ITP SC1 Eluma...CR123A or RCR123A?

LEDBE
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ky70

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Feb 1, 2010
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Hello Folks,

I'm ready to buy the ITP SC1 light to use as my every day carry. I'm very new to the world of quality flashlights and best power sources and would really appreciate some direction on what battery to get for this light. I have been unable to find the operating voltage specs on the various websites that sell this light which adds to my confusion. But here are my questions:

1. What are the operating voltage specs for this flashlight
2. Would you recommend disposable CR123 batteries or rechargeables
a) If CR123, which would you recommend for maximum performance
within the voltage specs
b) If RCR123, which ones and which charger?

I have done some reading on the Batteries forum and maybe that's a more appropriate place for my question(?), but after reading up on CR123s, RCR123s, 16400s, protected and unprotected, my head is spinning and I would greatly appreciate any specific direction about the best options to power this light.

Thanks in advance!!
 
Re - Chargeables ..... makes them MUCH brighter .

I recommend Pro-tected cells.

Just do your homework about cells and chargers .

You may find the Eluma's too large for pocket carry.
But they are both VERY bright for their size - and pretty good throwers.
SA1 and SC1 are same brightness on Li-Ion . (no diff. in either) SC1 is shorter.

They use the SAME .. 1 inch diameter head on both lights.
It's OK if you intend to EDC in a belt pouch .......

But if you intend to pocket carry .... consider something else .
(head size same as body size is better for pocket carry)

Consider the Quarks and some others b-4 you buy.

Let us know if you intend pocket carry - for better suggestions .
 
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Thank you, thank you for the reply.

My intention is to pocket carry and what draws me to the SC1 (and the Quark 123) is the vesatility of the lights with very low, lows on lumen output AND yet still very high, highs (I'm aiming for highs of 180+ and lows of 6-). I also really like the programming and memory features. Are there other lights with these functions that are better for pocket carry?
 
Sorry ...Eluma's DON'T have a Low-Low

Don't buy it expecting that .

I have both the SA1 and SC1

You also need to consider the NEW ZebraLight with side button

said to have a low-low , and the single side button contols ALL functions .

Also study the LiteFlux LF2XT for pocket carry - which Everyone LOVES ....
with all it's versatile programming features - VERY bright for a Tiny light.
.
 
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Thank you for the great info. I'll keep researching and take a look at your suggestions.

Thanks again
 
One of the overriding factors that could influence any S-series purchase is the tactical forward switch it offers while still allowing rapid changing of modes.

This is so practical if you want quick access to lower modes, not just the usual 2 preset modes of the other taclight interfaces.

Use it as a 1-mode or use lo-med-hi-strobe immediately.
Want some unique level then immediately ramp to it and let go.
 
I have the ITP SA1 Eluma, the AA brother of the SC1.
I love this light, but I don't think it or the SC1 will be easily an EDC light, unless you use the sheath to carry it. Not only are they both a bit big, the clip opening faces the tail of the light which makes it difficult to carry in your pocket without the head facing up or to the outside. The clip doesn't seem to be removable, either. Still, the clip in the reverse position makes it usable on a cap.

TooManyGizmo's states that the SA1 has the same output as the SC1 when using Lithium ion rechargables, but according to the specs, that isn't very clear. The SA1 is rated at 120 lumens on high, while the SC1 is rated at 190 lumens. Since I don't own both lights, I would have to guess that TooManyGizmo's who does, is probably right about their similar outputs with the lithiums. Personally, I don't see a lot of difference when I run my SA1 with Eneloop or a lithium, but it may be difficult to see a difference of only 70 lumens.

There are a couple of things I really love about the S series. The beam is extremely smooth. It is difficult to find a single cell light with a smooth reflector that has as smooth a beam. The hotspot to spill transition is seamless without rings. The hotspot has an area in the center that is a bit less intense, but it isn't so bad as to be a donut. The build quality and finish is absolutely amazing. I love the hand grenade grip and the anodizing is absolutely beautiful, a deep semi-gloss deep black. I find the beam a bit less warm than I would like, but for a light to be used at night that throws pretty well, I can't complain.
I like the tactical switch, for the ability to have brief instant on. It doesn't tailstand, but with the optional reverse clicky switch that comes also with the light, you can switch the switch and tail stand it, if you like.
The selected low, med, and high are very evenly spaced and useful. I would prefer a lower low (the SC1 has a slightly lower low), but because of the evenly spaced outputs, I rarely need to ramp the light to find in-between outputs.

I agree with the recommendation that the LiteFlux lights are the best EDCs to carry, either the LF3XT (CR123) or the LF2XT (AAA). They cost a bit more, may not throw quite as far or be quite as bright, but still are my favorite EDC choices. They have a lower low than the S series. Their clips, although a bit flimsy compared to the S series clips, do face forward making them easy to carry in your pocket. I actually carry both of them. The LF3XT is in my side pants pocket. The LF2XT is in my shirt pocket. The tint on the LF2XT is hard to beat; warm with great color rendition; almost incandescent like. The LF3XT is a bit colder, more like the S series R2.
 
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Thanks folks for all the useful information.

I am itching to buy a light today (so it can arrive by the weekend) and am now seriously deciding between the Zebra sc30, Quark 123 and mini 123 and the Olight T10.

I stumbled upon the Deerelight C2H and fell in love but those icky run times made me cross it off my list.
 
I just checked again .....
SA1 and SC1 .. both using Li-Ion Rechargeables .
I can't tell a diff. in brightness between the two lights.
I also asked my wife's opinion ... she agrees .. NO diff.
.
 
TooManyGizmos, thank you and your wife for comparing the SA1 and SC1's brightness at the same time. I only have the one SA1 so when I looked at its brightness with an Eneloop or a Lithium rechargable, I had to switch batteries. My memory being brief, I can't tell the difference in brightness. I suppose if I had two SA1's side by side with different batteries, I would see the difference in brightness.

I actually was considering getting the SC1 because of its quoted higher output. So you just saved me some money, unless you see any other differences in the 2 lights with the beam, tint, etc.

Since I didn't think either the SC1 or the SA1 were sized right to be convenient EDC type lights (they both have the same wide diameter with the clip facing the wrong way), I went first with the AA version for the versatility of being able to use easily available primaries as well as rechargables, even though it is a bit longer. Do you have a preference between the two models or see a reason to own both?
 
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BabyDoc ,

I left the R-CR123a in the SC1 ...

Then compared it with the SA1 , using Tenergy 2600(NiMh)- Eneloops2000(NiMh)-and new Energizer Alkaline (1.58v) .

They ALL provided visibly less brightness than using a 14500 in the SA1.

The tints and beams are the same.

I , Like you , prefer the SA1 (AA) for versatility in the batteries and the clip works better cause the body is longer.

Try a 14500 in your SA1 - it's MUCH brighter .
.
 
I too own both lights and both seem to be about the same brightness......i just had to get it when they first came out and settled on them two. I dont carry either of them in the sheath i just clip them on to my belt......For me changing the cell out of the SC1 is annoying since i have to pull the clip away from the tailcap.....What i like the most is the tac switch and the reverse clickie for tailstanding. For the price these lights are at im surprised there not as popular as some of the others.
 
Yes ... that last beamshot you posted using 14500's shows how bright it can be versus your first beamshots which were underpowered and yellow .
 
I was surprised (and annoyed) that while in strobe mode the brightness could NOT be changed by ramping , as it can in lo/med/hi .

Strobe is HI only - can't adjust for better battery run time .

I was disappointed by that .
.
 
I dont use strobe that much but at least with the Olight T10-15 you can lower the brightness on strobe.
 
I would only use it as a warning beacon if I had a flat tire or such.

But might have a need to conserve batt. usage .

Don't know why it won't do that ?
.
 
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Understandable......im glad that the SC1 has one since my other light that i edc doesnt have strobe.
 
Remember that the SC1 Eluma was marketed and designed as a Tactical light.* (Whether it would actually be used in that way is questionable, similar to most people owning diving watches and never diving) Still, as a Tactical light, you DON'T want the strobe function to come on at anything but its highest setting, do you? With only the highest setting possible in strobe mode, there should never be a concern that your light was accidentally preset at a lower, non-threatening brightness setting.

Now you might argue that you want to conserve battery life for non tactical situations, but in reality how long will you need to run your light in strobe mode. What long term situation could you imagine where you were need it in anything but its brightest mode? If you were using it as an emergency light to attract attention to you if you were stopped along a roadside, I think you would also want it to be as bright as possible. Otherwise, what good is it? (It runs for 1.5 hours in strobe at the brightest setting. You are in real trouble if you haven't gotten help in that period of time.)

BTW, since I am not a lover of strobe modes, one of the nice things I like about this light is the fact that I don't need to turn on this lights strobe mode at all, if I don't want to. I can switch between low, med, high, then ramp the light to avoid the strobe mode should I want to get back down to any other light level. I then can switch again between the different light levels and continue to avoid strobe mode. Nice! I am never feeling ill looking at strobe mode or wasting my battery needing to pass through strobe mode getting to another mode.

*The reverse clicky switch was thrown into the package as an afterthought gift for people who need to tailstand their lights. It was never mentioned in the product description. (Of course, if you have that switch installed, the light is no longer capable of being a tactical light because you can no longer use strobe in a brief instant on and off fashion).
 
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