ilikeguns40
Flashlight Enthusiast
SC53 is now showing out of stock, instead of the usual "back order". Could be a sign of something new releasing?
Last edited:
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SC53 is now showing out of stock, instead of the usual "back order". Could be a sign of something new releasing?
holygeez03
Enlightened
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- Sep 30, 2010
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I can't remember the last time I purchased a Zebralight... been using my H53Fw, SC600w IV, and SC64w HI forever. I still love them, but it was always exciting to see what ZL was bringing out... very concerned about them and their lack of offerings.
ilikeguns40
Flashlight Enthusiast
It would be such a waste for them to just stop. Their lights are very well built and intuitive. Probably some of the best lights I've ever handled, especially for the price. I'll continue to carry them and in hopes they continue to produce.
gurdygurds
Flashlight Enthusiast
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- Feb 7, 2014
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Same here. Some folks are skerd of the UI, but it's not hard at all. Once you have it down it's super useable.
I agree with you regarding how good they are. About 20 years ago, maybe a bit more, another CPFer and I got together in real life to test out a few lights in a very dark park; in Manhattan. He brought his best quality and brightest offerings, I did the same. One of his was a very compact Zebralight that blew my mind how bright and how far it could throw! Only things I had that could blow it out of the water were my Custom Leef-bodied SF M4, and my stock SF M6.
I would have asked which specific model that was, but back then I didn't order lights online. Back then, Manhattan had a very impressive number of Authorized SureFire dealers with Brick & Mortar shops. I think now it's down to one.
gurdygurds
Flashlight Enthusiast
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I reached out to them to see what the deal is. I'll let you know what they say. Been getting frisky on the flashlight front again lately. Here is what invariably happens......start playing with flashlights more.....frequent the forum more to see what is out there.....maybe buy a light or two......realize that a Zebralight realistically does anything I could want a flashlight to do and probably better than anything else.
Schokokeks
Enlightened
I don't mind their UI, and found it to be reasonably intuitive. It does have a tendency to "go goofy," more than other brands, though. I think a lot of people lump the inconsistency in with their overall gripes of the UI.
I think their issue is that they're probably struggling to stay competitive in a relatively saturated market where they charge a premium price, as they're a kind of weird balance of priorities that doesn't really min/max a large segment of the market.
Their niche is efficient, small lights made in China. They try to strike the balance of a more robust, small form light with great efficiency - for a much higher price.
I know people say they're rugged, but that was not my experience, so I don't think I'm paying extra for their product to get a better made light than most of the other good Chinese brands. Further, compact size always comes at a cost to something, and overall robustness is going to be part of that. Sure, potted electronics, but bigger, much longer double spring lights with potted electronics are always going to win out in a robustness competition.
Tied to that, they have terrible customer service. I think that's what's really biting them in the rear. AT THE LEAST, you're not really paying for better QC. I've talked about this elsewhere, but QC REALLY adds to the costs, and Chinese manufacturing tends to be able to cut costs by shifting QC to the final customer. That's fine, IF IT IS EASY AND CONVENIENT TO EXCHANGE A FAILED QC PRODUCT. If it's a hassle, or costs extra...why would I keep buying from them?
I LOVE AA lights, and they makes some excellent lights and headlamps built FOR the AA battery. Just some really great stuff... BUT... I still haven't pulled the trigger because they're relatively expensive, and if something does go wrong, they're not easy to work with and/or they won't really take care of me. I don't feel comfortable spending ~$150+ to get a headlamp and torch, almost completely as a gamble if something goes wrong. Meanwhile, I could get about twice as many Skilhunt products for a similar price...or a bucket of Convoy lights...or an Emissar with WHATEVER I want, for much less.
I know their form factor for 18650 is very popular, but again, that DOES come at a cost; it's not going to be able to handle abuse WHILE protecting the cell as well as a longer, double-spring light. While it's great if my light survives a drop, if the battery gets messed up, that's not GREAT. So, is the premium price worth the slightly smaller form factor to other Chinese competitors? The market seems to say, "Not really."
If I can pick up a similarly small product for about half the price, more efficient products for a lot less, and bigger and beefier Malkoff for not a lot more, that puts them in this weird in-between space in the market, and it's hard to justify their prices.
If you want robust, there are great options for a bit more money. If you want efficiency, there are great options for much less money. Heck, now "compactness" isn't even something they have to themselves. There are other brands putting out similarly compact lights. All of which (save for the durability options) cost less money.
I'm on the fence, because I'd be fine with them existing as a very niche brand, but I'd be much happier if they did some self-reflection and re-evaluated their market position, and used that to really drive them in a positive direction. If you want to be a more premium product, that's fine. Up the prices 20%, but then actually provide real customer service. Or, keep the **** poor CS, and drop the prices 20%. What was the Goldilocks zone 10 years ago is now no man's land, and so they really need to pick a direction and MOVE.
I think their issue is that they're probably struggling to stay competitive in a relatively saturated market where they charge a premium price, as they're a kind of weird balance of priorities that doesn't really min/max a large segment of the market.
Their niche is efficient, small lights made in China. They try to strike the balance of a more robust, small form light with great efficiency - for a much higher price.
I know people say they're rugged, but that was not my experience, so I don't think I'm paying extra for their product to get a better made light than most of the other good Chinese brands. Further, compact size always comes at a cost to something, and overall robustness is going to be part of that. Sure, potted electronics, but bigger, much longer double spring lights with potted electronics are always going to win out in a robustness competition.
Tied to that, they have terrible customer service. I think that's what's really biting them in the rear. AT THE LEAST, you're not really paying for better QC. I've talked about this elsewhere, but QC REALLY adds to the costs, and Chinese manufacturing tends to be able to cut costs by shifting QC to the final customer. That's fine, IF IT IS EASY AND CONVENIENT TO EXCHANGE A FAILED QC PRODUCT. If it's a hassle, or costs extra...why would I keep buying from them?
I LOVE AA lights, and they makes some excellent lights and headlamps built FOR the AA battery. Just some really great stuff... BUT... I still haven't pulled the trigger because they're relatively expensive, and if something does go wrong, they're not easy to work with and/or they won't really take care of me. I don't feel comfortable spending ~$150+ to get a headlamp and torch, almost completely as a gamble if something goes wrong. Meanwhile, I could get about twice as many Skilhunt products for a similar price...or a bucket of Convoy lights...or an Emissar with WHATEVER I want, for much less.
I know their form factor for 18650 is very popular, but again, that DOES come at a cost; it's not going to be able to handle abuse WHILE protecting the cell as well as a longer, double-spring light. While it's great if my light survives a drop, if the battery gets messed up, that's not GREAT. So, is the premium price worth the slightly smaller form factor to other Chinese competitors? The market seems to say, "Not really."
If I can pick up a similarly small product for about half the price, more efficient products for a lot less, and bigger and beefier Malkoff for not a lot more, that puts them in this weird in-between space in the market, and it's hard to justify their prices.
If you want robust, there are great options for a bit more money. If you want efficiency, there are great options for much less money. Heck, now "compactness" isn't even something they have to themselves. There are other brands putting out similarly compact lights. All of which (save for the durability options) cost less money.
I'm on the fence, because I'd be fine with them existing as a very niche brand, but I'd be much happier if they did some self-reflection and re-evaluated their market position, and used that to really drive them in a positive direction. If you want to be a more premium product, that's fine. Up the prices 20%, but then actually provide real customer service. Or, keep the **** poor CS, and drop the prices 20%. What was the Goldilocks zone 10 years ago is now no man's land, and so they really need to pick a direction and MOVE.
gurdygurds
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,129
FROM ZEBRLIGHT.....
"The new model SC54c N will be available online next week."
I just sent a follow up asking if the body is a new design or same at SC53.
ilikeguns40
Flashlight Enthusiast
That's exciting. I'm very curious to what it will be like. Really hoping li-ion support along with your standard AA voltage and a 4500k emitter
gurdygurds
Flashlight Enthusiast
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- Feb 7, 2014
- Messages
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Here is latest reply.....
"Body style will remain the same, mostly, with one or two very minor differences that only our designer and people in the factory would know. The driver is more efficient (longer runtimes)."
ilikeguns40
Flashlight Enthusiast
Kinda disappointing. Hopefully something worthwhile will be added over the SC53. I guess we will see what happens
Probably no Li ion compatibility either...
ilikeguns40
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yeah I'm not getting my hopes up. It would be too perfect of a light
At least hoping the LED will be between 4500k and 5700k
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this_is_nascar
Flashaholic
I hope not. Not looking for anything cooler than 4500k.
ilikeguns40
Flashlight Enthusiast
Probably won't happen, but I'd hope for at least a couple options. Warmer and cooler models. Just like their headlamps
That's a pretty quotable line. I may even have to use it sometime;-)
This is another 'classic' line. This thread is a great source of classic lines!;-)
gurdygurds
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 7, 2014
- Messages
- 2,129
I'll be here all week.
