Zebralight SC50w first impressions

[eala]

Just got mine tonight. This light is very well thought out. The UI is one of the best I have used. I love the ability to jump to any of the three levels (two of which are customizable) right away.

My only gripe is that the anodizing around the bezel is a little flaky but it is a very minor thing... output on 14500 is incredible.

I love the warm temperature as well (have 50w).

It did come on once in my pocket, but I had too much stuff in there at the time and it was rolling around in the bottom. I will keep it clipped and that will solve that - or lock out.

I have never had a low this low (0.6 lumen) and I like it.


eala

 

[rookiedaddy]

Bug in ZebraLight SC50w?

an update on the memorization bug in SC50/SC50w. According to ZebraLight, a new version of SC50/SC50w with memorization bug fixed is on its way to Texas office as well as their resellers.

The bug was due to "...a new tiny microcontroller that's different from the one in the SC30/H501 is being used".

ZebraLight has handled the matter very professionally when contacted, they even offer an exchange. However, I've decided to keep mine as it does not get in the way of normal operation, besides, I like the tint on mine... :thumbsup:

 

[jhc37013]

Re: Bug in ZebraLight SC50w?

Well it is nice of them to exchange and if I was ever offered exchange I wouldn't bother either, the default settings is what I mostly use anyway. How does this bug slip by QC on an entire run of lights is what I wonder.

 

[ky70]

Re: Bug in ZebraLight SC50w?

Well it is nice of them to exchange and if I was ever offered exchange I wouldn't bother either, the default settings is what I mostly use anyway. How does this bug slip by QC on an entire run of lights is what I wonder.

I'll stand pat with mine as well as I'm very happy with the light and don't really have a preference between Medium 1 and Medium 2 as I'm only concerned with which low mode the light turns on in (I likely would have never noticed this bug if not for uplite's review).

But you raise a good question regarding QC...if a few lights had the bug it would be one thing but for them all to have it is a clear indication that there was a sizeable hole in the testing process.

 

[ky70]

I noticed over the last few days that my light was falling out of my pocket when I rub against something or if was sitting in a certain position...so the clip was suddenly less secure as this had not been a problem previously.

Well today I was fondling my light and noticed that the clip was a little loose (Ah ha!!). So I tightened the screws down and now my clip is secure again. Just something for you folks to look out for as I would hate for anyone to lose their light.

I'll be adding some blue locktite to the screws when I get a chance so I don't have to worry about the screws working themselves loose. I'll use Blue loctite because it will lock the screws in place BUT is not permanent and can be undone with enough force.

 

[Yapo]

I've been looking to getting this light or the LiteFlux LF2XT and i've currently been EDCing a LRI Proton Pro.

Does anyone have experience with these lights?

Thx!

 

[LiteShow]

You could check out my mini-review from an EDC perspective:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=273682

I've been looking to getting this light or the LiteFlux LF2XT and i've currently been EDCing a LRI Proton Pro.

Does anyone have experience with these lights?

Thx!

 

[FroggyTaco]

I've been looking to getting this light or the LiteFlux LF2XT and i've currently been EDCing a LRI Proton Pro.

Does anyone have experience with these lights?

Thx!

I have owned a LF3XT & a LF2XT plus a SC30w/SC50/H501w & H501. My opinion is the ZL's seem to be more robust in their design & their simple yet comprehensive UI is hard to argue with. That being said, if you like to make your light perfect to your specs. the LF2XT is where it's at.

 

[burntoshine]

I've been looking to getting this light or the LiteFlux LF2XT and i've currently been EDCing a LRI Proton Pro.

Does anyone have experience with these lights?

Thx!

in my opinion, the LF2XT is hands down the best flashlight ever!

i own two. one in natural, and one Steve special titanium version with sapphire lens and a tritium vial in the button. perfecto!

 

[ky70]

in my opinion, the LF2XT is hands down the best flashlight ever!

Do you have the zebraligt SC50 or SC30 for comparison?

 

[Yapo]

Hey FroggyTaco, since you say you "have owned" i assume u dont still have all those lights?! Which ones did u keep?

If you do or if u can remember how did the output and beam pattern/throw compare between the SC50 and LF2XT?

The UI of the LF2XT does sound quite awesome and more flexible than the Zebralight and i do have a few unused AAA which i would like to make use of...but i would also like to have more throw and higher output which the SC50w offers.

And that titanium + Trit LF2XT does look rather awesome but way too awesome for me to afford(for now)!

Steve is currently offering a free aspheric lens shipped with the LF2XT which would give me more throw although the smooth beam would be ruined and he only has it in black while Khoo still has a few in natural left which i'd prefer...

Decisions...decisions...:hairpull:

 

[FroggyTaco]

I currently own the SC30w & SC50.

I only sold the LF2XT because it was to small for my hands. The LF3XT I had to return because it was modded with a XP-G emitter which became a failed torch. I really liked the LF3XT & miss it. Once LF releases a AA version with the current LF2XT firmware I will prolly own one.

I will most likely be selling my SC50 since I have about 20 CR123 cells that are gonna take forever to use up on the SC30w. Once I use them up, I will sell the SC30w & buy a SC50w since I prefer that size for EDC.

The SC50 was visually brighter than the LF2XT both running white topped Dura Loops. However if you step up to 10440 cells in the LF2XT that advantage disappears.

The LF2XT both had less of a spot & more of a tightly defined spill than the SC50. Since I prefer my EDC's to be more flood than spot & have a separate torch for throw duties, the LF2XT/LF3XT.

That being said, I perceive the SC50 to be better built than the LF2XT.

If I could combine ZL's HA & switch with LF's UI & reflector that would be an awesome light. I could go with either a tail switch or a side clicky.

Hey FroggyTaco, since you say you "have owned" i assume u dont still have all those lights?! Which ones did u keep?

If you do or if u can remember how did the output and beam pattern/throw compare between the SC50 and LF2XT?

The UI of the LF2XT does sound quite awesome and more flexible than the Zebralight and i do have a few unused AAA which i would like to make use of...but i would also like to have more throw and higher output which the SC50w offers.

And that titanium + Trit LF2XT does look rather awesome but way too awesome for me to afford(for now)!

Steve is currently offering a free aspheric lens shipped with the LF2XT which would give me more throw although the smooth beam would be ruined and he only has it in black while Khoo still has a few in natural left which i'd prefer...

Decisions...decisions...:hairpull:

 

[ky70]

I currently own the SC30w & SC50.

I only sold the LF2XT because it was to small for my hands. The LF3XT I had to return because it was modded with a XP-G emitter which became a failed torch. I really liked the LF3XT & miss it. Once LF releases a AA version with the current LF2XT firmware I will prolly own one..

I've had my eye on the LF3XT...one day I'll grab one.

The SC50 was visually brighter than the LF2XT both running white topped Dura Loops. However if you step up to 10440 cells in the LF2XT that advantage disappears.

But it's not apples to apples comparing the brightness of the SC50 on a 1.2v AA to the LF2XT on a 10440. So I'm guessing the SC50 on 14500 is brighter than the LF2XT on 10440. I EDC the SC50 on a 14500 and there is nice boost in power when compared to this light on a Dura loop (which is my back up battery).

 

[hazna]

I went for a walk tonight with my sc50... running it on freshly charged, newly received trustfire 14500 (the black and red label). It was still running after 45 mins. I turned it off once I got home, as I was worried about over discharging the cell. I do not have a DMM with me atm to test the voltage... but will do so tm.

btw, the black and red trustfires fit the sc50, but I'd imagine theres a lot of force on spring.

EDIT: the resting voltage of the battery was 3.74. Still some juice left (maybe 10-15%?)

 

[jhc37013]

I am continually impressed with the SC50 and have both the SC50 and SC50w and love them both I carry the SC50w when it's raining or foggy. I carry a main EDC in a holster usually a PC20C2 MKII or E2DL and always a backup in my packet deep carry. My pocket light rotates between three models the SC50, Jet-I Pro and E1B. I have not had the Jet-I Pro for long but so far I like it better only because the size fits my hand better and has 3 program modes, this is why I usually choose it over my E1B anyway and the 14500.

The only reason I like the Jet-I over the SC50 is the ZL is really almost to small for me other then that it's perfect and many members may just love the mini size of the SC50 or the extreme mini SC30. What I crave most is a Zebra 2xcr123 with 250+ lumens with everything else identical to the SC50.

 

[Henk_Lu]

What I crave most is a Zebra 2xcr123 with 250+ lumens with everything else identical to the SC50.

For me they can make it 18650 only and with an XP-G neutral white please!

I'm still waiting for my SC50w (and the H31) and I'm very pleased about what I read here about the light... :wave:

 

[jhc37013]

For me they can make it 18650 only and with an XP-G neutral white please!

I would take whatever comes first the 18650 or the 2xcr123 and with ZL history I would expect the 18650 to probably come out first, who knows maybe it will be broad voltage and we can have both in one light.

As for your SC50w your in for a nice treat as many of us know the hard part is waiting for delivery. 🙂

 

[bansuri]

Got mine today, tint is beautiful, UI is so easy, the side clicky is just perfect. You won't be fumbling with this thing to turn it on with a 1-finger death grip or the over-extended overhand method, just grab it and click.
Watch the return of side switches after the success of this series.
Well done, ZebraLight!
And thanks for the first impressions thread and all the posters who've contributed.
Also, kudos for the brown box packaging and quick shipping from Goingear.

 

[zbad]

have zebralight fixed the switch water resistant issue? I really like this light, but I cannot compromise on water issue.. I hope it as good as the D10 which I can bring to cross strong water current n swim with it.

some who own many sc50, please test one of your for the better of others 😀

 

[jblackwood]

If it's really that important to you, dive lights are what you should be considering. the IPX ratings are for still water, not for swimming and DEFINITELY not for swimming in water with a strong current.