New Zebralight SC5

[Lex Icon]

So, for flashaholics where use of Li on cells is not an issue, do you all think the 52 is a better light, given its better form factor?

When considering the identical 3.06 watt hour capacity of an enelooop pro (1.2volt x 2550 mah) with a Sanyo 14500 (3.6 volt x 850mah), remember the li-ion is lighter, easier and faster to charge, easier to find, and cost only slightly more, depending on where you purchase them. The ZL SC600 mkIII is merely 6 grams heavier, and 15 mm longer. It could be the best reason to choose a higher energy density 18650 light over the SC5 if you don't plan on a lighter, smaller, very edc-able SC52. If I had to trust any mfg. with building a safe circuit for a 14500, I would choose ZL.

 

[ZMZ67]

So, for flashaholics where use of Li on cells is not an issue, do you all think the 52 is a better light, given its better form factor?

As a flashoholic I've resisted the trend towards li-ion and that is probably one of the reasons I chose the SC5 over the SC52. I like small lights as EDCs but for that I can go to my SC32 that performs like my SC5 or the even smaller Olight S1 when it suites my needs.16340s are available if I want to use li-ion instead of primary CR123s.Usually for any light I can get in AA there is a smaller version in CR123. I consider alkalines a poor choice for lights since they leak so frequently,it is NiMH that sets AA apart and offers a real advantage over CR123 size lights for me. 18650 seems to be the way to go anyway judging from what li-ion fans here post.

 

[jon_slider]

The ZL SC600 mkIII is merely 6 grams heavier

not really… 18650 batteries are more than double the weight of 14500

You could carry an SC52 with 14500 battery installed, plus 2 spare 14500 batteries, and still weigh less than one SC600 w 18650 battery installed.

Or you could carry an SC5 w Eneloop AA installed, plus a spare Eneloop AA, and still weigh less than one SC600 w 18650 installed.

60 grams: SC52 (40 grams empty) w 14500 (20 grams)
82 grams: SC5 (58 grams empty) w Eneloop AA (24 grams), 22 grams heavier than SC52 (37% heavier)
111 grams: SC6000MK3 (66 grams empty) w 18650 (45 grams), 51 grams heavier than the SC52 (85% heavier than SC52), and 29 grams more than SC5 (35% heavier than SC5)

So, for flashaholics where use of Li on cells is not an issue, do you all think the 52 is a better light, given its better form factor?

Yes, the SC52 is the smallest and lowest weight. It also works with Eneloops (if 300 lumens is sufficient for your needs)

The SC5 is for people that want 500+ lumens and prefer Eneloop over LiIon

there is no Eneloop option for the SC32 or Olight S1.. they require disposable batteries, or LiIon

 

[tops2]

So, for flashaholics where use of Li on cells is not an issue, do you all think the 52 is a better light, given its better form factor?

Lol..I'll chime in too.

If you care about pocket comfort, I'd totally recommend the SC52(w). If you don't use max brightness, then the SC52(w) pretty much equal in all other modes with the bonus of the smaller size. If you want same brightness, you have the option of using li-ion (but with only 1 minute H1 vs 3 minutes on the SC5(w)).

If you don't care about size and weight, and want the brightest AA light, and don't want li-ion batteries, then totally get the SC5(w).

If you don't mind 18650 battery and am ok with the SC5(w) size and weight, maybe consider the SC62(w)/SC63(w) as the weight of the SC63w with battery is about the same. With the Keeppower 18650 battery I have, the SC63w is actually about a gram lighter than the SC5w (with Eneloop Pro) but you get even more output and much longer runtime. If you do go 18650 (not sure if you have any yet) and are comfortable with it, then maybe go with the unprotected battery so you can use them in the newer SC600w MKIII and SC63w. If you get protected 18650, you can't use them in these 2 newer series of lights.


When I got into flashlights last year, I was hesitant on moving to li-ion so I ended up getting the SC5w for the output and thought I'll live with the weight and size after much much internal debate. But very quickly after I found the SC5w to be an uncomfortable EDC (to me). There was a group buy for the Olight S1 last year so after receiving that, it was like night and day between these 2. The S1 is about half the weight, much shorter, and smaller in diameter (slimmer) so I stopped pocket carrying the SC5w. I still use it all the time after I get home. But then a few weeks ago I got my first Zebralight 18650 headlamp a few weeks ago, and now I've stopped using using the SC5w. The headlamp can get much brighter and have much longer running time. Now my SC5w has become a "shelf queen" and just sits there on my keyrack at home but is basically unused. I have no regrets and love it still, but I guess I could have saved the money I spent on it.

 

[eraursls1984]

not really… 18650 batteries are more than double the weight of 14500

You could carry an SC52 with 14500 battery installed, plus 2 spare 14500 batteries, and still weigh less than one SC600 w 18650 battery installed.

Or you could carry an SC5 w Eneloop AA installed, plus a spare Eneloop AA, and still weigh less than one SC600 w 18650 installed.

With either of those scenarios you still get a fraction of the power of an 18650. At best, you get 60% of the power, and a larger overall package for the same weight an 18650 light that has the potential for more than double the output and a lot more throw. Or you could compare the SC63 and there is even more advantage of weight vs. power.

86 grams SC63 (38 g) + 18650 (48 g) all in one small package you have almost 5 times the energy as the AA's. The SC52 with a spare is still at only 43% of the power of the SC63.

The AA lights are great, and probably work well for EDC for some. For me it's either a single 18650 light, or a 2xAAA penlight. If an SC62 is too big, then my SC52 seems too big as well and I grab the Foursevens Preon. My SC52 Is my most used light at home, just never for EDC.

 

[recDNA]

I like my sc5 but wish it took li ion too. I find eneloops get hot when changing.

 

[markr6]

I like my sc5 but wish it took li ion too. I find eneloops get hot when changing.

I'm guessing it's your charger or the batteries are old with a high internal resistance. 1A is pretty much the default for 2000mAh eneloops IMO. 2A is even fine, and they don't even get hot at that rate on my Maha 801D.

 

[roger-roger]

We're in our hurricane season right now, and just had a cool tropical storm pass through a few days ago. Other than the convenience of size, I choose AA lights for their capability to run store bought alkalines in the event of extended power outages. Chances are my stash of L91 (and CR123A) with suffice, but better to be prepared.

CR123A lights are a good alternative with slightly longer run times, and a different form factor, usually thicker in girth but a bit shorter.

 

[liteboy]

thanks everyone for their input on these two AA light versions. I am collecting as much info as possible to try to predict which one will eventually sit on the shelf or in the drawer, as most lights do eventually. I don't like to keep lights that I don't use, but don't love the hassle of selling. I had hoped not to continue expanding the Li On cell types I'm accumulating, which are so far:

10180
10280
CR123
16430
18650
17500

the three I'm holding out on are:
26650
18350
14500 - but the following lights calling out to me will soon add this cell: ZL SC52 and Tain Thud 18500 light that can take 14500 cell

 

[ZMZ67]

"there is no Eneloop option for the SC32 or Olight S1.. they require disposable batteries, or LiIon"

That is definitely true but you don't have the drop off in performance with CR123s in the SC32 and S1 that you would with L91AA lithiums or NiMH when used in the SC52. I did see at least one offering that was available for a lithium primary 3V AA so that may be another point in favor for the SC52 fans.I know that when size is a factor I will go to CR123 over AA if it is at all possible.

 

[recDNA]

I'm guessing it's your charger or the batteries are old with a high internal resistance. 1A is pretty much the default for 2000mAh eneloops IMO. 2A is even fine, and they don't even get hot at that rate on my Maha 801D.

I have 2 chargers. Both are rated highly. Fairly new batteries. When the batteries are in the last hour of charging they get hot on both chargers. One is a Panasonic charger. The other is Xtar. My older batteries get hotter sooner but all of them get hot toward the end of charging cycle. Li ion don't do that and I have some 5 years old with many cycles.

 

[eraursls1984]

I'm guessing it's your charger or the batteries are old with a high internal resistance. 1A is pretty much the default for 2000mAh eneloops IMO. 2A is even fine, and they don't even get hot at that rate on my Maha 801D.

All of my batteries, Eneloop and Li-Ion, get hot at the end of the charge cycle @ 750 mAh. That's on my Nitecore D4. It's been like this since I bought my first Li-Ion and Eneloops.

 

[markr6]

SC5c up for preorder! Check out that black clip! Looks pretty cool!

May be a little sleeker than the SC5, but it's hard to tell from just the photos. I resized the SC5 image a bit since it was a larger pic. I think I got pretty close using photoshop and layering them, using the reflectors as a guide. Even then, they're at different angles so it's not a great comparison, making the new on look longer. I would take any reduction in heft; not sure we're getting that here. But I think I like it!

 

[gunga]

Yep. Same dimensions, pretty much. Looks sleeker though.

 

[markr6]

Oh I'm a sucker...SOLD! :twothumbs

 

[jon_slider]

I would take any reduction in heft

you win, SC5 MkII has a 9 gram drop (-15%!) in weight from the SC5

each of these lights is 9 grams heavier than the one before on the list:
L11c 31 grams
SC52 40 grams
SC5 MkII 49 grams
SC5 58 grams

 

[markr6]

you win, SC5 MkII has a 9 gram drop (-15%!) in weight from the SC5

each of these lights is 9 grams heavier than the one before on the list:
L11c 31 grams
SC52 40 grams
SC5 MkII 49 grams
SC5 58 grams

For me, the weight has very little to do with it. Within reason of course. I should have been more clear when I said "heft". I was referring to the size. I really like the SC52 style with the narrow tube and overall smaller dimensions. But 9g less, heck yeah I'll take it! The high cri really got me. 2-step MacAdam yessir!!

 

[jon_slider]

I was referring to the size.

the SC5 and SC5mk2 are both the same size: (if the specs dont lie)

SC5
Dimensions

• Head Diameter: 1.0 inch
• Length: 3.2 inch

SC5 mk2
Dimensions

• Head Diameter: 1.0 inch
• Length: 3.2 inch

 

[markr6]

the SC5 and SC5mk2 are both the same size: (if the specs dont lie)

SC5
Dimensions

• Head Diameter: 1.0 inch
• Length: 3.2 inch

SC5 mk2
Dimensions

• Head Diameter: 1.0 inch
• Length: 3.2 inch

Those number don't mean much to me. Just a general size. I'm not really looking at the copy and paste specs they likely used. They're simply measuring end to end, and at the widest part. When dealing with these small AA lights, the slightest curves, angles, bulges matter. The little changes can make a big difference. The bulge around the switch for example. Two measurements on paper just don't give you a good enough idea of how it will feel and ride in your pocket. The SC52 says a head diameter of .93", but the body is much narrower. Simply going by that number doesn't do much for me.

Look at the L10. It's basically an AA battery with a LED on it. Nice and sleek. This light will never be that, but any step in the right direction is welcome.

 

[ginaz]

i've been waiting for this for a long time! my last ZL was the sc60 or the h50 lol! sc5c on the way