!! If they do, I'm ordering another SC52w in hopes of having a nice matching group. Wishful thinking...

 

[ghuns]

sc52 with Alkalines - bad idea?

Is there anyone who routinely runs the sc52 on alkalines? Any qualitative real world feedback?

I realize I am late to the party, but I have been running my sc52w on the same Energizer alkaline since Christmas when Santa brought it. I use it daily, in short bursts on high mostly. If I need it for more than a few seconds, I switch it to the lower medium setting. I noticed this weekend that I only seem to have one high setting, which I took as an indication that the battery is about shot. I will continue to use alkalines as my employer has a bottomless pit of them that they pass out like candy. I would like to pick up a 14500 one of these days, just for showing off.

Thanks selfbuilt for this review. It was what made me decide to ask Santa to bring me one, via Amazon wishlist. I has been in pocket ever since and I couldn't be happier with it.

 

[selfbuilt]

I realize I am late to the party, but I have been running my sc52w on the same Energizer alkaline since Christmas when Santa brought it.

Thanks for sharing, and :welcome:

One thing to keep in mind - the free alkalines at work might seem like a bargain now. But if one of them were to leak one day and damage the light, it's not going to seem like such a fair trade. I personally don't like taking the risk, especially as duraloops/eneloops can be had pretty cheaply around here during periodic sales.

 

[leonpower]

Hello From Greece !
I have the cw version for about a year,and be very happy with him.

And recently my sc52 past the ultimate (?) test from my...Mother ! :twothumbs

45+ minutes inside the washmachine at 60+ Celcius (I had it attached to my jean and my mother decided to wash my jean without checking it first )

Result: everything works perfect

 

[grant_lee]

Hi there,
I've had this light since about time this review was out (it clearly helped me chose this compact light).
My gf messed with it this afternoon, and now the light makes a short flash every 17 seconds.
I checked the manual and read about strobe mode (3 short clicks) and battery indicator (4 short clicks) but these doesn't seem to apply.
Removing the battery and putting it back doesn't change the behaviour. I'm puzzled and lost here. Any clue ?

 

[lightmyfire13]

Hi there,
I've had this light since about time this review was out (it clearly helped me chose this compact light).
My gf messed with it this afternoon, and now the light makes a short flash every 17 seconds.
I checked the manual and read about strobe mode (3 short clicks) and battery indicator (4 short clicks) but these doesn't seem to apply.
Removing the battery and putting it back doesn't change the behaviour. I'm puzzled and lost here. Any clue ?

It's a low voltage warning .when non li-ion eg alkaline or eneloop battery gets below 1.04v ..im sending my sc52fl2 for repair

 

[search_and_rescue]

Hi Selfbuilt, thank you so much for your Zebralight reviews. I bought a Zebralight SC52Fw L2 from Andrew and Amanda. It is a very high-quality, warm-neutral flood beam. The lowest firefly mode is very useful.

I was inspired by La Taupe, from the Paris catacombs movie. Thanks again.

 

[override666666]

Thanks sb! Bought this tiny monster because of your review

 

[lumenate]

I'm curious about the recovery time to access the 500 lumen mode. Once this light steps-down from 500 lumen mode with 14500's, how long must one wait before it is available again? Is this recover time programmed into the light, or is it heat or voltage dependent?

 

[selfbuilt]

I'm curious about the recovery time to access the 500 lumen mode. Once this light steps-down from 500 lumen mode with 14500's, how long must one wait before it is available again? Is this recover time programmed into the light, or is it heat or voltage dependent?

Things may have changed since this review was posted, but my sample allows you to re-start immediately in max right after step-down occurs. It is simply a timed step-down, not thermal (as on the larger 18650-class ZLs).

 

[gkbain]

I have the SC52 L2 CW. Very nice pocket light. Just pre ordered the new SC5 NW. It suppose to start shipping about April 30. 500 lm on an eneloope. I don't know how they get that much light out of a AA cell. Well, it is Zebralight. They are magic after all.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

I have the SC52 L2 CW. Very nice pocket light. Just pre ordered the new SC5 NW. It suppose to start shipping about April 30. 500 lm on an eneloope. I don't know how they get that much light out of a AA cell. Well, it is Zebralight. They are magic after all.

I'm looking forward to selfbuilt's review of the SC5, in comparison to the SC52.

 

[mactavish]

I bought a new SC52W L2, new in 2013, has seen little use, but I like it.

PROBLEM: Can't seem to access "Strobe/Beacon" mode. I have tried the 3 short Clicks, many times now, slow, fast button clicks, etc. but it ends up on a low output mode, never strobe. Am I doing something wrong? I can program a strobe into one of the secondary custom settings (but do not want to), SO according to the manual:

• Beacon-strobe mode can be accessed from 3 short-clicks when the light is Off. Once in the beacon-strobe mode, you can double-click to cycle through different types of beacons and strobes. Beacon-strobe settings are memorized when the light is turned off and through battery changes.