Tint shift on SC600w Mk IV Plus

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Don't want to get off topic, but I just noticed how I miss the lower mode on my SC64w as well. 0.07lm sounds ridiculously low on paper, but the 0.01lm on my old SC63w was really useful. Walking around a house last weekend that I was only somewhat familiar with at about 4am...that 0.07lm could light entire rooms.

Yeah, I miss the really low lows on the older Zebras. I guess the XHP35 and XHP50.2 can't reliably go as low as the XML and XPLs?

 

[markr6]

Yeah, I miss the really low lows on the older Zebras. I guess the XHP35 and XHP50.2 can't reliably go as low as the XML and XPLs?

Honestly, I wouldn't blame the guys at ZL if they thought ".07lm vs .01lm? People can't possibly care" while designing them. After all this time, I was shocked to see that it really does matter!

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

Honestly, I wouldn't blame the guys at ZL if they thought ".07lm vs .01lm? People can't possibly care" while designing them. After all this time, I was shocked to see that it really does matter!

That could be it, too. But the Plus is listed as only going down to 0.2 lumens, which I think is about accurate. It's a traditional moonlight level you get on most other flashlights with a good moonlight mode. But, it's far brighter than what Zebralight has offered in the past.

It's hard to compare Zebralight's moonlight level of different models based on their listed specs. Zebralight has been horribly off on the levels in the past. For example, the 0.06 lumen mode on the SC52's is really about 0.01 lumens. The 0.1 lumen mode on the SC5w is also really about 0.01 lumens.

But they are getting much more accurate on their lastest models. The SC600w MkIV HI lowest moonlight is listed as 0.07 lumens, which is about right. The Plus is also about right. But those are much brighter than what was spec'd at that level in the past.

Maybe they never intended such lows in the past, and got it wrong back then? Certainly the actual output was much less than what they were spec'd at. Perhaps they're just "correcting" it now?

 

[PocketBeam]

My SC600w Mk IV Plus showed up last night. I am mostly comparing to my previous EDC the Zebralight SC600 Mk II (not L, just II). The tint shift is barely noticeable on the plus. I doubt a non-flashaholic would even seen it if you asked them about it. The tint shift is much better than the Mk II. I am very happy with the tint, and the tiny amount of tint shift (almost none). I will post more thought in the official Zebralight thread.

As for low, yes this does not go as low as the Mk II. The Mk II lists 0.6, 0.1, and 0.02 for low. The Plus lists 5.0, 1.8, 0.6, and 0.2. First are the Mk II numbers wrong? I can only eyeball it, but the Mk II 0.02 is much lower than the 0.2 plus. And even the Mk II 0.1 is a bit lower than the Plus 0.2. So they may be relatively close to the right numbers.

So even with one more low level, the Mk II still has two low levels that go lower. The difference is rather significant. But for my real world use it won't be a big deal. I only used the lowest low on the Mk II when I wanted to preserve my night vision. I do feel that the Plus 5.0 low is so bright it feels like it should be in with mediums.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

My SC600w Mk IV Plus showed up last night. The tint shift is barely noticeable on the plus. I doubt a non-flashaholic would even seen it if you asked them about it. The tint shift is much better than the Mk II. I am very happy with the tint, and the tiny amount of tint shift (almost none).

Sounds like mine, which hopefully means that all the units are consistent. Zebralight used to be a big tint lottery a few years back, but in the last couple of years they seem to have become much more consistent and their tints have really improved. I was expecting worse on my Plus, so I'm pleased it's better. But IMO, the HI still rules when it comes to tint.

So even with one more low level, the Mk II still has two low levels that go lower. The difference is rather significant. But for my real world use it won't be a big deal. I only used the lowest low on the Mk II when I wanted to preserve my night vision. I do feel that the Plus 5.0 low is so bright it feels like it should be in with mediums.

Yeah, the Plus is definitely not for really low moonlight lovers. I use one of my older Zebras as a night light, and use the newer ones for outdoors. But for people that want a more traditional moonlight mode level, I think the Plus's lowest mode will make them happy. Lower is really only useful for very dark nights when there is no other light.

 

[markr6]

Yeah, the Plus is definitely not for really low moonlight lovers. I use one of my older Zebras as a night light, and use the newer ones for outdoors. But for people that want a more traditional moonlight mode level, I think the Plus's lowest mode will make them happy. Lower is really only useful for very dark nights when there is no other light.

That's too bad. With a billion modes in one light, I always saw Zebralight as a do-it-all light. Yes, I would probably be using the Plus outdoors on a high mode 90% of the time, but if it's the only light I have with me at the moment and need a super low mode, not so great.

 

[WalkIntoTheLight]

That's too bad. With a billion modes in one light, I always saw Zebralight as a do-it-all light. Yes, I would probably be using the Plus outdoors on a high mode 90% of the time, but if it's the only light I have with me at the moment and need a super low mode, not so great.

IMO, the super-low modes are only useful for trips to the bathroom in the middle of a moonless night in a completely dark house. Any stray light coming in the windows and I need to step it up to a more normal ~0.1 lumens. That's why I keep a dedicated Zebralight on my nightstand just for that purpose.

I am considering getting an updated SC53w with the new UI and programming every mode to the lowest moonlight. Seems a bit of a waste, though, just to make sure I never accidentally trigger high on my older Zebra SC5w or SC52w I use now.

Anyway, my point is that if you're using the Plus as a multi-mode light, its moonlight is fine. You're not going to be sitting in pitch-black for 30 minutes until your eyes are fully dark-adapted anyway. You'll only do that if you're sleeping.

But if you want a nightstand light, its moonlight may be too bright on dark nights.

 

[markr6]

Anyway, my point is that if you're using the Plus as a multi-mode light, its moonlight is fine. You're not going to be sitting in pitch-black for 30 minutes until your eyes are fully dark-adapted anyway. You'll only do that if you're sleeping.

But if you want a nightstand light, its moonlight may be too bright on dark nights.

Yea that was my point. I was away last weekend and only had the SC64w with me. A nice do-it-all (within reason) light. But that .07 was a lot brighter than I expected. I love flashlights, but often I don't want a bunch of flashlights with me. In hinds sighs I would have taken the SC52w as well. So if .07lm was too much, the .2 of the Plus is out of the question.

I also like a very low mode for night photography...the afterglow of an LED when turned off is almost enough! Just enough to make out the buttons.