The Official Zebralight Thread .

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Wow, I would just not buy the light. Hearing this programming described is insane. What if a light breaks, or you buy a second one? How did this pass a design review? If you are going to offer this flexibility, then you better have a Bluetooth IF, USB, NFC, and an App/PC program, anything.
 

ilikeguns40

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Derek Dean

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Wow, I would just not buy the light. Hearing this programming described is insane. What if a light breaks, or you buy a second one? How did this pass a design review? If you are going to offer this flexibility, then you better have a Bluetooth IF, USB, NFC, and an App/PC program, anything.
You have to understand, these folks are taking the programming to an extreme level, and, at least to my understanding, no other manufacturer offers this degree of flexibility, and further, the cool thing is, you don't HAVE to do at level of programming if you don't want to.

I use all my current models in the regular mode, because it matches all my previous ZL models that don't have the new advanced modes, and that way I don't get mixed up when going from light to light, and personally, I actually love the way it works coming from the factory, it's SOOOOO easy and quick to get the right light.

You need light, click once and you've got light. I always have that one click set to come on in the lowest of the top levels, so it's never too bright, but I can easily get there with 2 more clicks, although I rarely need that much light.

I do agree, however, that it would be nice to be able plug the light into my computer and have a simple and easy to use program to setup how I want it configured. That would be an excellent feature, and even better if it were Bluetooth to set up with my iphone.

In any case, I think it's nice that ZL has at least given us the CHOICE of either using the light as it comes from the factory, OR going in and doing the programming by hand. Choices are good.
 

Lips

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Thanks, just placed my order too! : )

These cells (if Li-ion works like on SC53w) should be nice new addition also...
 

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chillinn

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Thanks, just placed my order too! : )

These cells (if Li-ion works like on SC53w) should be nice new addition also...
Vapcell F12 1250mAh are 3A cells. I do not know the amp draw of the SC53 series, but the SC5 series draws 5A on turbo. Probably what you want is the Vapcell H10 1000mAh 10A cells, with negligibly less capacity, well, 250mAh less. Try to imagine a battery with 250mAh of capacity and you'll understand why it doesn't matter. It's about a third the capacity of a low capacity AAA NiMH cell, which already has hardly any capacity. Also, H10 have button top versions available at illumn.
 

Lips

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Vapcell F12 1250mAh are 3A cells. I do not know the amp draw of the SC53 series, but the SC5 series draws 5A on turbo. Probably what you want is the Vapcell H10 1000mAh 10A cells, with negligibly less capacity, well, 250mAh less. Try to imagine a battery with 250mAh of capacity and you'll understand why it doesn't matter. It's about a third the capacity of a low capacity AAA NiMH cell, which already has hardly any capacity. Also, H10 have button top versions available at illumn.
I use Vapcell H10 flat-tops exclusively now in the sc53w. Sometimes you have to spin the H10 flat-tops around to get them to work and out of 6 I have one won't turn the light on... I don't think the sc53w pulls 3 amps on Li-ion on H1 and is nicely brighter than using an Eneloop Pro on H1 for a minute (which you can repeat). One minute works nicely for me most of the time. Every little bit helps especially at lower levels... I'm not sure though of the benefits... 1250 mah could potentially give better run-times at lower levels and the cells are only $3.99 vs $4.30! Much better than the sc31 with 650 mah or 800 mah rcr123 batteries...
 

HRace

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There's no easy way into the bezel without special tools is there (shaved down pry tools, etc.) for access to de-dome this new SC53n 519a without marring, scratching the light up or breaking something trying to press fit the head back together? Better to buy this already done from Bob_McBob if we want that? One "as-is" may be nice too = )
 
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Fespe

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So for now there is no update if there would be a new model other than the sc53n right? I'm really close to buy the h600c XHP50.2. is the tint on this one close to the sc64c le?
 

chillinn

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Sometimes you have to spin the H10 flat-tops around to get them to work and out of 6 I have one won't turn the light on

That is because Zebralight AA lights are designed for Eneloop, which are, in fact, button top cells and not flat top cells. That was why I recommended above the button top Vapcell H10. Interesting that the flat top cells work, and sometimes need twisted around, but if someone was to purchase Li-ion cells for this light, they should get the button tops to avoid that behavior.

I don't think the sc53w pulls 3 amps on Li-ion on H1

Thinking is good. But someone should really check so we know. I suspect it must close to 3A, but even if it was 2.9A, one would still want to use the alternative 10A cell. If it was only 1.2A, the 3A cells would be fine.
 
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KITROBASKIN

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Wow that is a seriously nice flashlight.
Seeing that ZL suggests using Eneloop Pro inside.
Dedoming that emitter is going to make a very warm color temperature. Anyone have a number on that? 2000K CCT?
 

chillinn

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I have multiple button-top Vapcell H10 also and they don't work (slightly too long) in my SC53w...???
You can't get the cap closed?!

Cell Dimensions: L x Ø
  • Eneloop AA ...................... 50.4mm x 14.35mm
  • Eneloop Pro AA ................ 50.5mm x 14.5mm
  • Vapcell H10 button top ..... 52mm x 14.0mm
  • Vapcell H10 flat top ........... 49.4mm x 14.0mm
  • Vapcell L10 flat top ............ 49.0mm x 14.0mm
  • Vapcell F12 flat top ............ 49.0mm x 14.0mm
Zebralight has some tight tolerances if it can't accept an extra 1.5mm.

Gonna order some Vapcell F12 to check out!
If H10 flat top at 49.4mm has connectivity issues for you, F12 flat top being 0.4mm shorter than H10 flat top will at least have the same issues or worse.

I've been doing some research on LED flashlight current draw. Li-ion flashlights don't draw a lot of current, and we should expect one pulling 3A to be about 1000Lm. But the SC53w is an AA (well, Eneloop AA) flashlight. The SC5w is known to draw 5A on its highest setting for 550Lm. The SC53w is 330Lm on 1.2V Eneloop, but, and this is critical, with LED, as you increase the voltage, the current necessarily will also increase. So whatever the current draw is for SC53w on Eneloop at 330Lm, on voltages above 1.2V, the current is going to necessarily be higher.

And the point of this rant: F12 are rated at 3A. Exceeding the amp rating of a cell will at the very least shorten the life of the cell, but it could very well also lead to thermal runaway. Vapcell INR do not come with a protection circuit.

I really wish some intrepid SC53w-owning CPF member would do us all a huge favor and check the SC53w current draw at the tail cap for 1.2V Eneloop and 3.7V Li-ion for the highest setting.
 
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