Zebralight SC50w first impressions

[cave dave]

...
In testing various batteries with the light I stumbled upon another interesting (and possibly new) behavior. When running on a 14500 battery, in high mode I get a high/higher combination instead of the high/strobe combination.

1. Turn on to high (quick single click) results in what appears to be the same high obtained with NiMH/NiZn/Alkaline.
2. Double click in high results in a brighter "turbo" mode instead of the strobe.
3. Turn the light off and back on and it comes back on in the lower high mode - it apparently doesn't memorize the sub-mode in high - double-click to return to "turbo" mode.

I got mine today also from zebralight.com. The Memory function works as it should. Unlike DeadbutAlive I have the 2hz strobe as the max alternative on all battery types as advertised in the on-line literature. It came in a small cardboard box with very little paperwork. You have to go the the webpage to see how it works. :thinking: Strange compared to the nice old packaging, but I sort of like the "green" less trash taking up landfill space. I already knew how to operate it before it arrived so no big deal. The timing is slightly differnt than my H501 headlamp though so it took a bit getting used to. I kept releasing the button to soon and getting Max instead of low.

I also noticed the models with the "memory bug" are now $10 off at Zebralight + you get extras. So if you don't care about that its a great way to save some dough.

 

[jhc37013]

I got mine today also from zebralight.com. The Memory function works as it should. Unlike DeadbutAlive I have the 2hz strobe as the max alternative on all battery types as advertised in the on-line literature.

I went to ZL website to pre-order the H51 and seen the SC50+ with the UI like DeadbutAlive has. It says it is back ordered until July so I'm not sure when they are going to ship it but I ordered one. The only complaint I have had with my SC50 as a EDC light is I had to choose either 38lm or the max 193lm with nothing in between so the new 122lm sub level really appeals to me.

I ordered the H51 and SC50+ together and because the H51 in not scheduled for release until August 19th I asked in the comment box at checkout to please ship them separately as they become available, hopefully they will.

 

[cave dave]

Update from the http://www.zebralight.com website.

Updated version (July 2010): the first sub-level of Medium is increased to 36 Lm, the second sub-level of High using 14500 is changed to 107 Lm instead of the 2Hz strobe

From 33lm to 36lm on med isn't much of a change, would of really like a 50lm medium to differentiate more between the two mediums.

Since I am not using 14500 the change won't effect me .

I would like to see them shorten the "hold" timing to low. I am used to my H501 headlamp and I keep releasing the "hold" too early and getting high instead of low. There is a pretty short window of opportunity between holding long enough to get low and holding to long an accidentally getting med. Th H501 I have is about perfect in this. But even with practice I want low but sometimes end up on High or Med. Also if you hold the button to cycle through modes I don't think it spends enough time in Med and High. Another 1/2 second should do the trick and not be to cumbersome.

Still love this light, even as is.

 

[FroggyTaco]

Just as an FYI: The "new" H501's with the new UI have the newer longer mode interval timing. I also prefer the older timing, but I have since adapted once I sold off my older faster mode ZL lights.

Travis

Update from the http://www.zebralight.com website.



From 33lm to 36lm on med isn't much of a change, would of really like a 50lm medium to differentiate more between the two mediums.

Since I am not using 14500 the change won't effect me .

I would like to see them shorten the "hold" timing to low. I am used to my H501 headlamp and I keep releasing the "hold" too early and getting high instead of low. There is a pretty short window of opportunity between holding long enough to get low and holding to long an accidentally getting med. Th H501 I have is about perfect in this. But even with practice I want low but sometimes end up on High or Med. Also if you hold the button to cycle through modes I don't think it spends enough time in Med and High. Another 1/2 second should do the trick and not be to cumbersome.

Still love this light, even as is.

 

[cistallus]

I'm interested in the SC50. Actually I'd prefer an SC60 but I insist on the ability to use primary batteries as backup, so it's out.
I have a few questions and concerns:

1. High level - web page implies it doesn't remember the high level. So which high level does it default to - the actual highest level, or the next-highest? On 14500? Eneloop?

2. Do AW 14500 (protected, black w/silver label, bought this year) work well in it? (They don't fit my H501w, have to use unprotected 14500 and the H501w has no protection for them so have to be careful.)

3. From comments, the SC50 tint should be fine for me, the SC50w might be a bit more noticeably yellow than I'd like, apparently it's more so than the H501w.

4. I don't like the interface difference from the H501w, will be awkward having both if they differ in how long you have to hold it down to get low level from off.

5. One vendor still shows "SC50" on their web page, but ZL shows only "SC50+" - are all the older ones sold, or do I need to query the dealer to make sure I'm getting the latest one?

 

[jhc37013]

1. it will always start on the lower high level no matter the battery choice.

2. I use AW 14500 and they fit fine

3. SC50 tint seems consistently good I have heard no complaints. I do have the SC50w but not the H501w to compare it to.

4. I don't notice any difference in the timing with my 501 (regular model)

5. If you want the SC50+ definitely check with your dealer and be sure he knows you want the SC50+. As far as I know their is still regular SC50's out there.

 

[pae77]

I'm interested in the SC50. Actually I'd prefer an SC60 but I insist on the ability to use primary batteries as backup, so it's out.
I have a few questions and concerns:
All my comments are based on the SC50w+ on 14500s.
1. High level - web page implies it doesn't remember the high level. So which high level does it default to - the actual highest level, or the next-highest? On 14500? Eneloop?
It always defaults to the 100 lumen lower high level. It does not memorize the higher high. This is a good thing, imo. There isn't that much difference between the two except in run time and how hot it gets, so it's good that it defaults to the level that has better runtime. It's still very bright on that level (at least with 14500s).
2. Do AW 14500 (protected, black w/silver label, bought this year) work well in it? (They don't fit my H501w, have to use unprotected 14500 and the H501w has no protection for them so have to be careful.)
I don't know. So far I have only used Trustfire protected 14500's (blue wrapper) in it and they work great and seem to be excellent cells, imo and experience.
3. From comments, the SC50 tint should be fine for me, the SC50w might be a bit more noticeably yellow than I'd like, apparently it's more so than the H501w.
Yes, it's more yellow than the H501w and they vary as to how yellow they are. The least yellow w models are not too bad (i.e., overly yellow) although I would prefer a slightly more neutral white tint or a tint like the H501w which was excellent, imo.
4. I don't like the interface difference from the H501w, will be awkward having both if they differ in how long you have to hold it down to get low level from off.
I didn't find that to be much of a problem. You can get used to the difference pretty quickly.
5. One vendor still shows "SC50" on their web page, but ZL shows only "SC50+" - are all the older ones sold, or do I need to query the dealer to make sure I'm getting the latest one?

You definitely need to query the dealer to make sure and also request one with a less yellow tint, if the dealer will accomodate you, if going for the w model (unless you like and want that "golden" tint that the more yellow ones seem to have).

If you are not in too much of a hurry, I would recommend waiting for the SC51 which I believe will have XPG emitters which should make for a better beam as well as be brighter and have even better runtime, not that the SC50 is bad in those departments, except, I personally find the hot spot to be a bit too small and the spill to be a bit too large and relatively dim compared to the brightness of the hot spot. I suspect the XPG emitter should have a bigger hotspot and brighter spill.

 

[cistallus]

Thanks jhc37013 and pae77. That's a bummer about item 1 - when I turn a light to high, I want it at its highest level, not have to fool around more to get there. They could easily have it remember the high level as well as the other two. Thanks for the other answers, they all sound good.

I was all set to get one but due to item 1, I think I will hold off, maybe until info about that SC51 shows up.

Hmm, clarification please: what if you aren't using a 14500? The Zebralight site's page for the SC50+ states "Strobe selection is not memorized.". This implies it must come on at its highest level when High is selected. Is that true for a non-LiIon, so the inability to come on at the highest level only applies to 14500?

 

[pae77]

I think you are right about that only being an issue with the 14500 power source. I can almost guarantee you though, it just is not going to be a problem in practice because the difference between the two high levels is so subtle and slight, imo, it just isn't a big deal. The lower high level is really bright. When you crank it up to the higher level, there is a barely perceptible difference. Because the difference is so slight but the lower high is so much more efficient, most of the time one should be satisfied and prefer to be using the lower of the two high levels anyway. I really believe this will become apparent to anyone once they start using the light. If there was a bigger difference between the two levels, that would be different and then I would agree it might be a problem, but since the difference in actual noticeable brightness is so minimal, most of the time you would just want to be at the level that is more efficient and giving you the longer runtime, especially since it is only barely perceptibly less bright than the other higher level. For me, if it came on at the higher level, I would always be turning it down.

In summary, even the lower high is really quite bright on this light and you are just not going to see a really practical difference between those two levels, except in runtime and heat, imo.

Thanks jhc37013 and pae77. That's a bummer about item 1 - when I turn a light to high, I want it at its highest level, not have to fool around more to get there. They could easily have it remember the high level as well as the other two. Thanks for the other answers, they all sound good.

I was all set to get one but due to item 1, I think I will hold off, maybe until info about that SC51 shows up.

Hmm, clarification please: what if you aren't using a 14500? The Zebralight site's page for the SC50+ states "Strobe selection is not memorized.". This implies it must come on at its highest level when High is selected. Is that true for a non-LiIon, so the inability to come on at the highest level only applies to 14500?

 

[GunnarGG]

With the SC30w that I have there was some critic about the light switching of instantly if started in high - high if the battery was slightly depleted when running on primarys. The light remembered that it was in the higher sublevel and didn't stay on long enough to change to the lower sublevel of high. So you had to run it on medium instead. So in that case there is a point in always start at the lower sublevel of high, but remember the sublevels of low and medium.

I don't know if they have changed it in the SC30 but if they have it could maybe be that it is the same programming they use in the SC50.

 

[yowzer]

I see a quite noticable difference between the 2 high levels on mine, and think of them as high and turbo and don't mind that the level isn't memorized. I just wish it had a higher mode instead of strobe with AA (Though not as bright, of course)... I'd rather use eneloops for extended use on a camping trip.

As for technical reasons: the second high slot is turbo with 14500 and strobe with AA. Switching between the two batteries could give you an annoying surprise, and memorizing different levels for different battery types just adds to the complexity of the light's circuitry, which means higher cost and more places for bugs to creep in. It would have involved more work, too, when the upgraded sc50+ was introduced, which would have likely meant more delays for the h51 and sc60.

 

[HorseFilms]

I just placed an order for one of these. I can't wait to test it out. I'm still not sure if I'm going to run 'loops or if I'll grab some 14500s. That extra punch is tempting.

 

[jhc37013]

I just placed an order for one of these. I can't wait to test it out. I'm still not sure if I'm going to run 'loops or if I'll grab some 14500s. That extra punch is tempting.

Definitely get yourself at least one 14500 to try it with.

 

[HorseFilms]

Definitely get yourself at least one 14500 to try it with.

OK, I caved. 14500 and charger order has shipped.🙂

 

[pae77]

I really like running Li-ion cells in lights that are designed to handle them, (like e.g., the SC50w+). For those who may be new to using Li-ion cells for flashlights, I recommend doing a little background research and study re proper use and maintenance of Li-ion type cells. Plenty of info to be found in the "flashlight electronics" "batteries included" section of this site. There are some important differences from NiMH chemistry that must be appreciated and observed for safety and to get long life from your cells.

 

[HorseFilms]

After one night with the SC50w+, I'm hooked. Just awesome... and I don't even have the 14500 yet!

I have a feeling that ZL is going to be bad news for my wallet.

 

[selfbuilt]

FYI, my review of the SC50w is now up - along with the soon-to-be-released SC51 (XP-G).

Zebralight SC51 (XP-G R4) & SC50w (XP-E Neutral) 1xAA Reviews: RUNTIMES, BEAMSHOTS +

Enjoy! 🙂

 

[HorseFilms]

Wonderful review, as usual, sir. Thank you very much!

 

[MojaveMoon07]

[...] My pocket light rotates between three models the SC50, Jet-I Pro and E1B.

[...] not that the SC50 is bad in those departments, except, I personally find the hot spot to be a bit too small and the spill to be a bit too large and relatively dim compared to the brightness of the hot spot.

This question is for anyone:

How do the size of the SC50w's hotspot and the brightness of the SC50w's spill compare with those of the JetBeam Jet-I Pro ?

 

[B0wz3r]

This question is for anyone:

How do the size of the SC50w's hotspot and the brightness of the SC50w's spill compare with those of the JetBeam Jet-I Pro ?

I have a Jet III Pro ST which uses the same reflector, and just got the SC50w+. The spill area of the SC is a good 35% larger than that of my Jetbeam, which has a Q3/5A emitter and the tint on the two is virtually identical; the SC might be just a little warmer but this could be because the ST is driven harder so has a higher max output (I run mine on a single 18650).