Need a Zebralight Replacement

[DirtyRat]

I used CPF years ago to get me hooked on Zebralight flashlights. Well, I wrecked a pair of them, and now it appears they're no longer available. :-(

Ideally I'd like a light as similar to the Zebralight as possible. The SC52Fw L2 was my last light. Here are my requirements:

Small. This light will live in my front shirt pocket.

Tough. I'm a mechanic, it will get dropped, sadly. Was the demise of my Zebralight. But they served me well, I had a pair of the AA version lights from ZL that were my every day light for a decade or more. Likely I'll only get 4 good years out of a light before I've abused it into needing replacement.

Bright. I work in well lit conditions, so a light that might appear bright at night, simply appears dull when trying to illuminate brakes or engine cavities. I'm not above replacing batteries every day. Runtime is less important that size and bright.

I saw some people suggest the Streamlight 1L-1AA in another thread, but I can't figure out how big it is. Looks a bit large from what I'm seeing. My beloved dead ZL was about 3" long.


I don't know what the deal was, but I just tried a OLIGHT I5T EOS from Amazon, and the thing was underwelmingly dim. Did I have the wrong battery? I'm setup for Eneloop AA's ideally.

 

[Stefano]

Wouldn't SC5c Mk II fit you?
It is currently back order but is still in the catalog.

 

[LEDphile]

It's a bit heavy, but I might consider building up a light from a Malkoff VME head, MDC AA body, and one of the M61 light engines (I'd probably go with the M61NL), and running the whole thing off of 14500 li-ion cells

 

[DirtyRat]

Wouldn't SC5c Mk II fit you?
It is currently back order but is still in the catalog.

The Zebralight website looked like a ghost town. I assumed the company was belly-up. Are you suggesting I could eventually get a SC5c with an order?

 

[Stefano]

You can contact Zebralight to ask when it becomes available again.
And also see if any retailers in your country already have it ready in their online store.
If you live in the USA it seems like it might be easier for you to get a Zebralight than if you live elsewhere.
If you have been happy with the SC52Fw the SC5c may be a good choice as you already know the model.
If you need a flood beam you can simply apply a piece of semitransparent tape (Magic Tape) to have a beam like on the old version "F"

 

[Mr. LED]

Yep, just get another zebra.

 

[DirtyRat]

Got a response from ZebraLight, they said

"Lead time on the SC5c II LE is about 2-3 weeks if you place your order now."

I can be patient. SC5c is on order.

Interesting thing is I found my order history on their Account page.

SC51 Flashlight AA 200Lm bought November of 2011

Bought another in June of 2016

SC52Fw L2 AA Floody Flashlight Neutral White


The SC600 I have was a Christmas present I was given somewhere between the two.

Actually using the SC51 today, it works, but the light comes and goes and I have to smack it on something hard to get the light to stay bright. Excited to have a 'new' ZebraLight again soon.

 

[Stefano]

Actually using the SC51 today, it works, but the light comes and goes and I have to smack it on something hard to get the light to stay bright. Excited to have a 'new' ZebraLight again soon.

Have you tried to thoroughly clean the threads, the contacts and even the tailcap with a degreasing product for electrical contacts? (example: Deoxit)
Then put grease back on the fillets using Nyogel 760

 

[AstroTurf]

Actually using the SC51 today, it works, but the light comes and goes and I have to smack it on something hard to get the light to stay bright. Excited to have a 'new' ZebraLight again soon.

send it in for repair...

last i heard it was about 15 bucks.

Jim

 

[DirtyRat]

I'd have both my AA Zebra's in the mail for a service center if they offered, however I asked during my querey and was told:

"We won't be able to repair lights that old because we no longer have the parts/components."

Which is a bummer. Loved those lights before I abused them over the years. I'll certainly need to attempt what Stefano is suggesting. My SC51 is still in decent shape surprisingly, it is the other newer one that is worse for the wear. Busted the lens' out of both of them, I think the SC51 has a cheap replacement lens I picked up somewhere. The SC52 has a broken lens and struggles to work, but I haven't given the insides a thorough cleaning, and being a greasy mechanic, they're certainly overdue.

 

[Stefano]

Unfortunately this is the case, often there are no components for older models.
But the old Zebralight models sometimes seem to be immortal, surely you can try to extend their life with a little maintenance.

 

[turbodog]

The Zebralight website looked like a ghost town. I assumed the company was belly-up. Are you suggesting I could eventually get a SC5c with an order?

I got warranty service on a 18650 light from them last summer, so I'd say they are still in business. Website looks a little "thin", but give it a go... you should be good.

https://www.zebralight.com/SC600w-Mk-IV-Plus-18650-XHP502-Neutral-White-Flashlight_p_225.html

Also, several zebralights on ebay right now.

 

[DirtyRat]

The new Zebralight just arrived. Haven't played with it much. Don't need to, I know what I got is a solid light. The two middle lights are my formerly abused Zebras. The one beside the 18650 flashlight is my oldest, and favorite still. Cleaning the threads made it useable again.

Well, obviously an 18650 torch is in a class of its own. It hasn't been used at work, that's my home light. Lost it for 5 years, imagine my delight when it came spilling out of a small drawer/chest which was dropped when moving it. Otherwise it has been babied, and is a great flashlight.

Very excited to bring the SC5c II LE into work on Monday and used it as my new daily driver.

Just a quick observation, my SC51 (#3 of 4 in picture) has my favorite switch of the AA lights. That switch was actually criticized (rightfully so) for being too easy to press, which caused the revision and the newer lights have a more recessed switch. I could be crazy, but while the SC5c has a similar looking switch to the SC52Fw of mine, the switch feels easier to press (I like that) both as far as how recessed it is and the ease of the click in the switch. Click pressure is subtle, but it feels easier to me.



But for those of you keeping track, I ordered on the 17th and it was delivered on the 27th. 10 days is pretty good for 'Back Ordered'.

 

[AstroTurf]

View attachment 31338 View attachment 31339

The new Zebralight just arrived. Haven't played with it much. Don't need to, I know what I got is a solid light. The two middle lights are my formerly abused Zebras. The one beside the 18650 flashlight is my oldest, and favorite still. Cleaning the threads made it useable again.

Well, obviously an 18650 torch is in a class of its own. It hasn't been used at work, that's my home light. Lost it for 5 years, imagine my delight when it came spilling out of a small drawer/chest which was dropped when moving it. Otherwise it has been babied, and is a great flashlight.

Very excited to bring the SC5c II LE into work on Monday and used it as my new daily driver.

Just a quick observation, my SC51 (#3 of 4 in picture) has my favorite switch of the AA lights. That switch was actually criticized (rightfully so) for being too easy to press, which caused the revision and the newer lights have a more recessed switch. I could be crazy, but while the SC5c has a similar looking switch to the SC52Fw of mine, the switch feels easier to press (I like that) both as far as how recessed it is and the ease of the click in the switch. Click pressure is subtle, but it feels easier to me.



But for those of you keeping track, I ordered on the 17th and it was delivered on the 27th. 10 days is pretty good for 'Back Ordered'.

congrats!!!