The Official Zebralight Thread

[jon_slider]

Dynamic Duo:

 

[fnsooner]

has it ever turned on in your pocket before?

congrats on a clean recovery, inspires confidence ;-)

Yes,I have had a ZL come on in my pocket a few times. Even the newer ones.

I have carried an 18650 ZebraLight most days for around fifteen years. So many opportunities to have one turn on. I am usually doing physical things doing maintenance and mechanicing, climbing around on things using my flashlight most days.

That's why I keep it locked out. And if I get lackadaisical about it I am usually reminded at the worst times.

 

[indigon]

Yes,I have had a ZL come on in my pocket a few times. Even the newer ones.

I have carried an 18650 ZebraLight most days for around fifteen years. So many opportunities to have one turn on. I am usually doing physical things doing maintenance and mechanicing, climbing around on things using my flashlight most days.

That's why I keep it locked out. And if I get lackadaisical about it I am usually reminded at the worst times.

Another advantage to the vinyl cap I've been experimenting with in addition to head drop protection is it also recesses the button further basically eliminating any chance of accidental activation.

There's an o-ring between the cap lip and light rim for added shock absorbtion..

(McBob 5000K 90 CRI SC65 XHP35)

 

[jon_slider]

Zebralight 18650 travel charger and spare battery carrier idea:

The Wk03 works to charge flat top 18650. The host comes w a button top that is not intended for the Zebra.

fwiw I recently discovered that Red light stops the itch from mosquito bites ;-)

 

[indigon]

Zebralight 18650 travel charger and spare battery carrier idea:

Here's my idea: It's faster.. 🤣

 

[jon_slider]

I agree spare batteries are very convenient.. and they weigh less than a spare light.

otoh, in cases where I would have to otherwise bring a charger, I would prefer to bring a spare light, that incorporates USB charging, and a Red light channel ;-)

The Wurkkos HD15 has USB and the ability to charge Zebra batteries. Plus it has a Red LED, and can serve as a headlamp.

(pic from this review)

now back to our regularly scheduled program:

 

[DE73]

thanks for testing other batteries,
sorry both your AA Zebra SC54c N have a recurring blink every 90 seconds

After inspection of the light I send back they will send my a new one.

 

[jon_slider]

send back they will send my a new one.

consider asking for a refund instead
imo the Emisar D3AA is a worthy alternative
(pic is a link to more info)

 

[id30209]

I was testing new emitters made on Fireflies request but not sold by them…
Jackson Lee has some super nice CCT’s
Stock Samsung 351 vs FFL351 “4500”

 

[id30209]

50 shades of grey…
Stock XHP70.2HD vs XHP70.2HI “diced” vs FFL707A

 

[Brokenarrow]

I have had several Zebs modded and my favorite is still the Sc65 with FFL351A. Just ordered the H54 with same. Nice and bright with just the faintest hint of rosey. I think I need to send a few more off................

 

[id30209]

I have only few stock Zebras and all others i’ve swapped emitters. Lucky for me i don’t have to send them anyone for that.

 

[jon_slider]

i've swapped emitters

congratulations!
fwiw, there are 19.3mm x 1mm sapphire lenses available here

 

[id30209]

congratulations!
fwiw, there are 19.3mm x 1mm sapphire lenses available here

Thx jon but it was not needed. I can open them without destroying lens. Older models are quite stiff

 

[jon_slider]

Thx jon but it was not needed. I can open them without destroying lens. Older models are quite stiff

I admire your modding skills!

The Sapphire suggestion is because it is a more durable material than glass.

My SC64 is modded by mcbob to sw45k ;-)
he does not offer sapphire, so I ordered that separately
he shipped the light to me with the lens and reflector removed, and I installed a sapphire lens..

(pic of the light w no reflector, before the lens arrived)

 

[jon_slider]

[NLD] Zebralight SC65c Hi

Im happy to say the low mode PWM does not flicker visibly, to my eye. Although the Opple ranks the Flicker Index as High Risk on the two lowest modes:

those two outputs are from my own lumen meter and they match the official specs almost exactly (spec level 1 is 0.03 lm, and level 2 is 0.11 lm)....

Even waving the light on level 1 does not produce discrete dots:

visible flicker was expected based on other peoples reports.. but I dont see it on this one, so I think I won the lottery.. lol

also pleased the Tint DUV is not above the BBL.. looking forward to night time ;-)

outputs on my meter, and my G6 program:

 

[indigon]

Thanks for the great pics. I believe the vast majority of SC65c HI owners do not see "visible flicker" on the lowest levels, though it may exist on a flicker reading meter. The output on your meter on the highest levels H1-H2 seems somewhat high by most measurements, your readings on lower levels seem about right.

 

[jon_slider]

thanks for your thoughts... ;-)

I believe the vast majority of SC65c HI owners do not see "visible flicker" on the lowest levels, though it may exist on a flicker reading meter.

this is a video of visible SC65c flicker
that is not my light.. but to be clear, it is Visible to the Eye, not just on a meter.
I agree most people dont use such low outputs, and not every SC65 has visible flicker

I prefer the SC64c LE driver, it keeps the LED at more Constant Lux, uses a lower Modulation Depth, higher frequency, and lower Flicker Index score, than the SC65:

On Level 1, the SC65c is using slow PWM, at 253Hz, and the Minimum Lux is cycling all the way Off.

Opple 3 Flicker Index tests for all 12 outputs:

The output on your meter on the highest levels H1-H2 seems somewhat high by most measurements

agree! ;-)
probably the small LED is overstimulating my light meter sensor

 

[DE73]

Short summary:
I ordered a Zebralight H54c N that was blinking every 90 seconds when turned of.
Zebralight sent a new replacement lamp that also was blinking.
Just received the third lamp that's not blinking but have another problem. When I turn of the lamp and leave it for a few minutes it's not possible to turn it on. When you push the button nothing happens. If you unscrew the tailcap and tighten it again the light is working.
Starting to get a little bit frustrated. This problem take same time and also money because I pay for return freight to China. Zebralight always answer quick and try to solve the problem. I just want a working light. My H51 (?) from 2011 (?) is still working without problems.

 

[jon_slider]

another problem. When I turn of the lamp and leave it for a few minutes it's not possible to turn it on.

so sorry to hear you received 3 lights with problems. Thank you for making Zebralight aware of the issues, so hopefully they can find a solution.

Here is a post about another SC54c N that doesn't turn back on:

"I have to pull the battery to get it to turn back on."

Maybe consider a different brand.. The Skilhunt M150 might be a good alternative. Available with the same LED as the Zebra... and the Skilhunt UI is quite similar to the Zebra, but imo easier to use thanks to last mode memory.

The Skilhunt also has the advantage of being able to use both AA and LiIon (and has built in charging for LiIon).

Another option would be the Emisar D3AA, whose UI is even more flexible. Plus it has Aux lights... but the beam is very floody as it does not use a reflector.