The Official Zebralight Thread .

[HRace]

Finally got to see, hold and use a Zebralight for the first time. SC53c N with the 519a. Wow! I’ve seen pictures so knew it was small but it’s tiny (short)! My AA comparison is a Malkoff MDC AA which is giant by comparison. That switch being electronic threw me off. I’m used to McClicky mechanical switches where’re you have to make contact to cause a light change (or AAA twist lights). The Zebra was ready to change the second you touch the switch. Just surprised me. Not bad at all. I thought the interface was nice. Especially the really simple way to get to H2, M2, L2 with a double click from where you are. Really the only complaint would be getting to Medium from off uses a double click which gives you a flash of High for a split second (I know, you can custom set this). Anyway, just long hold and cycle L, M and release to get Medium worked fine. The speed it cycles from L, M, H also surprised me. Fast, in a good way. Overall I don’t know what to think. I have many AAA lights that are basically as bright and use rechargeables and are far smaller. This Zebra is a gift but I may still dream up a fun combo to order from Bob_McBob to own one for myself with a more preferred LED and optic. Just a simple review from a Zebra newbie. Super fun.

 

[n2mb_racing]

https://www.zebralight.com/H53Fc-N-Neutral-White-High-CRI-AA-Floody-Headlamp-_p_253.html

Officially no, unofficially probably

Not worth the risk IMO. Output isn’t that much higher anyway. Be safe and run rechargeable eneloops

Yeah, the problem is 14500s have way more capacity than eneloops and are 10g lighter. My H52 runs way longer with the L10 than eneloops, and now with the F12 out, it's going to be even longer.

 

[n2mb_racing]

The H52 has official support for 14500 batteries, so LVP MUST work. G6 and G7 were implemented in the 53/63 series.

Yeah, the LVP works on the H52. It's nice, but old at this point and probably not replaceable!

 

[Mr. LED]

I got my SC53c N yesterday, and it’s nice. Comparing to the previous SC53c (XP-L2), the brightness seems the same on all levels. The hotspot on the N version is more defined, rounder on the edges, throw seems to be equal. There’s no color shift between hotspot, corona and spill. Also, there’s a very distinct corona around the hotspot. Tint is nice and creamy, typical Nichia, makes the XP-L2 look green in comparison. The switch on this one is softer to press, with a very defined and loud click, which is not my favorite. All else is what we’re used to, it’s a Zebralight.

 

[ilikeguns40]

I got my SC53c N yesterday, and it’s nice. Comparing to the previous SC53c (XP-L2), the brightness seems the same on all levels. The hotspot on the N version is more defined, rounder one the edges, throw seems to be equal. There’s no color shift between hotspot, corona and spill. Also, there’s a very distinct corona around the hotspot. Tint is nice and creamy, typical Nichia, makes the XP-L2 look green in comparison. The switch on this one is softer to press, with a very defined and loud click, which is not my favorite. All else is what we’re used to, it’s a Zebralight.

They are a great AA light for the price IMO. I love Zebralights reflectors, the small form factor, feel in hand, and overall product

 

[burntoshine]

I just got a SC53c N. I really like the dark anodizing! And I'm pleased with the tint, and everything else about the light. Zebralight continues to be my favorite flashlight & headlight company.

 

[Repsol600rr]

I ordered another SC53c N..... like it well enough to have a spare. Wish I did it like this back in the SCx2 days. I'd have an army of zebras.

 

[ilikeguns40]

I hope they bring the sc5 back with a nice led. I should of bought one, I want the knurling

 

[n2mb_racing]

I ordered another SC53c N..... like it well enough to have a spare. Wish I did it like this back in the SCx2 days. I'd have an army of zebras.

Are you all running these lights on nimh batteries only?

 

[Mr. LED]

I am

 

[ilikeguns40]

NIMH only for me

 

[PoliceScannerMan]

Same, Eneloop only. I have plenty of lights that take 14500.

 

[n2mb_racing]

Yeah, it's crazy that these lights only support NiMh. The capacity difference is huge. It looks like the Vapcell F12 is around 4600 mWHr, while eneloops are 3000 mWHr or less under heavy discharge. Plus, the 14500 batteries are 10g lighter.

Test of Eneloop AA BK-3HCC 2450mAh (Black)

 

[ilikeguns40]

Im not too worried about runtimes as I have stacks upon stacks of AA NIMH batteries in all my vehicles and around my house. Sometimes I just let my AA Zebras run all night on moonlight and all mornings while I get ready for work

 

[night.hoodie]

The capacity difference is huge.

I wouldn't describe it as huge with such small capacities, but you're right, Eneloop Pro AA has twice the capacity of F12, but F12 has about 35% more energy than Eneloop Pro AA.

 

[InspectHerGadget]

Zebralight have turned off the lights for the Australian market...WTF?

I lost my light three years ago and haven't been able to replace it.

 

[Lips]

Yeah, it's crazy that these lights only support NiMh. The capacity difference is huge. It looks like the Vapcell F12 is around 4600 mWHr, while eneloops are 3000 mWHr or less under heavy discharge. Plus, the 14500 batteries are 10g lighter.

Eneloops get the head of SC53 at least 10 degrees hotter at 198 lumens or higher. (Inefficiency maybe at boosting the 1.2 bat up)

3.5v under load on Li-ion the 53 will step-down from high 500 + lumens to med. This is with normal regular on/off usage and not always on long runtime test as it sometimes will blow thru the step-down probably because light is not cycled testing startup voltage. Eneloop runs and just dims at the end.

Not to mention twice the lumens!

I wouldn't describe it as huge with such small capacities, but you're right, Eneloop Pro AA has twice the capacity of F12, but F12 has about 35% more energy than Eneloop Pro AA.

Kind of interesting change Zebralight made between the lights...

SC53w
will not turn back on if below .95v with Eneloop. Will leave you in the dark if you turn it off. It will keep going if you don't turn it off.

SC53 N
will turn back on all the way down to tested .84v on Eneloop. That's a good change as it won't leave you in the dark out in the woods somewhere! You have emergency low light on this light. May damage the cell but you have light...


Vapcell H10 (1000mah) under load were lower performers given their high amp draw rating than L10 (1050mah) and came in around 930mah (2amp draw). F12 (1250mah) which are direct replacements for the L10 probably more like 52% more energy than Eneloop Pro. That's allot given low capacity anyway and an inefficient 53 driver... The F12 batteries are around 30% better (3amp draw) than the H10. F12 button fit N version and flat-top fit older versions. They are cheap as hell, can't see any downside!

 

[vadimax]

Zebralight has served a bad service to itself: its lights are so perfect that there left nearly nothing to improve

 

[n2mb_racing]

Zebralight has served a bad service to itself: its lights are so perfect that there left nearly nothing to improve

Sure they plenty. Add back in working 14500 support! I love their h52 headlamp and I would buy a new one, but lithium ion support is critical. I use it for running and I want high lumens for as long as possible.

 

[RegularGuy81]

Maybe they are monitoring this thread and will release a firmware update. I would gladly give up the multiple strobe or maybe even the custom modes for the option to run Li Ions. If it is in fact an issue of storage space on the led board.

Not sure how the end user could update, maybe a mail it back type situation?